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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Thank to NetGalley for the ARC!
This was an INCREDIBLE middle grade/young adult story - seriously, it was great for any age group. It was well written, adorable, and thought provoking with something for every age group to enjoy. Ramya is a main character to cheer for, representing the neurodivergent perfectly. Marley is the perfect modest over achiever and I love him. The whole cast was truly great, even those that you aren't supposed to like!
I really love this book for it's message and representation - neurodivergence is something to be celebrated and this book uses fantasy and magic to showcase that. It also touches on subjects like the influence of the media, the importance of community, and the difficulty of being different. It has so many important themes PLUS magical creatures - it's amazing!
It's well written and an easy read, but still fully enjoyable as an adult. One of my top middle-grade/young adult reads of the year no doubt - everyone of every age should check this one out!
This was an INCREDIBLE middle grade/young adult story - seriously, it was great for any age group. It was well written, adorable, and thought provoking with something for every age group to enjoy. Ramya is a main character to cheer for, representing the neurodivergent perfectly. Marley is the perfect modest over achiever and I love him. The whole cast was truly great, even those that you aren't supposed to like!
I really love this book for it's message and representation - neurodivergence is something to be celebrated and this book uses fantasy and magic to showcase that. It also touches on subjects like the influence of the media, the importance of community, and the difficulty of being different. It has so many important themes PLUS magical creatures - it's amazing!
It's well written and an easy read, but still fully enjoyable as an adult. One of my top middle-grade/young adult reads of the year no doubt - everyone of every age should check this one out!
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Humans, Witches, Fae, Sirens, oh my!
Like a Curse by Elle McNicoll is the second book in the Like a Charm Series and a nice blend of teens knowing what’s best and totally getting themselves into trouble.
Even though it’s the second book in the series, it provides a decent amount of exposition from the first to figure out what’s going on. It definitely seems like it would be much better starting with the first book so everything makes sense, so start with the first if you haven’t read it yet!
I really like that there’s different types of gifts amongst the magical creatures and witches. But the sirens take things to another level. It’s fun to see sirens not only affecting humans but other magical creatures too.
It’s also really cool to see how the well known lore gets intertwined with the story. Between the Loch Ness monster and Scotland as a whole, it pulls you in.
I really love that there’s a gifted war. Not only is it a situation between magic and humans but also magic and other magical creatures. That in itself takes things to another level. The fact that Ramya has a special gift that allows her to not be bothered by the curses that others succumb to, yet she has to be hidden away. It’s also cool that she can also see things others cannot.
If you’re into a world of magic, magical creatures, a fight between humans and magical creatures and other magical creatures, and teens/tweens saving the day, this is for you! Highly recommended for kids 9-12 or older. Yup, that’s you adults who love middle grade!
Other books by Elle: A Kind of Spark, Show Is Who You Are, Like a Charm
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Like a Curse from Elle McNicoll via NetGalley
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship