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izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
5.0
5/5
I feel like I’ve been waiting to read this book for months and it was SO FREAKING WORTH IT OMG. The twists and turns were so good! The ending was perfect and I can’t wait ti read the sequel!!!!!
I feel like I’ve been waiting to read this book for months and it was SO FREAKING WORTH IT OMG. The twists and turns were so good! The ending was perfect and I can’t wait ti read the sequel!!!!!
marieintheraw's review
2.0
I'll be honest, I can't exactly pinpoint it, but I am a bit upset by this book because I wanted more. More of the magic, more from the characters and a LOT from the ending. Just more of a lot of things. Honestly, there is a lot of YES in this book, like the courtroom drama, but I find myself just saddened by the things that I wanted from it more.
I received an ecopy of this through Netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through Netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
animelanie's review against another edition
3.0
Read for PRC
No indication on the book or the Goodreads info that this book is the first in a series, but it sure feels like it.
The story is told from 4 points of view, however only 1 of them is first person, the rest aren't. It's odd. Interesting concept of edem, the veil and some of the mysteries in the book, but just unsure where it's going, or if it's finished.
No indication on the book or the Goodreads info that this book is the first in a series, but it sure feels like it.
The story is told from 4 points of view, however only 1 of them is first person, the rest aren't. It's odd. Interesting concept of edem, the veil and some of the mysteries in the book, but just unsure where it's going, or if it's finished.
amybraunauthor's review
3.0
I had high hopes for this book and I think it is well written and engaging for some readers. But in the end, it wasn't the book for me. It started off very strong, with an interesting magic system, a solid premise, and personal stakes for the main character. I do think that the way each character's plot interconnects is well done and made for an exciting ending. There are some really great twists in here as well, and I can see the potential for future books.
Unfortunately, the blurb didn't equal the plot that I read, and I found it very challenging to connect with the characters.
For over half the book, the story revolves around a young man named Cayder as he tries to exonerate someone close to him for a crime. This sounds amazing until you realize that it ends up reading like a courtroom drama. Which I have nothing against since I definitely understand the lure of procedurals and the high tension that can come from such stories. And it truly was there, so fans of that genre will be pleased.
But I wasn't interested in a courtroom drama. I was hoping for more magic and mystery, as well as backstabbing. I was hoping for a much more in-depth jailbreak than was actually placed in the novel. The magic and monsters are also so compelling, but they were woefully underused.
As for the characters, I found it hard to connect with them. Jey is fun, Graymond is a sweetheart, and Elenora is complicated, but I couldn't connect with Leta and wasn't really a fan of Cayder's attitude. The bond he formed with Elenora seemed a little rushed and so its twist at the end didn't quite strike home for me.
The book has some great illustrations and use of text that make for a fun experience. I think Scholte is a talented, creative writer who likes to experiment with high concepts. I do think that this is an easy read for anyone looking for a popcorn-style book and who also enjoys crime procedurals. Though this was not the Six of Crows style-book I thought it was, I do recommend giving it a shot if you're interested.
Unfortunately, the blurb didn't equal the plot that I read, and I found it very challenging to connect with the characters.
For over half the book, the story revolves around a young man named Cayder as he tries to exonerate someone close to him for a crime. This sounds amazing until you realize that it ends up reading like a courtroom drama. Which I have nothing against since I definitely understand the lure of procedurals and the high tension that can come from such stories. And it truly was there, so fans of that genre will be pleased.
But I wasn't interested in a courtroom drama. I was hoping for more magic and mystery, as well as backstabbing. I was hoping for a much more in-depth jailbreak than was actually placed in the novel. The magic and monsters are also so compelling, but they were woefully underused.
As for the characters, I found it hard to connect with them. Jey is fun, Graymond is a sweetheart, and Elenora is complicated, but I couldn't connect with Leta and wasn't really a fan of Cayder's attitude. The bond he formed with Elenora seemed a little rushed and so its twist at the end didn't quite strike home for me.
The book has some great illustrations and use of text that make for a fun experience. I think Scholte is a talented, creative writer who likes to experiment with high concepts. I do think that this is an easy read for anyone looking for a popcorn-style book and who also enjoys crime procedurals. Though this was not the Six of Crows style-book I thought it was, I do recommend giving it a shot if you're interested.
ainsleysouthern's review against another edition
4.0
4 ✨
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. the concept is intriguing. looking forward to reading the sequel.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. the concept is intriguing. looking forward to reading the sequel.
optimisticbooknerd's review
3.0
I didn't hate this one but it did drag in some places and I can see some comparisons to Six of Crows this wasn't as exciting.
The writing was fine, the characters were my favorite about this and I'm not sure if this is a standalone or a series but I did find a lot of the plot didnt get resolved so I'm just going to hope there's another book.
Thankyou to Negalley and Penguin Random House for letting me read this arc :)
3⭐
The writing was fine, the characters were my favorite about this and I'm not sure if this is a standalone or a series but I did find a lot of the plot didnt get resolved so I'm just going to hope there's another book.
Thankyou to Negalley and Penguin Random House for letting me read this arc :)
3⭐
emilyrainsford's review
4.5
Now THIS is what I read YA for.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
It's easy to read. It's pacy. It's got interesting world building without being dense. It's got multiple well developed characters without boring you to tears with flashbacks (I'm looking at you, SoC). It's got twists and turns. It's got characters that act their age but without being annoying. It's got age appropriate relationships that aren't written for the adult gaze. It's got betrayals and magic and timey stuff. It gets frankly a little ridiculous towards the end but you don't even care because it's FUN!
It's set in a world where magic lives in any shadows but is illegal to use. Cayder wants to become a prosecutor to bring magic criminals like the one who killed his mum to justice. He's obsessed with this big fancy prison where the criminals go. But when he interns for a public defence lawyer there, he starts to realise that maybe it's not all as black and white as it seems...
I like his character arc and there's definitely a good lil message in there if you're paying attention.
Plus there's an attempted jailbreak, and like I say, suspend disbelief and you'll have a heckin good time. It ends on a stellar cliffhanger and I'm glad to have the sequel to pick straight up!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
It's easy to read. It's pacy. It's got interesting world building without being dense. It's got multiple well developed characters without boring you to tears with flashbacks (I'm looking at you, SoC). It's got twists and turns. It's got characters that act their age but without being annoying. It's got age appropriate relationships that aren't written for the adult gaze. It's got betrayals and magic and timey stuff. It gets frankly a little ridiculous towards the end but you don't even care because it's FUN!
It's set in a world where magic lives in any shadows but is illegal to use. Cayder wants to become a prosecutor to bring magic criminals like the one who killed his mum to justice. He's obsessed with this big fancy prison where the criminals go. But when he interns for a public defence lawyer there, he starts to realise that maybe it's not all as black and white as it seems...
I like his character arc and there's definitely a good lil message in there if you're paying attention.
Plus there's an attempted jailbreak, and like I say, suspend disbelief and you'll have a heckin good time. It ends on a stellar cliffhanger and I'm glad to have the sequel to pick straight up!
karnivorous's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
littleduckreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75