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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I really wanted to like this book more but the writing itself is not good. The characters also suffer from lack of depth and unrealistic maturity from the 15 year old twins. Everyone is built to be very black and white.
Overall it's a very easy young adult novel to read. I just wish the author and editor would have spent more time improving the books style and flow.
Overall it's a very easy young adult novel to read. I just wish the author and editor would have spent more time improving the books style and flow.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to this book and found the story to be a bit confusing at times. It also seemed to drag on forever and the ending doesn't have any sort of resolution. I don't normally mind cliff hanger endings, but this one was a bit too abrupt. I did like the alchemy/magic elements, though. Finally, this is a plot driven novel, so there isn't much character development, which I found disappointing.
It wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't horrible either.
You had me at prophesy!! I love tales of secret wizardry, evil Gods, magic doorways and a very ambiguous prophesy that could have a multitude of meanings. Great novel, but I will admit that this had me looking up publication years; I kept being reminded of The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter. The human who is looking to become immortal (Voldemort).. the brother who goes against his sibling(s) (Edmund in T.C.O.N), the ability to put a piece of one's self in an object in order to live on (Horcrux, HP), the instantaneous transportation methods which can sometimes make you nauseous (PortKeys & Appariting in HP), and not to mention Flamel himself, who was an important character in the first Harry Potter novels because he was the owner of the Sorcerer's Stone which provided immortality (just as the Codex in this novel, has the recipe for such a spell and that is what D is after). Entertaining nontheless. Will I be reading book two?..hmmm... How can I not?
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
It took me a really long time to get into this book. I didn't feel like it was a page turner until the last couple of chapters, when the decisions that the characters could make came into question. I think I will end up reading the rest of the books in the series so I can find out what happens!
this book has been on my bookshelf for a really long time and i finally got around to reading it. i had good expectations for this book, and they were mostly fulfilled.
let’s start with the positives: it’s fun. lots happens in each chapter, whether it’s action, character/relationship development, or background setup. the one thing that is really strong in this book is it’s world-building. i *adore* the connections made between the author’s lore and history and classic mythology. it’s very smartly established. i also really like Perenelle, and the nuances of the secondary characters like Nicholas, Dee, and the Elders - who is truly good?
however, there are two big issues with this book.
when i was reading reviews before i started reading, this one in particular kept popping up: the main characters - Josh and Sophie - are incredibly annoying, at times frustrating. Josh is the better character; he switches between being an angry idiot and a genius, but at least he has emotional complexity after his sister gets her powers. Sophie, on the other hand, has nothing interesting about her, even after she gets magic. she’s just not interesting, and Josh isn’t much better, so it’s hard to root for or care about them. also, why are they so nice to each other? they’re siblings, and the best, and least used, dialogue between them is when they’re insulting each other.
the other problem i had with this book is the perspective. it switches repeatedly and inconsistently, and sometimes you can’t even tell that it switched until you get insight into a certain characters’ thinking, so you have to go back a little and reread (tedious!). and the characters’ thinking aren’t very differentiated - theres no designated tone or diction choices made for specific characters. it makes reading somewhat tedious, especially in the action sequences. it is possible to get over it, but its just not my preferred style.
overall, fun book to read - the world-building is amazing, and the magic system is cool. the secondary characters are interesting and complicated, but the main protagonists sort of drag. i’ll probably keep reading the series to learn more about the lore, magic, and secondary characters.
let’s start with the positives: it’s fun. lots happens in each chapter, whether it’s action, character/relationship development, or background setup. the one thing that is really strong in this book is it’s world-building. i *adore* the connections made between the author’s lore and history and classic mythology. it’s very smartly established. i also really like Perenelle, and the nuances of the secondary characters like Nicholas, Dee, and the Elders - who is truly good?
however, there are two big issues with this book.
when i was reading reviews before i started reading, this one in particular kept popping up: the main characters - Josh and Sophie - are incredibly annoying, at times frustrating. Josh is the better character; he switches between being an angry idiot and a genius, but at least he has emotional complexity after his sister gets her powers. Sophie, on the other hand, has nothing interesting about her, even after she gets magic. she’s just not interesting, and Josh isn’t much better, so it’s hard to root for or care about them. also, why are they so nice to each other? they’re siblings, and the best, and least used, dialogue between them is when they’re insulting each other.
the other problem i had with this book is the perspective. it switches repeatedly and inconsistently, and sometimes you can’t even tell that it switched until you get insight into a certain characters’ thinking, so you have to go back a little and reread (tedious!). and the characters’ thinking aren’t very differentiated - theres no designated tone or diction choices made for specific characters. it makes reading somewhat tedious, especially in the action sequences. it is possible to get over it, but its just not my preferred style.
overall, fun book to read - the world-building is amazing, and the magic system is cool. the secondary characters are interesting and complicated, but the main protagonists sort of drag. i’ll probably keep reading the series to learn more about the lore, magic, and secondary characters.
This series is a phenomenal adventure with a mix of myths which captured my interest. One of my top book series to recommend, pure nostalgia.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No