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garbutch's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, Torture, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Trafficking, Violence, Alcohol, Gun violence, Stalking, Child death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Vomit, Trafficking, Gun violence, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death, Child death, Slavery, Racism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Child abuse, and Murder
silly_little_clown's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
This book kept me engaged the whole time! I couldn’t finish the book in a shorter period of time because of life, but I think if I were given all the free time in the world I would’ve consume this book in three days max.
I love jack, wil, ruth and jessamy. I like their characterization and their growth towards the end of the book. It was really satisfying to see their relationships develop. The book is a bit open-ended(?) but I don’t really mind it since I think that fits the journey that they’re going to embark on more :D (however that doesn’t mean I would say no to a sequel or side story though haha)
I love jack, wil, ruth and jessamy. I like their characterization and their growth towards the end of the book. It was really satisfying to see their relationships develop. The book is a bit open-ended(?) but I don’t really mind it since I think that fits the journey that they’re going to embark on more :D (however that doesn’t mean I would say no to a sequel or side story though haha)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, Torture, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Misogyny, Gun violence, Eating disorder, Stalking, Sexism, Homophobia, Racism, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
fishindices's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
komicat's review against another edition
DNF 53%
Ok I thought cool a book about Stage Magicians and two boys. Well why not. It's hard to find books with stage magicians. So of course I had to read it. But... well... the characters are interesting. I like the Enchantress and her unapproachable manner. She's also menacing. Cold. But in her own way caring. Contrary to Teddy. He's dangerous, fickle, and he's an abuser... who also "cares" in his own way but it's much more bitter and evil. In comparison that is. At first it was let's say ok how he treated Wilhelm and the description of his feelings caused by the abuse. But then it went over the top and got more stressful. The main character Jack is helpless and well he could do something but I think he won't because he still isn't sure what he wants and where to go. And most of all how to solve this situation without anyone getting harmed.
There is also racism mentioned in the book. But I guess they solved it with a strong black female character who is likeable and interesting.
There is also Lucia who is a fascinating Character. I'd have loved to read more about her. The Enchantress was more in the background and so unapproachable that she seemed distant. Almost shallow. Her whole Character. While Teddy was like a psychopath abusing Wilhelm as he saw fit.
I admit I thought it would be an adventurous story about two magicians or something like that because I think in the book description nothing of the abuse was mentioned. I mean why? Wilhelm is so tormented... he's an Interesting character but it's so overshadowed by the negative emotions he has to endure. There's no room for character growth as long as he's captured. Jack is the only one who can grow.
I'm half way through this book and I don't know if I can take it anymore. I don't know if the boys will Progress Wilhelms Situation. Not even in their relationship since there's no room for it! I'm tempted to skip to the end or skim through the pages to see if it's getting better or if it's wasted time... I just wish they could work out Wilhelms situation as soon as possible and even better with magic! Well I guess I hope for too much.
So this book became a DNF at 53%. I just can't take it anymore. The abuse got worse. Jack decided to help Wil and there was this interesting part where they tried to find out Wils hometown via hypnosis but the whole part didn't lead to anything and I finally lost my interest. Besides this there's so much tell instead of show. One of them (can't remember who) mentioned how clever the other one is because he read a lot of books and so on but it was never shown through action or conversation. The only thing Jack and Wil did was spending time together and eating. Honestly I can't remember anything else. I mean I get it both are young, one of them has a hard life... it's the same with Jack. He is so unbothered by his life situation in contrary to all the people around him. He even doesn't know what he wants. Maybe for the plot line so he has to figure this out while figuring out how to free Wil or I don't know. Or maybe I'm not the right audience for this book. I mean yeah he's only 16 or so and so on but... it gave me the feeling the whole story is leading to nowhere and is repeating itself over and over again until Jack finds out what he wants or someone or something is pushing him in this direction. It was hard to read. Someone mentioned in some review that Wils ability never gets explained and that also is a let down because it's such a important thing and you also want to know how it fits in this world and why he is able to do this as it seems he is the only one known of. You can't build a realistic world with stage magic and than put some one if a kind magical character in it without explaining how it works.
Ok I thought cool a book about Stage Magicians and two boys. Well why not. It's hard to find books with stage magicians. So of course I had to read it. But... well... the characters are interesting. I like the Enchantress and her unapproachable manner. She's also menacing. Cold. But in her own way caring. Contrary to Teddy. He's dangerous, fickle, and he's an abuser... who also "cares" in his own way but it's much more bitter and evil. In comparison that is. At first it was let's say ok how he treated Wilhelm and the description of his feelings caused by the abuse. But then it went over the top and got more stressful. The main character Jack is helpless and well he could do something but I think he won't because he still isn't sure what he wants and where to go. And most of all how to solve this situation without anyone getting harmed.
There is also racism mentioned in the book. But I guess they solved it with a strong black female character who is likeable and interesting.
There is also Lucia who is a fascinating Character. I'd have loved to read more about her. The Enchantress was more in the background and so unapproachable that she seemed distant. Almost shallow. Her whole Character. While Teddy was like a psychopath abusing Wilhelm as he saw fit.
I admit I thought it would be an adventurous story about two magicians or something like that because I think in the book description nothing of the abuse was mentioned. I mean why? Wilhelm is so tormented... he's an Interesting character but it's so overshadowed by the negative emotions he has to endure. There's no room for character growth as long as he's captured. Jack is the only one who can grow.
I'm half way through this book and I don't know if I can take it anymore. I don't know if the boys will Progress Wilhelms Situation. Not even in their relationship since there's no room for it! I'm tempted to skip to the end or skim through the pages to see if it's getting better or if it's wasted time... I just wish they could work out Wilhelms situation as soon as possible and even better with magic! Well I guess I hope for too much.
So this book became a DNF at 53%. I just can't take it anymore. The abuse got worse. Jack decided to help Wil and there was this interesting part where they tried to find out Wils hometown via hypnosis but the whole part didn't lead to anything and I finally lost my interest. Besides this there's so much tell instead of show. One of them (can't remember who) mentioned how clever the other one is because he read a lot of books and so on but it was never shown through action or conversation. The only thing Jack and Wil did was spending time together and eating. Honestly I can't remember anything else. I mean I get it both are young, one of them has a hard life... it's the same with Jack. He is so unbothered by his life situation in contrary to all the people around him. He even doesn't know what he wants. Maybe for the plot line so he has to figure this out while figuring out how to free Wil or I don't know. Or maybe I'm not the right audience for this book. I mean yeah he's only 16 or so and so on but... it gave me the feeling the whole story is leading to nowhere and is repeating itself over and over again until Jack finds out what he wants or someone or something is pushing him in this direction. It was hard to read. Someone mentioned in some review that Wils ability never gets explained and that also is a let down because it's such a important thing and you also want to know how it fits in this world and why he is able to do this as it seems he is the only one known of. You can't build a realistic world with stage magic and than put some one if a kind magical character in it without explaining how it works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Racism
monniebiloney's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Had a great beginning and a great climax, but was a little slow in the middle.
I loved the setting alot, and William and Jack were cute together. I loved how even though the "romance" was the main motivator for the main characters actions (it's because Jack liked William that he decided that he had to help William away from his' abusive "family", and it's because William was in love with Jack that he was willing to brave against his abusive "Father" ).
The best part of this book was definitely the climax, the fact the MC told his "mother" about what happened and they all worked together to con Teddy so that Teddy would get arrested was great! I thought it was hilarious when the mom diches out with the gold. It's a slight plot hole that she decided to not tell Jack and just ditch out on him [it felt like that was done just so that Jack could be free, rather then something she would do]
I loved the setting alot, and William and Jack were cute together. I loved how even though the "romance" was the main motivator for the main characters actions (it's because Jack liked William that he decided that he had to help William away from his' abusive "family", and it's because William was in love with Jack that he was willing to brave against his abusive "Father" ).
The best part of this book was definitely the climax,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Trafficking, Torture, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, Alcohol, Sexism, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Murder, Vomit, Self harm, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Stalking, Lesbophobia, and Racism
eleven_hummingbird's review against another edition
A historical fantasy featuring a romance between two young magicians. One relies on clever tricks, the other is capable of actual wizardry.
On digital storefronts, this book is marketed as "turn-of-the-nineteenth-cenury." This is inaccurate. The story starts in 1909, being rather the turn of the twentieth century. I hope the print copy did not fail to miss such an oversight. That digital marketplaces have not amended this mistake is, frankly, gross negligence.
Another complaint on the digital edition is the contents page. Rather than being listed in any sort of useful structure, the chapters are simply listed in an alternating crescendo of "Jack; Wilhelm; Jack; Wilhelm;" and so forth.
These were the first red flags, and we've not even started reading the book yet. Unfortunately, things do not improve.
The prose is nothing more than serviceable, and the dialogue is just disinteresting.
The historical setting is not utilized in any interesting nor creative way beyond aesthetics, and even these are not described in an engaging manner.
The narrative itself is not impressive either. Orphan narratives can be told well, but these boys are just abused and taken advantage of for little reason other than to make one feel sorry for them.
Wilhelm is physically and verbally abused. He is forced to wear a restraint, yet he apparently has the magical power to teleport at will. While the complexities of an abusive relationship might keep him from escaping for psychological reasons, it makes no sense for him to suffer the restraint. Further, it is not explained why Wilhelm feels he has to keep his talent a secret.
Unfortunately, the characters are just not likeable, rather leaning more towards insufferable. Jack is introduced as a calous heartbreaker. He is taken up under the Enchantress, who seems like a mysterious, intelligent, and daring lady, but on introduction is shown to be shallow, manipulative, and mean. Wilhelm does not have much to say, nor think. His abuser, meanwhile, is described as "plain, forgettable even." The cast expands early on with the introduction of Ruth. She is pleasant enough, but is sexualized and plagued by white-saviorism.
I hope this book gets better, but these are my impressions fifteen-percent through, and I am not inclined to continue further.
On digital storefronts, this book is marketed as "turn-of-the-nineteenth-cenury." This is inaccurate. The story starts in 1909, being rather the turn of the twentieth century. I hope the print copy did not fail to miss such an oversight. That digital marketplaces have not amended this mistake is, frankly, gross negligence.
Another complaint on the digital edition is the contents page. Rather than being listed in any sort of useful structure, the chapters are simply listed in an alternating crescendo of "Jack; Wilhelm; Jack; Wilhelm;" and so forth.
These were the first red flags, and we've not even started reading the book yet. Unfortunately, things do not improve.
The prose is nothing more than serviceable, and the dialogue is just disinteresting.
The historical setting is not utilized in any interesting nor creative way beyond aesthetics, and even these are not described in an engaging manner.
The narrative itself is not impressive either. Orphan narratives can be told well, but these boys are just abused and taken advantage of for little reason other than to make one feel sorry for them.
Wilhelm is physically and verbally abused. He is forced to wear a restraint, yet he apparently has the magical power to teleport at will. While the complexities of an abusive relationship might keep him from escaping for psychological reasons, it makes no sense for him to suffer the restraint. Further, it is not explained why Wilhelm feels he has to keep his talent a secret.
Unfortunately, the characters are just not likeable, rather leaning more towards insufferable. Jack is introduced as a calous heartbreaker. He is taken up under the Enchantress, who seems like a mysterious, intelligent, and daring lady, but on introduction is shown to be shallow, manipulative, and mean. Wilhelm does not have much to say, nor think. His abuser, meanwhile, is described as "plain, forgettable even." The cast expands early on with the introduction of Ruth. She is pleasant enough, but is sexualized and plagued by white-saviorism.
I hope this book gets better, but these are my impressions fifteen-percent through, and I am not inclined to continue further.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Racism
mals_library's review against another edition
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Misogyny, Classism, Homophobia, Sexism, and Racism
simixfe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
The only thing I didn't love were the "inspirational" and "deep" quotes the author threw in at random
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Racism, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcohol and Death of parent
evilyn's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
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