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savtank's review against another edition
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an arc.
Full transparency: I have struggled with the idea of writing this review and leaving a rating because I did DNF this book at around 35%. Please take my feedback with a grain of salt. Just because I didn’t enjoy it doesn’t mean you won’t.
I was so excited to read this and I am so sad to say that I knew from about 10% of the way through that I was not going to enjoy it.
To begin with the positives, the premise and magic system described in the synopsis really intrigued me. I really enjoyed the magic books, even the more simple ones were made to feel exciting.
But, the pacing was inconsistent and the prose was odd to me. Everything felt very clunky and forced. In my opinion there were several instances where details that added nothing to the world/character building or plot. I also did not appreciate the author’s stereotypes he applied to the female characters. Some of the first introductions we get to Cassie and her roommate Izzy are them complaining about their bodies which to me is just lazy writing.
The main characters and villains also felt very flat to me. I couldn’t connect with any of them and I struggled to focus while reading.
All this to say, I was disappointed but that doesn’t mean someone else out there won’t enjoy this book.
Full transparency: I have struggled with the idea of writing this review and leaving a rating because I did DNF this book at around 35%. Please take my feedback with a grain of salt. Just because I didn’t enjoy it doesn’t mean you won’t.
I was so excited to read this and I am so sad to say that I knew from about 10% of the way through that I was not going to enjoy it.
To begin with the positives, the premise and magic system described in the synopsis really intrigued me. I really enjoyed the magic books, even the more simple ones were made to feel exciting.
But, the pacing was inconsistent and the prose was odd to me. Everything felt very clunky and forced. In my opinion there were several instances where details that added nothing to the world/character building or plot. I also did not appreciate the author’s stereotypes he applied to the female characters. Some of the first introductions we get to Cassie and her roommate Izzy are them complaining about their bodies which to me is just lazy writing.
The main characters and villains also felt very flat to me. I couldn’t connect with any of them and I struggled to focus while reading.
All this to say, I was disappointed but that doesn’t mean someone else out there won’t enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexism, and Racial slurs
katieavila's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Child abuse
zoe_booklover's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
Words can barely describe the way I feel after just completing this book, it leaves me almost speechless as how to sum up feelings on such a book
Firstly I'd like to say- make no mistake- this book is a horror ! An absolutely terrifying horror !
There are elements of love/friendship/loyalty/creativity and there is heartbreak in this story . So it gives all the feels and had me in tears at one point where MILD SPOILER FOR A FEW LINES the main character meets her deceased Grandfather for the first time. There was such beauty and feeling in that scene.
An author that good at writing takes it to the other end of the spectrum regularly in this book and the painful scenes are so so horrific and the author does not appear to have limits as to where he will take the reader.
Horrifying. I've not read Stephen King but imagine he may be proud if he had written this book.
It was a fast paced read that I wanted to keep reading but as it progressed I disliked the book for the drama inflicted within its pages and for the awful characters, especially the main baddie.
I found the ending not closed as I wanted , like it is open for a book 2 but I don't think a book 2 would ever work with such a story as it would be easily repetitive, I think it likely the author doesn't plan that but wanted to give an ending that was open ended .
The pain in the book is described fully and is drawn out at times and yet the ending that readers will want is not described in half enough detail, there was one or more plotholes where the characters were to lenient with the baddies for the situation they were in, however , what a book, The author is talented . I am not sure I would ever want to read another of his books though.
The first half I thought was 5 stars then it went downhill but I can't really score less than a 4.75.
Read it if you dare! (And sending hugs!)
Firstly I'd like to say- make no mistake- this book is a horror ! An absolutely terrifying horror !
There are elements of love/friendship/loyalty/creativity and there is heartbreak in this story . So it gives all the feels and had me in tears at one point where MILD SPOILER FOR A FEW LINES the main character meets her deceased Grandfather for the first time. There was such beauty and feeling in that scene.
An author that good at writing takes it to the other end of the spectrum regularly in this book and the painful scenes are so so horrific and the author does not appear to have limits as to where he will take the reader.
Horrifying. I've not read Stephen King but imagine he may be proud if he had written this book.
It was a fast paced read that I wanted to keep reading but as it progressed I disliked the book for the drama inflicted within its pages and for the awful characters, especially the main baddie.
I found the ending not closed as I wanted , like it is open for a book 2 but I don't think a book 2 would ever work with such a story as it would be easily repetitive, I think it likely the author doesn't plan that but wanted to give an ending that was open ended .
The pain in the book is described fully and is drawn out at times and yet the ending that readers will want is not described in half enough detail, there was one or more plotholes where the characters were to lenient with the baddies for the situation they were in, however , what a book, The author is talented . I am not sure I would ever want to read another of his books though.
The first half I thought was 5 stars then it went downhill but I can't really score less than a 4.75.
Read it if you dare! (And sending hugs!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child abuse
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