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trish_beautifulchaosreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm not sure what to think after reading this book. I enjoyed the storytelling and I enjoyed the FMC Aline. You could not help rooting for her. However, I felt a bit like I slid down the rabbit hole with this story. It seemed everyone spoke in riddles and vagueries. Just about the time I felt like I was getting a handle on what was going on---poof something else would happen and I would be confused again. I did get a handle on who the villain was, but knowing her origins is she really a villain? Aline would be really strong one moment and the next frail. It was like I was reading the book with a mist over it. However, I did enjoy the story, and when I got to the end I was happy I hung in there. But it was a bit of a difficult read. I give it 3.5 but roll it up to 4 stars just for the uniqueness of the story.
transportedlfl's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
liinley's review against another edition
The pacing of this book was so strange and I ultimately DNF’d at 28%. The first two chapters about Aline’s middle school and high school days explain how she is bullied by girls at school and completely ignored by her parents at home. At a sleepover, she meets a girl named Dragon and discovers she can see and talk to ghosts. Dragon helps her learn that there are keys in the world that have to be found and returned to ghosts so that they can move on and that Aline is a shadow witch who can find these keys. Sounds super intriguing, right? Aline helps a couple ghosts find their keys, like a girl’s charm bracelet and a man’s watch. Then the book rushes into Aline meeting a guy, having sex with him, immediately finding out he has a girlfriend, and accidentally killing him…all of which happens at the end of chapter two. Then in chapter three, Aline meets three witches who own a bookstore and becomes insta-friends with them and then in chapter four Aline is suddenly 30 and starts this adventure in another world. Like what?
I really wish this book would have focused much more on Aline helping ghosts find their keys because that was really interesting. Instead, the plot felt really rushed and then riddles were introduced and I lost all interest.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really wish this book would have focused much more on Aline helping ghosts find their keys because that was really interesting. Instead, the plot felt really rushed and then riddles were introduced and I lost all interest.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
angelareads's review against another edition
Too flowery/lyrical/disconnected for me. I just wasn't having fun.
sam_is_reading's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
This book really could’ve benefited from a second draft. It tried so hard to be A Wrinkle in Time but just didn’t pull it off.
The idea was so incredibly interesting. The underestimated underdog on a magical quest to save the world. But the story was confusing as hell and ran at a breakneck speed. Almost nothing was explained, and when it was it was incomprehensible riddles. I get that the story was complex and it could’ve easily been bogged down with exposition and worldbuilding - but instead chose to do almost zero worldbuilding.
The character design was interesting - some of them were interchangeable but honestly there were too many significant characters that we didn’t get enough time with. So when their character left or died, we didn’t sympathize with it.
Reads like the basic outline of a story. Requires an updated draft with more. Great story idea but better execution needed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Crutcher, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The idea was so incredibly interesting. The underestimated underdog on a magical quest to save the world. But the story was confusing as hell and ran at a breakneck speed. Almost nothing was explained, and when it was it was incomprehensible riddles. I get that the story was complex and it could’ve easily been bogged down with exposition and worldbuilding - but instead chose to do almost zero worldbuilding.
The character design was interesting - some of them were interchangeable but honestly there were too many significant characters that we didn’t get enough time with. So when their character left or died, we didn’t sympathize with it.
Reads like the basic outline of a story. Requires an updated draft with more. Great story idea but better execution needed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Crutcher, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
smorrison4's review
4.0
This book started off slowly and I really wasn't sure where we were going with Aline becoming the outcast in school, unseen by her own parents, and finding a bookstore that embraced who she was and made her felt seen. However, the story got there and we got to journey with Aline as she discovered who she was and found her self worth. Caitlin Kelly did a good job narrating this story and I will look for more book narrated by Caitlin in the future.
rositareadslibros's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
What Became of Magic
Author: Paige Crutcher
Publication Date: 09/26/2023
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
This is a perfect witchy story to add to your TBR this spooky season! Aline is a young witch who is able to communicate with ghosts and has been quietly helping others for years until she turns 30. When she is seen using her magic powers, she is invited to the mysterious town of Matchstick, which has lost its magic and only Aline can help to find it.
I received What Became of Magic as an audiobook ARC and had a great time listening to it. I liked the narrator a lot; she did a fantastic job. The vibes of this book were definitely witchy, making it a great fall read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook and been able to review it.
Author: Paige Crutcher
Publication Date: 09/26/2023
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
This is a perfect witchy story to add to your TBR this spooky season! Aline is a young witch who is able to communicate with ghosts and has been quietly helping others for years until she turns 30. When she is seen using her magic powers, she is invited to the mysterious town of Matchstick, which has lost its magic and only Aline can help to find it.
I received What Became of Magic as an audiobook ARC and had a great time listening to it. I liked the narrator a lot; she did a fantastic job. The vibes of this book were definitely witchy, making it a great fall read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook and been able to review it.
mv_reads's review
3.0
I listened to the audiobook for "What Became of Magic" and while I enjoyed the narration, it became clear that this story leaned more towards the Young Adult (YA) genre rather than adult fiction.
Starting with Aline helping lost spirits was intriguing, and then the transition to Matchstick's mystical world to rescue Magic, her destined lover, kept me interested in the story. Even though the romance aspect felt a bit forced. At times, the writing style left me feeling a bit lost, especially with the use of riddles and puns, but some people may enjoy that.
The world-building was intricate, brimming with details, and you really understood the magic system in Matchstick.
Overall, "What Became of Magic" offers an enchanting mix of elements, but the romance might not click with everyone. If you fancy a cozy fall read with a touch of YA fantasy, give it a try!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me an Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Starting with Aline helping lost spirits was intriguing, and then the transition to Matchstick's mystical world to rescue Magic, her destined lover, kept me interested in the story. Even though the romance aspect felt a bit forced. At times, the writing style left me feeling a bit lost, especially with the use of riddles and puns, but some people may enjoy that.
The world-building was intricate, brimming with details, and you really understood the magic system in Matchstick.
Overall, "What Became of Magic" offers an enchanting mix of elements, but the romance might not click with everyone. If you fancy a cozy fall read with a touch of YA fantasy, give it a try!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me an Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
cpalmisanod's review
2.0
I don’t know if I’m out of sorts or this book is choppy but I am struggling to stay in the story and follow.