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blessjessmess's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I understand the mixed reviews on this book. Its definitely not for everyone. This book is dark academia and an alternate universe where magic users are a normal part of society and society reflects magic in all aspects of the world.
OF COURSE, if magic were commonplace, it would find itself being used corruptly in finance, politics, and crime.
But what I really loved about this book is that this books main theme revolves around information. How information is weaponized against those without the means to access it. How the more information you know you realize theres so much you don't know. How easily information can be altered and how that can have dire consequences. How censorship hurts the entire population. And how information is power and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
OF COURSE, if magic were commonplace, it would find itself being used corruptly in finance, politics, and crime.
But what I really loved about this book is that this books main theme revolves around information. How information is weaponized against those without the means to access it. How the more information you know you realize theres so much you don't know. How easily information can be altered and how that can have dire consequences. How censorship hurts the entire population. And how information is power and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
- I held off on a 5 simply because the first book (the intro book, if you will) of a series should never be its best, which means I have high expectations for the upcoming 3rd in the series.
- I, personally, loved this book. It's a bit meta in the most original way I've seen any genre meta book written before, so I really enjoyed that.
- I liked that each character was well rounded, and time was spent on developing the entire cast in the novel.
- This book is incredibly cerebral, but I love cerebral fiction so that's a win for me.
- This book basically said F*** the Hero's Journey and took its on path....and I really respect that.
You will like this book if you like:
- alternating povs
- science theory
- coming of age books
- grounded magic
- time travel
- dimensional travel
- Dream travel
- found family
- if you want the feel of Harry Potter but want adult themes and modernized for the environment we currently live in
- If you are in a reading rut this is a good book to break it
You will NOT like this book if:
- unlikable characters.
- meta reading
- advanced science jargon
******I half read/half listened to this book on audio. I found I preferred the audio because of the voice actors.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide
Minor: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
rebecca_jt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder
pages_of_sav's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Death, and Sexual content
Minor: Mass/school shootings
purplerose30's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent
cecinamo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
Great read! The story was so intricately written, with loads of mysteries and interesting subplots. All the characters were so unique and facetted. They were so well written! The magic was a little confusing sometimes, I think I only understood towards the end of the book what ‘wards’ were. Sometimes the book also dragged a bit, but I didn’t mind that. I definitely look forward to the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Murder, Suicide, Blood, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Addiction, Abandonment, and Terminal illness
I really loved Nicos and Libbys relationship, it was so funny xD. (I hope it goes the enemies to friends route) Secondly quick appreciation for all the women in the book 💗 (Except Eilif, leave Gideon alone ò-ó, he just wants to be happy with Nico.) Libby was amazing! Parisa too, she was epic!!! I also loved Reina, I just wish she had more chapters ;-;. Her povs were always so interesting. It was always just so cool to read about what was going on in their minds, because the are so insanely smart. >u< (Also Parisas povs could tell us what other people were thinking too xD)malinxzoe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, and Death of parent
bergha1998's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I just didn’t like it. The plot wasn’t very interesting and most of the main characters were insufferable. I’m okay with Libby and like 1/2 the time with Tristan and Nico. Also, the whole question of if knowledge should be kept or shared is utter bullshit, of course it should be shared.
Dark Academia, Secret Society, Magic, 1 🔥
“A uniquely upsetting curse, really, how little he knew how to exist when she wasn’t there.”
Dark Academia, Secret Society, Magic, 1 🔥
“A uniquely upsetting curse, really, how little he knew how to exist when she wasn’t there.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Child death, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Violence
katconig's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Mass/school shootings
caseymac's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Kidnapping, Murder, Blood, and Confinement
thestarsaresad's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I BREEZED through this book. This is the first book in a long time that I haven't wanted to put down and that I've thought about when I had to do other things. I love the author's writing - all the detail, all the reflection - honestly, how do people even come up with stories like this?!?! The plot twists were crazy! Initially, I was skeptical about there being multiple POVs, but I really did grow to enjoy seeing things through each character's eyes. I definitely need to get the second book NOW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Death
Moderate: Terminal illness, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Kidnapping