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booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Silas is enjoyable as a character whose present form is unassuming but could absolutely fuck someone up if a different version of himself is let loose (Think Mogget from The Old Kingdom books by Garth Nix, but if he liked working).
I thought the first half was just fine (except for the worldbuilding, which was excellent) and then I loved the ending. I didn't enjoy the matrons speculating about Nathaniel's sexuality, and while the resolution of his identity came though his own telling, it felt a bit off.
The audiobook performance (particularly for Silas) perfectly fits each character and really enhanced the story. The plot noticeably had distinct stages (not in a bad way). It's a long enough book to have several points of tension and rest, with the danger escalating in a way that felt appropriate to the world and to what the characters had already faced. There were a couple of points in the latter half where things had been so dramatic that I thought maybe it was about to pull a cliffhanger, but the ending is very satisfying and comes at an appropriate point in the pacing.
I enjoyed this and am very excited for a sequel if one materializes. It's listed as a series so I'm hopeful.
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness
sydneyluxford's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
As I was reading it, I felt like I was watching a movie — I can’t explain. This book needs to be made into a movie.
Elisabeth and Nathaniel were such a cute couple, I actually cannot. WHEN HE CALLED HER A MENACE AT THE END 😭😭😭😭😭. Screaming and throwing up.
Also, I cannot believe Elisabeth is 6’3. When I found out, my jaw literally dropped. But it’s about time there’s a book where the girl is taller than the guy.
OMG. WHEN NATHANIEL SAID HE LIKES BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS I LITERALLY SCREAMED. IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED. His sexuality may not have been mentioned much, but I think a little representation can go a long way. You don’t see many bisexual characters in books. ALSO, Katrien is aromantic, I think???? There was a comment about her not being interested in romance at all.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Medical content
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
zombiesheep's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Blood, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Minor: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
martereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
- Elisabeth reminded me of Lyra from the HIS DARK MATERIALS books, not only because she was a foundling raised in an academic setting, but for her fierceness and sharp mind.
- The world isn't super fleshed out, but I thought it was a clever magic system and I loved what I did see of the wider world beyond the library.
- There's also surprise low key bisexual and ace/aro rep, which was such a treat.
- And Silas, what can I say about Silas. I loved the little demon, I did.
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
lilifane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So I was a little disappointed in the beginning but soon got used to the actualy story and from then on had the time of my life reading it. So let me gush a little bit.
I loooooved the characters and was surprised by the represantation in this book. The main character, Elisabeth, is a tall girl. A really tall girl, bigger than most of the boys/men around her and that was SO cool to read. She's been growing up in a library for magical books and has some mysterious abilities that others don't have. At the beginning of the book she witnesses an attack on her library and tries to uncover the truth behind it. What bothered me the most about her for a long time was how ignorant and prejudiced she is at the beginning, especially for someone living in a library and spending her whole life reading books. I thought that was only a way to give her some room for character development, but in the end it actually made a lot of sense. I also feared this would turn into a damsel in distress situation where Elisabeth had to be rescued all the time, because she tends to get in trouble often... but luckily she is quite capable of rescuing herself thank you very much.
Then there are side characters that are bi, aromantic, disabled (there is a blind librarian and braille is hinted at). Most of this is only mentioned as side notes though, just to show that it's all a regular part of this world. And I liked that.
Another thing I really liked was the fast pace of the story (you can hardly take a breath because one thing happens after another and another and another and another). It's so action packed, so much is happening, but there are also some quiet moments that let you bond with the characters and fall in love with them. My heart was stolen by a demon called Silas, he's the most precious character of all.
I enjoyed the humor, especially Nathaniel's comments towards Elisabeth... which leads to the romance plot that I also enjoyed a lot. It was actually quite refreshing. There was no artificial drama, no miscomunication, no cheesy lovey dovey stuff, just straight forward friendly banter turned into fun flirting with a bit of doom from an approaching apocalypse sprinkled into it.
I loved everything that had to do with the library contents, the investigation, the mystery, but there was a little bit too much fighting for my taste. Soooo many fight scenes. The last quarter of a book feels like one long fight which was a little exhausting.
One last thing I should mention: This book is 100% predictable. If you have a feeling, you know how the story will proceed or how a problem will be resolved, you can be sure that's exactly what will happen. Really no surprises whatsoever. Oh, and you never have the feeling that a situation is hopeless or drags on for too long. There is always a way. And I also enjoyed this a lot, because everything that happens is prepared beforehand and it doesn't feel like information is being withheld just to surprise you or a situation unnecessary prologed just to annoy you.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent