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briss_23's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
astarions_bhaal_babe's review
Dnfing this at around 30%.
I like the premise and the characters seem pretty interesting but I'm not invested in the story.
book #39
◾this hashtag is something I self-indulgently created for fun when I decided to thin out my immense tbr list as a new years resolution starting from books I added on GR back in 2017/2018/2019, and since I can't seem to do anything quietly and I'm well known for being an overachiever, I had to go and turn it into an official thing. Feel free to check out the #PenguinOnATBRMission shelf if you don't mind keeping up with this insanely over-hyped adventure I got myself into. Take it as a chance to rediscover some books from a few years ago that might have accidentally flown under your radar, or to simply share with another fellow reader your very own reading experience. Happy reading and stay penguin-y!◾
To Be Continued...
I like the premise and the characters seem pretty interesting but I'm not invested in the story.
book #39
◾this hashtag is something I self-indulgently created for fun when I decided to thin out my immense tbr list as a new years resolution starting from books I added on GR back in 2017/2018/2019, and since I can't seem to do anything quietly and I'm well known for being an overachiever, I had to go and turn it into an official thing. Feel free to check out the #PenguinOnATBRMission shelf if you don't mind keeping up with this insanely over-hyped adventure I got myself into. Take it as a chance to rediscover some books from a few years ago that might have accidentally flown under your radar, or to simply share with another fellow reader your very own reading experience. Happy reading and stay penguin-y!◾
To Be Continued...
jacquelineganun's review
5.0
wow. I don't know how I managed to luck out and have the first book I read in 2018 be so good, but I am absolutely obsessed with this. definitely one of my favorites of all time. it's so rare for me to find a book where I liked all of the major characters, but this one did it for me. even the villains (if you've read it you know who I mean) managed to make me feel for them, even if it wasn't necessarily a good feeling. the story was well paced and just grabbed me and didn't let me go and I just really loved this book.
annieharhar's review against another edition
Might need to try reading a hard copy and skip the audio version.
wereadfortheplot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
dearmaria's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
worldsunlikeourown's review
4.0
Find this review and more on my blog.
4.5 stars!
This book was not on my TBR list for this year initially, but it looked so interesting in my recommendations, that I just had to try it - and I did not regret it at all!
The Last Magician opens in New York, at the turn of the 20th century, where a heist is in progress. In this city, those with the ability to wield magic - the Mageus - hide their talents to escape persecution from the Order who hunts them for having 'wild' magic. Manhattan itself is surrounded by a dark energy called the Brink and once a Mageus enters, attempting to cross it to leave has life threatening consequences.
Our main character Esta is a Mageus who can travel through time. Trained by the kindly professor who took her in from the streets, all her training has been for one purpose: to travel back to 1902 and bring back the Ars Arcana, a valuable book that holds the secrets of the Order - and one that may just have a way to destroy the Brink.
In modern day New York, there is information of an attempted heist in 1902, where a group of Mageus infiltrated Khafre Hall, the Order's headquarters, to steal the Ars Arcana, but it failed to due to the Magician stealing it himself. Now Esta must join this group and win their trust - and make sure the Magician is not successful. 1902 Manhattan is a dangerous place, controlled by gangs and it is one of these very gangs who are behind this heist. Esta fits in remarkably well with them as she works to win their trust. Esta, Dolph, Harte, Viola, Nibs - all of them are complex characters and it is fascinating to follow each of their stories and thoughts. My favourite character however, turned out to be Harte. He was so multi-dimensional and his character is beautifully developed throughout. The multiple points of view are very well written, and not confusing at all. The world building is seamlessly woven into the plot which is something I particularly liked, and the writing was quite good too.
Although the book is on the long side and the initial chapters drag on, once the adventure begins, it's a roller coaster from then on! Definitely worth the read, especially for fans of Six of Crows. After that twist at the end, I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel!
4.5 stars!
This book was not on my TBR list for this year initially, but it looked so interesting in my recommendations, that I just had to try it - and I did not regret it at all!
The Last Magician opens in New York, at the turn of the 20th century, where a heist is in progress. In this city, those with the ability to wield magic - the Mageus - hide their talents to escape persecution from the Order who hunts them for having 'wild' magic. Manhattan itself is surrounded by a dark energy called the Brink and once a Mageus enters, attempting to cross it to leave has life threatening consequences.
Our main character Esta is a Mageus who can travel through time. Trained by the kindly professor who took her in from the streets, all her training has been for one purpose: to travel back to 1902 and bring back the Ars Arcana, a valuable book that holds the secrets of the Order - and one that may just have a way to destroy the Brink.
In modern day New York, there is information of an attempted heist in 1902, where a group of Mageus infiltrated Khafre Hall, the Order's headquarters, to steal the Ars Arcana, but it failed to due to the Magician stealing it himself. Now Esta must join this group and win their trust - and make sure the Magician is not successful. 1902 Manhattan is a dangerous place, controlled by gangs and it is one of these very gangs who are behind this heist. Esta fits in remarkably well with them as she works to win their trust. Esta, Dolph, Harte, Viola, Nibs - all of them are complex characters and it is fascinating to follow each of their stories and thoughts. My favourite character however, turned out to be Harte. He was so multi-dimensional and his character is beautifully developed throughout. The multiple points of view are very well written, and not confusing at all. The world building is seamlessly woven into the plot which is something I particularly liked, and the writing was quite good too.
Although the book is on the long side and the initial chapters drag on, once the adventure begins, it's a roller coaster from then on! Definitely worth the read, especially for fans of Six of Crows. After that twist at the end, I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel!
hammychop's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0