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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Crying sad happy face emoji is the only thing I can picture after reading this book. The Magic system was so neat and well thought out and it is so refreshing seeing a bunch of students from the perspective of a teacher that truly wants them to succeed. The variety of students and all their struggles, being magical teenagers, was so endearing, I will need to read through this whole series as quickly as possible.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I love a polycule and a grief narrative and have enjoyed Bennet's writing in the past, so I was really hopeful for this one!
The world building was easy to follow and well-supported, the cast of characters was amazing, and the main character was grumpy as hell— all of which was such a treat. The students were possibly my favorite part of the book. They were funny, complex, and felt incredibly real. Their relationships with each other were fascinating and tangible, and if I continue the series, it will probably be to see them again. I also appreciated the highly accurate depiction of the educational system and the pressures placed on teachers.
The romance was the least compelling part of the book to me, but I think that was down to 2 things: 1) personal taste: I'm generally less compelled by friends-to-lovers romances. 2) Dorian's grief is so massive that it leaves little space for much else. Finn's death is so very present in their relationship that the bond between Milo and Dorian, though profound, didn't feel particularly romantic to me. Which is not to say that the grief and the affection between them wasn't well-written (it was), just that the grief ecplised the chemistry.
Overall, this was a strong start to a series. If you like friends-to-lovers gay magic school series with a strong cast, accurate education representation, and a grief narrative, this may be for you!
The world building was easy to follow and well-supported, the cast of characters was amazing, and the main character was grumpy as hell— all of which was such a treat. The students were possibly my favorite part of the book. They were funny, complex, and felt incredibly real. Their relationships with each other were fascinating and tangible, and if I continue the series, it will probably be to see them again. I also appreciated the highly accurate depiction of the educational system and the pressures placed on teachers.
The romance was the least compelling part of the book to me, but I think that was down to 2 things: 1) personal taste: I'm generally less compelled by friends-to-lovers romances. 2) Dorian's grief is so massive that it leaves little space for much else. Finn's death is so very present in their relationship that the bond between Milo and Dorian, though profound, didn't feel particularly romantic to me. Which is not to say that the grief and the affection between them wasn't well-written (it was), just that the grief ecplised the chemistry.
Overall, this was a strong start to a series. If you like friends-to-lovers gay magic school series with a strong cast, accurate education representation, and a grief narrative, this may be for you!
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story is about overcoming obstacles, finding your place in the world, and learning to trust.
The pacing was a great mix of time learning about the world, gearing up for the big battle, and the romance between Dorian and Milo. The romance-relationship is slow burn, but the spice is not.
I cried a little, something I never do!
The pacing was a great mix of time learning about the world, gearing up for the big battle, and the romance between Dorian and Milo. The romance-relationship is slow burn, but the spice is not.
I cried a little, something I never do!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The beginning of the book was exciting and cool - intriguing! But more than halfway through the book it slows down and leaves you with confusion.
What a crazy ride! This book is everything from 3 to 5 stars, so I settled on 4 stars. Why, though?
Well, the story is great. The world is interesting and realistic (in as much as that is possible). There are people I loved, people I despised. Just how it's supposed to be. The 3 stars are for the complexity because that sometimes just got out of hand. At times, it was extremely difficult to follow all the threads and remember who was who and why they were doing what. That said, once I got over the confusion, I did enjoy the book. Despite that occasional frustration, I am curious to read more!
Well, the story is great. The world is interesting and realistic (in as much as that is possible). There are people I loved, people I despised. Just how it's supposed to be. The 3 stars are for the complexity because that sometimes just got out of hand. At times, it was extremely difficult to follow all the threads and remember who was who and why they were doing what. That said, once I got over the confusion, I did enjoy the book. Despite that occasional frustration, I am curious to read more!
What do you get when you combine a telepathic teacher, a flashy clairvoyant, and angsty teens? A fun and magical ride! Telepathic high school teacher Dorian is preparing for a new school year, juggling his love of teaching with a new curriculum that is less-than-ideal. Seeking distraction, he runs into his on-again-off-again boyfriend Milo and kisses him. A subsequent vision shows one of Dorian's students in grave peril - and now Dorian and Milo must race against the clock to save the young man. Bennet does a great job developing each character and readers really get to know not just Dorian and Milo, but the students, as well. That being said, I think some of the classroom scenes could have been a bit shorter, though it's charmingly evident that Bennet is involved in education. Definitely add this one to your TBR! (Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review)
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
I’m like 99.9% sure that this book started life as Erasermic fanfic because the number of parallels between this and bnha is HIGH. But it really freaking works!
An accurate portrayal of teaching and teenagers whilst the world burns around you.
Dorian and Milo’s contrasting personalities are perfect and they’re both so stupid and hopeless and in love that it’s actually painful at times and they’re both just so stupid when it comes to each other (especially Dorian) but the character development is amazing and I cannot wait to read book 2 to see what else is in store for them!
Big thank you to MN Bennet for my copy of this!
An accurate portrayal of teaching and teenagers whilst the world burns around you.
Dorian and Milo’s contrasting personalities are perfect and they’re both so stupid and hopeless and in love that it’s actually painful at times and they’re both just so stupid when it comes to each other (especially Dorian) but the character development is amazing and I cannot wait to read book 2 to see what else is in store for them!
Big thank you to MN Bennet for my copy of this!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes