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vicsreadings's review against another edition
5.0
This book is honestly an amazing discover ! I have never heard of it until I received it in my kubeofficial (a monthly bookish box).I wasn’t convinced at first but honestly this might became my new favorite saga. The writing is just so easy to read, the universe is complex and very well detailed but easy to understand at the same time. And the romance OMG the romance is just amazing. I ship the characters so much, I’ve never felt this way for books characters I’m telling you. The plot is very well maintained during the whole story, with some plot-twist, that I saw coming I have to admit but it wasn’t bothering at all. Anyway I don’t know what to tell you besides the fact that I absolutely LOVED this book and that I can’t wait to read the 2nd volume !
leighkelly's review against another edition
1.0
DNF.
I don’t agree with it and it feels like every other ill written YA novel.
Girl is secretive at start, must go to the bad part of town without mother finding out.
Girl sees something happen.
Man appears out of nowhere “only you can save her”
Man is military asking a civilian for help (rather than protecting her)
Girl helps, saves the city.
Fire mage is now imprisoned and can only use her power with girls permission
Girl and man flirt and “something moved in my chest when he looked at me”. GO TO THE HOSPITAL.
I’ll not be wasting my time with this one.
I don’t agree with it and it feels like every other ill written YA novel.
Girl is secretive at start, must go to the bad part of town without mother finding out.
Girl sees something happen.
Man appears out of nowhere “only you can save her”
Man is military asking a civilian for help (rather than protecting her)
Girl helps, saves the city.
Fire mage is now imprisoned and can only use her power with girls permission
Girl and man flirt and “something moved in my chest when he looked at me”. GO TO THE HOSPITAL.
I’ll not be wasting my time with this one.
mollymortensen's review against another edition
4.0
The writing was so well done, I would've thought this was a veteran writer not a debut. I highlighted several passages that I just liked the way she phrased things.
More books need to focus on female friendship and Tethered Mage did it well. Their friendship progressed slowly and felt true.
I easily related to Amalia, a book loving girl who'd rather hole up in her room than go to a party. She's heir to one of the city's ruling families but though she's rich her life hasn't been easy. (I only wish I related to the rich part.) Zaira, the street smart mage needed her own point of view. She was so bitter about being captured it was hard to empathize with her. I did warm to her by the end.
The romance didn't work for me. Mostly because I have no clue what she saw in him. (I can't remember his name) He was most interesting in his first scene, where he came off strong, decisive and a bit mysterious. After that he was too weak and infatuated by her to come off as competent. At least he was nice.
When I heard about the Witch Lord Prince I thought he'd make a good love interest (not that I wanted a love triangle) but it's quickly clear he's firmly in the villain category.
My favorite character was actually Amilia's mom. She's a tough leader, smart, and confident. Though she's strict with her daughter, it's still obvious she loves her.
There wasn't a lot of worldbuilding but I liked the Venice renaissance like atmosphere she created. Magic isn't just your standard elements. There are alchemists who create potions and artificers who make magical devices as well. (And the creepy Prince's magic.) There's no discrimination against women or gays in this world, which was refreshing to see.
The mystery was good, and I didn't see most of it coming. (I did suspect one suspect. Hehe.)
THE BAD:
It felt a bit choppy. Time passed between sections but I felt they were too short, jumping from scene to scene.
The only excitement was at the beginning and ending. The "middle" a.k.a. most of the book was rather slow. More was done with the possibility of war and political plotting than magical battles. (But those could always come in future books.)
More books need to focus on female friendship and Tethered Mage did it well. Their friendship progressed slowly and felt true.
I easily related to Amalia, a book loving girl who'd rather hole up in her room than go to a party. She's heir to one of the city's ruling families but though she's rich her life hasn't been easy. (I only wish I related to the rich part.) Zaira, the street smart mage needed her own point of view. She was so bitter about being captured it was hard to empathize with her. I did warm to her by the end.
The romance didn't work for me. Mostly because I have no clue what she saw in him. (I can't remember his name) He was most interesting in his first scene, where he came off strong, decisive and a bit mysterious. After that he was too weak and infatuated by her to come off as competent. At least he was nice.
When I heard about the Witch Lord Prince I thought he'd make a good love interest (not that I wanted a love triangle) but it's quickly clear he's firmly in the villain category.
My favorite character was actually Amilia's mom. She's a tough leader, smart, and confident. Though she's strict with her daughter, it's still obvious she loves her.
There wasn't a lot of worldbuilding but I liked the Venice renaissance like atmosphere she created. Magic isn't just your standard elements. There are alchemists who create potions and artificers who make magical devices as well. (And the creepy Prince's magic.) There's no discrimination against women or gays in this world, which was refreshing to see.
The mystery was good, and I didn't see most of it coming. (I did suspect one suspect. Hehe.)
THE BAD:
It felt a bit choppy. Time passed between sections but I felt they were too short, jumping from scene to scene.
The only excitement was at the beginning and ending. The "middle" a.k.a. most of the book was rather slow. More was done with the possibility of war and political plotting than magical battles. (But those could always come in future books.)
vidyala's review against another edition
4.0
A really enjoyable Venetian-inspired fantasy novel full of political intrigue, magic and snappy dialogue. I bought the next book in the series right away. It also has plenty of interesting characters both women and men, a same-sex marriage and at least one bisexual character. I love to read a story that includes a variety of different people in a really natural way, just existing in the world. The third book comes out in April and I think it’s going to be a long wait!
library_of_sinead's review against another edition
4.0
Great YA fantasy that’s super easy to read. Solid series!
4 stars
4 stars
eclipsestorm4's review against another edition
DNF'd at 23%
Too much politics, imo. It got boring.
Too much politics, imo. It got boring.
blanche's review against another edition
3.0
I debated with myself to maybe five only two stars. But there are some perks so three it is.
I won't continue this series because it dragged too much for me personally.
I loved the idea but hoped for a different take.
I won't continue this series because it dragged too much for me personally.
I loved the idea but hoped for a different take.
essysdean's review against another edition
It read like a middle grade/young young adult and it seemed like a lot of other fantasy I've read. Just wasn't the book for me as a thirty year old woman who still likes the occasional middle grade