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emily_loves_2_read's review against another edition
3.0
What Became of Magic
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Paige Crutcher
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Aline Weir, a witch who can talk to ghosts, has kept her talents hidden ever since a disastrous middle school slumber party, choosing to be invisible and use her powers in secret to help lost souls reunite with the keys to send them home. All the while, she finds solace in a bookstore and the three mysterious women who run it… until Aline discovers the book of Mischief, and her powers are enhanced.
Living a solitary life until the age of thirty, Aline’s life takes an unexpected turn when the wrong (or perhaps right) person witnesses her using her powers and she is invited to a town that doesn’t exist on any map. Arriving in Matchstick, Aline learns of a lost magic that desperately needs to be found and only her unique powers can do it. But what she’s not told is that Magic is a person. One that is dangerous and seductive and has been waiting for a witch with a power like hers for centuries.
My Thoughts: I enjoyed the previous book, The Lost Witch, a little better than this one. I really struggled with the layout of the story as it appears that most of the characters talked in riddles. However, I loved the romance blended with the magical theme. While I am not a huge fantasy reader, I do love books revolving around magic and witches. Aline feels like an outcast, as she has the special ability to talk to ghosts, even her own parents made her feel like an outcast. It is not until in adulthood, she meets these eccentric sisters and works in their bookstore, she really comes into her own. Then all of the sudden, she is abandoned by both her ghost friend and the sisters.
The book started off great and grabbed my attention. However, towards the middle, the world switching and magical system became a little confusing. It picks back up towards the last third and finished strong. I loved the ending. The author does a great job at detailing the worlds and building this imagery that really pulls you into the story, immersing you into the story. The characters, while unreliable narrators, were relatable and likable. It was very whimsical, creative, and intriguing. If you love Lana Harper, you should pick this up. I did enjoy the story and would recommend to other readers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Paige Crutcher
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Aline Weir, a witch who can talk to ghosts, has kept her talents hidden ever since a disastrous middle school slumber party, choosing to be invisible and use her powers in secret to help lost souls reunite with the keys to send them home. All the while, she finds solace in a bookstore and the three mysterious women who run it… until Aline discovers the book of Mischief, and her powers are enhanced.
Living a solitary life until the age of thirty, Aline’s life takes an unexpected turn when the wrong (or perhaps right) person witnesses her using her powers and she is invited to a town that doesn’t exist on any map. Arriving in Matchstick, Aline learns of a lost magic that desperately needs to be found and only her unique powers can do it. But what she’s not told is that Magic is a person. One that is dangerous and seductive and has been waiting for a witch with a power like hers for centuries.
My Thoughts: I enjoyed the previous book, The Lost Witch, a little better than this one. I really struggled with the layout of the story as it appears that most of the characters talked in riddles. However, I loved the romance blended with the magical theme. While I am not a huge fantasy reader, I do love books revolving around magic and witches. Aline feels like an outcast, as she has the special ability to talk to ghosts, even her own parents made her feel like an outcast. It is not until in adulthood, she meets these eccentric sisters and works in their bookstore, she really comes into her own. Then all of the sudden, she is abandoned by both her ghost friend and the sisters.
The book started off great and grabbed my attention. However, towards the middle, the world switching and magical system became a little confusing. It picks back up towards the last third and finished strong. I loved the ending. The author does a great job at detailing the worlds and building this imagery that really pulls you into the story, immersing you into the story. The characters, while unreliable narrators, were relatable and likable. It was very whimsical, creative, and intriguing. If you love Lana Harper, you should pick this up. I did enjoy the story and would recommend to other readers.
juliesinstaricelife's review against another edition
2.0
This book has a really creative backstory, with talk about ley lines and axes and the Supreme Witch and a Watcher and the creation of the world. But it is also full of puns like characters named Magic, Day, and Night, Aline, and Dragon. Which... witch... are we talking about magic or Magic. If you like to feel drunk, high, and like you're underwater or in neverland when reading, this may be the book for you! It almost felt to me like there were two different authors. One who could write clear, cohesive sentences and one who wrote in a fog of confusion. Literally our main character (heroine??) says "I don't understand" about 1400 times in the book. Same girl, same, but you are supposed to be the one saving the day so could you think of something else to say? I almost gave up at 30% but then it got clear again, and then at 50% I was too invested to stop. I will give this book exactly 2.5 starts because half of it was good, and half it was like what the heck did I just have a bad trip? I don't even know how else to describe it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.
lucyjean13's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.0
I really wanted to love this book but it’s just really badly written. It was a great story idea but with poor execution. The story jumps around a lot, the point of view changes a lot to different characters with no warning. The beginning of the book is good but as It goes on it gets very confusing and hard to follow.
danidsfavereads's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this one. But I was a bit to confused and it didn’t hold my attention enough. Alas.
jenna_andthebooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I love a good magical story. This one was full of whimsy. Aline was a lovely character. I really like the beginning of the book and learning about her back story. The scene in the bathroom where she enters the mirror was so cool. Dragon is a wonderful character.
As I dove further into the book, it just wasn't for me. I tried to read a few months ago but put it down thinking it was maybe just where I was but upon picking it up again, I realized that the writing style seems to change as we enter the second part of the book. I found the pacing difficult and the change of the style in writing disjointing. The connection between the FMC and MMC lacked depth for me as well. Even in this section though, the detail and created world is beautiful. While this story wasn't for me, I think that it is beautifully described and whimsical.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
As I dove further into the book, it just wasn't for me. I tried to read a few months ago but put it down thinking it was maybe just where I was but upon picking it up again, I realized that the writing style seems to change as we enter the second part of the book. I found the pacing difficult and the change of the style in writing disjointing. The connection between the FMC and MMC lacked depth for me as well. Even in this section though, the detail and created world is beautiful. While this story wasn't for me, I think that it is beautifully described and whimsical.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
jeskaness's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Utterly magical. I am so stunned and know I will go back to this book forever and ever
girlfieri1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.0
What Became of Magic is a whimsical, witchy, and cozy read! It follows Aline Weir, a witch that can talk to ghosts, and her journey to a witchy and magical town called Matchstick where she must use her powers to find a lost magic.
Crutcher did a great job at writing such vivid details and imagery which made you feel immersed in the magical town of Matchstick. It was a very whimsical setting and storyline, perfect to get lost in. The characters were all very interesting, and the main character Aline is very loveable.
However, I did find it to be quite confusing at times and found it difficult to follow along with the plot. The story is filled with riddles which often didn’t make sense to me and made it difficult to follow along with the overall plot of the book. I also felt that the romance felt quite forced and all over the place.
Overall, it was a whimsical read, and the writing was quite enjoyable but beware if you aren’t a fan of riddles!!
Crutcher did a great job at writing such vivid details and imagery which made you feel immersed in the magical town of Matchstick. It was a very whimsical setting and storyline, perfect to get lost in. The characters were all very interesting, and the main character Aline is very loveable.
However, I did find it to be quite confusing at times and found it difficult to follow along with the plot. The story is filled with riddles which often didn’t make sense to me and made it difficult to follow along with the overall plot of the book. I also felt that the romance felt quite forced and all over the place.
Overall, it was a whimsical read, and the writing was quite enjoyable but beware if you aren’t a fan of riddles!!
renatabalasco's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
guatastic's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.0
drops_everything_and_reads's review against another edition
I was really intrigued by the premise of the book, but am struggling to keep with it and finish. I fully intend to read through to the end, but it's going to take sometime.
I think the book is exceptionally well written; my challenge seems to be that I find the concepts, the narrative to be very abstract and my brain struggles to wrap my head around the storyline, and follow along.
I am finding it to be a bit slow for my liking, with lots of exposition before some action happens.
I do want to know how it ends, so I'm sticking with it and will update my review when done!
Thanks to the publisher for an eARC of the book. All thoughts are my own.
I think the book is exceptionally well written; my challenge seems to be that I find the concepts, the narrative to be very abstract and my brain struggles to wrap my head around the storyline, and follow along.
I am finding it to be a bit slow for my liking, with lots of exposition before some action happens.
I do want to know how it ends, so I'm sticking with it and will update my review when done!
Thanks to the publisher for an eARC of the book. All thoughts are my own.