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victoriagaile's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I loved the main character’s absorbing relationship to her art
tromeara's review against another edition
4.0
it didn't end up going where i thought it would-- it took a turn for the weird and i appreciate that.
starrynews's review against another edition
3.0
This was a "quiet" novel, which, despite containing battles and other action sequences, predominantly revolved around the thoughts of young artist Hail. The "magic" actually came from her impressions of what was going on and the arts with which is fascinated. It was an enjoyable read.
onetrooluff's review against another edition
3.0
Another "meh" book, unfortunately. I'm not really sure what kept me from liking the book more. It was set in an interesting time period, and at least some of the characters drew me in (Istvan and Julian, particularly). I found myself wishing that there was a previous book that was actually set 200 years earlier, when Julian and Andred and Istvan were originally alive. Their backstory was intriguing and I wanted to see it "first-hand."
My other problem seems to have been that I didn't like Hail all that well. The opening part where she was learning the artist's craft was just kind of dull for me.
I felt like there was a great story in there somewhere, obscured by all the stuff currently going on.
My other problem seems to have been that I didn't like Hail all that well. The opening part where she was learning the artist's craft was just kind of dull for me.
I felt like there was a great story in there somewhere, obscured by all the stuff currently going on.
thomascyke's review against another edition
4.0
A slim, stand-alone fantasy novel, with a limited (but crucial) use of magic. I really enjoyed the language the writer uses, with a subtle wit and beautiful cadence. The characters are quite interesting, and the setting well thought out and presented. The plot, however, was just adequate (hence the 4 stars, instead of 5)
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
4.0
Fun cute fluffy enjoyable fantasy, set in an interesting parallel-Europe. I'd read more books set in that world....
applegnreads's review against another edition
4.0
Not totally related to the other stories in College of Magics. Merely in the same general world. Like them, the ending is not totally happy but not totally unhappy and getting to the ending is an adventure.
catberks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.25
violinknitter's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. Loved the feisty, artistic Hail, loved the southern European Renaissance setting, loved the unexpected twists in the story.
fallingletters's review against another edition
1.0
Quick review originally posted on 5 May 2013 at Falling Letters.
I had a cautiously optimistic hope for this book! I stopped signing books out of the scifi/fantasy section of the library years ago because I could only find awful books, but somehow this caught my eye and the description on the dust jacket sounded very nice, just the sort of thing I would like to read. But...
Oooh, what a disappointment! It was alright for about 50 pages, then I thought it was going to get better, so I kept going, and by the time I realized it was going to stay awful I was so far in I decided to finish it. This is the only book I made any notes on because it frustrated me so much - here they are!
The first note I made was 'Nice little read, not too much to note - lots of art, a little too perfect and blissful' - hah!
There's no real conflict (a bit of teasing is the most we see) then BOOM out of nowhere about 60 pages in everything turns around and the main character's running away and she finds the alleged King and things start to go haywire. There's a number of weird plot things that don't make sense or seem pointless or are really weak. For example, one numerous occasions the MC continues to tag along because it's 'not convenient' for her to go home, as she is supposed to be doing - this isn't played as wishful thinking, like the MC wants to tag along so she pretends it isn't convenient; it's played as actually being inconvenient therefore she must stay. It seems like the author had to work so hard to make sure her MC stays the MC and so everything feels really forced and awkward and out of place. Most of my notes are comments on the poor plot; you get the idea so I won't post them all here.
I did like the writing style - nothing too fancy, fairly concise, but easy to read. I like to think it's the sort of style I write in.
I had a cautiously optimistic hope for this book! I stopped signing books out of the scifi/fantasy section of the library years ago because I could only find awful books, but somehow this caught my eye and the description on the dust jacket sounded very nice, just the sort of thing I would like to read. But...
Oooh, what a disappointment! It was alright for about 50 pages, then I thought it was going to get better, so I kept going, and by the time I realized it was going to stay awful I was so far in I decided to finish it. This is the only book I made any notes on because it frustrated me so much - here they are!
The first note I made was 'Nice little read, not too much to note - lots of art, a little too perfect and blissful' - hah!
There's no real conflict (a bit of teasing is the most we see) then BOOM out of nowhere about 60 pages in everything turns around and the main character's running away and she finds the alleged King and things start to go haywire. There's a number of weird plot things
Spoiler
I thought it was absolutely silly that this 'King' is not actually the King but his assistant and the King himself shows up a bit later, why bother, why not go straight to the King?I did like the writing style - nothing too fancy, fairly concise, but easy to read. I like to think it's the sort of style I write in.