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mari3124's review against another edition
3.0
It had a lot, a lot of potential and it was wasted, I hope it gets better :(
paperbacksandsnacks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Usually when I read a book my thoughts on it are pretty clear. But with this one I had to really sit and think on it for a couple of days to decide where I stood. I think the answer is somewhere in the middle of I loved it and I wish I’d never wasted my time.
This was my second attempt at reading this which I think is important to note. The first attempt I had to do a soft DNF because I just really couldn’t get into the story at all. So at least this time was better. But I do still think this took a while to really get my teeth into, and even then I felt like I was a bit bored until maybe the last 25%.
Tbh it’s a very confusing book. I don’t read a lot of dark academia so maybe that’s just the genre as a whole but for me I was just like what is actually going on for a solid 40% of the book (although not necessarily all the first 40%). It was both vague and far too detailed. And you’d start to like a character or a part of the storyline and then it would just change and be from someone else’s perspective or that subplot would be forgotten. Idk. Also, I was never sure of the chronological order because it all felt a bit chaotic. That did add more mystery I guess but I’m not super convinced.
I think the series as a whole has potential. With the way this book ended I’m thinking the second book will be far more interesting. That’s not to say this one wasn’t, I just think it was a lot of build up for the series as a whole. I am super intrigued about the connection between Nico and Libby, and also Tristan. I think the characters were written well because I did have a lot of read and vivid feelings towards them like the rage I felt at Callum if I’m being very honest.
Overall, I think this book was an okay part of a potentially promising whole. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read and tbh I’m not going to rush to read the second book. But it was an interesting and different read for me. If you like dark academia with magical elements then you’ll probably be super in your comfort zone with this one.
I’d sum it up by saying this is a seductive novel that challenges your thoughts and ideals. Would you betray all your morals for a chance at true power and almost infinite knowledge?
This was my second attempt at reading this which I think is important to note. The first attempt I had to do a soft DNF because I just really couldn’t get into the story at all. So at least this time was better. But I do still think this took a while to really get my teeth into, and even then I felt like I was a bit bored until maybe the last 25%.
Tbh it’s a very confusing book. I don’t read a lot of dark academia so maybe that’s just the genre as a whole but for me I was just like what is actually going on for a solid 40% of the book (although not necessarily all the first 40%). It was both vague and far too detailed. And you’d start to like a character or a part of the storyline and then it would just change and be from someone else’s perspective or that subplot would be forgotten. Idk. Also, I was never sure of the chronological order because it all felt a bit chaotic. That did add more mystery I guess but I’m not super convinced.
I think the series as a whole has potential. With the way this book ended I’m thinking the second book will be far more interesting. That’s not to say this one wasn’t, I just think it was a lot of build up for the series as a whole. I am super intrigued about the connection between Nico and Libby, and also Tristan. I think the characters were written well because I did have a lot of read and vivid feelings towards them like the rage I felt at Callum if I’m being very honest.
Overall, I think this book was an okay part of a potentially promising whole. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read and tbh I’m not going to rush to read the second book. But it was an interesting and different read for me. If you like dark academia with magical elements then you’ll probably be super in your comfort zone with this one.
I’d sum it up by saying this is a seductive novel that challenges your thoughts and ideals. Would you betray all your morals for a chance at true power and almost infinite knowledge?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death, Suicide, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Murder
berta_rozi's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
i hated this so much, miert volt ilyen rossz ha a koncepcio ilyen jo?
saranotlara's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cate07luna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
kelseyharrisnewman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
robynlynae's review against another edition
4.0
WHAT??! This book was bananas and it left me in a state very similar to the one after I watched Shutter Island…aka it’s going to take me a full two weeks to really process everything that happened.
anatrnd's review against another edition
2.0
Most of the book was really boring, and the best part of it was the last chapter from Ezra's pov. So, considering this fact i understand all those people, who didn't finish the book. However, those few pages of the last chapter intrigued me.
To be honest the ending reminded me of the tv show “The Umbrella Academy” and the Libby's plot twist (kinda) reminded me of “The Ninth House” by Leigh Bardugo. I will probably read the sequel though, because i liked that ending a little bit (and i love Ezra, not gonna lie about this one), hopefully it will get better.
To be honest the ending reminded me of the tv show “The Umbrella Academy” and the Libby's plot twist (kinda) reminded me of “The Ninth House” by Leigh Bardugo. I will probably read the sequel though, because i liked that ending a little bit (and i love Ezra, not gonna lie about this one), hopefully it will get better.
kargopants's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Started off strong but never really got into good groove. Characters are either tedious, entirely unlikable/unrelatable, or mostly ignored by the author after introduction. No payoff