Scan barcode
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Details:
Narrated by Paul Boehmer
Unabridged
This was a fun start to the series. I hadn't had much experience with Holly Black's novels (only reading Doll Bones years ago), but I recently just read through the Mortal Instruments books by Cassandra Clare, so it was interesting to see the style adapted to middlegrade/younger readers.
I can't say I liked Col much as a character but I was interested in his induction into a school of magic, as well as the mystery surrounding his parents. It was lovely to see him finally make and maintain genuine friendships too.
I also appreciated the disability rep.
I don't have an awful lot to say about this, other than it was a fun and good start to a series.
Narrated by Paul Boehmer
Unabridged
This was a fun start to the series. I hadn't had much experience with Holly Black's novels (only reading Doll Bones years ago), but I recently just read through the Mortal Instruments books by Cassandra Clare, so it was interesting to see the style adapted to middlegrade/younger readers.
I can't say I liked Col much as a character but I was interested in his induction into a school of magic, as well as the mystery surrounding his parents. It was lovely to see him finally make and maintain genuine friendships too.
I also appreciated the disability rep.
I don't have an awful lot to say about this, other than it was a fun and good start to a series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
micaelamariem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I just couldn’t get into this. I love the authors and expected better, but there was a lot of info dumping, boring plot points, and a predictable end. But also is that just because I’m not in middle grade anymore? Maybe. Maybe not. But I can’t recommend this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
literaryrevisited's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Child death
ollie_again's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It wasn't exactly bad but I wasn't blown away either. The magical world seemed rich but never did it really felt that way, it actually felt kind of empty. The fact that every adult in this book behaved like an a-hole and the same can be said about most of 12yo characters, I didn't root for anybody in this mess.
Most of this book is spent on the school life of the main trio but at the same time, we don't see much of it at all. We are told what they were learning and with whom but apart from the pile of sand exercise we don't see much more. Sadly, those are the parts I enjoy in fantasy books the most aka the slow non-threatening parts in which we learn about the magic system and whatnot. The pacing is a bit off too because we go through the whole study year but I sometimes didn't know if hours, days or months went by.
Even with my complaints, it's not a bad book, I think it tried to tell too much within too little page count. I have a mild intrigue to continue the series but I can't say for sure I will.
Most of this book is spent on the school life of the main trio but at the same time, we don't see much of it at all. We are told what they were learning and with whom but apart from the pile of sand exercise we don't see much more. Sadly, those are the parts I enjoy in fantasy books the most aka the slow non-threatening parts in which we learn about the magic system and whatnot. The pacing is a bit off too because we go through the whole study year but I sometimes didn't know if hours, days or months went by.
Even with my complaints, it's not a bad book, I think it tried to tell too much within too little page count. I have a mild intrigue to continue the series but I can't say for sure I will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Ableism, and Death
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Ableism, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent and Animal death
Minor: Abandonment and War
More...