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leahfoko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book, I have only read Uprooted as the other Naomi Novik book and I think I liked this one more because it moved a bit faster in my opinion and I found the relationship to be a lot less problematic and I really enjoyed their dynamic of Orion just being an oblivious himbo and Galadriel starting to kind of like him but refusing to admit it. Also the end of chapter 12 had me absolutely cracking up. When you read it you’ll know. I really thoroughly enjoyed Orion and just the dynamic between him and Galadriel throughout the book was so gosh darn entertaining to me. Big fan. Wonderful variation to the enemies to lovers idea. That was my favorite part of the book by far was those two.
That said, one line about dreadlocks really is god awful and should not have been written. Yikes. Just completely unnecessary. But the rest of the book I personally didn’t find to be as racist and problematic as some people have said. I am white however and therefore don’t feel I can speak on the topic, it’s not my place to say whether this book is harmful when I am not the affected party. I had to take off at least 0.5 stars for that problematic section though for sure.
I really appreciated the world building once again. The whole world is super elaborate and interesting and I really felt like I was placed into the school. That said, a lot of the time this book felt kind of bogged down with descriptions of things that has happened in the world. I think it was necessary to make this world as rich and interesting as it was, but it sometimes slowed down the story. I think the future books might be better pace wise because hopefully there will be less of that world building slog. Another 0.5 stars off from me for the long explanations.
The reviews that I saw that described this book/world as Hogwarts but actively trying to kill you felt veryyy accurate to me. A great description so if you are intrigued by that I say read this book. I will definitely be reading the second one when it comes from the library. 4 stars.
That said, one line about dreadlocks really is god awful and should not have been written. Yikes. Just completely unnecessary. But the rest of the book I personally didn’t find to be as racist and problematic as some people have said. I am white however and therefore don’t feel I can speak on the topic, it’s not my place to say whether this book is harmful when I am not the affected party. I had to take off at least 0.5 stars for that problematic section though for sure.
I really appreciated the world building once again. The whole world is super elaborate and interesting and I really felt like I was placed into the school. That said, a lot of the time this book felt kind of bogged down with descriptions of things that has happened in the world. I think it was necessary to make this world as rich and interesting as it was, but it sometimes slowed down the story. I think the future books might be better pace wise because hopefully there will be less of that world building slog. Another 0.5 stars off from me for the long explanations.
The reviews that I saw that described this book/world as Hogwarts but actively trying to kill you felt veryyy accurate to me. A great description so if you are intrigued by that I say read this book. I will definitely be reading the second one when it comes from the library. 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
kates_books's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I liked this book, but I’m not sure if I loved it enough to continue the series.
I loved the world building of this magical school. It was much more complex than Harry Potter (almost too complex at the start).
I loved that the main character is so bold and grows in her confidence throughout the book. She starts as this angry girl with a reputation for being dark and dangerous. The story follows her calling out injustices in the school and discovering how to use her power to form genuine friendships. It’s as much about the vulnerability of forming friendships as someone who has always felt alone as it is about magic.
The “love story” between Ell and Orien was okay. It kind of had enemies to friends to lovers vibes. But it’s very much a high school relationship and not actually that many cute scenes.
Overall, it was a really interesting concept for a magical world with a unique and misunderstood heroine.
I loved the world building of this magical school. It was much more complex than Harry Potter (almost too complex at the start).
I loved that the main character is so bold and grows in her confidence throughout the book. She starts as this angry girl with a reputation for being dark and dangerous. The story follows her calling out injustices in the school and discovering how to use her power to form genuine friendships. It’s as much about the vulnerability of forming friendships as someone who has always felt alone as it is about magic.
The “love story” between Ell and Orien was okay. It kind of had enemies to friends to lovers vibes. But it’s very much a high school relationship and not actually that many cute scenes.
Overall, it was a really interesting concept for a magical world with a unique and misunderstood heroine.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Child death
shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Violence
Minor: Murder
eni_iilorak's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Interesting concept of an unusual magical world. Not only the magic system but also the society with its complex mechanisms of privilege are well thought out. Thinking through the details of a complex society is Naomi Novik's strength.
Writing emotions is not.
A first-person narrator with little interest in other people is a baffling and unfortunate choice. As a result, most of the other characters are completely forgettable. As the protagonist rarely talks to anyone, there is very little dialogue. The narrator takes us through the details of this fictional world. Very little is shown or discovered, almost everything is explained. Large parts of the book read less like a novel and more like an essay that outlines the rules of its universe. This style of writing left me detached from the story and characters.
I'm not sure I would have finished the book if it hadn't been for the excellent audiobook narration.
With one single sentence, the very last one in the book, Naomi Novik made me want to read the sequel, and I don't know if I am impressed or angry.
Writing emotions is not.
A first-person narrator with little interest in other people is a baffling and unfortunate choice. As a result, most of the other characters are completely forgettable. As the protagonist rarely talks to anyone, there is very little dialogue. The narrator takes us through the details of this fictional world. Very little is shown or discovered, almost everything is explained. Large parts of the book read less like a novel and more like an essay that outlines the rules of its universe. This style of writing left me detached from the story and characters.
I'm not sure I would have finished the book if it hadn't been for the excellent audiobook narration.
With one single sentence, the very last one in the book, Naomi Novik made me want to read the sequel, and I don't know if I am impressed or angry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Bullying, Classism, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Medical content, Racism, and Vomit
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, and Pregnancy
the_quickening_tree's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Fantastic book, Naomi Novik truly is a master wordsmith. Fast paced and engaging- I've never read a book before that actually triggered and adrenaline response! Very witty, you will be drawn in from the first page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Body horror, and Vomit
danicakvcs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse and Murder
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, and Addiction
akswhy's review against another edition
Read like a wily confusing, trying-to-be-darker Harry Potter with a side of lite Hunger Games. The world was too difficult to make sense of and I didn’t connect with the main character enough to stay and figure it out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Injury/Injury detail
aglittercobra's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
***5 Stars***
Overall,
You know when you read a book not knowing much about it and then it surprises you just how great it is. I was immediately engrossed in this book. I truly TRULY enjoyed it. It is definitely firmly dark academia, taking place at the Scholomance. While the story takes place in a pretty narrow portion of this world, the world building is fantastic. The main character El, is fabulous. I love her and all her anger and darkness. The rest of the cast is diverse and interesting.
Recommendation,
Yes, I absolutely recommend this book. If like me you are in your thirties, grew up on Harry Potter and have been looking for something that gives you a bit more of the darker aspects of that series I would say you will likely enjoy this book. It is definitely geared towards an older audience, at least 16+ but maybe 18, there is quite a bit of dark topics and gore, but overall its pretty tame in my opinion. I will definitely be finishing this series, and I have a good feeling I will be rereading them again because I enjoyed this one so much. If the rest of the series goes like this than I can see this being one of my favorites series.
Overall,
You know when you read a book not knowing much about it and then it surprises you just how great it is. I was immediately engrossed in this book. I truly TRULY enjoyed it. It is definitely firmly dark academia, taking place at the Scholomance. While the story takes place in a pretty narrow portion of this world, the world building is fantastic. The main character El, is fabulous. I love her and all her anger and darkness. The rest of the cast is diverse and interesting.
Recommendation,
Yes, I absolutely recommend this book. If like me you are in your thirties, grew up on Harry Potter and have been looking for something that gives you a bit more of the darker aspects of that series I would say you will likely enjoy this book. It is definitely geared towards an older audience, at least 16+ but maybe 18, there is quite a bit of dark topics and gore, but overall its pretty tame in my opinion. I will definitely be finishing this series, and I have a good feeling I will be rereading them again because I enjoyed this one so much. If the rest of the series goes like this than I can see this being one of my favorites series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, and Death
amylynnknitsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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
I read this entire book in one sitting and now have to see if the physical copies are available at any of the libraries because there's a months long list for the next on in Libby.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Classism
Minor: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
luciiee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Cursing, and Blood