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wishbea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Fun concept, enjoyed the inclusion of Cormorants and the spin on Arthurian myth, but the characterisations seemed shallow to me. The first half was better than the second, brilliant atmosphere and intrigue at the beginning, I looked up the author and it turns out she has written horror before so that explains that.
The finale felt unearnt, the way Ivy changes didn't feel believable to me in such a short amount of time and I think Burge's action scenes were very weak, there's also an out of nowhere romance. We haven't defeated the big bad by the end, so it would've been nice if this had been advertised as the start of a series.
The finale felt unearnt, the way Ivy changes didn't feel believable to me in such a short amount of time and I think Burge's action scenes were very weak, there's also an out of nowhere romance. We haven't defeated the big bad by the end, so it would've been nice if this had been advertised as the start of a series.
My main problem is Tom, Ivy's friend. At one point Tom picks up this book describing a man using demon magic to make a woman fall in love with him (evil) and Tom says:
'Shame I didn't know about demon magic. I might've given it a shot.'
When Ivy is offended by this, Tom simply says he's joking and that's the end of it. I half expected Tom to be a surprise villain based on this line, I guess there's room for that in a future sequel, but I don't see that happening with the way this book ended.
That being said, I enjoyed the exploration of the connection between Ivy and Moronoe and the training sequences with the witches, I just wish there had been more depth there. If there is a sequel I'm not sure I'd read it as while I'd like to see more of Ivy, her mum and the witches, Merlin was too cartoony and I dislike Tom a lot.
That being said, I enjoyed the exploration of the connection between Ivy and Moronoe and the training sequences with the witches, I just wish there had been more depth there. If there is a sequel I'm not sure I'd read it as while I'd like to see more of Ivy, her mum and the witches, Merlin was too cartoony and I dislike Tom a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Death, and Kidnapping
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