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jessyf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
oliverreeds's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-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
4.0
only reason its a four is bc of spelling mistakes and like a few really bad plot holes (and also how slow it was for a hot minute). the characters are beautifully written. the dialogue is amazing. i genuinely loved this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
machete's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
micaela_ru's review against another edition
5.0
A wild ride
I enjoyed this book immensely. The writing is solid and sharp, especially the dialogue between the main characters. The story is interesting and entertaining all the way through. The author has created a fascinating magical world within the normal world. Each character is fully formed.
Also this book is hilarious. It is so refreshing reading a work by a Black author and getting those cultural nods that only other Black people would understand. Also, the representation is glorious. Can't say enough great things about this book.
My only complaint is that there are several editing errors (typos, etc.) And I hope that a new version uploaded because a story like this deserves to be perfect.
That aside, I can't wait to read book 2.
I enjoyed this book immensely. The writing is solid and sharp, especially the dialogue between the main characters. The story is interesting and entertaining all the way through. The author has created a fascinating magical world within the normal world. Each character is fully formed.
Also this book is hilarious. It is so refreshing reading a work by a Black author and getting those cultural nods that only other Black people would understand. Also, the representation is glorious. Can't say enough great things about this book.
My only complaint is that there are several editing errors (typos, etc.) And I hope that a new version uploaded because a story like this deserves to be perfect.
That aside, I can't wait to read book 2.
unsaidsofia's review against another edition
5.0
I would like to start this review (and give a shoutout) by saying I read this book because of Joel (https://www.goodreads.com/joelrochesterr, https://youtube.com/fictionalfates). I found his YouTube channel and in the first two days of watching his videos he recommended it so many times and speaks so highly of it that I had to check it out. So I did check it out on Goodreads (that I made just because he started mentioning it and I had heard it before) and soon ended up buying it.
Onto the actual book, I really like the storyline behind this one. The first few chapters were slightly confusing at first but that's just because the main elements of the book were still getting introduced. I loved seeing how Blythe felt and the disconnectedness her family had. The first introduction of magic was incredible and although it took me a while to fully make a visual in my head, when I did, it was great. The next few parts were Blythe was on her own started to disinterest me but it got picked up again when we met some more characters. I really liked seeing the characters interact and get to know each other better as we got each Guardian. I felt like these chapter were kind of just filler until we got all of them in one place though. After all the Guardians got together, the book started getting even better and better as it went on. The last few chapter were amazing to see even though I had already guessed what was going to happen but it was even more incredible seeing it written out. The last few pages of the book really got to me and reminded me to appreciate the people in my life more. These last few pages are also what really sold me on this book and made it give it a 5-star rating.
I really liked all of the characters but Blythe and Antonio have to be my favorites. Their relationship was written so well and they have so much of a sibling bond already. I really related to Antonio and how he felt when everything was going, he's definitely going to be a comfort character for me and part of the reason why I want to just reread this book already. I also really loved how Blythe handled Antonio opening up to her and she was so sweet about it.
Overall, this book was great and I have already recommended it to my friends. I'm so happy that I found Joel's YouTube because if not I wouldn't have read this incredible book. I'm even more eternally grateful to Ashia Monet for writing this book and giving me a new favorite.
Onto the actual book, I really like the storyline behind this one. The first few chapters were slightly confusing at first but that's just because the main elements of the book were still getting introduced. I loved seeing how Blythe felt and the disconnectedness her family had. The first introduction of magic was incredible and although it took me a while to fully make a visual in my head, when I did, it was great. The next few parts were Blythe was on her own started to disinterest me but it got picked up again when we met some more characters. I really liked seeing the characters interact and get to know each other better as we got each Guardian. I felt like these chapter were kind of just filler until we got all of them in one place though. After all the Guardians got together, the book started getting even better and better as it went on. The last few chapter were amazing to see even though I had already guessed what was going to happen but it was even more incredible seeing it written out. The last few pages of the book really got to me and reminded me to appreciate the people in my life more. These last few pages are also what really sold me on this book and made it give it a 5-star rating.
I really liked all of the characters but Blythe and Antonio have to be my favorites. Their relationship was written so well and they have so much of a sibling bond already. I really related to Antonio and how he felt when everything was going, he's definitely going to be a comfort character for me and part of the reason why I want to just reread this book already. I also really loved how Blythe handled Antonio opening up to her and she was so sweet about it.
Overall, this book was great and I have already recommended it to my friends. I'm so happy that I found Joel's YouTube because if not I wouldn't have read this incredible book. I'm even more eternally grateful to Ashia Monet for writing this book and giving me a new favorite.
zarap's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
debthebookworm's review against another edition
1.0
I stopped at page 232, and that was a struggle, and the fact that halfway through the book, they're still collecting guardians is frustrating. It's over 200 pages of traveling and sometimes running from monsters. It's an interesting plot concept, but the book is riddled with spelling errors, bad dialogue, and cliche characters. It doesn't look like the author took enough time to do any post-writing work before publishing this, and it's disappointing because I was really looking forward to this one.
dananana's review against another edition
4.5
I VERY much enjoyed this!! It's actually criminal that more people haven't read this because it was sooo fun and heartwarming and great!! The vibe of it kinda reminded me of the Sidekick Squad books by CB Lee - they're both ultra wholesome, filled with a ton of LGBTQ+ and POC characters, and kinda feel like a cheesy teen movie that you love with all your heart.
My favorite part were the characters, of course. I can't pick a favorite!! But I loved them all and I wanna know more about their backstories. I'm so curious about some of the backstories, especially Storm and Caspian! Okay, maybe I can sorta pick a fav, because I adored both Blythe and Cordelia, and their friendship made my heart soar. And Antonio was the ultimate sunbeam, I loved him!! But most of all, I loved how this group of teens grew from anything between awkward and antagonistic. into a family. Their group dynamic was honestly hilarious, and so fun.
Some of the plot stuff was a little confusing at the end, I'll be honest, but all in all, I fell completely in love with this book! Eagerly awaiting book 2
My favorite part were the characters, of course. I can't pick a favorite!! But I loved them all and I wanna know more about their backstories. I'm so curious about some of the backstories, especially Storm and Caspian! Okay, maybe I can sorta pick a fav, because I adored both Blythe and Cordelia, and their friendship made my heart soar. And Antonio was the ultimate sunbeam, I loved him!! But most of all, I loved how this group of teens grew from anything between awkward and antagonistic. into a family. Their group dynamic was honestly hilarious, and so fun.
Some of the plot stuff was a little confusing at the end, I'll be honest, but all in all, I fell completely in love with this book! Eagerly awaiting book 2
deliaha's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0