Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
I read this because the concept seemed really interesting, and I really enjoy warm historical novels with romantic/magical elements. However, I didn't think the plot and the characters developed very smoothly or in a believable way. I know that sounds weird to say about a novel about magic, but it wasn't clear where Ceony's magical strength came from, it wasn't clear why or how that meant she could best a magician years older than her with a much stronger form of magic, and the characters just all felt flat and underdeveloped.
The rest is spoilers.
...
I was also disappointed that a large chunk--like maybe a full third or more-- of the book was just Ceony running through the chambers of Emery's heart? I really wanted to know her as a character and see her magical skills developing. I barely knew enough about her or Emery to care what she was learning about Emery from being inside his heart/memories. To spend such a large chunk of the plot on her learning about her teacher rather than learning about MAGIC was boring and also kind of annoying. The book just left me disappointed and dissatisfied.
The rest is spoilers.
...
I was also disappointed that a large chunk--like maybe a full third or more-- of the book was just Ceony running through the chambers of Emery's heart? I really wanted to know her as a character and see her magical skills developing. I barely knew enough about her or Emery to care what she was learning about Emery from being inside his heart/memories. To spend such a large chunk of the plot on her learning about her teacher rather than learning about MAGIC was boring and also kind of annoying. The book just left me disappointed and dissatisfied.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Overall entertaining, not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
I would say this is an average YA novel with an above-average premise. I was completely enraptured in the beginning - cool world building, intriguing characters, and lovely imagery. However, this book seriously starts to drag from the midpoint onwards. The antagonist's defeat was creative, but otherwise the lines/characters/love story at the closure was quite cheesy. I would be interested in reading other works by this author as I think she shows a lot of promise, but this book was just okay for me.
My more specific notes for all you fellow nerds:
I would say this is an average YA novel with an above-average premise. I was completely enraptured in the beginning - cool world building, intriguing characters, and lovely imagery. However, this book seriously starts to drag from the midpoint onwards. The antagonist's defeat was creative, but otherwise the lines/characters/love story at the closure was quite cheesy. I would be interested in reading other works by this author as I think she shows a lot of promise, but this book was just okay for me.
My more specific notes for all you fellow nerds:
- Really easy to picture the house that is our setting for most of the book and the characters within (FMC, MMC, and everyone's favorite skeleton butler). Once again, really nice imagery.
- Although this author has studied under Brandon Sanderson, I definitely feel this book pays homage to Diana Wynne Jones
(I mean come on, the creepy reanimating magic with just a touch of body horror is totally her jam. Not to mention the stolen heart/changed eyes thing lol) . - I feel like our MMC deserved more personality. He started off solid but - even though we were delving into his own backstory - lost strength along the way. Justice for Thane! Also, a few of his 'trauma twists' were unnecessary to the story and contributed to the dragging in the latter half.
- At its best the romance in this book was endearing, but mostly it felt very much like a one-sided crush. We see (very very clearly) how she feels, but get little to no indication of any romantic inclinations on his part, which is pretty frustrating and help adds to his very placid meh characterness that takes over partway into the story. Had promise, needed more time to develop.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Despite being short, this took me FOREVER to finish. I kept waiting for it to get good, but even the exciting parts didn’t do it for me. The premise is great: a girl is assigned to apprentice for a paper folder (magical, of course), even though she would rather be in any other field. The magician she is working with is quirky, and she grows fond of him. After he disappears on a mission he is very secretive about, his ex-wife shows up and steals his HEART. As he is almost dying, his apprentice basically transports into his heart to save him. I needed more of a backstory of this world and its magic. I think that’s what was missing for me.
Interesting and creative. Like the unique magic and the problems the main character faces.
I tried, but I couldn't like this book. The world-building was shoddy and the romance was... just no.
This is a very unique story and nothing like anything I have read before. It is a light read and for the most part enjoyable. The characters, descriptions, and vocabulary didn't always match the time period which was a bit of a distraction. The 'love' angle was the worst part, it was unnecessary and not believable. For a first book it was good and I give the author props for coming up with such a unique story. However, I could not give it more stars because it seemed rushed and poorly developed. I plan to read the next one in the trilogy and hope it shows improvement as I feel this author has great potential.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated