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justcallmeemily's review against another edition
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence, Child death, and Body horror
Minor: Toxic friendship, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
devynreadsnovels's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Body horror, Physical abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
dollhousebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
emily_mh's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The strongest part of this book was its sense of place and atmosphere. The magical academy setting bleeds through on every page. It felt fully realised, with lesson details, a cast of teachers, and a host of different spaces shown such as classrooms (which all had a unique look), the library, dorm rooms, gardens etc. As well as this the plot is structured around the school celebration of Samhain. So when I say this book is set in a magical academy it is SET in a magical academy. The colours and lighting, in addition to the castle/manor-like feel of the academy, made for a spooky, dark academia atmosphere.
The mystery plot was perfectly fine considering this was a YA graphic novel. It kept me interested in picking the book up again and again, especially given it had a cold/historical case component.
The art was also great. I liked the fine lines and the narrowness of the illustrations, although I will say that the panel placement in trying to keep things fresh and unique all the time was ironically sometimes repetitive.
The characters were definitely the weakest part of this book. The MC was very Mary-Sue to me. I think exploring the foundling aspect more, which was underutilised all round, could have given her more dimension. Goldie and Violet were compelling enough side characters, but Enver needed more work; outside of being friends with Noreen I didn't really know who they were.
The mystery plot was perfectly fine considering this was a YA graphic novel. It kept me interested in picking the book up again and again, especially given it had a cold/historical case component.
The art was also great. I liked the fine lines and the narrowness of the illustrations, although I will say that the panel placement in trying to keep things fresh and unique all the time was ironically sometimes repetitive.
The characters were definitely the weakest part of this book. The MC was very Mary-Sue to me. I think exploring the foundling aspect more, which was underutilised all round, could have given her more dimension. Goldie and Violet were compelling enough side characters, but Enver needed more work; outside of being friends with Noreen I didn't really know who they were.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder, and Child death
Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Animal death, and Body horror
Major: missing loved one Minor: self-injury, hunting, death of pet
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