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tracy_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
squirrelsohno's review against another edition
4.0
So I actually read this last year and never recorded it... Oops.
jenlynnhill's review against another edition
2.0
This book was just okay, a rather disappointing end to the series. Too slow in some spaces, too fast in others. You never really learn enough about Prit or Bennet, and the side story with Zina just felt out of place. There was also a lack of suspense in the "epic showdown" story.
lindetiel's review against another edition
I liked the concept behind the whole series - a steampunk-ish world where people with magical skills can bind themselves to create spells with one of the man-made materials. This book is the best in the series, most probably because Charlie Holmberg had more ime to prictice her craft, story was more developed than in previous books and the events weren't as fast-paced as before, however I find them till too rushed.
It's a light, fast reading, a bit naive and with a main protagonist who's only characteristic that I found is that she's far too nosy and believes herself to be far better than all around her (not someone you can relate to really).
I appreciate the effort put into this novel, and I enjoyed the struggle of Ceony's examination (with a beautiful #58 ending).
Upon reading the whole series I came to a conclusion that given the time to master her narrative skills Charlie Holmberg may grow to be an amazing writer - her ideas for stories are imaginatve and extraordinary.
It's a light, fast reading, a bit naive and with a main protagonist who's only characteristic that I found is that she's far too nosy and believes herself to be far better than all around her (not someone you can relate to really).
I appreciate the effort put into this novel, and I enjoyed the struggle of Ceony's examination (with a beautiful #58 ending).
Upon reading the whole series I came to a conclusion that given the time to master her narrative skills Charlie Holmberg may grow to be an amazing writer - her ideas for stories are imaginatve and extraordinary.
kayteeem's review against another edition
Of the three books in this series, I liked the first the best.
In this one, I felt that Ceony spent too much time trying to do everything herself, which mostly involved going around and putting herself into the hands of the person she should most avoid. She spent little time in conversation with other people, and didn't much listen when she did.
Possible spoilers:
The subplot with the obstructive Folder she had to live with while studying for her exams didn't come to much, either. He intercepted her mail, and was misleading about the exam, but not in a way that gave her any difficulty.
I love the world of these books, and the magic system is fascinating, but I felt the execution was lacking.
In this one, I felt that Ceony spent too much time trying to do everything herself, which mostly involved going around and putting herself into the hands of the person she should most avoid. She spent little time in conversation with other people, and didn't much listen when she did.
Possible spoilers:
Spoiler
And for all that Ceony thought Siraj was a threat, he seemed in no way to actually be either threatening her, or to actually be a threat to her (save that one scene near the end, which she WALKED RIGHT INTO.)The subplot with the obstructive Folder she had to live with while studying for her exams didn't come to much, either. He intercepted her mail, and was misleading about the exam, but not in a way that gave her any difficulty.
I love the world of these books, and the magic system is fascinating, but I felt the execution was lacking.
brickwall27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Medical content, Cursing, Death, Gore, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Stalking, and Trafficking
Minor: Self harm, Suicide, Cannibalism, and Vomit
badindiegamer's review against another edition
5.0
Very Good
I was somewhat underwhelmed by the first book, but in this series the story gets better with each book. The ending was exactly what I expected but in the best way possible. I certainly would want to switch magicks at any given time and I enjoy the fact that Ceony WAS tempted enough by the knowledge to use it, it made her feel very real to me.
I was somewhat underwhelmed by the first book, but in this series the story gets better with each book. The ending was exactly what I expected but in the best way possible. I certainly would want to switch magicks at any given time and I enjoy the fact that Ceony WAS tempted enough by the knowledge to use it, it made her feel very real to me.
tinynavajo's review against another edition
4.0
Of the three books, I would have to say that this book was the best of them. Ceony is nearing the end of her apprenticeship under Magician Thane, thus being that much closer to being a Magician herself. But things seem to go downhill as her testing will be done under another Folder, a Magician that seems to be at odds with Thane. Things continue to get worse though when Ceony learns that the third of a group of Excisioners that sought both her life and Magician Thane's has escaped prison and death and is now coming after her.
Not knowing what's going on, yet knowing that she is probably the only one who knows how to deal with it, Ceony does what most people tell her not to do. Go after the Excisioner.
Not knowing what's going on, yet knowing that she is probably the only one who knows how to deal with it, Ceony does what most people tell her not to do. Go after the Excisioner.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I'M SWOONING GUYS. FUDGING SWOONING.
I loved everything about this book, this series, and I can't believe it's over. I'm depressed. I want another book right now. In my lovely, small, child-like hands because I can't accept that kind of ending. NO, I need more. I want more.
I see and know that there is going to be a fourth book, The Plastic Magician but I want more of Ceony and Emery right now! I wanted to read about their wedding, their family growing, and the whole shebang. That is why I can't accept that kind of sweet ass ending. Sorry, I just really can't.
Okay, so the ending was amazing. The beginning was amazing. The whole middle part was freaking amazing as well. Long story short: THE WHOLE ENTIRE GOD DAMN BOOK WAS ACA-MAZING!