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nyx_belial's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
malimaan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
spinnerlynne's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it and love that it's a series!!! (Unless it isn't, gosh I hope it is!!)
jjwilbourne's review
4.0
What If Harry Potter and Ginny got expelled from Hogwarts and was forced to join a magical military. New Underrealm author, Brenna Gawain brings does something similar to this with A Cloak of Red. And I mean that in the most positive way possible.
After the life-changing events in The Academy Journals trilogy, Theren is a young woman on the run. Promised to a life of servitude to her patron after her time at the Academy for Wizards, she’s desperate to avoid the humiliating life of a court magician. But when she’s caught by the Mystic order, she’s given a way out, and it’s a chance that maybe worst than being reclaimed by her patron: join the Mystic order—the very people who tortured her in the past.
What’s great about this book is the relationship between Theren and Lilith. I love functional relationships in novels. I love dysfunctional relationships too, but those are more common. And Gawain has a fantastic way of writing bright-eyed naivety without making the characters feel stupid or, worse, talking down to the reader.
I personally feel like the plot of this story isn’t as strong as the characters, it still drives along without feeling like the story is dragging. I think it could be an issue of misaligned expectations. Whether I missed the signposts or not, I thought the story was going in one direction, but around the middle of the story, it took a different turn. Still, it gives the sequel a platform for an even grander plot, and that has me excited.
If you’re as deep into Underrealm as I am, this is a must-read. But if you’re simply looking for a starting point for Underrealm, this novel can be that for you as well. You can jump in without any foreknowledge.
*Full Disclosure — I work for the publisher, but I wasn't paid to review this book. While this is an honest review, I was involved in the production of the audiobook, and I receive a small royalty for purchases of the audiobook version*
After the life-changing events in The Academy Journals trilogy, Theren is a young woman on the run. Promised to a life of servitude to her patron after her time at the Academy for Wizards, she’s desperate to avoid the humiliating life of a court magician. But when she’s caught by the Mystic order, she’s given a way out, and it’s a chance that maybe worst than being reclaimed by her patron: join the Mystic order—the very people who tortured her in the past.
What’s great about this book is the relationship between Theren and Lilith. I love functional relationships in novels. I love dysfunctional relationships too, but those are more common. And Gawain has a fantastic way of writing bright-eyed naivety without making the characters feel stupid or, worse, talking down to the reader.
I personally feel like the plot of this story isn’t as strong as the characters, it still drives along without feeling like the story is dragging. I think it could be an issue of misaligned expectations. Whether I missed the signposts or not, I thought the story was going in one direction, but around the middle of the story, it took a different turn. Still, it gives the sequel a platform for an even grander plot, and that has me excited.
If you’re as deep into Underrealm as I am, this is a must-read. But if you’re simply looking for a starting point for Underrealm, this novel can be that for you as well. You can jump in without any foreknowledge.
*Full Disclosure — I work for the publisher, but I wasn't paid to review this book. While this is an honest review, I was involved in the production of the audiobook, and I receive a small royalty for purchases of the audiobook version*
lunchbox's review
5.0
Really enjoyed The Academy Journals series, so I was pretty excited to hear about this book. I wasn't let down at all, this book is everything I want out of fantasy novels. Really a great read.
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