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edshara's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting read. I was invested in the story from the start but the latter part of the book was much better than the first couple hundred pages. With that said, this book was never in danger of being a DNF, but the first half of the book just kept me wanting more. By the end, I felt I got it.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is that Ada was biracial, in a time when that wasn't okay, and her best friend, Corinne, was a white girl from a well to do family. It was so nice to see that their friendship seemed equally balanced, each girl had their own strengths and weaknesses, yet they were exactly what the other needed.
The guys in the book, while secondary, weren't so bad either. I immediately liked Charlie and eventually grew to like Saint and Gabriel. Again each character had certain strengths and weaknesses, and characteristics that the author was able to make work together well. I also enjoyed that the guys were sweet and at times vulnerable and lacked some of the typical smugness that seems to be how some authors write their male teenage characters.
The magic system was neat, I especially liked the idea of the Thespians and the Wordsmiths. Would have liked some more background information about how it started and such but their is enough information built into the story about it to keep you from being confused. While this book wasn't exactly everything I would have liked, I still really enjoyed it and would advise people to just give it a chance.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is that Ada was biracial, in a time when that wasn't okay, and her best friend, Corinne, was a white girl from a well to do family. It was so nice to see that their friendship seemed equally balanced, each girl had their own strengths and weaknesses, yet they were exactly what the other needed.
The guys in the book, while secondary, weren't so bad either. I immediately liked Charlie and eventually grew to like Saint and Gabriel. Again each character had certain strengths and weaknesses, and characteristics that the author was able to make work together well. I also enjoyed that the guys were sweet and at times vulnerable and lacked some of the typical smugness that seems to be how some authors write their male teenage characters.
The magic system was neat, I especially liked the idea of the Thespians and the Wordsmiths. Would have liked some more background information about how it started and such but their is enough information built into the story about it to keep you from being confused. While this book wasn't exactly everything I would have liked, I still really enjoyed it and would advise people to just give it a chance.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
I loved the victorian setting of the book as well as the unique magic system.
I loved the victorian setting of the book as well as the unique magic system.
underscorelsa's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really loved this book! The first part was a bit tougher to get into, but while reading I couldn't stop thinking about how well written this book is. The prose is just beautiful, I am very much in love. Then the second half happened. And wow, I did not expect any of that, the betrayals, the plot twists. The focus on female friendship rather than romance was also a big yes for me.
melissch's review against another edition
5.0
4.5! Loved this!
-Female friendship being the primary relationship portrayed? Holler
-Dual love interests with zero competition or love triangles? Holler
-Cool fantasy elements that offer moral dilemmas? Holler
-1919 Boston setting full of big band music and headache bands? Holler
-Commentary on important, current-day issues like racism, feminism, and everything in between? Holler
~D•I•V•E•R•S•I•T•Y~ HOLLER
I am all about this book.
-Female friendship being the primary relationship portrayed? Holler
-Dual love interests with zero competition or love triangles? Holler
-Cool fantasy elements that offer moral dilemmas? Holler
-1919 Boston setting full of big band music and headache bands? Holler
-Commentary on important, current-day issues like racism, feminism, and everything in between? Holler
~D•I•V•E•R•S•I•T•Y~ HOLLER
I am all about this book.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I saw this book all over the place and have heard great things about it, thought the magic was unique, and found the book to be physically beautiful. Needless to say, my expectations were high... and they were surpassed! I loved this book from beginning to end. It was just so unique and emotional and charming. I honestly regretted having to put it down and do real life things! The plot was fantastic and suspenseful at more points than I imagined, and the magic that main characters Ada and Corinne used was surprisingly dangerous. The characters were the highlights. Everyone in this small cast was layered and left an impression. I found Gabriel and Saint to be quite interesting and tragic, but there's no question that Ada and Corinne stole the show. I love those girls and would love to read more about their adventures and the deep, familial love they have for each other. The story was written beautifully and I honestly can't stop gushing about it. Definitely glad I decided to move this one up on my TBR pile and give it the time and attention it deserves. Definitely recommended for fans of historical fantasy, sisterhood, and strong female characters.
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.75
kobooks's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes when I start a book I am worried that it will have been talked up too much and my expectations would be too high, and even when I try to keep myself from expecting too much, I still end up doing so.
This book was talked up, yet it still delivered.
I think what stands out in the characterization the most. Too often I feel like a character's personality is told to me rather than shown, but this book actually has characters with distinct personalities that are conveyed through their actions and speech. And they stayed in character.
Because of this I actually got attached and invested in the characters, and cared about them.
I got this book digitally through my library, and it's now on my list to get a physical copy of my own.
This book was talked up, yet it still delivered.
I think what stands out in the characterization the most. Too often I feel like a character's personality is told to me rather than shown, but this book actually has characters with distinct personalities that are conveyed through their actions and speech. And they stayed in character.
Because of this I actually got attached and invested in the characters, and cared about them.
I got this book digitally through my library, and it's now on my list to get a physical copy of my own.
jessethereader's review against another edition
I found this book really difficult to get through. There were times where I questioned if I should just DNF it, but I ultimately pulled through. I felt a major disconnect with the characters throughout this book, which made it hard to care for the things they were going through. I did like the plot, though there were moments where I felt it lulled. My favorite part was the magic system and I wish we would've seen more of it throughout the story. Overall this was a miss for me, which makes me sad. I wanted to love it!