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hi_its_erinnicole's review against another edition
3.5
Very good second book of a series but my goodness was this long for middle grade.
citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
3.75
Another massively entertaining addition to the Witchlings canon!! I unfortunately can’t gush as much about the friendship as I did in my review with the first book, since the main trio was in a miscommunication-caused conflict for a bulk of the first half (unfortunately reasonable/relatable, they also did just get close. That kind of friendship might be strong, but not entirely unbreakable). That did mean we got to spend more time with Seven only, which while that might be a bummer for some people, personally I was interested in how she’d handle her anxieties and new responsibilities. There’s still a lot that hasn’t been covered in that arc/aspect, but I expect it’s going to be wrapped up either next book or in the end of the series(whenever that may be).
The stakes were a little higher for this book, too! Now there wasn’t a risk of toadification but death. Oof. (None of the main trio dies though, don’t worry.) The conflict wasn’t as connected to the main cast as the first book’s was, but that’s not to say it was unrelated, since it went hand in hand with the theme of Spare rights this book(and also Thorn being scapegoated). Honestly, so far I think the series is going a pretty good job at both showing Seven, Thorn and Valley making Spare history and helping others like them gain visibility, while also still needing more protection for them and their coven. (I’m sure the creator being an author of color definitely helps.)
I’m also noticing a reoccurring theme of a mystery relating to the main plot! I’ve been enjoying trying to solve the solutions before the end(this one I actually was able to guess!), but if it’s going to be continued in the next book(s) I hope it doesn’t become formulaic.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, even if I think the first book is slightly better: For instance, Valley had an introduced love interest/girlfriend this book, and there wasn’t much time to know Graves as a character before that?? There are some other characters that are significant to the main cast that, while they had a role in the story, I don’t think they had the time to be as fleshed out. Anyhow. Sequels are always at a disadvantage, though, because they don’t have the privilege of being wholly original! I’m still going to be reading book 3(and, ideally, not fight a 9 year old for a library copy).
The stakes were a little higher for this book, too! Now there wasn’t a risk of toadification but death. Oof. (None of the main trio dies though, don’t worry.) The conflict wasn’t as connected to the main cast as the first book’s was, but that’s not to say it was unrelated, since it went hand in hand with the theme of Spare rights this book(and also Thorn being scapegoated). Honestly, so far I think the series is going a pretty good job at both showing Seven, Thorn and Valley making Spare history and helping others like them gain visibility, while also still needing more protection for them and their coven. (I’m sure the creator being an author of color definitely helps.)
I’m also noticing a reoccurring theme of a mystery relating to the main plot! I’ve been enjoying trying to solve the solutions before the end(this one I actually was able to guess!), but if it’s going to be continued in the next book(s) I hope it doesn’t become formulaic.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, even if I think the first book is slightly better: For instance, Valley had an introduced love interest/girlfriend this book, and there wasn’t much time to know Graves as a character before that?? There are some other characters that are significant to the main cast that, while they had a role in the story, I don’t think they had the time to be as fleshed out. Anyhow. Sequels are always at a disadvantage, though, because they don’t have the privilege of being wholly original! I’m still going to be reading book 3(and, ideally, not fight a 9 year old for a library copy).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Child death and Fire/Fire injury
clcheatle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
gennysreadingroom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
quinnie007's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
busyknitting's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
momoj8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cafecitoconchaschisme's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
evamadera1's review
4.0
While I still enjoyed this installment, the second book definitely slumped from the high of the first. The overall conflict for this book did not have as much connection to the main character. Surviving the Impossible Task of book one has significant implication for Seven's future. The Golden Frog Games, however, did not, even though Thorn competes in them. Seven had other worries such as her Uncle trials and her secret connections to mostros but these other worries felt like add ons to the plot which meant that the page time ended up split too much between these events. I still found enjoyment in this book but I hope that ortega can recapture the magic in book 3.