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trisha_thomas's review
2.0
"When does power not feel like pain?"
I enjoyed the partner series to this one. I didn't love all the books but I rooted for the main characters and chuckled at Ridley. She had a good heart, you could see, and it was interesting to see her struggle with her abilities and her need to be dark so Lena could go the way her heart chose.
However, as a character in a book - no. Just no. Ridley is not mysterious and interesting anymore. She's selfish and whiny. It was hard to see any redeeming qualities in her.
And Link. He was all over the place and felt completely different in this one.
This one just didn't hold my interest. I don't plan to continue the series.
I enjoyed the partner series to this one. I didn't love all the books but I rooted for the main characters and chuckled at Ridley. She had a good heart, you could see, and it was interesting to see her struggle with her abilities and her need to be dark so Lena could go the way her heart chose.
However, as a character in a book - no. Just no. Ridley is not mysterious and interesting anymore. She's selfish and whiny. It was hard to see any redeeming qualities in her.
And Link. He was all over the place and felt completely different in this one.
This one just didn't hold my interest. I don't plan to continue the series.
booksandladders's review
3.0
This review was originally posted on Books and Ladders
Okay I loved the Caster Chronicles. I loved Ethan and Lena and their struggle for pure love. But my favourite part of that series was Ridley Duchannes. So I was extremely excited for this spin off because we got to focus on Ridley. However, it was disappointing.
I just don't understand the disconnect between the Ridley we met in the Caster Chronicles and the Ridley that was portrayed in this novel. Ridley was literally my idol, bad to the bone and unapologetic for it; she was willing to go above and beyond to get her own way and make sure that she came out on top. But that isn't what we got here. We got ... Lena in Ridley's body. I understand that it would be difficult for Ridley to have to try and blend in with Mortals when she has never done so previously but she was so whiny and self-depreciating that I wanted to tear my eyes out.
The plot was fine. Nothing extremely special but nothing too out of the ordinary either. I actually quite liked the idea that Lennox could take people's powers as his own. I just don't understand Ridley's appeal to him. The love triangle thing made me literally gag. Because the Ridley Duchannes I know and love would have just used Lennox to get what she wanted and left him high and dry. Instead she almost, dare I say it, relied on him to help her with things. And that doesn't seem like Ridley to me.
I don't have much more to say about this. It felt like a knock off of the other series in a bad way instead of being the bad assery that it could have been with Ridley taking the lead.
Overall: 3/5 stars. It was appealing but it wasn't enough for me to really want to read the rest of the series. I am not a fan of the fact that there was a love triangle thrown in here. I would have much rather just read about how Ridley and Link are continuing on with their on-again-off-again relationship tbh.
Okay I loved the Caster Chronicles. I loved Ethan and Lena and their struggle for pure love. But my favourite part of that series was Ridley Duchannes. So I was extremely excited for this spin off because we got to focus on Ridley. However, it was disappointing.
I just don't understand the disconnect between the Ridley we met in the Caster Chronicles and the Ridley that was portrayed in this novel. Ridley was literally my idol, bad to the bone and unapologetic for it; she was willing to go above and beyond to get her own way and make sure that she came out on top. But that isn't what we got here. We got ... Lena in Ridley's body. I understand that it would be difficult for Ridley to have to try and blend in with Mortals when she has never done so previously but she was so whiny and self-depreciating that I wanted to tear my eyes out.
The plot was fine. Nothing extremely special but nothing too out of the ordinary either. I actually quite liked the idea that Lennox could take people's powers as his own. I just don't understand Ridley's appeal to him. The love triangle thing made me literally gag. Because the Ridley Duchannes I know and love would have just used Lennox to get what she wanted and left him high and dry. Instead she almost, dare I say it, relied on him to help her with things. And that doesn't seem like Ridley to me.
I don't have much more to say about this. It felt like a knock off of the other series in a bad way instead of being the bad assery that it could have been with Ridley taking the lead.
Overall: 3/5 stars. It was appealing but it wasn't enough for me to really want to read the rest of the series. I am not a fan of the fact that there was a love triangle thrown in here. I would have much rather just read about how Ridley and Link are continuing on with their on-again-off-again relationship tbh.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
4.0
I was destined to inhale this book. I adored Ridley’s character in the Caster Chronicles so the idea of an entire book with her at its center? Pure, sugary sweetness!
For those new to Lena, Ethan, Ridley, Link, and the rest of the Caster Crew, yes you should read the other Caster Chronicles books first! Those books give lots of background on the entire saga. So, yes they should be read first, yes they should be read in order, and, yes, it is helpful to read the e-novellas - though I thoroughly disagree with the high cost-per-page of the novellas (see my rant in review of Dangerous Dream).
Ridley’s lollipops work magic even when she is not technically in the room. So that lollipop on the cover? It works. Be warned. You will be charmed by her Siren eyelash-batting and sucked into Ridley’s drama! And oh boy does that girl have drama. It follows her everywhere, she just cannot escape it. As hard as she tries to be good, she lapses regularly into her comfortable role of T.R.O.U.B.L.E. And, poor Link is just so wrapped around her lollipop holding fingers!
I loved going back to the Caster world and settling in with these old friends. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Lennox Gates and the crew of Link’s new band. The ending? Just *GASP* And that is not a spoiler. It. Just. IS!
For those new to Lena, Ethan, Ridley, Link, and the rest of the Caster Crew, yes you should read the other Caster Chronicles books first! Those books give lots of background on the entire saga. So, yes they should be read first, yes they should be read in order, and, yes, it is helpful to read the e-novellas - though I thoroughly disagree with the high cost-per-page of the novellas (see my rant in review of Dangerous Dream).
Ridley’s lollipops work magic even when she is not technically in the room. So that lollipop on the cover? It works. Be warned. You will be charmed by her Siren eyelash-batting and sucked into Ridley’s drama! And oh boy does that girl have drama. It follows her everywhere, she just cannot escape it. As hard as she tries to be good, she lapses regularly into her comfortable role of T.R.O.U.B.L.E. And, poor Link is just so wrapped around her lollipop holding fingers!
I loved going back to the Caster world and settling in with these old friends. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Lennox Gates and the crew of Link’s new band. The ending? Just *GASP* And that is not a spoiler. It. Just. IS!
vanessa_issa's review
4.0
Ridley and Link have so many fans! They truly deserve their own series. I'm excited to see where this is going to take us. So far, I loved the first book very much!
lilsreeds's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
iphi_kc13's review
3.0
I wish they'd taken more time to build up certain things instead of rushing past. The story seemed disjointed in some spots and I don't recall that being an issue in previous books. Overall, I enjoy the Rid/Link side of things and will read any additions made to the series but I'm not blown away.
somarostam's review
5.0
I was a HUGE fan of the authors' series, Beautiful Creatures. I loved everything about it. The mythology, the world-building, the characters. So, excited would be an understatement to my feelings when I found out that they have a new series out.
Ridley and Link are separated from their friends in their hometown of Gatlin. Now, they're in New York. And Link is trying to make a name for himself in the music world. But what he doesn't know is that his gig of a lifetime was actually a payback from Ridley. Because, once, some time ago, Ridley lost a lot to a stupid game. And now, it's payback time.
In this series, we have two old characters from the previous series as the main characters, Ridley and Link. I really loved Link in BC, he was adorable and sweet and sarcastic. I was so happy that the authors decided to write from their point of view. Since, exploring their minds was a whole lot of fun.
Then, there's the world-building. As always, Margaret and Kami did an excellent job. They've created a whole new Caster world within the dark alleys of New York. It's beautiful and unpredictable and vivid. They've come back with a lyrical, realistic writing style that's even better than their previous series!
There's also the romance. Link and Ridely are already together but their relationship is really complicated. Then, there's Lennox. Which immediately became my favorite characters. He's charming, alluring, kind, and swoon-worthy. I couldn't imagine anyone better for a potential love triangle. I cannot wait to know where the authors are taking the love interests.
The ending is by far my favorite part of this book. But it is torture! It ends on such a wild, wild note and so UNEXPECTED. I cannot believe that they ended the book like that. Even though it's been almost a month since i have read this, it's still clear in my mind. And the days of waiting for the next book to come out, will be the most tortured days of my life. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have managed to create a new masterpiece with bits from the already-fascinating world that they created before.
Ridley and Link are separated from their friends in their hometown of Gatlin. Now, they're in New York. And Link is trying to make a name for himself in the music world. But what he doesn't know is that his gig of a lifetime was actually a payback from Ridley. Because, once, some time ago, Ridley lost a lot to a stupid game. And now, it's payback time.
In this series, we have two old characters from the previous series as the main characters, Ridley and Link. I really loved Link in BC, he was adorable and sweet and sarcastic. I was so happy that the authors decided to write from their point of view. Since, exploring their minds was a whole lot of fun.
Then, there's the world-building. As always, Margaret and Kami did an excellent job. They've created a whole new Caster world within the dark alleys of New York. It's beautiful and unpredictable and vivid. They've come back with a lyrical, realistic writing style that's even better than their previous series!
There's also the romance. Link and Ridely are already together but their relationship is really complicated. Then, there's Lennox. Which immediately became my favorite characters. He's charming, alluring, kind, and swoon-worthy. I couldn't imagine anyone better for a potential love triangle. I cannot wait to know where the authors are taking the love interests.
The ending is by far my favorite part of this book. But it is torture! It ends on such a wild, wild note and so UNEXPECTED. I cannot believe that they ended the book like that. Even though it's been almost a month since i have read this, it's still clear in my mind. And the days of waiting for the next book to come out, will be the most tortured days of my life. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have managed to create a new masterpiece with bits from the already-fascinating world that they created before.
mairimav's review
4.0
4.5/After much inner debate, I am back into this world and I adore it as much as I did in high school! Thaaaank you K.Garcia and M. Stohl for this awesomeness of a book. I adore it. Link and Ridley were always my favourite characters in the series (though my puberty was characterised more as a Dark Lena phase) and their stories, their adventures, their way of thinking and acting was sooo interesting to read. This series was as addicting as the original one and I cannot possibly wait to see what comes next.
ALSO, fuck you Lennox Gates and your stupid mind games. One of the most deplorable characters OF ALL TIME. HANDS DOWN HE DESERVES TO SUFFER
ALSO, fuck you Lennox Gates and your stupid mind games. One of the most deplorable characters OF ALL TIME. HANDS DOWN HE DESERVES TO SUFFER