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misha_ali's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is my first James Islington book and I was reasonably impressed. While the pacing is a bit mired down in exposition for the first part, things quickly pick up once we get to the dark academia part of the story. I enjoyed the hierarchical system set up in this world and the fundamental premise of greed being the driving factor amongst the many factions, official and unofficial. In between them, powerless except for his rage and skills, is a young man who is hiding his true identity while becoming steadily embroiled in plots that are well above his understanding.
I enjoyed Vis' character the most in this book. James Islington created a solid balance of arrogance and likeable as Vis flies off the handle when dealing with injustice and makes many decisions that are not powered by his ambition and therefore finds himself in dire straits more often than not. The supporting cast is also reasonably complex and interesting but the magical system is the weakest thing for me in this book, possibly because we don't go into it much but perhaps in a sequel.
Be warned, this book ends on a note that will not be satisfactory to anyone who then realises that the next book is nowhere near ready yet. If that aggravates you, hold off to read this one until the sequel is out. However, this is definitely worth a read for anyone who enjoys dark academia and YA protagonists trying to go up against adults and other young people to prevail against an unjust system.
I enjoyed Vis' character the most in this book. James Islington created a solid balance of arrogance and likeable as Vis flies off the handle when dealing with injustice and makes many decisions that are not powered by his ambition and therefore finds himself in dire straits more often than not. The supporting cast is also reasonably complex and interesting but the magical system is the weakest thing for me in this book, possibly because we don't go into it much but perhaps in a sequel.
Be warned, this book ends on a note that will not be satisfactory to anyone who then realises that the next book is nowhere near ready yet. If that aggravates you, hold off to read this one until the sequel is out. However, this is definitely worth a read for anyone who enjoys dark academia and YA protagonists trying to go up against adults and other young people to prevail against an unjust system.
jakemitton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is immediately going on my favourites shelf. From start to end this novel had me completely engrossed. I listened to the audio book of this one and it was phenomenal. The narrator’s performance enhanced this already amazing book. It is going to cause me physical pain waiting for the publication of “The Strength of the Few”. I need it immediately please!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Murder
There are a couple tough scenes involving animals. Not really animal cruelty but just somewhat hard to read.clamduncan's review
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
xoarinaox's review against another edition
5.0
!!Contains spoilers ahead around 3rd paragraph!!
I read this book because of the book club I was a part of, and if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have known about such a gem! Fantasy is one of my top genres, and this just satisfies all of my fantasy needs: great worldbuilding, political power struggles, a defined class system, fantastical magical elements, and a sassy main lead.
This is my first roman-inspired fantasy, as I don't normally dive into that subgenre, but maybe I should haha. I have to admit, it did take me awhile to get into it, because of how dense the world is, in the sense that I had to pause quite a lot to take stock and imagine the world (lots of googling and looking up inspo pics on pinterest lol) but once I got past that initial bump, my reading went exponentially up up up! By the time I got to part three I was going through chapters because I Just. Couldn't. Stop. James Islington has such a captivating writing style that doesn't bore on or sound confusing, but does use more advance words that I'm not used to, so that really helped with expanding my own vocabulary. But the way the words flow was just very easy to digest and my eyes just go from word to word with ease, even when my eyes were heavy with sleep I pushed through because I needed to know what was going to happen to Vis.
I haven't read a fantasy book in months, and I am so very grateful that this was the one I picked up for the new year. The mysteries kept me on edge, the action was so clear and made it easy to imagine, and the way James wrote about the world made me so immersed I didn't want to leave when I closed the book. The dark academia vibes were also spot on, the way Vis studied and showed his worth again and again and again, showing once again that he is not one to be fucked. Like, damn, that scene where he just fucking snapped because Pracaeptor Dultatis and Ianix were so obviously cheating. Like, yeah we know he has a temper but credit where credit is due he held back for long enough and like, valid. Him smashing his head was, wow. Intense. Also, what is with Vis winning but in the most violent and bloody way possible ToT My boy can't catch a break. First, the advancement to class 5, and next was at the end of the Iudicium where he was wrecked beyond belief and not to mention CARRYING HIS DEAD FRIEND ON HIS BACK THAT PART HAD ME FUCKING SOBBING JAMES ISLINGTON HOW DARE YOU. MY HEART BROKE SO MUCH. Vis can't catch a break, there's always just always some sort of danger that's following him T_T. Also Emissa, it felt like my own stomach was stabbed when she stabbed him like fuck bro I was rooting for you WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU GASHKDJFLG so when Vis was like rightfully so pissed at the end and refused to see her I'm like, damn right. She needs to do some major groveling if she wants to get back into Vis's good graces.
The mysteries were definitely spooky, and there was always an eerie vibe when Vis explored the ruins, the glowing writing, the corpses (?), the Labyrinth, the fucking Remnants lorrrrrd. Maybe I'm stupid but I still don't know Veridus's standing in all of this T_T. God and what is that epilogue with the Synchronism?????????????????????????????????? Like, helppppppp????????? What is going on I'm to tiny-brained to get it but holy shit Caeror???? Is Luceum and Obiteum some kind of parallel other world??? Did Vis's soul got split in half, which is how he got that arm engraving but also the help was from Caeror?? Aaaaaaaaaaa *insert cat clutching head and screaming meme*
Fantastic work, James Islington. You have made this book invade my dreams and daydreams. Man. Good shit.
I read this book because of the book club I was a part of, and if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have known about such a gem! Fantasy is one of my top genres, and this just satisfies all of my fantasy needs: great worldbuilding, political power struggles, a defined class system, fantastical magical elements, and a sassy main lead.
This is my first roman-inspired fantasy, as I don't normally dive into that subgenre, but maybe I should haha. I have to admit, it did take me awhile to get into it, because of how dense the world is, in the sense that I had to pause quite a lot to take stock and imagine the world (lots of googling and looking up inspo pics on pinterest lol) but once I got past that initial bump, my reading went exponentially up up up! By the time I got to part three I was going through chapters because I Just. Couldn't. Stop. James Islington has such a captivating writing style that doesn't bore on or sound confusing, but does use more advance words that I'm not used to, so that really helped with expanding my own vocabulary. But the way the words flow was just very easy to digest and my eyes just go from word to word with ease, even when my eyes were heavy with sleep I pushed through because I needed to know what was going to happen to Vis.
I haven't read a fantasy book in months, and I am so very grateful that this was the one I picked up for the new year. The mysteries kept me on edge, the action was so clear and made it easy to imagine, and the way James wrote about the world made me so immersed I didn't want to leave when I closed the book. The dark academia vibes were also spot on, the way Vis studied and showed his worth again and again and again, showing once again that he is not one to be fucked. Like, damn, that scene where he just fucking snapped because Pracaeptor Dultatis and Ianix were so obviously cheating. Like, yeah we know he has a temper but credit where credit is due he held back for long enough and like, valid. Him smashing his head was, wow. Intense. Also, what is with Vis winning but in the most violent and bloody way possible ToT My boy can't catch a break. First, the advancement to class 5, and next was at the end of the Iudicium where he was wrecked beyond belief and not to mention CARRYING HIS DEAD FRIEND ON HIS BACK THAT PART HAD ME FUCKING SOBBING JAMES ISLINGTON HOW DARE YOU. MY HEART BROKE SO MUCH. Vis can't catch a break, there's always just always some sort of danger that's following him T_T. Also Emissa, it felt like my own stomach was stabbed when she stabbed him like fuck bro I was rooting for you WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU GASHKDJFLG so when Vis was like rightfully so pissed at the end and refused to see her I'm like, damn right. She needs to do some major groveling if she wants to get back into Vis's good graces.
The mysteries were definitely spooky, and there was always an eerie vibe when Vis explored the ruins, the glowing writing, the corpses (?), the Labyrinth, the fucking Remnants lorrrrrd. Maybe I'm stupid but I still don't know Veridus's standing in all of this T_T. God and what is that epilogue with the Synchronism?????????????????????????????????? Like, helppppppp????????? What is going on I'm to tiny-brained to get it but holy shit Caeror???? Is Luceum and Obiteum some kind of parallel other world??? Did Vis's soul got split in half, which is how he got that arm engraving but also the help was from Caeror?? Aaaaaaaaaaa *insert cat clutching head and screaming meme*
Fantastic work, James Islington. You have made this book invade my dreams and daydreams. Man. Good shit.
addisongabe's review against another edition
5.0
I really wish I could give this 10/5 stars. One of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read. A massive read but I loved every second of it. Vis is an incredible protagonist. Forced to hide and pretend in front of everyone makes every interaction so engaging because you’re worried he might finally give himself away. On top of that, he’s so deeply wounded by his past and tangled in this web that’s so much bigger than him. Even in all the twisting plotlines and motivations of those trying to manipulate him, the author never loses sight of his emotional grief and motivation. The third part was especially powerful.
I truly cannot wait for the next one. Definitely read it.
I truly cannot wait for the next one. Definitely read it.
chelsj23's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I liked this book. It was very interesting and captivating all the way through for me…. But the ending…. Sheesh I need to know what’s happens… like I JEED TO KNOW NOW! 🤯🤯🤯
lovemagicbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
meglieb's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
arcanepoet's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.75