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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
The one thing that impressed me (besides great, Victorian style fantasy)....the mechanics and details of the paper magic. Magical steps are folds, paper models can be enchanted to function/ be "alive" and illusions seem to leap off the pages of books. All of it was a sheer delight to read...the blood magic description and demonstration was really that creepy and unsettling to witness to the point, there is reason why it is called the forbidden magic.
Where do I start? This book starts, well, not strong, but with some potential, the main character embodying a stereotypical but likable protagonist as she finds herself assigned to a type of magic she doesn’t want. The plot quickly devolves from a classic “student learns to appreciate under-appreciated subject” to a farcical revenge story involving blood magicians and a love story you’d definitely have to be heterosexual to buy.
The plot is a mess. It tells us that Ceony, the narrator, feels so strongly towards her mentor, but you don’t get that connection from the plot. Two thirds of the novel turn into Ceony witnessing flashbacks from Thane(her teacher)’s life, which is literally the embodiment of telling, not showing. It upsets me greatly that she references Brandon Sanderson as one of her teachers, since she commits every cardinal sin of writing- poor plot, forced metaphors, underdeveloped characters, bad romance.
Not only is the plot akin to reading directly into the brain of a 14 year old’s fantasy, the messages that the author sends are so cringeworthy. The book hits a lot of basic feminist notes, building a confusing version of Victorian/Edwardian England where women are equal and labor conditions are still awful and there’s magic and inequality and not a clear explanation for why this world is different from ours- is it the magic? I’ll get back to how problematic it is in a second, because right now I need to talk about the shoddy worldbuilding. Why does this world have universal secondary education but still have such bad labor laws? There are certain events that occur in the book that show that the author’s mindset is still so very present day, especially with regards to sensitive topics like suicide. I’m strongly pro making fantasy and historical worlds more representational, but this world is trying so hard to be Victorian England but changes so much the structure collapses internally.
And I’m angry. Because the feminism doesn’t succeed, that’s for sure. Ceony is successful and dynamic, but her thoughts for the entirety of the novel revolve around Thane until you have to wonder what her own life dreams are, again? The pacing of the book is so bad, too, that I didn’t believe for a second she was so one track minded, considering she’d known him for less than a month. The flimsy structure of the romance was what made me feel like the villain was so one-dimensional. She existed as a foil to Ceony and really didn’t have any character of her own. Also, bizarrely, the book dipped into homophobia, having literally the only character who exhibited gay behavior be the most reprehensible man in the book. Is this a straight author being oblivious to the fact that representing gay people through only bad guys is bad, or is she doing something more insidious. Basically, is she pulling a Le Fou or a Duke Harkonnen?
This book was so bad. I don’t ask for a lot in my YA novels, but I think this book would be harmful to young people who read it, not in the big ways, but in a slow creep, reinforcing young women that their thoughts should be shaped by the men around them.
The plot is a mess. It tells us that Ceony, the narrator, feels so strongly towards her mentor, but you don’t get that connection from the plot. Two thirds of the novel turn into Ceony witnessing flashbacks from Thane(her teacher)’s life, which is literally the embodiment of telling, not showing. It upsets me greatly that she references Brandon Sanderson as one of her teachers, since she commits every cardinal sin of writing- poor plot, forced metaphors, underdeveloped characters, bad romance.
Not only is the plot akin to reading directly into the brain of a 14 year old’s fantasy, the messages that the author sends are so cringeworthy. The book hits a lot of basic feminist notes, building a confusing version of Victorian/Edwardian England where women are equal and labor conditions are still awful and there’s magic and inequality and not a clear explanation for why this world is different from ours- is it the magic? I’ll get back to how problematic it is in a second, because right now I need to talk about the shoddy worldbuilding. Why does this world have universal secondary education but still have such bad labor laws? There are certain events that occur in the book that show that the author’s mindset is still so very present day, especially with regards to sensitive topics like suicide. I’m strongly pro making fantasy and historical worlds more representational, but this world is trying so hard to be Victorian England but changes so much the structure collapses internally.
And I’m angry. Because the feminism doesn’t succeed, that’s for sure. Ceony is successful and dynamic, but her thoughts for the entirety of the novel revolve around Thane until you have to wonder what her own life dreams are, again? The pacing of the book is so bad, too, that I didn’t believe for a second she was so one track minded, considering she’d known him for less than a month. The flimsy structure of the romance was what made me feel like the villain was so one-dimensional. She existed as a foil to Ceony and really didn’t have any character of her own. Also, bizarrely, the book dipped into homophobia, having literally the only character who exhibited gay behavior be the most reprehensible man in the book. Is this a straight author being oblivious to the fact that representing gay people through only bad guys is bad, or is she doing something more insidious. Basically, is she pulling a Le Fou or a Duke Harkonnen?
This book was so bad. I don’t ask for a lot in my YA novels, but I think this book would be harmful to young people who read it, not in the big ways, but in a slow creep, reinforcing young women that their thoughts should be shaped by the men around them.
3.5 stars. As other reviewers have mentioned, the magic system and world-building are really strong. The whole heart idea was intriguing, too – I just wish it hadn't taken up quite so much of the book.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
In an alternate version of historical England, magicians specialize in one specific material and bond with it, using it for their magical abilities. Going against her dreams and wishes, young magician Ceony Twill is assigned to apprentice under the eccentric and reclusive magician Emery Thane, who is a 'Folder', meaning he can manipulate and control paper magically.
Initially disappointed with her assignment, Ceony soon discovers the beauty and complexity of paper magic. However, her training takes an unexpected turn when a malevolent magician attacks Emery, leaving him on the brink of death. Ceony must embark on a perilous journey to save her mentor, literally having to find her way into his heart and soul.
8 Reasons to read it:
* engaging plot
* imaginative world-building
* unique, whimsical magic system
* convincing character development.
* charming, vivid writing
* immsersive atmosphere
* slow-burn mentor-student romance
Initially disappointed with her assignment, Ceony soon discovers the beauty and complexity of paper magic. However, her training takes an unexpected turn when a malevolent magician attacks Emery, leaving him on the brink of death. Ceony must embark on a perilous journey to save her mentor, literally having to find her way into his heart and soul.
8 Reasons to read it:
* engaging plot
* imaginative world-building
* unique, whimsical magic system
* convincing character development.
* charming, vivid writing
* immsersive atmosphere
* slow-burn mentor-student romance
4.5 ⭐️ Rounded up!
I really enjoy this series. This was my second time reading through these books in preparation for The Plastic Magician. It’s such a unique magic system and it’s an easy, clean read with a little romance sprinkled in. Very slow burn!
I really enjoy this series. This was my second time reading through these books in preparation for The Plastic Magician. It’s such a unique magic system and it’s an easy, clean read with a little romance sprinkled in. Very slow burn!
This starts out really well and loses it a bit by 75%, imo - there's just a bit too much wandering around at about this point, and then an abrupt finish. I like the magic system, it's very neat, but the Victorian setting doesn't quite ring true, as though the research has skimped a little. Overall the plot is very much Garth Nix's Sabriel - right down to the paper glider - but not as dark, despite trying hard to be so.
If you're looking for something in the Kindle Prime Lending Library, you could do a lot worse, though!
If you're looking for something in the Kindle Prime Lending Library, you could do a lot worse, though!
I loved the first 40%. Then I got bored. Then I started skimming. I will not be reading the rest of the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Age gap :(