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roseybot's review
2.0
I skimmed the end. I just... couldn't.
The main character was given too much of a free pass in this book for me to ever like it. None of her choices lead to the conclusion. Plus she was annoying as shit, never thinking about what she was doing (except when convenient for the story), with all the characters around her giving her free passes.
I'm putting this in the pile of books that Throne of Glass, Blood Red Road and Red Queen belong in -- heroines who are too bad ass for the story to slow them down, resulting in terrible story telling.
The main character was given too much of a free pass in this book for me to ever like it. None of her choices lead to the conclusion. Plus she was annoying as shit, never thinking about what she was doing (except when convenient for the story), with all the characters around her giving her free passes.
I'm putting this in the pile of books that Throne of Glass, Blood Red Road and Red Queen belong in -- heroines who are too bad ass for the story to slow them down, resulting in terrible story telling.
mrose21's review
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?:
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
----------------------------------
What happens?
I DNF so I don't really know. But she uses magic and basically vaporises a shifter.
Final thoughts
This was just boring and I couldn't keep myself focused on reading it. I think this is just the way the author writes as I've felt the same about another book of hers. I could force myself to finish this one but whats the point?
Would I read again?: No
Would I read this author again?: Think its time to say no thank you.
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?:
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
----------------------------------
What happens?
I DNF so I don't really know. But she uses magic and basically vaporises a shifter.
Final thoughts
This was just boring and I couldn't keep myself focused on reading it. I think this is just the way the author writes as I've felt the same about another book of hers. I could force myself to finish this one but whats the point?
Would I read again?: No
Would I read this author again?: Think its time to say no thank you.
suflet's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this series, I would recommend it!!
True story: I was reading this series while at a family reunion and when my mom asked what I was reading my brother (who had no idea of the title or cover of the book I was reading on my ereader and was purely guessing based on what he knew of me) jokingly interjected "she's reading a book about a witch that can turn into a black cat" and I, with great dignity, informed them that I was reading a book about a werepanther who is discovering she has unusual magical powers in a gritty steampunk world so WHILE HE WAS TECHNICALLY CORRECT ON ALL POINTS, his analysis left a lot out. But also if you told me a book was about a witch who could turn into a black cat then yes I would buy it based on that alone.
True story: I was reading this series while at a family reunion and when my mom asked what I was reading my brother (who had no idea of the title or cover of the book I was reading on my ereader and was purely guessing based on what he knew of me) jokingly interjected "she's reading a book about a witch that can turn into a black cat" and I, with great dignity, informed them that I was reading a book about a werepanther who is discovering she has unusual magical powers in a gritty steampunk world so WHILE HE WAS TECHNICALLY CORRECT ON ALL POINTS, his analysis left a lot out. But also if you told me a book was about a witch who could turn into a black cat then yes I would buy it based on that alone.
amandatastic's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Not the deepest book I've ever read, but it was quick and enjoyable. Great, considering it was a free download from Amazon. I want to keep reading the series... I need to know what happens next!
thelauramay's review against another edition
2.0
Not, by any stretch of the imagination, *good* - but also completely unchallenging, and so comforting in its own way. Hooray for clichés and predictable, derivative storylines, I guess?
christene_littlelibrary's review
2.0
Burned by Magic has a good plot but unfortunately the main character is annoying af and seems childish as she was not able to control her emotions at times. She was also ungrateful, she dont see that the Chief mage is helping her and she throws a tantrum everytime. This book has so much potential, the world building was good. 2.5/5
lauraeliza23's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
nightshade_novels's review
4.0
I had no idea what this book was going to be about when I started it, but the world that Walt has created is brilliant. I love the interactions between the Mages, Shifters and Humans. The shifters were my favourite of the three, although that could partly be due to the strong positive way in which Sunaya portrays them in the story. I really liked the way in which they are partly controlled by their animal instincts and hormones.
I would definitely like to find out what happens next in the following books as so much is left to discover.
I would definitely like to find out what happens next in the following books as so much is left to discover.
Spoiler
I am particularly looking forward to seeing Sunaya learn more magic and also learning more about what is up with the Resistance.akayeh's review
4.0
Could have been five stars except...
This book has a stellar cast and an outstanding plot. Unfortunately it also has a decided penchant for foul language which I prefer not to use in my own life. The story would have been equally as strong if the author had chosen other words instead of so many f-sharps.
This book has a stellar cast and an outstanding plot. Unfortunately it also has a decided penchant for foul language which I prefer not to use in my own life. The story would have been equally as strong if the author had chosen other words instead of so many f-sharps.
book_whispers's review
2.0
First it needs to be said that this book is edited right. I did not want to bash my brains out due to grammar errors. The writing isn't too bad either. It has life and a flavor to it. Sadly the overall story, events, and characters bored me. I fell asleep while reading. Had to skip a few parts that basically went exactly how I knew they would. (For a read-every-word girl like me, that's not a good sign.)
The first thing I need to touch base with was the world building. The idea of a world where humans evolved into mages, and then the mages experimented on humans that then created shifters is awesome. When first diving into the story I thought this was an urban fantasy read. It felt like it. It revealed we were not on our earth, but a totally made up one. Cool. Then all of a sudden a steambike pops up and whams me in the face. OK. I rolled with it because the idea that this is a made up world with steampunk technology thrilled me.
So it was a steampunk fantasy world!
Maybe? The technology felt off because there was a power plant and lots of things that didn't quite fit a steampunk world. Such as sweatpants. And I'm assuming they are sweats, because that is the term used for them. Sweats in fantasy/steampunk worlds are usually “loose pants” or “baggy pants”. “Work out pants.” So on. Because the type of technology to make our kind of sweats does not mesh with the world.
I'm a picky reader. I felt like Walt simply wanted me to feel in the blanks. Assume a lot of things about this world. Which sucked.
Ah, the cast of characters. Who all felt barrowed from other stories and pieced together. Definitely urban fantasy characters. Who did and said the things I expected them to. The lead was supposed to be witty and snarky, but I found her more stupid and irritating. Rude. The male interests where boring and so typical that no attempt was made to flesh them out.
Oh, and the lead is magically attracted to the rude—excuse me mysterious/misunderstood—Chief Mage. AKA the man with all the power that seems like a bad guy but isn't. Of course she's drawn to him despite herself.
The mystery of her mentor's death and the “silver murders” is tacked onto the lead's secret being found out and so on. It's all rather boring. And well typical. (Yeah, I'm tired of using that word.) Actually it may have behooved this series to get us to care about the lead and her world before playing all of its cards.
The names of the characters have already left my head. Instead I remember them as stereotypes that did their stereotypical things. That just happened to be cut into a stereotypical UF plot. Which is a true shame as the basis of this world was so unique. With an underwhelming romance and boring plot. Despite the fact that this is supposed to be a fantasy steampunk world. It all falls short because it's so busy following the steps of a Urban Fantasy book that it forgets to be itself. To build emotions and distinguish its characters from the many others out there. To build the world and not just the buildings and rooms. To have the world figured out enough to clue readers into the hows and whys. Thumbs up for solid editing. Thank you.
Sexual Content: Sexual humor, minor dark themes, and overall clean.
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out.
Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.
The first thing I need to touch base with was the world building. The idea of a world where humans evolved into mages, and then the mages experimented on humans that then created shifters is awesome. When first diving into the story I thought this was an urban fantasy read. It felt like it. It revealed we were not on our earth, but a totally made up one. Cool. Then all of a sudden a steambike pops up and whams me in the face. OK. I rolled with it because the idea that this is a made up world with steampunk technology thrilled me.
So it was a steampunk fantasy world!
Maybe? The technology felt off because there was a power plant and lots of things that didn't quite fit a steampunk world. Such as sweatpants. And I'm assuming they are sweats, because that is the term used for them. Sweats in fantasy/steampunk worlds are usually “loose pants” or “baggy pants”. “Work out pants.” So on. Because the type of technology to make our kind of sweats does not mesh with the world.
I'm a picky reader. I felt like Walt simply wanted me to feel in the blanks. Assume a lot of things about this world. Which sucked.
Ah, the cast of characters. Who all felt barrowed from other stories and pieced together. Definitely urban fantasy characters. Who did and said the things I expected them to. The lead was supposed to be witty and snarky, but I found her more stupid and irritating. Rude. The male interests where boring and so typical that no attempt was made to flesh them out.
Oh, and the lead is magically attracted to the rude—excuse me mysterious/misunderstood—Chief Mage. AKA the man with all the power that seems like a bad guy but isn't. Of course she's drawn to him despite herself.
The mystery of her mentor's death and the “silver murders” is tacked onto the lead's secret being found out and so on. It's all rather boring. And well typical. (Yeah, I'm tired of using that word.) Actually it may have behooved this series to get us to care about the lead and her world before playing all of its cards.
The names of the characters have already left my head. Instead I remember them as stereotypes that did their stereotypical things. That just happened to be cut into a stereotypical UF plot. Which is a true shame as the basis of this world was so unique. With an underwhelming romance and boring plot. Despite the fact that this is supposed to be a fantasy steampunk world. It all falls short because it's so busy following the steps of a Urban Fantasy book that it forgets to be itself. To build emotions and distinguish its characters from the many others out there. To build the world and not just the buildings and rooms. To have the world figured out enough to clue readers into the hows and whys. Thumbs up for solid editing. Thank you.
Sexual Content: Sexual humor, minor dark themes, and overall clean.
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out.
Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.