Scan barcode
wy_woman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Death of parent, Genocide, Sexual content, Violence, Bullying, Cancer, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Grief
Minor: Blood, Outing, Gore, Gun violence, and Police brutality
scrollsofdragons's review
3.0
The magic school is barely an magic school, more like a cushy prison with magic involved which I was not expecting. I don't know whether to continue. I liked this book, Hunter and Johnny were cute and any time it focused on the contemporary side of things was my favourite but the magic-fantasy side of it wasn't. I'm not overly interested in the characters nor it's continuing plot and think this book could easily be a standalone for me.
sixofsapphics's review against another edition
0.5
You could erase all my memories and send me to a different timeline and I could still tell you this was a wattpad fic
ettegoom's review against another edition
2.0
A dreadful name, but a cute story. Not amazingly written, but good for a rainy Sunday. Some cool concepts, but the execution was not great and I feel like the world building could have been done a lot better, I'm still not entirely sure how the Asures and Maras relate to each other and which were the 'good' ones. I'd like to see more development of the Heka building and a resolution to the curse, but the story really does end in a way that doesn't really suggest a sequel.
story_goblin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This story was very vivid and immersive. I enjoyed it.
adequateanja's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I bought the book because the premise sounded ridiculously funny and like good time - a bit like satire. When it arrived I realized it’s a Wattpad-story. And it is very… Wattpad-ish? Or at least what I imagine Wattpad (I‘m a ao3 girl) to be. Well at least it definitely was ridiculous. Still kinda fun
joelreadsin2023's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
bookcub's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
There were parts of this book I enjoyed, and parts I did not, but overall, I found it easy to read and interesting.
My favorite part of this book was the friendship between Johnny and Alison. They had their own, tiny little family, and adored each other. Their scenes remain my favorite and I love all this history and backstory that has them bonded and all of their interactions are heartwarming, in one way or another.
Johnny was the kind of character I got more information from the people around him about him than I did in his own narrative. He was hard to get a feel for as a protagonist and not very interesting, especially compared to Alison.
The love story between him and Hunter was very rushed but they had excellent chemistry and I thought they were very sweet together.
The pacing went from rushed, so I was completely confused with the plot or dragged on, so I was wondering when anything relevant would happen.
This was one of my least favorite magic school books, not because I hated the school, but because we never really got a feel for the school. Or any kind of education on how magic worked. The magic in the book was hard to follow. It felt unimportant.
The queer rep was great!!! I didn't love the parts with homophobia and transphobia, but they were some of the realest parts. Johnny never felt like the Gay Friend (tm) and Alison never felt like she was trans for the Angst. There were other minor queer characters as well, and I loved seeing it be mentioned casually as well throughout the story.
To sum up, I think this book should have either been longer or fewer story lines.
There were parts of this book I enjoyed, and parts I did not, but overall, I found it easy to read and interesting.
My favorite part of this book was the friendship between Johnny and Alison. They had their own, tiny little family, and adored each other. Their scenes remain my favorite and I love all this history and backstory that has them bonded and all of their interactions are heartwarming, in one way or another.
Johnny was the kind of character I got more information from the people around him about him than I did in his own narrative. He was hard to get a feel for as a protagonist and not very interesting, especially compared to Alison.
The love story between him and Hunter was very rushed but they had excellent chemistry and I thought they were very sweet together.
The pacing went from rushed, so I was completely confused with the plot or dragged on, so I was wondering when anything relevant would happen.
This was one of my least favorite magic school books, not because I hated the school, but because we never really got a feel for the school. Or any kind of education on how magic worked. The magic in the book was hard to follow. It felt unimportant.
The queer rep was great!!! I didn't love the parts with homophobia and transphobia, but they were some of the realest parts. Johnny never felt like the Gay Friend (tm) and Alison never felt like she was trans for the Angst. There were other minor queer characters as well, and I loved seeing it be mentioned casually as well throughout the story.
To sum up, I think this book should have either been longer or fewer story lines.
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
3.0
I received a digital ARC of this title from Edelweiss for an honest review.
Johnny and Allison are best friends who like to cast spells. One day, they cast a spell and the next day, they're being abducted and taken to magic school. But this is no Hogwarts. It's more like a prison than a school. All they want is to get out.
I liked the concept of imprisoning magic users for the sake of all the normals and what would happen. Johnny was a great character full of insecurities and worries, just like a normal teen. It will be interesting to see where this story goes as the series progresses.
I didn't love this one. The concept of a wizard school where they teach you all about magic while forbidding you to actually do magic (now or in the future) seems wonky. It is explained, but it still seems rather flimsy to put that in your whole explanation after you've kidnapped someone. I liked the characters here and I definitely appreciated the diversity. I'm not sure if I'd read more of this series.
Johnny and Allison are best friends who like to cast spells. One day, they cast a spell and the next day, they're being abducted and taken to magic school. But this is no Hogwarts. It's more like a prison than a school. All they want is to get out.
I liked the concept of imprisoning magic users for the sake of all the normals and what would happen. Johnny was a great character full of insecurities and worries, just like a normal teen. It will be interesting to see where this story goes as the series progresses.
I didn't love this one. The concept of a wizard school where they teach you all about magic while forbidding you to actually do magic (now or in the future) seems wonky. It is explained, but it still seems rather flimsy to put that in your whole explanation after you've kidnapped someone. I liked the characters here and I definitely appreciated the diversity. I'm not sure if I'd read more of this series.
annniiieee_333's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Gun violence