Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
3.5⭐️ I wish the beginning were about 50 pages longer to build up more of a relationship between the characters.
The middle got a little lengthy with the number of past events. I think some of these events should have been explored via dialogue with Ceony and Emery rather than us just watching vision after vision. It kind of got a bit boring tbh.
The middle got a little lengthy with the number of past events. I think some of these events should have been explored via dialogue with Ceony and Emery rather than us just watching vision after vision. It kind of got a bit boring tbh.
Quirky debut that starts out in an almost-realistic version of Edwardian England except with magic... but ends up in a super trippy extended quasi dream sequence with a dash of romance. Like many new writers she has a lot of energy and love for her characters, but struggles to control the tone and pacing.
Zipped through this book as I felt big chunks of it moved a bit too slowly for me. Even so I am reading the next in the series because the characters are well-developed and the plot is intriguing. Kind of a Steampunk Harry Potter in some ways, with a cabal of evil magicians (instead of wizards.) The author clearly has a great imagination!
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting concept and subject matter. I did not enjoy this novel as much as I thought I would. I know it's YA but why why why!? did there have to be a storyline involving love.
Might read the second book to see if it's better .....
Might read the second book to see if it's better .....
Such a lovely story. And a unique and imaginative concept. I've never read anything like this before- exploring the adventures of the heart. Quite literally. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
I had suchhhh high expectations which led to my mayor disappointment when i actually read this books after having it on my tbr for years.
A sweet amazing story about magic and paper and love!
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I think the idea is brilliant, but Ceony was very two-dimensional and pining with no reason for her to be that way. The plot was fascinating, and the world really interesting as far as a magical premise goes, but Ceony's very very teenage angst got in the way for me. The villain also needed fleshing out and more explanation to make her more well-rounded and not just the "bad guy." Also, I listened to the audiobook, and while I really liked the performer's voice, I don't think that it was suited to this book. For a story that takes place in 1800s England, the narrator was too American and modern-sounding. I think they would have done better to find an English narrator who had a bit more seriousness to her voice. I can think of several books that this narrator would be good for, but this was not one of them.
I really enjoyed this book and the magical world where it is set, but it lost me a little bit toward the end when the heroine turns a bit sappy for my taste. I'll still read the rest of the series.