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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Very rambly review ahead...
I liked this book - just about - but I read negative reviews of it and agreed instead of getting outraged. This might be because it didn't really end up doing what I thought it would do, it sort of trundled along and how convenient, Patricia and Laurence are in love all of a sudden and suddenly naked and sorry but WHEN did that little plot development happen? What about all the love for bloody boring Serefina?
I loved Patricia's witchy magic life and her interesting friends, particularly Ernesto, but like many other readers I was fuming at how they treated her. I didn't think Patricia was arrogant at all, she showed herself through and through to be such a decent person. But I think even she was underdeveloped - her connection with to the Tree was never properly explained and when she finally returned to it I was so disappointed, because I felt like it could have been so good and it really wasn't. I liked the first half a lot more than the second, it reminded me of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.
So much was unexplored and left unexplained. Theodolphus looked like he was shaping up to be a horrible Count Olaf type man and then he neatly disappears, only for Patricia to see him every now and then and be filled with intense loathing. It just didn't GO ANYWHERE, but I'm still glad I read it. I wish Patricia every happiness in her future life with drippy Laurence.
I liked this book - just about - but I read negative reviews of it and agreed instead of getting outraged. This might be because it didn't really end up doing what I thought it would do, it sort of trundled along and how convenient, Patricia and Laurence are in love all of a sudden and suddenly naked and sorry but WHEN did that little plot development happen? What about all the love for bloody boring Serefina?
I loved Patricia's witchy magic life and her interesting friends, particularly Ernesto, but like many other readers I was fuming at how they treated her. I didn't think Patricia was arrogant at all, she showed herself through and through to be such a decent person. But I think even she was underdeveloped - her connection with to the Tree was never properly explained and when she finally returned to it I was so disappointed, because I felt like it could have been so good and it really wasn't. I liked the first half a lot more than the second, it reminded me of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.
So much was unexplored and left unexplained. Theodolphus looked like he was shaping up to be a horrible Count Olaf type man and then he neatly disappears, only for Patricia to see him every now and then and be filled with intense loathing. It just didn't GO ANYWHERE, but I'm still glad I read it. I wish Patricia every happiness in her future life with drippy Laurence.
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A chaotic jumble of things. It seemed like such a good idea but turned out as a mess, with plots jumping just for jumping sake, trying way too hard, meaning we can’t get to know the characters. Lots of stupid references, phrasings, and observations.
I need to mull my rating for this. The first half, for me, was solidly on par with [b:The Magicians|6101718|The Magicians (The Magicians #1)|Lev Grossman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1313772941s/6101718.jpg|6278977], which I loved. Patricia's discovery of magical abilities, Laurence's tinkering with scientific discoveries, and their mutual outcast-dom was delightful to read.
Then we leap forward a decade or two, and everything is different. The back half was almost overwhelmingly plot-driven, and I lost my connection to the two winsome young characters. As adults, they just didn't hold the same charm.
Excited to see this move forward in the TOB so that I can hear more about what other people think.
Then we leap forward a decade or two, and everything is different. The back half was almost overwhelmingly plot-driven, and I lost my connection to the two winsome young characters. As adults, they just didn't hold the same charm.
Excited to see this move forward in the TOB so that I can hear more about what other people think.
This fun read reminded me of [b:Alif the Unseen|13239822|Alif the Unseen|G. Willow Wilson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1325543155s/13239822.jpg|18330291] with its blend of fantasy and technology. The book is uneven in its plot and characerization, but I enjoyed Anders's vivid prose and the relationship between Patricia, Laurence, and the AI they created.
A little bit clichè, but such an exhilirating ride.
4.5 stars. This was really wonderful; a beautiful blend of sci-fi and fantasy. It's short, but the world felt full and developed, and the characters were interesting and sympathetic. The pacing of the plot was done well, and there were so many creative ideas unexpectedly tucked in here and there. It's heavy and depressing but also optimistic. Would recommend!
I loved the beginning stories for each character. The straightforward simplicity in the unexpected twists was so fun to read, and felt whimsical and childlike--perfect for the characters' childhoods. The ending makes it feel like a short story more than a novel. And in between, it's some sort of sci-fi/fantasy mashup for adults. Very unusual, fun read and one I'll probably be stewing on for a while.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
this was theeeeeee love story!!!!! truly phenomenal, i LOVED the magic system and i LOVED the themes. gives me many ideas for my dnd campaign !!!! i think its crazy that the main two characters are PATRICIA AND LAURENCE like what crazy name choices. but i DO love them and i loved the way they grew and the love they had for each other. the writing was slow to start (the childhood scenes were necessary but idk they were slow) but really grew and boy by the end i was like !!!!!!!. anyway excellent job
Well, this was... different to say the very least.
I honestly don't know how to rate this book:
5 stars because of the characters, the world and the incredibly difficult mixture between magical realism, fantasy and sci-fi?
1 star because of the slowest plot I've EVER read?
I. Don't. Know.
So, 3 stars seems like a fair judgement: good characters, good relationships, sloooooooow plot and sometimes a very peculiar writing style (which isn't bad per se, as I had generally appreciated it, but just occasionally made the reading experience heavier than it should be).
I honestly don't know how to rate this book:
5 stars because of the characters, the world and the incredibly difficult mixture between magical realism, fantasy and sci-fi?
1 star because of the slowest plot I've EVER read?
I. Don't. Know.
So, 3 stars seems like a fair judgement: good characters, good relationships, sloooooooow plot and sometimes a very peculiar writing style (which isn't bad per se, as I had generally appreciated it, but just occasionally made the reading experience heavier than it should be).