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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-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:
Yes
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh, gosh. I really wanted to like this book because the title seemed really intriguing and the initial plot point around the Alexandrian Library really hooked me; however, that being the main reason I wanted to read it, was terribly disappointing because we barely get to learn anything about the library itself. Bits and pieces but so many missed opportunities there. I also just didn't understand how the magic worked in this book. Reading those parts felt like having a conversation with someone where they just trail off in the middle or go on a tangent and you're just standing there like, um, okay, what??? My biggest issue was just I did not like any of the characters except Reina but, as another reviewer said, I felt like she got the least amount of book space. I just couldn't muster caring about anything that happened to them. So unlikeable. Did anyone else feel that all of the "relationships" happening were completely distracting? It just seemed that all those words could have been better spent explaining the magic and strengthening one relationship or friendship so we could actually get invested in that/them. I feel like a jerk writing this about anyone's artistic effort but I was just annoyed 70% of the time; the other 30% left me wanting more and being deeply disappointed about where the plot was going.
[5 stars]
This is a breathtaking dark-academia fantasy read. Yes, there were some big words I didn't understand, (and yes, there were other big words that I DID understand that made me feel pretentious) but it's so worth it. The prose is so beautiful.
I will say, this is definitely a character-driven book--which I LOVED. I am obsessed with every single character. All the different POVs were fun to read. Although, I know some people want more plot, so if that's you, maybe still give this book a shot, but you've been warned.
I think everyone who loves darker fantasy, philosophy/deeper moral thinking, and gorgeous story-telling should read this.
Happy reading!
This is a breathtaking dark-academia fantasy read. Yes, there were some big words I didn't understand, (and yes, there were other big words that I DID understand that made me feel pretentious) but it's so worth it. The prose is so beautiful.
I will say, this is definitely a character-driven book--which I LOVED. I am obsessed with every single character. All the different POVs were fun to read. Although, I know some people want more plot, so if that's you, maybe still give this book a shot, but you've been warned.
I think everyone who loves darker fantasy, philosophy/deeper moral thinking, and gorgeous story-telling should read this.
Happy reading!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I have read a few books that have similar concepts or plots and were far more enjoyable.
I didn't have a single character that I liked enough to care about. The concept, while intriguing, left me unfulfilled. I can't quite put my finger on why, exactly, but I'm disappointed in this.
Perhaps it was the hype from various people on BookTube or BookTok, or the hope of finding another book series to enjoy just as much as I had others of a similiar scope. Unfortunately, this is not the case. I'm left wanting.
So many times characters are mentioned to be The Most Powerful and yet they give us nothing? Especially Libby and Nico. We are only allowed a small glimpse of what they can do. Anything of interest is glossed over (such as Tristan's developing understanding of his powers) and I wonder if this is done in favour of setting up for the next book.
The conclusion of this book is so laughably predictable and boring. I read all of this for what? Needless to say, I'm not reaching for the secons book any time soon.
If you're into a scholar setting with deadly consequences and a variety of characters, including a main character who is unlikable but pulled off in a competent way, try Deadly Education.
If it's the magical disciplines and competition element with character depth, try The Betrayals.
Overall a very low two star, almost a one but I don't want to be too mean - after all, it was a quick read and didn't waste too much of my time...
I didn't have a single character that I liked enough to care about. The concept, while intriguing, left me unfulfilled. I can't quite put my finger on why, exactly, but I'm disappointed in this.
Perhaps it was the hype from various people on BookTube or BookTok, or the hope of finding another book series to enjoy just as much as I had others of a similiar scope. Unfortunately, this is not the case. I'm left wanting.
So many times characters are mentioned to be The Most Powerful and yet they give us nothing? Especially Libby and Nico. We are only allowed a small glimpse of what they can do. Anything of interest is glossed over (such as Tristan's developing understanding of his powers) and I wonder if this is done in favour of setting up for the next book.
The conclusion of this book is so laughably predictable and boring. I read all of this for what? Needless to say, I'm not reaching for the secons book any time soon.
If you're into a scholar setting with deadly consequences and a variety of characters, including a main character who is unlikable but pulled off in a competent way, try Deadly Education.
If it's the magical disciplines and competition element with character depth, try The Betrayals.
Overall a very low two star, almost a one but I don't want to be too mean - after all, it was a quick read and didn't waste too much of my time...
i absolutely hate the characters and the writing. might try again in the future
2.75⭐️
tbh I don’t think anything’s wrong with this book it just kinda outsmarted me sometimes I guess, so it just got boring honestly with all those geniuses and plans and backstories with gaps for the reader to fill in. I found it pretty complicated as it barely even explained the magic system either! (like AT ALL)-as a conclusion I would say: The story is (probably) really really thought through and smart but it just wasn’t really the book I was hoping for when I picked it up.
tbh I don’t think anything’s wrong with this book it just kinda outsmarted me sometimes I guess, so it just got boring honestly with all those geniuses and plans and backstories with gaps for the reader to fill in. I found it pretty complicated as it barely even explained the magic system either! (like AT ALL)-as a conclusion I would say: The story is (probably) really really thought through and smart but it just wasn’t really the book I was hoping for when I picked it up.
But of a slow start, honestly. Was going to give three starts but the ending sucked me back in.