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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
I selected this from a Kindle deal and was enamored with it from the first page. There is a segment that touches on a basic human principle - being put in a position you don't want to be in only to discover your love for said position. Its akin to being "forced" to play piano as a kid and fighting your parents to have your freedom before coming to the realization some 20 years later that "forcing" you to play was something you appreciate more than words can offer.
It offers a glimpse into the human heart, literally, and all the hopes, dreams, aspirations and demons we hold tight. One thing I do believe is this book could have been a tad longer to bring out the depth of some supporting characters. Ceony and Emery were covered well but others who brought the story to fruition were lacking. Overall, I was quite pleased with the offering.
It offers a glimpse into the human heart, literally, and all the hopes, dreams, aspirations and demons we hold tight. One thing I do believe is this book could have been a tad longer to bring out the depth of some supporting characters. Ceony and Emery were covered well but others who brought the story to fruition were lacking. Overall, I was quite pleased with the offering.
This is an interesting take on magic and people who practice it. I enjoyed the setting and the plot, but sometimes the language used took me out of the story when it sounded too modern. Overall, though, it's an entertaining read.
This book had a good premise and nice atmospherical writing but something about it just didn't work for me. My main issue was some of the details were weird/unnecessary and felt forced at times.
The books makes a fast and easy read if you're looking to waste sometime. I struggle with the main character. She's been set up to become this heroine but she's not. She blindly goes out to defeat the villain with no plan and no real magical expertise. Of course she wins as all heros do but its on a fluke.
The ghostly images lasted only a moment longer before fading away, as all unread stories were wont to do.
4 stars
This was a really lovely story. The first third was definitely the strongest and had the whole story been as atmospherical it would have been a solid 5 stars. I still really liked it nonetheless and I don't understand why it has such a relatively low rating on goodreads.
The characters were great, Ceony had her flaws and was reluctant to become a paper magician but not to the point of her being annoying. She also was quite smart and hardworking and brave and just a great person in general. at least that's what the book tried to convince the reader by telling us that Vhalla was so incredibly intelligent, but never showing . Both of them were reluctant in accepting their fate as magicians Although I'm not being completly fair to Vhalla since Ceony desperatly wanted to be a magician and just struggled with the idea of being bonded to paper and Vhalla didn't want to be a sorcerer at all, but oh well... Vhalla tried to be a strong female character and failed miserably, Ceony didn't try and still was. And Vhalla was way too overpowered so when she struggled with her powers it just felt forced and contrieved. Ceony's struggles felt real and were comprehensible because the book actually bothers to spend time on her training.
Mg. Thane/Emery was incredibly sweet and I loved him in particular. The romance between the two was just so cute.It did have its pacing issues though, being a bit too slow-paced in the beginning and moving along a bit too quickliy in the last 20 pages.
The page count was another positive. I do read books that are longer than a 1000 pages (think GoT or Terry Goodkind's Sword of Thruth series) but I also appreciate shorter books. While 220 pages is shorter than books I would normally read the story didn't feel lacking. And in any case I much prefer a book that is 50 pages short to a book that is 500 pages too long!
More world building and a more thorough explanation of the different kinds of material magics would have been great though. (Hopefully the next books in the series deliver in that aspect!). Especially since the setting is quite interesting, with the story taking place in Victorian England although the story was (excluding the magic, obviously) not that historically accurate with the characters using modern slang and there not being rampant sexism around.
My only other trifle with the story was, that the flash backs felt a bit lazy in terms of Ceony learning about Thane. It didn't bother me that much though.
The ending was saccharine, almost too much so and made sure that the story was finished. I seriously hate it when you have to read other books in the series because at least the first book can't be a completed story in and of itself. I'm definitely checking out the next books and hope to see more of Ceony and Emery together!
Also I thought that (well, the first third of) the story would make a great studio ghibli movie!
The Glass Magician: 3 stars
The Master Magician: 2 stars
4 stars
This was a really lovely story. The first third was definitely the strongest and had the whole story been as atmospherical it would have been a solid 5 stars. I still really liked it nonetheless and I don't understand why it has such a
The characters were great, Ceony had her flaws and was reluctant to become a paper magician but not to the point of her being annoying. She also was quite smart and hardworking and brave and just a great person in general.
Spoiler
The last book I read was Air Awkakens and I was amused how different the characters were although they shared a lot of traits and both books resemble each other (as in being quite light on the fantasy, AA even more so than PM, and having the romance play a big part in the book, again in AA more so than in PM). Both main characters were intelligentMg. Thane/Emery was incredibly sweet and I loved him in particular. The romance between the two was just so cute.
The page count was another positive. I do read books that are longer than a 1000 pages (think GoT or Terry Goodkind's Sword of Thruth series) but I also appreciate shorter books. While 220 pages is shorter than books I would normally read the story didn't feel lacking.
More world building and a more thorough explanation of the different kinds of material magics would have been great though. (Hopefully the next books in the series deliver in that aspect!). Especially since the setting is quite interesting, with the story taking place in Victorian England
My only other trifle with the story was, that the flash backs felt a bit lazy in terms of Ceony learning about Thane. It didn't bother me that much though.
The ending was saccharine, almost too much so and made sure that the story was finished.
The Glass Magician: 3 stars
The Master Magician: 2 stars
I don't often give books 5 stars reviews, but this read was so refreshing and delightful I cannot help myself! The title and the cover seem simple at first glance, but the plot was unique and the characters well-rounded.
The story started out slowly, sluggishly even, with a disgruntled female lead Ceony settling into her role as an apprentice (although she didn't do any bowing and scraping. She's a strong female who didn't let a man walk all over her) during some hum-drum chapters about her lessons and daily life.
Then the action and suspense slammed into my chest (no pun intended) in Chapter 5. I was blown away. Adventure and exploration followed after that and I was engrossed in the book until the end.
How many books have the heroine exploring the four different chambers of someone's heart, both literally and figuratively? "Cool", "Different", "Interesting" adjectives leap into my head but I can't use one to describe this book. I loved the turn the book took at the end, subtle as it was and I'm eager to read the next installment in the series to see what happens between Ceony and Emery. Do they know what happened to Lira? Will they go after the evil Grath Cobalt in Book 2?
The story started out slowly, sluggishly even, with a disgruntled female lead Ceony settling into her role as an apprentice (although she didn't do any bowing and scraping. She's a strong female who didn't let a man walk all over her) during some hum-drum chapters about her lessons and daily life.
Then the action and suspense slammed into my chest (no pun intended) in Chapter 5. I was blown away. Adventure and exploration followed after that and I was engrossed in the book until the end.
How many books have the heroine exploring the four different chambers of someone's heart, both literally and figuratively? "Cool", "Different", "Interesting" adjectives leap into my head but I can't use one to describe this book. I loved the turn the book took at the end, subtle as it was and I'm eager to read the next installment in the series to see what happens between Ceony and Emery. Do they know what happened to Lira? Will they go after the evil Grath Cobalt in Book 2?
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to like this more. The writing was engaging enough that I did finish it despite its faults. The concept of materials magic was interesting and creative, but the bulk of the story about journeying through Thane's heart was just kind of... corny? I also did not find the feelings developed by the narrator to be genuine or believable. Overall, nice world but would have liked a completely different story within it.
More like a 4.5/4.7. Something about the last few chapters I just really didn’t like. Almost loathed. I can’t take a star away though. I hope the next book clears a few things up.
The story started out a bit slow I almost stopped, but I'm glad I didn't. I fell in love with the characters and I can't wait to buy the rest in the series to see what happens next! It became very exciting and unpredictable. I cannot remember why I had bought the book (I think it was on sale) but I am really glad I did!