Scan barcode
thepagelady's review
4.0
First I love the book cover! Very eye-catching! This book has everything a fantasy lover looks for in a book! Superpowers, time travel, fantastic fantasy world, a great adventure & great characters! The characters are quite the mix so it would be easy to find your favorite & relate to! I'd love to read more about Jonas & Diego! There's so much to enjoy in this book: the vivid writing, loveable characters & magical but sometimes scary world! Can't wait to see what the next adventure will be!
Thank you Xpresso Book Tours & Kale Lawrence for sharing this fantastic book with me!
Thank you Xpresso Book Tours & Kale Lawrence for sharing this fantastic book with me!
readitwithred's review
4.0
This was my second audio book ever and I have to give credit to AJ Carter for doing so well with so many different accents! It made it a joy to listen to and helped me concentrate better.
I thought the story was very interesting and I enjoyed the characters.
The twists towards the end I didn't see coming until they came so kudos to the author for being able to surprise me. I do believe I had my mouth open at one point with it.
A genuinely enjoyable listen with fiesty and strong characters and a whole lot of magic.
The magic system was well thought out too and I appreciate the sprinkling of real history to add to the story.
I thought the story was very interesting and I enjoyed the characters.
The twists towards the end I didn't see coming until they came so kudos to the author for being able to surprise me. I do believe I had my mouth open at one point with it.
A genuinely enjoyable listen with fiesty and strong characters and a whole lot of magic.
The magic system was well thought out too and I appreciate the sprinkling of real history to add to the story.
hasnita_singh's review
4.0
You can view my full review here: https://hasnitasinghauthor.com/2021/08/29/the-magi-menagerie-by-kale-lawrence-arc-review/
This was a really great read. The characters were diverse, I loved the journey Ezra went on and I’m a sucker for the found family trope. The forbidden romance was to die for. I’m not even ready to talk about the cliffhanger. Why aren’t more people talking about this???
I think this would’ve been a 5 star book if I had just been in the right mood. I plan on re reading this one day, probably before I pick up the sequel.
This was a really great read. The characters were diverse, I loved the journey Ezra went on and I’m a sucker for the found family trope. The forbidden romance was to die for. I’m not even ready to talk about the cliffhanger. Why aren’t more people talking about this???
I think this would’ve been a 5 star book if I had just been in the right mood. I plan on re reading this one day, probably before I pick up the sequel.
morvrun's review
2.0
First off, thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are totally my own.
For seventeen years, Ezra Newport and his parents were habitual immigrants, traveling from their Ottoman Empire home across 20th century Europe. As the Newports migrate to Belfast, Ireland, Ezra wants nothing more to settle into a consistent life and lay the foundation of his architectural dreams. But after a strange, mechanical bounty hunter murders his mother and prompts the disappearance of his father, Ezra discovers that his parents had actually been on the run. Now, their enemies are targeting him, and they won’t stop until he is dead.
This is an urban fantasy novel chronologically located in 1906. The protagonist, Ezra Newport, has his life turned upside down after his parents are attacked by a strange half mechanical bounty hunter. Her mother dead, his father missing, Ezra is stranded in a foreign country with no one to help him or stand for him, and he's being hunted.
It is then that he meets with some members of a Magi organization, people with powers who fight against a sinister secret society, the Legerdemain Society. With their help, Ezra tries to unravel the mistery of his parents and find his own identity, all the while they race to find a powerful object, the Tablet of Destinies, before the villains do.
The slightly steampunk setting is attractive, and the characters are very diverse. The reading is easy, is a book that you can read in a jiffy if you find it catching... Which I didn't, unfortunately.
I must sincerely say that this book didn't set me on fire. The plot was too linear, and I didn't like the action scenes. Dialogues and characters were a little stereotypical, and the magic sistem need a lot more work. The central idea was sound, though, and I have the impression that I would have enjoyed it much more if I had read it when I was younger. Didn't like the ending, either, it wasn't shocking or surprising to me. I don't want to discourage anyone from reading it, though, it didn't work for me, but I'm sure a lot of fans of historical, steampunk urban fantasy would like it.
And I gotta say, the cover is gorgeous and the synopsis is catchy, those two things made me want to try the book. Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publishers.
For seventeen years, Ezra Newport and his parents were habitual immigrants, traveling from their Ottoman Empire home across 20th century Europe. As the Newports migrate to Belfast, Ireland, Ezra wants nothing more to settle into a consistent life and lay the foundation of his architectural dreams. But after a strange, mechanical bounty hunter murders his mother and prompts the disappearance of his father, Ezra discovers that his parents had actually been on the run. Now, their enemies are targeting him, and they won’t stop until he is dead.
This is an urban fantasy novel chronologically located in 1906. The protagonist, Ezra Newport, has his life turned upside down after his parents are attacked by a strange half mechanical bounty hunter. Her mother dead, his father missing, Ezra is stranded in a foreign country with no one to help him or stand for him, and he's being hunted.
It is then that he meets with some members of a Magi organization, people with powers who fight against a sinister secret society, the Legerdemain Society. With their help, Ezra tries to unravel the mistery of his parents and find his own identity, all the while they race to find a powerful object, the Tablet of Destinies, before the villains do.
The slightly steampunk setting is attractive, and the characters are very diverse. The reading is easy, is a book that you can read in a jiffy if you find it catching... Which I didn't, unfortunately.
I must sincerely say that this book didn't set me on fire. The plot was too linear, and I didn't like the action scenes. Dialogues and characters were a little stereotypical, and the magic sistem need a lot more work. The central idea was sound, though, and I have the impression that I would have enjoyed it much more if I had read it when I was younger. Didn't like the ending, either, it wasn't shocking or surprising to me. I don't want to discourage anyone from reading it, though, it didn't work for me, but I'm sure a lot of fans of historical, steampunk urban fantasy would like it.
And I gotta say, the cover is gorgeous and the synopsis is catchy, those two things made me want to try the book. Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publishers.
alexandrian_arxhives's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
literatiglitterati's review
5.0
I have so many good things to say about this book! A historical, steampunk-esque fantasy setting, with richly written, diverse, passionate characters; intriguing magical subterfuge; romantic angst; murder; despair – basically everything you might be looking for is seamlessly blended into this one, utterly gripping tale!
First off, the diversity really made me happy! The main character is from Constantinople, Muslim, brown, and pretty much left to fend for himself in Ireland when he’s abruptly and tragically left without a family. It’s made abundantly clear that he’s very marginalized in this new setting, but finds allies and peers who see how unjust it is as well. The story kind of veers away from that conversation once Ezra gets deeper into the magical world, which I understand as far as the flow of the plot, but I think it’s important to consider that the “Quotidians” – this world’s version of muggles, essentially – don’t just disappear into the background with no further impact on the Magi. In a sequel, I’m hoping we revisit this, because the physical and verbal abuse Ezra suffered at the hands of his non-magical classmates was truly appalling and I’d love to have him and Aja, his Indian classmate and fellow Magi, reclaim their space and demand the respect and humanity they deserve!
The other point of representation I really wanted to mention was the fact that the most major supporting character, almost a second main character, is queer. There is an element of censure for this, so the relationships he has (both current and the previous one shown in flashback style) are within the forbidden love trope. I don’t personally love leaning into that trope when the reason it’s forbidden is just homophobic bias, but this is one subplot that I think I needed fleshed out a little, because it wasn’t quite clear to me just how much the council was opposed to same-sex relationships, or if it was simply because Jonas picked two people who presented complications… that’s all I will say to avoid spoilers, but the angst is strong with this one, which I do adore, and the sequel is certain to be even more life-ruining!
The world-building and magic system were handled quite well, though I think I might even want a bit more on the ins & outs of it… more magic practice between Aja, Oliver and Ezra, please! I loved it. I also adored the incorporation of astrology and the sense that the cosmos at large moves through their magic. There was a gravity about it… this world was… enchanting, spellbinding, somewhat terrifying.
Now onto the juicy stuff – the plot! Starts in tragedy, ends in a cliffhanger, with oh-so-many feelings in between! In the process of discovering his magical identity and the secret past of his family, Ezra also helps unravel a mystery surrounding an artifact that could change the course of all Magi’s futures forever, and unleash magical forces so powerful they hadn’t even been dreamed of. His very unique visions were crucial to the plot, and I am just dying to know more about this gift and how it works. Overall, this was amazing, well-written, fascinating, and absolutely left me on the edge of my seat for a sequel! What an astonishing novel!
First off, the diversity really made me happy! The main character is from Constantinople, Muslim, brown, and pretty much left to fend for himself in Ireland when he’s abruptly and tragically left without a family. It’s made abundantly clear that he’s very marginalized in this new setting, but finds allies and peers who see how unjust it is as well. The story kind of veers away from that conversation once Ezra gets deeper into the magical world, which I understand as far as the flow of the plot, but I think it’s important to consider that the “Quotidians” – this world’s version of muggles, essentially – don’t just disappear into the background with no further impact on the Magi. In a sequel, I’m hoping we revisit this, because the physical and verbal abuse Ezra suffered at the hands of his non-magical classmates was truly appalling and I’d love to have him and Aja, his Indian classmate and fellow Magi, reclaim their space and demand the respect and humanity they deserve!
The other point of representation I really wanted to mention was the fact that the most major supporting character, almost a second main character, is queer. There is an element of censure for this, so the relationships he has (both current and the previous one shown in flashback style) are within the forbidden love trope. I don’t personally love leaning into that trope when the reason it’s forbidden is just homophobic bias, but this is one subplot that I think I needed fleshed out a little, because it wasn’t quite clear to me just how much the council was opposed to same-sex relationships, or if it was simply because Jonas picked two people who presented complications… that’s all I will say to avoid spoilers, but the angst is strong with this one, which I do adore, and the sequel is certain to be even more life-ruining!
The world-building and magic system were handled quite well, though I think I might even want a bit more on the ins & outs of it… more magic practice between Aja, Oliver and Ezra, please! I loved it. I also adored the incorporation of astrology and the sense that the cosmos at large moves through their magic. There was a gravity about it… this world was… enchanting, spellbinding, somewhat terrifying.
Now onto the juicy stuff – the plot! Starts in tragedy, ends in a cliffhanger, with oh-so-many feelings in between! In the process of discovering his magical identity and the secret past of his family, Ezra also helps unravel a mystery surrounding an artifact that could change the course of all Magi’s futures forever, and unleash magical forces so powerful they hadn’t even been dreamed of. His very unique visions were crucial to the plot, and I am just dying to know more about this gift and how it works. Overall, this was amazing, well-written, fascinating, and absolutely left me on the edge of my seat for a sequel! What an astonishing novel!
jaxamaline's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this eBook for free, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Our main character is Ezra he is on the run although he doesn’t know why.
I have to admit I was really drawn to this book by the cover and description, however, I really struggled with it.
There is a lot to take in between world building, the constant change in character narrative as well as the whole host of characters themselves!
There is nothing wrong with this book as such but it’s just not for me. The book is well written with a well developed world and a jilted lover sub-plot filled with angst.
I do like the references to the characteristics of each of the astrological signs. Although the portrayal of Diego’s ‘Mexican’ character seems a little stereotypical with some of his language.
The book is engaging and well written and I did enjoy it from around 60% onwards and has definite promise as a series.
The plot twist and cliff-hanger ending – ooft. That’s a sore one.
4 ⭐️
Our main character is Ezra he is on the run although he doesn’t know why.
I have to admit I was really drawn to this book by the cover and description, however, I really struggled with it.
There is a lot to take in between world building, the constant change in character narrative as well as the whole host of characters themselves!
There is nothing wrong with this book as such but it’s just not for me. The book is well written with a well developed world and a jilted lover sub-plot filled with angst.
I do like the references to the characteristics of each of the astrological signs. Although the portrayal of Diego’s ‘Mexican’ character seems a little stereotypical with some of his language.
The book is engaging and well written and I did enjoy it from around 60% onwards and has definite promise as a series.
The plot twist and cliff-hanger ending – ooft. That’s a sore one.
4 ⭐️
raidingbookshelves's review
1.0
Did not finish.
I requested this book from Netgalley because the concept appealed to me. I read 20% and couldn’t continue. It just didn’t grab me - maybe our timing is off and this book and I will need to try again in the future.
I found the dialogue very stilted and unnatural. The phrasing was uncomfortable - can you confiscate features?
“With a profound seriousness confiscating his features, Jonas struggled to meet Diego’s eyes.”
The language was overplayed - “devoured with untamed ferocity” - or overused - “ah, we meet again.”
Every character sounded the same or like an overblown stereotype.
However, the concept felt sound - even this early in the book. I want to know what happens to Ezra. The world building was solid - the Magi history was delivered clearly and enticingly - and I wanted to know how the magic worked and what they could do.
I just struggled with the delivery.
I might pick it up and try again another time but right now I will keep reading other books that already have me hooked.
Cover thoughts: eye-catching and arresting. It has a magical YA film poster feel to it (the font, maybe?) and the gears feel very steampunk magic. I’d definitely pick this cover up in store.
I requested this book from Netgalley because the concept appealed to me. I read 20% and couldn’t continue. It just didn’t grab me - maybe our timing is off and this book and I will need to try again in the future.
I found the dialogue very stilted and unnatural. The phrasing was uncomfortable - can you confiscate features?
“With a profound seriousness confiscating his features, Jonas struggled to meet Diego’s eyes.”
The language was overplayed - “devoured with untamed ferocity” - or overused - “ah, we meet again.”
Every character sounded the same or like an overblown stereotype.
However, the concept felt sound - even this early in the book. I want to know what happens to Ezra. The world building was solid - the Magi history was delivered clearly and enticingly - and I wanted to know how the magic worked and what they could do.
I just struggled with the delivery.
I might pick it up and try again another time but right now I will keep reading other books that already have me hooked.
Cover thoughts: eye-catching and arresting. It has a magical YA film poster feel to it (the font, maybe?) and the gears feel very steampunk magic. I’d definitely pick this cover up in store.
lolareads33's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
meaghanreadshfx's review
4.0
The Magi Menagerie is a really interesting and compelling read. The forbidden romance was excellent and the character development was spectacular. There was definitely some parts that needed improvement but it was still an excellent read.