Scan barcode
vampslayer815's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The ending was bad and didn't bring the resolution I hoped. I don't know ow if there's a second book, but if there is I'll probably take a look
kanipop's review against another edition
4.0
I had high expectations and it met them for the most part. I stayed up all night reading!!
tobyryan's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
scriptrix's review
4.0
Very Harry Potter-adjacent, with a queer MC. Strong start, but it lost me a little toward the end. Great for lovers of "Carry On" and Drarry fanfic.
fishfish's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A fascinating alternate history with magic, diversity, light romance, and fresh view on things
kberry513's review against another edition
2.0
I thought I was going to like this more than I did, but it really missed the mark for me.
The premise is really interesting and some of the world building was good, but it just didn't deliver. The protagonists are kind of meh - I mean I was rooting for them in the way you have to, but at the same time they just continually do stupid things and don't really learn from their mistakes.
Kieran being new to magic, it's slightly more understandable, but he immediately makes an open ended deal with what's essentially a haunted doll. It's like he was asking for his soul to be stolen, even if that isn't what happens. Fine, he didn't know not to do that, but then Esten explicitly says their teacher says not to make deals with the doll and he keeps doing it anyway. Not only that, but he keeps doing dangerous things with his magic even knowing it could backfire on him. But he was at least mostly likeable and you could put yourself in his shoes more - most of the chapters were from his perspective (which made it feel very uneven). He was relatable right up until he loses his hand in a magical accident but he didn't stop being relatable bc of the limb difference but because HE IMMEDIATELY FORGOT IT WAS A THING. And not in a tragic horrified "oh god I forgot my hand is gone and now I have to deal with the trauma" way but in a "lolz it doesn't hurt and I didn't notice till I went to peel potatoes but i still manage to do everything else fine and will never bring it up again" way. This was the most unrealistic part of the book - I cut my pointer finger on my dominant hand and didn't even need stitches but it was still awkward working around it for the week before it healed. Muscle memory is a thing.
Meanwhile Eaten is a self centered idiot. You have a new magician who just manifested in your house knowing there's a haunted doll and you are the only person he knows and give him zero guidance and are then surprised he has a magical accident while you're away? Knowing that overuse of magic literally kills people?? And then later are mad that he didn't tell you he was powerful? How would he even know that? Then you take him out and immediately leave him by himself and then get mad he talked to someone you don't like. He goes from being a jackass to being nice without apologizing to Kieran or really even changing his behavior much. They have zero chemistry even when Esten is not as big of a jerk.
The bad guys in this are cartoonishly villainous and it was incredibly obvious Cynn was one of them from the beginning - very Scooby Doo rules - she was the first non-protagonist we met. However the twist about the history of the society was interesting. The overall story was fine, but that only works if the characters and/or romance are compelling and that isn't the case here.
The premise is really interesting and some of the world building was good, but it just didn't deliver. The protagonists are kind of meh - I mean I was rooting for them in the way you have to, but at the same time they just continually do stupid things and don't really learn from their mistakes.
Kieran being new to magic, it's slightly more understandable, but he immediately makes an open ended deal with what's essentially a haunted doll. It's like he was asking for his soul to be stolen, even if that isn't what happens. Fine, he didn't know not to do that, but then Esten explicitly says their teacher says not to make deals with the doll and he keeps doing it anyway. Not only that, but he keeps doing dangerous things with his magic even knowing it could backfire on him. But he was at least mostly likeable and you could put yourself in his shoes more - most of the chapters were from his perspective (which made it feel very uneven). He was relatable right up until he loses his hand in a magical accident but he didn't stop being relatable bc of the limb difference but because HE IMMEDIATELY FORGOT IT WAS A THING. And not in a tragic horrified "oh god I forgot my hand is gone and now I have to deal with the trauma" way but in a "lolz it doesn't hurt and I didn't notice till I went to peel potatoes but i still manage to do everything else fine and will never bring it up again" way. This was the most unrealistic part of the book - I cut my pointer finger on my dominant hand and didn't even need stitches but it was still awkward working around it for the week before it healed. Muscle memory is a thing.
Meanwhile Eaten is a self centered idiot. You have a new magician who just manifested in your house knowing there's a haunted doll and you are the only person he knows and give him zero guidance and are then surprised he has a magical accident while you're away? Knowing that overuse of magic literally kills people?? And then later are mad that he didn't tell you he was powerful? How would he even know that? Then you take him out and immediately leave him by himself and then get mad he talked to someone you don't like. He goes from being a jackass to being nice without apologizing to Kieran or really even changing his behavior much. They have zero chemistry even when Esten is not as big of a jerk.
The bad guys in this are cartoonishly villainous and it was incredibly obvious Cynn was one of them from the beginning - very Scooby Doo rules - she was the first non-protagonist we met. However the twist about the history of the society was interesting. The overall story was fine, but that only works if the characters and/or romance are compelling and that isn't the case here.
verito2805's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
diredreamings's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
takyrabatz's review
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No