Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
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:
Yes
Best scene was El finding out that she was in fact dating Orion
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
This one took a bit of time to get going, as you essentially hit the ground running with this novel. The first half of this really felt like world-building and set-up for the rest of what's to come, but once it hit that point, it got infinitely more enjoyable to read, and I am, in fact, looking forward to the next installment.
Initially, there was a lot to not like about the characters and the settings, as it felt incredibly bleak given our protagonist's POV on things, and it wasn't so much as rooting for the characters because you liked them all that much but because the school itself was even worse, and much like the students themselves you found yourself clinging to a least one scrap of hope in the midst of all the horror. But, as we spend time with our MC and the students around her, I did find myself coming to like them and then honestly wanting them all to survive. By the end, I was looking forward to seeing how the next year plays out, especially with the last-minute added twist.
You do need to sit with the book though for at least 50% before it really finds its feet. I really enjoyed Novik's Termeraire series, but found this such a completely different beast of a book I wasn't at all certain I wanted to continue with it for the first couple of chapters, but I'm glad I did, and it feels now like it's setting up for a good fall read series.
And it's hard not to understand why the characters in this book can be so unsavory at times in their thoughts and actions given the setting and constant threat of death all around them. That doesn't mean it makes them particularly likable, and I can see how some readers may not come around to them at all given that, but it felt like there was good character growth, particularly in the last half.
The prose itself does kind of get rambly on that end of things, but coming from our MC in the situation she's in, I found that I didn't mind it all that much. Especially as a character who was by herself for most her time in the school, it seems, and the way thoughts can run on like that if you're the only one you've been having conversations with for a while. But it can get dense in her head at times, and some aspects of the school /magic you just sort of have to accept for what it is, rather than truly trying to figure out the logistics of it all.
Initially, there was a lot to not like about the characters and the settings, as it felt incredibly bleak given our protagonist's POV on things, and it wasn't so much as rooting for the characters because you liked them all that much but because the school itself was even worse, and much like the students themselves you found yourself clinging to a least one scrap of hope in the midst of all the horror. But, as we spend time with our MC and the students around her, I did find myself coming to like them and then honestly wanting them all to survive. By the end, I was looking forward to seeing how the next year plays out, especially with the last-minute added twist.
You do need to sit with the book though for at least 50% before it really finds its feet. I really enjoyed Novik's Termeraire series, but found this such a completely different beast of a book I wasn't at all certain I wanted to continue with it for the first couple of chapters, but I'm glad I did, and it feels now like it's setting up for a good fall read series.
And it's hard not to understand why the characters in this book can be so unsavory at times in their thoughts and actions given the setting and constant threat of death all around them. That doesn't mean it makes them particularly likable, and I can see how some readers may not come around to them at all given that, but it felt like there was good character growth, particularly in the last half.
The prose itself does kind of get rambly on that end of things, but coming from our MC in the situation she's in, I found that I didn't mind it all that much. Especially as a character who was by herself for most her time in the school, it seems, and the way thoughts can run on like that if you're the only one you've been having conversations with for a while. But it can get dense in her head at times, and some aspects of the school /magic you just sort of have to accept for what it is, rather than truly trying to figure out the logistics of it all.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
The MFC lives in a magical boarding school -sentient, but never explained how it works- full of monsters that try to kill her every second of every single day, but never actually cause her real injuries or pain. It gets exhausting. The premise of the plot, the world-building and the character's relationships are interesting and relatable, but there is too much info dump happening and convenient flashbacks, anecdotes or "magic ex maquina" to provide context or justify behaviour/situations.
Immersive, fast-paced, action-packed story, but also stressful, anxiety-inducing and tiring at times. But skimming past info dumps and irrelevant monster names I found it engaging and entertaining.
Immersive, fast-paced, action-packed story, but also stressful, anxiety-inducing and tiring at times. But skimming past info dumps and irrelevant monster names I found it engaging and entertaining.
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
the beginning of this was very VERY info heavy and i was a struggle to focus and get through but once the flow of the story was in full swing, this was a super pleasant read. i’m not *too* invested in any particular character but i do like them as a whole unit.
will definitely be continuing in the series to see where the story goes!
will definitely be continuing in the series to see where the story goes!