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nrogers_1030's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
syraluna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Xenophobia and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Alcoholism and Bullying
Minor: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Murder
gmat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Car accident
celery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Grief, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Cursing, and Death
thegazillionthreader's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Non spoiler thoughts
I loved the writing, it was so pretty ✨ So many sentences I loved and screenshotted. I enjoyed the additions of the pages in the SpellBook.
I can see myself reading more by this author in the future. The story itself did keep me reading, but the 4 stars are moreso for the writing and enchanting vibe of the story.
DETAILED THOUGHTS THAT WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
As I said the story kept me reading to figure out what exactly happened , although sometimes I was wary that I wasn’t going to get a clear answer because of the way the characters acted or said things in their mysterious way that sometimes seemed like a poetic code. But everything is summed up fairly clearly by the end.
I did figure out most of the twist pretty early on. (That Oliver was dead. Which I think was supposed to be a twist to the reader but maybe not?) A couple times Nora sorta frustrated me when she didn’t figure out what seemed obvious, (Oliver being dead then at the end she didn’t realize she was reliving the night of the storm when it seemed apparent) but not in an angry way, moreso amused because I adore her. Then again I realize as I’m writing this it’s more obvious to the reader and wouldn’t be as obvious to her. 😅
I was never bored, but overall the events and magic seemed kinda subtle at times. Not much going on… but at the same time so much going on.
The story was wrapped up pretty well… but something about it is keeping me from being completely satisfied. Maybe it’s that Oliver can not completely remember. Like he knows, but not completely, and that’s sad. Idk. Loved the quotes at the end though (I will share at end of this) And then the camp boys… kinda concerned they’re sorta off the hook and have no memory of their consequences… because it never happened and they never did anything. Especially Max 👀Ugh. They were annoying characters. I had forgotten it is a camp for boys who need reform though and that is why they were as awful as they were. When the one boy got buried in the forest I did not expect it tbh, but I mean… consequences. 🤷🏻♀️😆😭 They should have listened to her.
Overall though, an enchanting story with gorgeous writing and mysterious characters. I am glad I read it. It is perfect for winter. Towards the end of the book I was reading it outside when it was chilly under the moon with a mug of hot chocolate and that was so awesome and immersive & something I’ll remember when I hear/think of this book ✨
And I kid you not, immediately after finishing this book on Libby while outside, a white moth started flying around me. Kinda scary, but very beautiful ending to reading this! 😆❤️
Loved this at the end of Oliver’s POV
“Sometimes I'm certain I've loved her before. That this is the second time my heart has knitted itself too tightly around hers.
The second time I've kissed her for
the first time.
The second time I've placed my lips on her neck and let my hands drift up her spine.
The second time I've fallen in love.
The second time I've known that I'll never leave these mountains, the cold dark of the forest, the bottomless lake
beyond her room.
The second time I've known without question I'll never leave her”
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
itsreirei's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Bullying and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Violence, and Death
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Death
Moderate: Bullying and Alcohol
Minor: Murder, Child death, Death of parent, Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
kassidyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Death of parent
laurenleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Death, Child death, Violence, Misogyny, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Confinement
maple_dove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I Liked
- The dark atmosphere
- The idea of an MC, being separated from the rest of society :)
- The action (scenes) (apparently, I like action combined with thriller)
- The ENDING :O HOW DID I NOT SEE IT COMING?!
I Didn't Like
- The romance (sorry, I don't ship it)
This was the first book in a while that I didn't want to stop reading. While not a favorite read, I think this was worth it.
Later in life, she preferred the way Chinese vowels curled off her tongue, and she spoke it while walking through the autumn aspen trees reading from her favorite book.
Keep in mind, Chinese is not a language, rather, an umbrella term for multiple Chinese languages/dialects.
Graphic: Alcohol, Child death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Death, Grief, Bullying, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Car accident and Pregnancy