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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
21/12/2024
second reread: since the first time i read it, i’ve watched and rewatched howl’s moving castle so many times and only with this second reread i was able to realize how this books pretty much gives the same vibes.
second reread: since the first time i read it, i’ve watched and rewatched howl’s moving castle so many times and only with this second reread i was able to realize how this books pretty much gives the same vibes.
A fun steampunk fantasy with some interesting world building. Enjoyable, though I think that it could have used a bit more editing.
A fun little romp of a ya fantasy. The flashbacks got a little tiresome, but the idea for the world was fresh. I'll likely read the sequel.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I picked up this book recently after having it on my to-read list, and read through it in just over a day. I found the magic system in this book delightful and original, and enjoyed learning about it right alongside the protagonist Ceony. The writing is solid and enjoyable, and the story was interesting and easy to follow.
In this early-1900s alternate universe, magic is present and a talent held by some which is taught in schools and then finished by apprenticeships to magicians. Each magician will bond to a single material, such as paper or glass, and will only be able to work with that material for their entire life. Young Ceony has graduated at the top of her class, yet despite her desire to become a Smelter (metal magician), she is assigned to become a Folder (a paper magician) against her wishes because it is a dying art. The book begins with her arrival to become the apprentice of Magician Emery Thane, and follows her life for the first few months of her apprenticeship.
As mentioned first thing, the magic system in this book is delightful and original, I enjoyed this the most of everything in the book. Ceony learns to use folded paper creations to decorate, to produce illusions, to protect, and to become companions, truly a wide variety of innovative uses for this talent. Other specialties are mentioned as needed with their own interesting applications, and it's clear that a lot of thought went into the magic system for this series.
Ceony's character undergoes growth and learning throughout this book, as she first becomes resigned to her assigned specialty and then learns to love it and find delight within her paper work. She rises to the occasion when needed, and fights through her fears to save Magician Thane when he falls to a blood magician.
Overall, this was a fun and lighthearted read, even with the darker nature of the blood magician that attacks Emery and leads to the main conflict of the book. I really enjoyed everything about the book, and picked up the second in the series as soon as I was done with this one.
In this early-1900s alternate universe, magic is present and a talent held by some which is taught in schools and then finished by apprenticeships to magicians. Each magician will bond to a single material, such as paper or glass, and will only be able to work with that material for their entire life. Young Ceony has graduated at the top of her class, yet despite her desire to become a Smelter (metal magician), she is assigned to become a Folder (a paper magician) against her wishes because it is a dying art. The book begins with her arrival to become the apprentice of Magician Emery Thane, and follows her life for the first few months of her apprenticeship.
As mentioned first thing, the magic system in this book is delightful and original, I enjoyed this the most of everything in the book. Ceony learns to use folded paper creations to decorate, to produce illusions, to protect, and to become companions, truly a wide variety of innovative uses for this talent. Other specialties are mentioned as needed with their own interesting applications, and it's clear that a lot of thought went into the magic system for this series.
Ceony's character undergoes growth and learning throughout this book, as she first becomes resigned to her assigned specialty and then learns to love it and find delight within her paper work. She rises to the occasion when needed, and fights through her fears to save Magician Thane when he falls to a blood magician.
Overall, this was a fun and lighthearted read, even with the darker nature of the blood magician that attacks Emery and leads to the main conflict of the book. I really enjoyed everything about the book, and picked up the second in the series as soon as I was done with this one.
This book was such a disappointment! I wanted so much more from this book because the world was so interesting! I loved the set up but the plot just totally fell flat. Pitting women against each other over a man is a tired plot. On top of that how quickly Ceony just falls in love with Thane after knowing him for like, two weeks? Not cute. Maybe the others are better? Who knows...
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
Took me a bit to get into it, but then it held me and I just wanted to finish it quickly. Fun.
The story line is pretty compelling, the main character very likable and somewhat relatable. The hints of romance are just enough but leave you wanting more. The thing that got to me was that the magic went from somewhat grounded in reality (or believable enough to relate to the story) to extreme fantasy that was hard to fathom. That may just be a personal preference for me but otherwise I found the story interesting enough to want to finish it (and now I'm beginning the sequel) though at times a little over-descriptive.
Cute and whimsical. I read it in a single sitting, but there's not a lot of substance, so I can't justify a higher rating. Still, recommended.