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krisrid's review against another edition
2.0
It makes me so sad to not have loved the third book in this series, because I really loved the first two books. This felt like a completely different kind of book than the first two.
The first two books felt like going on a thrilling magical adventure with the characters, but this book, at least to the end of chapter 10, which is how far I got before I gave up, felt like more of a treatise on society and the societal expectations of the time.
The story was very slow moving, and there was very little actual action or anything of an adventurous nature in those first 10 chapters. It felt to me like all anyone did for all that time was talk, and while I don't mind listening to characters talk, especially when I like those characters, but when you are expecting an adventure, that is a bit of a let down.
I was also disappointed that so much of the early chapters focused so much on Lucia and Roland and very little on Sophie and Grey, and Sophie and Grey are what made me fall in love with these books. They are wonderful, and I missed them in the beginning of this book. Even when the focus finally shifted back to them, Sophie was just sitting around talking and looking at books. I understand that she was trying to research the old women's college, but it just wasn't what I was anticipating from this book, and ultimately wasn't enough to keep me reading.
The first two books felt like going on a thrilling magical adventure with the characters, but this book, at least to the end of chapter 10, which is how far I got before I gave up, felt like more of a treatise on society and the societal expectations of the time.
The story was very slow moving, and there was very little actual action or anything of an adventurous nature in those first 10 chapters. It felt to me like all anyone did for all that time was talk, and while I don't mind listening to characters talk, especially when I like those characters, but when you are expecting an adventure, that is a bit of a let down.
I was also disappointed that so much of the early chapters focused so much on Lucia and Roland and very little on Sophie and Grey, and Sophie and Grey are what made me fall in love with these books. They are wonderful, and I missed them in the beginning of this book. Even when the focus finally shifted back to them, Sophie was just sitting around talking and looking at books. I understand that she was trying to research the old women's college, but it just wasn't what I was anticipating from this book, and ultimately wasn't enough to keep me reading.
stefhyena's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet and wholesome and containing romance, and yet somehow not bland or sickening. Alternative history with enough connection to reality to be interesting but an academic magic realism that I enjoyed. It explores gender inequity without getting depressing (frustrations were present) or trivialising it. In some ways it was like a Tamora Pierce novel (which I love) but more grown up. Good world building. I couldn't like everything (like the casual acceptance of conquest as a "right" of readers) but such realism is well balanced and stops it being too Utopian.
I will be going to see what else Hunter has written.
I will be going to see what else Hunter has written.
cakt1991's review against another edition
5.0
Full review here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2018/12/18/review-of-a-season-of-spells-noctis-magicae-3-by-sylvia-izzo-hunter/
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on Vampire Book Club
After three years of living in Alba and attending university, it’s time for Sophie and Gray Marshall to head back to London escorting the heiress of Alba, Lucia MacNeill, to meet her betrothed, Prince Roland, Sophie’s brother.
While that first meeting does not go off as planned, Sophie figures out what to do with her time back in London: begin the process of reopening the Lady Morgan College in Oxford whose doors mysteriously closed centuries ago.
However, Sophie’s plans might be put on hold when it’s soon discovered that her stepfather, one Appius Callender, as well as the other men who conspired to poison the King, have escaped. Gray and Sophie will find themselves separated as each pursues a different path in bringing back the fugitives and saving the Kingdom.
I loved that A Season of Spells brought us back to London, as one of my biggest issues with Lady of Magick was not really feeling the setting of Alba. Instead here, we’re in familiar territory and get to revisit many of the characters that were introduced in the first book, but sadly lacking from the second. I also felt more of a connection with this storyline since it’s almost a continuation of things started in The Midnight Queen.
I appreciated the fact that some of the characters introduced in Lady of Magick, namely Lucia MacNeill, were given more page time to develop in A Season of Spells. I found myself liking those characters more as I got to know and understand them better. The betrothal between Lucia and Roland was a great contrast to witness when compared to Sophie and Gray. The way that Lucia and Roland don’t seem compatible at first, but have to work on getting to know one another was nice to watch. In that regard, the romantic relationship between Sophie’s sister Joanna and her friend Gwendolen Pryce was another aspect that I wasn’t sure about in Lady of Magick, having felt like it kind of came out of nowhere, but seeing their steadfastness and devotion to one another in this book and how much they’ve grown, I’d really like to see them get their own adventure some day.
Probably the best thing about A Season of Spells, which I honestly wish was utilized a whole lot more, was the history behind Lady Morgan College. The mystery of its closing and the utter eeriness of the abandoned structure was so fascinating, but I was a little let down when that device kind of turned into a segue for the overarching storyline of trouble within the Kingdom. Again, maybe something that will get its own story expanded upon at another time.
A Season of Spells is the conclusion to the trilogy. The ending seemed to tie everything up, but I felt as though there’s room left for expanding the world should Sylvia Izzo Hunter ever choose to do so, and as I stated above there are certainly some stories I would like to read about. As a whole, I’ve enjoyed this series. It’s a great example of an alternate history fantasy.
After three years of living in Alba and attending university, it’s time for Sophie and Gray Marshall to head back to London escorting the heiress of Alba, Lucia MacNeill, to meet her betrothed, Prince Roland, Sophie’s brother.
While that first meeting does not go off as planned, Sophie figures out what to do with her time back in London: begin the process of reopening the Lady Morgan College in Oxford whose doors mysteriously closed centuries ago.
However, Sophie’s plans might be put on hold when it’s soon discovered that her stepfather, one Appius Callender, as well as the other men who conspired to poison the King, have escaped. Gray and Sophie will find themselves separated as each pursues a different path in bringing back the fugitives and saving the Kingdom.
I loved that A Season of Spells brought us back to London, as one of my biggest issues with Lady of Magick was not really feeling the setting of Alba. Instead here, we’re in familiar territory and get to revisit many of the characters that were introduced in the first book, but sadly lacking from the second. I also felt more of a connection with this storyline since it’s almost a continuation of things started in The Midnight Queen.
I appreciated the fact that some of the characters introduced in Lady of Magick, namely Lucia MacNeill, were given more page time to develop in A Season of Spells. I found myself liking those characters more as I got to know and understand them better. The betrothal between Lucia and Roland was a great contrast to witness when compared to Sophie and Gray. The way that Lucia and Roland don’t seem compatible at first, but have to work on getting to know one another was nice to watch. In that regard, the romantic relationship between Sophie’s sister Joanna and her friend Gwendolen Pryce was another aspect that I wasn’t sure about in Lady of Magick, having felt like it kind of came out of nowhere, but seeing their steadfastness and devotion to one another in this book and how much they’ve grown, I’d really like to see them get their own adventure some day.
Probably the best thing about A Season of Spells, which I honestly wish was utilized a whole lot more, was the history behind Lady Morgan College. The mystery of its closing and the utter eeriness of the abandoned structure was so fascinating, but I was a little let down when that device kind of turned into a segue for the overarching storyline of trouble within the Kingdom. Again, maybe something that will get its own story expanded upon at another time.
A Season of Spells is the conclusion to the trilogy. The ending seemed to tie everything up, but I felt as though there’s room left for expanding the world should Sylvia Izzo Hunter ever choose to do so, and as I stated above there are certainly some stories I would like to read about. As a whole, I’ve enjoyed this series. It’s a great example of an alternate history fantasy.
unphilosophize's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series so much.
This book, unlike the last two, did not have a slow-down period. From beginning to end, the book was filled with action and mystery.
The only thing that I found a little unsatisfactory was the ending. It happened very quickly and was wrapped up very neatly. I wish that it had taken more time to elaborate on what the various characters had done since the end of the war.
One of the things that I really enjoyed in this novel was that there was less of a focus on Gray and Sophie. All the other characters got a lot of time spent on their development and relationships. I do think that the relationship between Gwen and Joanna could have used some more depth, but that's being very nit-picky.
This is definitely one of my favourite fantasy trilogies that I've read. Sylvia Izzo Hunter has earned her spot on my favourite author list.
This book, unlike the last two, did not have a slow-down period. From beginning to end, the book was filled with action and mystery.
The only thing that I found a little unsatisfactory was the ending. It happened very quickly and was wrapped up very neatly. I wish that it had taken more time to elaborate on what the various characters had done since the end of the war.
One of the things that I really enjoyed in this novel was that there was less of a focus on Gray and Sophie. All the other characters got a lot of time spent on their development and relationships. I do think that the relationship between Gwen and Joanna could have used some more depth, but that's being very nit-picky.
This is definitely one of my favourite fantasy trilogies that I've read. Sylvia Izzo Hunter has earned her spot on my favourite author list.
anunande's review against another edition
The Noctis Magicae trilogy
Magic. A spin on rural Brittany and Regency England. Kings. Political machinations. Blood-thirsty revenge and assassination plots. Magic. Headstrong, spirited female characters. A wonderfully realistic central couple. Did I say magic?
My friend picked up A Season of Spells at a bookstore. We read the blurb and realised that it was the final in the trilogy. I immediately checked whether the BPL had it and well, I wonder why I haven't heard about this series from anyone!
Sylvia Izzo Hunter is a Canadian writer and this is her debut series. With her background in English and French literature (with a particular focus on medieval and Renaissance poetry and drama), her world-building feels genuine and informed. I say feels because I'm not at all knowledgeable in this.
I read the first two books last month - The Midnight Queen and Lady of Magick. I can't talk too much about the characters without giving away spoilers, but I will say that the character development is well done and I because of it, I felt emotional stakes just under halfway through the first book. The characters, even when they are being exasperating *feel* real.
The plotting in general can seem a bit slow for the taste of many, but never when the situation calls for urgency. The world-building is intricate (though I would have liked even more because I enjoyed my time there) and the development of the field of magick within this world had enough details without info-dumps. It's also very tongue-in-cheek, and I laughed at the most unexpected moments.
The only complaint I have is with the final third of the final book. The entire book (and to an extent, the entire story from the first book) was leading up to the culmination of this one event and the climax felt too flat and meek. But it didn't take anything away from what I'd invested in it from the time I picked up The Midnight Queen.
Magic. A spin on rural Brittany and Regency England. Kings. Political machinations. Blood-thirsty revenge and assassination plots. Magic. Headstrong, spirited female characters. A wonderfully realistic central couple. Did I say magic?
My friend picked up A Season of Spells at a bookstore. We read the blurb and realised that it was the final in the trilogy. I immediately checked whether the BPL had it and well, I wonder why I haven't heard about this series from anyone!
Sylvia Izzo Hunter is a Canadian writer and this is her debut series. With her background in English and French literature (with a particular focus on medieval and Renaissance poetry and drama), her world-building feels genuine and informed. I say feels because I'm not at all knowledgeable in this.
I read the first two books last month - The Midnight Queen and Lady of Magick. I can't talk too much about the characters without giving away spoilers, but I will say that the character development is well done and I because of it, I felt emotional stakes just under halfway through the first book. The characters, even when they are being exasperating *feel* real.
The plotting in general can seem a bit slow for the taste of many, but never when the situation calls for urgency. The world-building is intricate (though I would have liked even more because I enjoyed my time there) and the development of the field of magick within this world had enough details without info-dumps. It's also very tongue-in-cheek, and I laughed at the most unexpected moments.
The only complaint I have is with the final third of the final book. The entire book (and to an extent, the entire story from the first book) was leading up to the culmination of this one event and the climax felt too flat and meek. But it didn't take anything away from what I'd invested in it from the time I picked up The Midnight Queen.
lightlysprkling's review against another edition
Solid fantasy/alternative history with magic, a bit of kryptonite for me.
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