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erinbritt's review against another edition
5.0
Rena Barron created an incredible world and magic system. I quickly found myself getting lost in the world she created. Her beautiful prose and amazing characters make her book a joy to read. There are so many twists and turns to the plot that you never know what to expect next. I can’t wait to read the sequel.
bookish_withsky's review
2.0
So here’s my problem with this one: the premise was interesting. The premise could’ve been really, really great. However I just couldn’t care about any of the characters. There were so many twists and turn and it never mattered to me because I didn’t care about the consequences. I was disappointed because I thought it would be so good. Now, I tried the physical part first and just couldn’t get into it. So then I tried the audiobook and that was a bit better. But I still just wasn’t having a great time. I’m curious enough to attempt the second one, but I’m not in a rush to.
kmadnick90's review
5.0
Audio reread, this is still a great book I have no idea why the overall rating is so low
craigelizabeth2023's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
marieintheraw's review
4.0
This was like so close to being a five star for me, but the pacing in the beginning was something I decided I couldn't get over. If you need me, I'll be waiting for the sequel.
erinsteffens's review
2.0
I was optimistic about this book but I ended up disappointed. I was 45% (!!) into the book before the main character, Arrah, did anything at all to propel the plot. In the synopsis, it says that Arrah performs a dangerous spell to try to save the missing children. So we go into the book knowing this information. That happens 45% into the book. We do not get new information outside the synopsis until over halfway through the book. The pacing was just not good. At around 60%, suddenly it feels like everything is incredibly sped up and the conflict in the book shifts completely. I didn't really feel like what the characters did made much sense, and Arrah is just sort of along for the ride through most of it. The side characters did not feel like fully fleshed out characters either. I could barely tell the difference between any of them, and I often forgot who they were. I thought Arrah was going to use more magic, or somebody was going to use more magic, but even the final scene just felt way too easy. Like these regular humans are just killing demons like it's nothing, not even using magic at all in a world where magic exists.
crazysmoothies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annuhfloor's review against another edition
4.0
At the beginning of the book, I thought this was going to be a 5-star read. I loved the world, the magic system and the whole thing about the Orishas. It started so strong. However, after like 40% of the book I started to despite the main character. She was not capable of doing anything and taking into account the end of the book, she should have. Every time she gets almost killed or worse someone else starts saving her or gives her something to save herself. That should not be bad on itself, but I got quite irritated. But, still, it is an amazing book. The world, the magic, their gods, they are everything. Even though I did not completely love the main character, I highly recommend it. To be honest, I started to love Arra more at the end of the book. We got around. So, it may not have reached the 5-star vibe, I do love it and I'll put book 2 on my most anticipated list :)
aggielexi's review against another edition
DNF 39%. Maybe I'm just not in the right mindset for this. We're worldbuilding, I get that, but I'm bored. How many times do I have to hear that she doesn't have magic. I won't give up, I'll put it on the shelf to try again some other day, but I'm taking it off my currently reading list now.
paig35mith's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and plan to continue the series. This book is filled with magic, Gods, love, and more. So many things run through my mind when thinking of how to review this book. I wonder if she didn't make certain choices would things have turned out better or worse for her. I wonder if her parent's magic wasn't so strong would she have been so eager to have it. I wonder where her new knowledge will take her and what paths await her.