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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. An enjoyable read. Bella Forrest’s different series are hit or miss for me. I liked the Gender Game but didn’t like Shade of Vampire or the detective series. This one felt like a mix of Gender Game and Rochelle Mead’s Vampire Academy. It was by no means perfect: some of the dialogue was stilted, and the fight scenes are too descriptive, but once I got into the last quarter I had a good time and am interested to pick up the next.
This was some fluff I read. Not sure if I will continue with the series. It wasn't too compelling.
I mean, decent young adult story but VERY Harry Potter-esque. Not going to lie, I’m going to read book 2.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’ve had this in my library for quite a while and I’m a little sad I waited so long to listen to it.
I don't remember how this ended up on my to-read list, but I found the title interesting, so when taking a month away from my book club I decided to give it a go. And... it was... fine.
TL/DR: I like (YA) urban fantasy series, but I will not be reading books 2-20 of this one.
Things started well, the first chapter had me hooked. But I was almost certain from the get-go that I was not going to like things as much once magic actually entered into things. The (essentially) prologue of an empath working for a casino was super-fun and, I was sadly correct, the rest of the book wasn't as interesting as that starting concept.
What I didn't know was the biggest disappointment would be the overwhelming amount of (sung to the tune of Rock Me Amadeus): Exposition, Exposition... Exposition! Exposition, Exposition... Exposition! Exposition, Exposition... Ex-ex-ex-exposition!
Like, wow, I understand world-building needs to happen in a first book, but... I actually found what I am pretty certain was the first scene written because it unnecessarily reiterated (re-expositioned?) more than one piece of (actually wholely unnecessary) information that had already been explained much earlier. And, also, how much world-building do you really have to do when your main concept is "we are most definitely NOT Harry Potter" (despite taking place in a hidden-in-plain-sight magical world, where they teach and house magical people and have a huge emphasis on an annual (*cough* House) points system, which really matters now that an ominous individual from the past wants to destroy the magical world and gain unlimited power). I even gave some consideration to whether this series started its life as HP fanfic (it wouldn't be the first), but decided on "No... maybe".
All that being said, I assume (now that the world is built) subsequent books would have more matter and less method. Also, I enjoyed the characters created and there are a couple remaining mysteries that I would like to know the answer to, but none of that is compelling enough to get me to read further books in the series.
TL/DR: I like (YA) urban fantasy series, but I will not be reading books 2-20 of this one.
Things started well, the first chapter had me hooked. But I was almost certain from the get-go that I was not going to like things as much once magic actually entered into things. The (essentially) prologue of an empath working for a casino was super-fun and, I was sadly correct, the rest of the book wasn't as interesting as that starting concept.
What I didn't know was the biggest disappointment would be the overwhelming amount of (sung to the tune of Rock Me Amadeus): Exposition, Exposition... Exposition! Exposition, Exposition... Exposition! Exposition, Exposition... Ex-ex-ex-exposition!
Like, wow, I understand world-building needs to happen in a first book, but... I actually found what I am pretty certain was the first scene written because it unnecessarily reiterated (re-expositioned?) more than one piece of (actually wholely unnecessary) information that had already been explained much earlier. And, also, how much world-building do you really have to do when your main concept is "we are most definitely NOT Harry Potter" (despite taking place in a hidden-in-plain-sight magical world, where they teach and house magical people and have a huge emphasis on an annual (*cough* House) points system, which really matters now that an ominous individual from the past wants to destroy the magical world and gain unlimited power). I even gave some consideration to whether this series started its life as HP fanfic (it wouldn't be the first), but decided on "No... maybe".
All that being said, I assume (now that the world is built) subsequent books would have more matter and less method. Also, I enjoyed the characters created and there are a couple remaining mysteries that I would like to know the answer to, but none of that is compelling enough to get me to read further books in the series.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy, Classism
I found some of the elements of this magical universe interesting, but overall the storyline was just okay. At times the protagonist seemed older than 19, at others much younger. I would consider reading the next chapter, as I thought the author did a good job of setting up future stories.
Solid 4 star read with potential to make a fun tv series.
LIKES: Harley's banter was reminiscent of Buffy Summers, which I liked. Tough and gentle with side of snarky. A wide variety of characters with versatile magical styles and abilities. Fast paced novel. Action/battle scenes well written and easy to visualize. Lots of good vs evil, elite vs misfit, and a hint of romance.
DISLIKES: Most of my dislikes are nitpicking. Overuse of the word 'raucous'. The orphan/foster thing felt beat over my head beginning with the first chapter. There's so much potential for originality in Harley Merlin's world that The Harry Potter similarities were a disappointment (orphan, magical district akin to Diagon Alley albeit upscale with a splash of swank, point system, to name a few).
Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to learning how the characters and their adventures evolve throughout the rest of the series.
LIKES: Harley's banter was reminiscent of Buffy Summers, which I liked. Tough and gentle with side of snarky. A wide variety of characters with versatile magical styles and abilities. Fast paced novel. Action/battle scenes well written and easy to visualize. Lots of good vs evil, elite vs misfit, and a hint of romance.
DISLIKES: Most of my dislikes are nitpicking. Overuse of the word 'raucous'. The orphan/foster thing felt beat over my head beginning with the first chapter. There's so much potential for originality in Harley Merlin's world that The Harry Potter similarities were a disappointment (orphan, magical district akin to Diagon Alley albeit upscale with a splash of swank, point system, to name a few).
Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to learning how the characters and their adventures evolve throughout the rest of the series.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
For the magicals in all of us
3.5 stars. I found a lot of common tropes with other wizard series, and some parts felt forced (like the interdimensional bubbles???), but overall I enjoyed it. It's a good start to a series, and the characters are likable. I'm left wanting a little, but I'm glad I read it as it's been on my "to read" list for a bit. I'm also interested enough to read the next in the series. I'm curious to read what more there is to learn about Harley.
3.5 stars. I found a lot of common tropes with other wizard series, and some parts felt forced (like the interdimensional bubbles???), but overall I enjoyed it. It's a good start to a series, and the characters are likable. I'm left wanting a little, but I'm glad I read it as it's been on my "to read" list for a bit. I'm also interested enough to read the next in the series. I'm curious to read what more there is to learn about Harley.