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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a really interesting concept and fairly easy read. I finished the book because of those things, not because I felt very connected with the protagonists, which would have been my preference. There was just a little bit if world and character building lacking for me. I didn't realize we were turn of the century alternate-magical England until a quarter of the way through the book. I feel authors shouldn't be afraid to be more up front about that sort old thing. That said, the idea was so compelling, it did make up for it a little.
This one reminds me a lot of The Night Circus. It has a similar vibe. It's also similar to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell in setting, an alternative history in late 1800's England involving magic. I appreciate the author's establishment of the 'rules' of magic, as it's nice to have a bit of limitation in a protagonist. The best magic battles always involve outsmarting the foe, not just having the most unlimited power. I also appreciate having a character who is far from perfect. She has dimension, and that makes her human and likeable.
What I missed in this book was more about the paper magic. It's such a great premise that I wanted more exploration of that element of the fantasy, and less about the protagonist's particular objective. Sometimes I just want to pause the action in a story and root around in the setting.
I feel like this has the makings of a broader richer series, maybe with some partner authors. There is a world here that might be explored.
What I missed in this book was more about the paper magic. It's such a great premise that I wanted more exploration of that element of the fantasy, and less about the protagonist's particular objective. Sometimes I just want to pause the action in a story and root around in the setting.
I feel like this has the makings of a broader richer series, maybe with some partner authors. There is a world here that might be explored.
Exciting idea; too bad it was terribly written and ridiculous.
Maybe two and a half stars. There were some things that I LOVED about this story; things that I thought were clever and neat. But there were parts that I was not overly fond of or seemed a bit contrived or didn't make sense. I will say that I am not crazy about how obsessed the main character becomes with the magician. I listened to this in audiobook form and the narrator was obnoxious, which I do my best not to hold against the author. Regardless, I liked it enough to start the second book.
Plot: 4
Character: 4
Attention Grabbing: 4
Voice: 3
Ending: 5
Total:20/25
The idea of the book is really fine, but I wish the author can work more on....... Speaking in a way most people understand! I think it could've been written better . Like the ending though.
Character: 4
Attention Grabbing: 4
Voice: 3
Ending: 5
Total:20/25
The idea of the book is really fine, but I wish the author can work more on....... Speaking in a way most people understand! I think it could've been written better . Like the ending though.
I was intrigued with the concept, and since its free through kindle unlimited, I went ahead and grabbed it. Then I saw the reviews like "insta love" and got worried about what I was getting into. However, it was surprisingly good. I enjoyed it. It has decent writing, pretty good characters and you get a good feeling for who they are and why they became that way. It definitely kept me going until I finished it all in one shot, which is usually a good sign. That said, I've grabbed the other two as well and plan to read them soon.
reviews.metaphorosis.com
3.5 stars
Commitment to a branch of magic is irrevocable, and Ceony Twill, a talented cook and recent graduate of Tagis Praff magic school, has been apprenticed to a specialist in paper magic. Deeply disappointed, she nonetheless applies herself, and quickly learns there's much more to her mentor than meets the eye.
Is it worse to have your expectations dashed, or to have them raised and then dashed? Disappointed by what I expected to be a sharp, quirky debut by N. K. Jemisin (and turned out to be a solid but unoriginal fantasy), I turned to a completely unknown quantity, Charlie Holmberg.; I'd never heard of Holmberg, but her idea of paper magic seemed interesting.
I was quickly caught up in an alternative historical romance fantasy for young adults. The setting an alternate 19th century-ish London was minimal but well done, the characters greatly appealing, and the writing excellent. Sure, the tone was more YA than it needed to be - protagonist Ceony gets things far too easily for there to be much challenge early on, and the romance is virtually instant. But there was quite a lot too like. (even if the older man, young adult trope is something I'd hope an alternate world could get by without, and there's quite a bit of girl cooking and cleaning for man).
Unfortunately, the story bogs down considerably about a third of the way through, and we spend virtually the rest of the book slogging (literally) through a heavy-handed metaphor that we get far, far earlier than our protagonist. It's a mildly clever idea that goes on much longer than it needs to - so long that it downgraded an exciting new discovery to "yeah, interesting" status.
Holmberg is clearly talented, and I'll be going on to the second in the series, The Glass Magician, but I hope that she'll apply her deft hand to the plot as well as the writing in that book. (Unflesh it, so to speak.)
This is a clever, well-written fantasy that leans far too heavily toward simplistic romance to be as effective as it could have been. Nonetheless, it's a fun read, and I recommend it, especially for those looking for a strong (if not terribly modern) female lead.
NB: Received free copy from Net Galley.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very enjoyable
Hmmmmmmmm......good, but not great? This is too blatantly a romance novel first and fantasy second. There are some really good things about the book--the idea of having to travel through a heart is interesting, but even that has to serve the greater good of moving the romance forward. Ceony comes to apprentice with Emory Thane. All kinds of drama are hinted at and alluded to. Thane's ex comes and steals his heart, and Ceony has to go and get it back. To give credit where credit is due, Ceony is NOT a wimp, which is refreshing.