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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This was such a fun adventure. I loved getting to have another adventure with Susan, Merlin, and Vivían, as well as some of the other characters like Zoe. The book starts out with action, is a little lagging in the middle, but picks back up again and races through to the end. It was neat to meat some of the other powers and personas as well as watch Susan wrestle with the facts of their own powers.
Just published this year I was excited to hear there was a follow up to the The Left-Handed Booksellers of London. I love the gentle mix of magic, fantasy and history with the early 1980s setting. The core characters continue develop and I feel there is still so much for us to learn about them as individuals and the world of the Booksellers. An absolute page turner from start to finish.
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'd rate this book higher but I was so deeply frustrated by Susan the /entire/ book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really love this world, but the pace was much slower than book one. To me, this was due in large part to Susan’s reluctance as a heroine, which I did not enjoy. Merlin’s characterization took a backseat in this one, but we did get more of Vivien, which I enjoyed. I did not see the need for Nix to always describe exactly what every character was wearing in great detail.
adventurous
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
These books have so much unfulfilled potential. As a tribute to the authors referenced in the book, this does a pretty good job - the feeling of a Susan Cooper or a DWJ is there - but these are children's authors and I expect more character agency and development in a YA/adult book.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series but this one just fell a little flat for me.