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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
While I find it hard to think of any examples of superfluous content in this book that could've been trimmed to cut the length at all, I do have the feeling that it didn't need to be as long as it was. It's well written and though the first half was slower than the second, I wasn't ever bored by it, but was never taken up and furiously turning pages. I'm thankful the author never resorted to cliché to make things more interesting, but I also feel like nothing terribly exciting ever happened. It was very... moderate? I wish it had gone darker and pushed things a little further. It's a good book, though. I actually quite liked all the footnotes with their background history and world-building. I dig that stuff.
I'd recommend it to anyone who likes magic and fantasy and historical fiction, but I don't think I would be a book I'd come back to. Three stars seems like too little, so for all the historical research and lovely writing I think four is good for just "liking" it.
I'd recommend it to anyone who likes magic and fantasy and historical fiction, but I don't think I would be a book I'd come back to. Three stars seems like too little, so for all the historical research and lovely writing I think four is good for just "liking" it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was wonderfully immersive! The characters and depth in backstories was such a lovely thing to surround oneself with. Obviously this is a thick book (which does start a little slowly) but there really is such a lot of thought and lore inside. The writing is beautiful and descriptive with clear voices and intentions in every piece of dialogue, it was truly a joy to read. Highly recommend!
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very fun read. Kind of a grown up Harry Potter meets Charles Dickens. Great book for those who like magical stories without getting too far into fantasy worlds. Perfect for vacation or travel reading.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good book but too long and I lost momentum.
Imaginative, fascinating, deep, beautiful.
Drawn-out, tedious, tangential.
If you want a study in how a novel can be all of those things at once, dive into reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
Otherwise (and unfortunately), this is a book I probably wouldn’t recommend in good conscience.
2.25
Drawn-out, tedious, tangential.
If you want a study in how a novel can be all of those things at once, dive into reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
Otherwise (and unfortunately), this is a book I probably wouldn’t recommend in good conscience.
2.25
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes