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thindbooks's review
4.0
I have read Paige Crutcher’s novel The Orphan Witch which I believe I enjoyed reading if I remember correctly. This one follows a witch who can talk to ghosts but someone witnessed her magic which changed her life. I really enjoyed the story of this book as I was hooked with Aline’s story. I have been reading many stories about witches so once I’m into it, everything about them is amazing. I loved the world the author built along with the very well-written characters. Aline was such an amazing character, I had a fun time following her adventure. There are many side characters in this book my favorite being a dragon. This had a clean, slow-burn romance but the main focus is not the romance but Aline’s story. The ending was well-written and I really enjoyed this story. I totally recommend checking it out if you are into adventures involving witches.
*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
laceystairs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
Such a different type of magic system, it was different than anything I've read in the last little while. This was a Fantastical witchy tail, and the world, the characters, and the lower in the book was brand new but very welcome. I will be watching for the next book in the series, as I can't wait to find out what happens to the characters. I loved the main characters development and can see she will continue to grow in the next installment.
that_bookaholic_gal's review
2.0
There was a magic in the shop when she entered the front doors. Something calling to her, making her feel like she finally belonged somewhere. She walked the aisles of books, reaching out and touching their spines, when suddenly she felt pulled forward to a place she only thought was fictional.
What Became of Magic is a witchy fantasy following Aline who has never felt like she belonged until she discovers her witch powers and finds what her place in the world is supposed to be.
This book just didn’t work for me. This is labeled as an adult fantasy, but read like a middle grade book. All the characters felt and acted like 13 year olds. I was bored throughout most of this book and found myself rolling my eyes a lot. This is definitely a case of mis-marketing and probably would be better as a middle grade or very young adult.
If you like witchy stories and would prefer a more light-hearted, middle grade style read… then this book may work for you!
What Became of Magic is a witchy fantasy following Aline who has never felt like she belonged until she discovers her witch powers and finds what her place in the world is supposed to be.
This book just didn’t work for me. This is labeled as an adult fantasy, but read like a middle grade book. All the characters felt and acted like 13 year olds. I was bored throughout most of this book and found myself rolling my eyes a lot. This is definitely a case of mis-marketing and probably would be better as a middle grade or very young adult.
If you like witchy stories and would prefer a more light-hearted, middle grade style read… then this book may work for you!
leapearlreads's review
4.0
Get ready to be transported to the whimsical town of Matchstick, where nothing is what it seems.
The town of Matchstick and its quirky characters are quite intriguing, but the whole story is one big riddle that unravels slowly as you read. I found myself equal parts confused and captivated.
"You're not making any sense."
"We are. You simply don't understand yet."
What Became of Magic starts out with Aline in middle school and quickly progresses through her adolescent years as she grows her magic. I was drawn into the story initially very quickly, but with all the characters talking in riddles it became more of a chore to read. Like Aline, I'm not fond of riddles and the characters of Matchstick have them in spades!
The ending was satisfying, but a bit flat. With so much happening in the book, I was hoping for more from it.
All in all, a very unique story!
Read if you love...
Found family
Witches
Magical bookshops
Slow-burn romance
Magical worlds hidden in the real world
Thank you St Martin's Press for the ARC to read and honestly review.
The town of Matchstick and its quirky characters are quite intriguing, but the whole story is one big riddle that unravels slowly as you read. I found myself equal parts confused and captivated.
"You're not making any sense."
"We are. You simply don't understand yet."
What Became of Magic starts out with Aline in middle school and quickly progresses through her adolescent years as she grows her magic. I was drawn into the story initially very quickly, but with all the characters talking in riddles it became more of a chore to read. Like Aline, I'm not fond of riddles and the characters of Matchstick have them in spades!
The ending was satisfying, but a bit flat. With so much happening in the book, I was hoping for more from it.
All in all, a very unique story!
Read if you love...
Found family
Witches
Magical bookshops
Slow-burn romance
Magical worlds hidden in the real world
Thank you St Martin's Press for the ARC to read and honestly review.
readwithpitties's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! We have Aline who has always been different and alone in the world never fitting in with friends or her peers her family pretty much ignores her, but aline is special and she can see ghost and she meets one who is called dragon and together they become the friends each other never had. Dragon shows Aline that she is a witch and that the random lost things she’s finds are keys and by getting them to the ghost who lost them she can help them move on. She also directs her to 3 sisters who run a bookshop who can help aline with her magic and give her a family. But as life goes on and aline gets use to this lonely world all of a sudden she is alone when the sisters and dragon are gone and a strange lady comes looking to her to her to help. Aline ends up in Matchstick a magical town she thought only existed in her favourite story but as she gets there she learns she must go on a quest to find dragon and the sisters and save magic. But magic isn’t a thing it’s a person and together they go on a adventure. This really had alice in wonderland vibes to me as they go on to save magic and the people they meet along the way. At times aline annoyed me but I can see why she is the way she was and she had so much growth in this. This was the perfect cozy magic story for spooky season!
thatsoneforthebooks's review
4.0
✨ Review ✨ What Became of Magic by Paige Crutcher; Narrated by Caitlin Kelly
Aline doesn't fit in as a child, but realizes she can see ghosts. With the ghosts guidance and three women who own a bookshop, she slowly culls her powers to help ghosts find the things they need to pass on. As she gets older, she's pulled to the mysterious world of Matchstick where she sets off on a quest to save Magic.
I found this a lot of fun to listen to and felt like a different take on witches and magic. It's hard to say much without giving away the story but it's a great way to ease your way on in to spooky season!
I enjoyed this book but it was really complicated to listen to in the audio format. It regularly switches POV from the main character to a constantly rotating POV of a side character without signaling it's switching POV...and while it's written in 3rd person, it was hard to juggle these switches. I also felt like I kept missing important details because of the audio.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: fantasy, women's fiction
Pub Date: 26 Sep 2023
Read this if you like:
⭕️ witches and ghosts and magic
⭕️ magical mysteries
⭕️ quests
Thanks to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!
Aline doesn't fit in as a child, but realizes she can see ghosts. With the ghosts guidance and three women who own a bookshop, she slowly culls her powers to help ghosts find the things they need to pass on. As she gets older, she's pulled to the mysterious world of Matchstick where she sets off on a quest to save Magic.
I found this a lot of fun to listen to and felt like a different take on witches and magic. It's hard to say much without giving away the story but it's a great way to ease your way on in to spooky season!
I enjoyed this book but it was really complicated to listen to in the audio format. It regularly switches POV from the main character to a constantly rotating POV of a side character without signaling it's switching POV...and while it's written in 3rd person, it was hard to juggle these switches. I also felt like I kept missing important details because of the audio.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: fantasy, women's fiction
Pub Date: 26 Sep 2023
Read this if you like:
⭕️ witches and ghosts and magic
⭕️ magical mysteries
⭕️ quests
Thanks to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!
meg_leigh's review
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This was an odd one. I think the basic idea was interesting. I say I think, because I honestly could not really follow what was happening. From other reviews, I'm not alone in that.
There were also conversations/ arts of scenes that got repeated and I'm not sure if that was an editing mistake or on purpose.
I think the author was going for a dreamy/magical vibe but it just ended up being confusing and as if a lot of was being skated over because the author wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Add in insta-love and adults that acted like teenagers, and this was just not the book for me.
Dragon was great, though.
There were also conversations/ arts of scenes that got repeated and I'm not sure if that was an editing mistake or on purpose.
I think the author was going for a dreamy/magical vibe but it just ended up being confusing and as if a lot of was being skated over because the author wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Add in insta-love and adults that acted like teenagers, and this was just not the book for me.
Dragon was great, though.
venealosille's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
arielvaughn's review against another edition
3.0
Reading this book felt like a fever dream. It’s the oddest thing. Like a Diet Acid Trip. Light on the acid, but it’s still there. Like this one part. I don’t know how else to say it, but the person is attacked by the words of a book. At least I think that’s what happened. I think this is one of those books where in order to enjoy it, you gotta be okay with being confused the whole time. I’m not sure if I liked it or not. I’m confused. Obviously.
*I received this ARC from NetGalley, but my thoughts are my own.
*I received this ARC from NetGalley, but my thoughts are my own.
gogglor's review
emotional
slow-paced
2.0
I wanted to like this book, but the inconsistent world-building, thin characters, and kinda boring chosen one just left me feeling lukewarm. 2 stars because this might just be a me thing.