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art_books_chemistry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sadly, I found this incredibly boring. It wasn't "bad" which is why I'm giving it 3 stars but it wasn't exciting even though there was actual action. It felt like Griffin was going for the classic magic school trope without wanting to actually "build" a fictional school. There was no structure of the school, it was unclear what ages attended it (except that they graduate somewhere around 18 unless they came to do extra research from another school), or what classes they took other than group practical magic practice sessions. I'm also still confused what "off-season" witches do during their off-seasons. Do they not study for 3 quarters of the year? My point being: the world-building was less than ideal, especially for a standalone novel.
I did appreciate the main female character's growth over the book but she was the only truly fleshed out character, most of the teachers and other students were either non-existent or very shallow. The main supporting male character is better but still does not have super deep character development, we mainly know how much he loves plants. For me it just contributed to the lack of reality that was already created from the lack of world-building around the school. It is supposed to be somewhat contemporary however it just doesn't feel real.
If you want a simple witchy read, this could satisfy that requirement but it isn't a story that's going to stick with you forever.
I did appreciate the main female character's growth over the book but she was the only truly fleshed out character, most of the teachers and other students were either non-existent or very shallow. The main supporting male character is better but still does not have super deep character development, we mainly know how much he loves plants. For me it just contributed to the lack of reality that was already created from the lack of world-building around the school. It is supposed to be somewhat contemporary however it just doesn't feel real.
If you want a simple witchy read, this could satisfy that requirement but it isn't a story that's going to stick with you forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Medical content, Sexual content, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
bitterseason's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Violence, Vomit, and Blood
wellreadjill_'s review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Medical content
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
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