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ka_t's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Not my usual genre of book at all, but really enjoyed it. The story was very engaging and the descriptions of some of the works they were in was captivating in its details: the library, the club, the park, etc.
Looking forward to the next part of the story.
Looking forward to the next part of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
rhi_'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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual assault and Drug use
aquapower's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
malinhalia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Torture
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
kirstym25's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Bullying
shellypop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Murder
madamepincers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Bullying
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Torture, Misogyny, Dysphoria, Cursing, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder and Vomit
meganlowe87's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I’m so torn with this book.
On one hand, I loved the magic system and what happens, and the cast of characters.
On the other hand, the binders aren’t explained until literally 300 pages in (of 555). I mean, I gathered what they were, but it was never explained.
Then, things plod along for 480 pages, with bits happening that aren’t entirely relevant, then bam! Those last 70 pages everything happens.
Also, there is another book to this. It’s not a stand-alone, so be prepared when starting this, it won’t be finished.
As I said, the cast were great. I love Attis and Rowlands in particular and I’d love to see more of Oliver. There was some truly beautiful writing in it as well, but this book was a bit of a slog. Not anything I considered DNFing, but definitely a slog.
On one hand, I loved the magic system and what happens, and the cast of characters.
On the other hand, the binders aren’t explained until literally 300 pages in (of 555). I mean, I gathered what they were, but it was never explained.
Then, things plod along for 480 pages, with bits happening that aren’t entirely relevant, then bam! Those last 70 pages everything happens.
Also, there is another book to this. It’s not a stand-alone, so be prepared when starting this, it won’t be finished.
As I said, the cast were great. I love Attis and Rowlands in particular and I’d love to see more of Oliver. There was some truly beautiful writing in it as well, but this book was a bit of a slog. Not anything I considered DNFing, but definitely a slog.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Violence
rosienreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.5
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Anna has been brought up to believe magic is a curse, something that should be suppressed and bound, but its temptation is strong and when the wild and carefree Effie joins her school, Anna might just get a taste of the magic she’d spent so long trying to resist.
This was a book that had all in the ingredients for a perfect reading spell. From the cast of characters to the story and, of course, the magic. While I can see Anna being frustrating for some, I particularly enjoyed her character arc as she battled between ‘no-one’ persona she’d cultivated to appease her aunt, and the personality that had been hidden away. I felt the book did a good job of exploring her doubts and divided loyalties between her friends and her aunt, the woman who raised her.
I particularly enjoyed how to book balanced the various relationships within the story, from the family aspect to the friendships and then the romantic elements. It was refreshing to see the friendships be the primary focal point, despite the romance being particularly relevant for the main plot, and coming away from the book those are the elements I remember the strongest. The group of friends was fun to read in how they came together and played off each other.
My favourite part of the book was the magic. The way it was depicted and how it was treated in the lore of the book caught my imagination. That there were different languages of magic, from the knots of the binders to the plant work of Rowan’s family, made for interesting and varied uses within the book and it was fun thinking of what kind of magic language I would use. Given that the series title appears to be ‘The Language of Magic’ according to Goodreads, this seems to be a concept that will be picked up and explored more in later books, which I am there for.
Overall, this was a solid read. I enjoyed the development and seeing how it played out, as well as integrating the magic and over-arching plot with a group of high-school girls having fun while on a journey of self-discovery within a school setting. It did have its slow moments. It also didn’t shy away from depicting abuse and the darker side of magic either, which could potentially be disturbing for some readers. Even so, this book was very much my cup of tea and I am intrigued for where it will go from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Fatphobia
kirstieellen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship