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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
sadly incomplete world building attempt and far to many mangled metaphors
This book started out kind of slow so it took me a while to get into it but things really picked up in the middle. I didn't love the writing style, which felt juvenile at times, but I loved the plot and I am very invested in the characters now. I am excited to read the second book!
I have so many conflicting opinions about this book. I don't like the main character, Harley. She has a negative attitude toward people and comes across as rude, and is justified for being rude. I don't like many of the other characters, as they tend to fall flat, relying on racial stereotypes to make them feel real.
The writing itself is meh. There are too many info dumps, expositions, and random rants about the rich that have no place in the story. I also don't normally mind first person narrative, but the way this was written gave us info that Harley should not have had. She should not be able to guess what people are thinking, as opposed to feeling.
All that said, I DO like the world that was built, I'm interested in the magic system, I'm interested to see what happens next. I shall continue the series, but I'm going to continue to be critical about it.
The writing itself is meh. There are too many info dumps, expositions, and random rants about the rich that have no place in the story. I also don't normally mind first person narrative, but the way this was written gave us info that Harley should not have had. She should not be able to guess what people are thinking, as opposed to feeling.
All that said, I DO like the world that was built, I'm interested in the magic system, I'm interested to see what happens next. I shall continue the series, but I'm going to continue to be critical about it.
While the overall storyline is entertaining enough, I felt like I was reading something written by a high schooler. I am always skeptical of authors that churn out too many books too soon, it’s often an indicator of sloppy work and poor development. For a book about an empath, the range of emotions expressed was limited. The author seems to be in desperate need of a thesaurus (i.e. too many chuckles and smirks). There are also grammatical errors and odd phrasing throughout, for example the cover art features the line: “From Million-bestselling author”. Million what? Books? Copies sold? It seems like someone just slapped that on the front to increase the author’s credibility. I don’t buy it, especially since I can’t find much about her.
This book is in serious need of an editor. I think it has potential, but another round of drafts and revisions would have made it better. Wonky word choice, lack of emotional range, shallow character development. A lot of work seems to go into the banter between Harley and Wade, but the same kind of attention isn’t given to the actual plot and character motivations. I also question the setting. As someone who lives in San Diego, I don’t know what kind of research the author did on this city even with actual street names and locations, it reads as “off”, like she created the setting from a couple of Google searches. Because really, all Harley eats is pizza and Chinese? Not a single mention of Mexican food? That is a go-to for ALL locals. Besides other issues that don’t make it believable, maybe it is for tweens or people who don’t live here, but I don’t buy it and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Lastly, to market this book as a must-read for HP fans and liken it to that level of fiction is outrageous! While there are similarities in concept, clearly the author was inspired by JK Rowling and perhaps even Lev Grossman, it not anywhere close to the level of craftsmanship displayed in “Harry Potter”, “The Magicians”, or even “Twilight” (and I thought that series was poorly written). Whoever Bella Forrest is I think it would behoove her to focus more on the Quality of the stories she wants to tell and not the Quanity of books she’s pumping out.
2 stars because it was fairly entertaining, but I doubt I will read any more in this series.
This book is in serious need of an editor. I think it has potential, but another round of drafts and revisions would have made it better. Wonky word choice, lack of emotional range, shallow character development. A lot of work seems to go into the banter between Harley and Wade, but the same kind of attention isn’t given to the actual plot and character motivations. I also question the setting. As someone who lives in San Diego, I don’t know what kind of research the author did on this city even with actual street names and locations, it reads as “off”, like she created the setting from a couple of Google searches. Because really, all Harley eats is pizza and Chinese? Not a single mention of Mexican food? That is a go-to for ALL locals. Besides other issues that don’t make it believable, maybe it is for tweens or people who don’t live here, but I don’t buy it and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Lastly, to market this book as a must-read for HP fans and liken it to that level of fiction is outrageous! While there are similarities in concept, clearly the author was inspired by JK Rowling and perhaps even Lev Grossman, it not anywhere close to the level of craftsmanship displayed in “Harry Potter”, “The Magicians”, or even “Twilight” (and I thought that series was poorly written). Whoever Bella Forrest is I think it would behoove her to focus more on the Quality of the stories she wants to tell and not the Quanity of books she’s pumping out.
2 stars because it was fairly entertaining, but I doubt I will read any more in this series.
Can't wait for book 2!!
Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven really was a great read! Can not wait for book two!! I have a feeling that this series will become my new favorite. Strong female lead, not driven by love or centered around a relationship, just a good story with a lot of interesting characters and a potential for great story telling in future books.
Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven really was a great read! Can not wait for book two!! I have a feeling that this series will become my new favorite. Strong female lead, not driven by love or centered around a relationship, just a good story with a lot of interesting characters and a potential for great story telling in future books.
DNF at around 50%. Couldn't get past the "im not like other girls" aspect and the cheesiness of it all. I wanted to love this but I just couldn't, unfortunately. Harley was so annoying to me and I truly did not care what happened to her.
Slow start. TYA story, like a witchy version of Twilight, perhaps.
I truly love this series (read about 7 or so)
I see a lot of negative reviews comparing it to Harry Potter, which I think if that’s your expectation it would probably disappoint.
But as its own, stand alone series, it’s amazing! It takes an already well known/loved genre and still adds new angles and twists! I really enjoy each character and their diversity. The world building is a big plus for me. It’s also refreshing reading something without any spice (no judgement here, but there’s a time and a place)
Love love love
I see a lot of negative reviews comparing it to Harry Potter, which I think if that’s your expectation it would probably disappoint.
But as its own, stand alone series, it’s amazing! It takes an already well known/loved genre and still adds new angles and twists! I really enjoy each character and their diversity. The world building is a big plus for me. It’s also refreshing reading something without any spice (no judgement here, but there’s a time and a place)
Love love love
HP Lite
Light, fun, and very much parallels Harry Potter plot lines. Hardcore fans of Harry might not like that. Great summer 2020 read. Looking to read the next in the series.
Light, fun, and very much parallels Harry Potter plot lines. Hardcore fans of Harry might not like that. Great summer 2020 read. Looking to read the next in the series.