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marleywrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
This was such a wonderful book. I loved the magic system and I adored the characters. Catherine Bakewell gave us a beautifully depicted work of art.
I could see this book charming any reader of any age, but it does work wondrously as a YA novel. It had just the right amount of angst to pure joy and love ratio.
I loved the non-binary and trans characters, and that our main character is bisexual/pansexual.
Overall, 5 beautiful stars to a beautiful book.
And thank you to NetGalley for an eArc of this book!
I could see this book charming any reader of any age, but it does work wondrously as a YA novel. It had just the right amount of angst to pure joy and love ratio.
I loved the non-binary and trans characters, and that our main character is bisexual/pansexual.
Overall, 5 beautiful stars to a beautiful book.
And thank you to NetGalley for an eArc of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Drug use and Vomit
Minor: Medical content
ezwolf's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thought this book was absolutely lovely. Even though there were intense events that happen it still had a soft feel to it that I liked.
In particular I really adored the relationship that Clara has with her father. The backstory of Clara and Xavier’s relationship didn’t feel as convincing as the obvious love and affection that Clara and her father have for each other.
The casualness of the queer characters was also handled very well I think. Labels aren’t given to everyone but Clara herself is bi or pan or etc, her beloved teacher is trans, and her teacher’s apprentice is trans as well and uses they/them pronouns. It’s only briefly touched on as an actual subject but it’s not in terms of discrimination only in how having a trans teacher can be helpful for a trans student.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
In particular I really adored the relationship that Clara has with her father. The backstory of Clara and Xavier’s relationship didn’t feel as convincing as the obvious love and affection that Clara and her father have for each other.
The casualness of the queer characters was also handled very well I think. Labels aren’t given to everyone but Clara herself is bi or pan or etc, her beloved teacher is trans, and her teacher’s apprentice is trans as well and uses they/them pronouns. It’s only briefly touched on as an actual subject but it’s not in terms of discrimination only in how having a trans teacher can be helpful for a trans student.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Blood and Vomit
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