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gloryalora's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
albymej's review against another edition
4.0
(three and a half really, the other half goes to the audiobook narrator which was fantastic!)
So first of all, the controversy. I'm not american really (hispanic I guess), so maybe I'm not as involved in this, but I did not find this book racist at all. Also, this is a fantasy world created by someone's mind with someone's rules, and so if in this world, dreadlocks are a bad idea (and she explains why) it's her world building, nothing against dreadlocks or whatever other thing, maybe in a certain world people can't wear purple or can't braid their hair, or whatever. It is a choice in your worldbuilding and I think you should be allowed as a writer to build your world as you will. She probably didn't even realize that that particular detail would send haters all over the place. Mind you, she was clearly trying to be inclusive.
That aside, the book has a very interesting premise. A school with no teachers, in which you try to survive everyday by learning new spells. And our poor protagonist, all the spells she gets are, well, inappropriate at best. And she is very unlikeable, but entertaining, and does grow by the end (only a bit though). And you have her befriend the popular guy and the side characters are also interesting too. The developing friendship between her and the popular guy, while strange and at times annoying, it's endearing by the end.
However, some have described this book as an ikea manual. I get it! There is quite a bit of infodumping, and for that I think the audiobook helps a lot. So the world is interesting, the premise holds promise, and the story (when progressing) is also very good. I think these series has potential and I hope the internet didn't cancel it ;(
If you like a slithering story, can take a bit of infodumping and like school settings and a bit of battle royale, this can be the book for you!
So first of all, the controversy. I'm not american really (hispanic I guess), so maybe I'm not as involved in this, but I did not find this book racist at all. Also, this is a fantasy world created by someone's mind with someone's rules, and so if in this world, dreadlocks are a bad idea (and she explains why) it's her world building, nothing against dreadlocks or whatever other thing, maybe in a certain world people can't wear purple or can't braid their hair, or whatever. It is a choice in your worldbuilding and I think you should be allowed as a writer to build your world as you will. She probably didn't even realize that that particular detail would send haters all over the place. Mind you, she was clearly trying to be inclusive.
That aside, the book has a very interesting premise. A school with no teachers, in which you try to survive everyday by learning new spells. And our poor protagonist, all the spells she gets are, well, inappropriate at best. And she is very unlikeable, but entertaining, and does grow by the end (only a bit though). And you have her befriend the popular guy and the side characters are also interesting too. The developing friendship between her and the popular guy, while strange and at times annoying, it's endearing by the end.
However, some have described this book as an ikea manual. I get it! There is quite a bit of infodumping, and for that I think the audiobook helps a lot. So the world is interesting, the premise holds promise, and the story (when progressing) is also very good. I think these series has potential and I hope the internet didn't cancel it ;(
If you like a slithering story, can take a bit of infodumping and like school settings and a bit of battle royale, this can be the book for you!
jnan333's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
3.5
doodlefox's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
5.0
juicey_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
graham_h's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.0
shizz's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wolfmouse's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, wow, I loved this book.
The protagonist is so vividly realized. El leaps from the pages (and the narration on the audiobook is top-notch). It helps ofc that I have a soft spot for socially isolated characters, but who’s counting?
It’s been a while since a good fantasy trilogy grabbed me so fiercely from the get-go. The setting of the Scholomance is exciting and dreadful, and I’m eager to learn more about the rules of magic and the universe set up in this first book.
Honorable mention to the excellent enemies-to-friends-to-lovers content.
The protagonist is so vividly realized. El leaps from the pages (and the narration on the audiobook is top-notch). It helps ofc that I have a soft spot for socially isolated characters, but who’s counting?
It’s been a while since a good fantasy trilogy grabbed me so fiercely from the get-go. The setting of the Scholomance is exciting and dreadful, and I’m eager to learn more about the rules of magic and the universe set up in this first book.
Honorable mention to the excellent enemies-to-friends-to-lovers content.
katasaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Violence, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying and Rape