Reviews

This is one of the few stories where I support the Villain(ess).

This story has a magic school that changes its theme and structure every academic year. There are Marvellers and Conjurers and Fools (no magic). Conjurers aren't allowed to be a Marveller because they're different. That difference is clearly visible in their living stations. Conjurers live in the Underworld whereas Marvellers live in the sky. Until last year (the first book), no Conjurer was involved in the magic school or so everyone thought. This book reveals the important role Conjurers played in the history of the reality that Marvellers think they know.

The most amazing thing to me was how this middle-grade story portrayed prejudice in such a complex and mature manner and showed different people's standing regarding change. How education is extremely important in dismantling injustices but can also well be an instrument to perpetuate them.

I love that this magic world is vast and deep. I love the format of showing both the POVs of the MC. Ella and the Villain, Gia, with pieces of media and letters. I especially loved the debates in the newspaper articles and also the Conjure magic of memory travel!

Sure the MC can be annoying because she's a 12-year-old kid but her decisions were disappointing at times. Ella knew better than to not pay heed to the warnings her Aunt repeatedly gave her and put her friends in danger.

I'm excited to read the third book because I have so many questions.

lily_nyx's review against another edition

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2.75

I'm actually so sad I didn't love this book because I really liked the first one 😭. I think my main problem with this is that it felt too middle grade for me (and that's totally my fault because this is the audience the book is aimed at). It started out great but then it kept getting more boring, mainly because I felt like nothing was really happening and all the plot twists were very easy to guess (and the characters just took ages to realise stuff 😑). However, I still adore the worldbuilding and the way the book talks about inclusion and injustice, as well as my darling Gia. I just love her so much <3.

haleycarle's review

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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