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sharlenepeters's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Physical abuse
madzandcatz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Rape
bunnypez's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence
racheldiep's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Objectively, this book is probably a 2 or 3, but bc of my affection for Poison Study and the speed at which I blew through Magic Study, I'll give it a 4.
The only good thing I really have to say about this book is that I flew through it. I'm still trying to figure out why and how lol. Probably just sentimentality for the old characters from Book #1.
Why is it bad?
- The character development: Yelena's strength and resolve from Book #1 is something shown to the reader over time. In this book, she suddenly becomes the MOST powerful magician EVER / Mary Sue trope, and it's such a disservice to her previous development. I like reading about strong female characters as much as the next person, but it's not earned here.
- The other side characters were bland AF (with the exception of Yelena's mentor and Yelena's horse. Yes, her horse.)
- Valek has been downgraded from Yelena's equal to Yelena's simp. Don't get me wrong, I love a good simp, and ofc I think Yelena can and should exist without a man. But so much of the intrigue in Book #1 was from their dynamic and partnershship, which is nonexistent in Book #2.
- The pacing. I.e., there is none. Truly, it's all over the place.
So....is Magic Study a good book? No. Did I enjoy reading it? Ehh sure, why not.
The only good thing I really have to say about this book is that I flew through it. I'm still trying to figure out why and how lol. Probably just sentimentality for the old characters from Book #1.
Why is it bad?
- The character development: Yelena's strength and resolve from Book #1 is something shown to the reader over time. In this book, she suddenly becomes the MOST powerful magician EVER / Mary Sue trope, and it's such a disservice to her previous development. I like reading about strong female characters as much as the next person, but it's not earned here.
- The other side characters were bland AF (with the exception of Yelena's mentor and Yelena's horse. Yes, her horse.)
- Valek has been downgraded from Yelena's equal to Yelena's simp. Don't get me wrong, I love a good simp, and ofc I think Yelena can and should exist without a man. But so much of the intrigue in Book #1 was from their dynamic and partnershship, which is nonexistent in Book #2.
- The pacing. I.e., there is none. Truly, it's all over the place.
So....is Magic Study a good book? No. Did I enjoy reading it? Ehh sure, why not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: Cultural appropriation
serendipity421's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Rape, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
dukeofkel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Death
ellemelle's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
ljustin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Having survived several attempts on her life, and foiling a plot to overthrow the Ixian Commander, Yelena travels to the Sputh, to Sitia, her home before she was kidnapped as a child.
After reuniting with her family, she is taken under the wing of Irys, the Fourth Magician, to learn more about her magic and how to control it. Her lessons start off well, but before long Yelena is facing a new threat. A mystery magician is kidnapping young women and stealing their souls. Yelana and her friends must help find this magician and stop him before it's too late.
I loved this second book in the series as much as I loved the first. I enjoyed seeing the characters developing further through this book. Yelena, for example, becomes more confident and develops in her powers. I also enjoyed learning more about the magicians. They were discussed in the first book but really only as a mysterious entity. The different magics and how it works is really interesting and different to magic styles I've seen in other books.
Once again the story is full of action, no dull moments. Very easy to read and difficult to put down!
I'd continue to recommend these books for lovers of the Red Queen series and any of the Samantha Shannon books.
After reuniting with her family, she is taken under the wing of Irys, the Fourth Magician, to learn more about her magic and how to control it. Her lessons start off well, but before long Yelena is facing a new threat. A mystery magician is kidnapping young women and stealing their souls. Yelana and her friends must help find this magician and stop him before it's too late.
I loved this second book in the series as much as I loved the first. I enjoyed seeing the characters developing further through this book. Yelena, for example, becomes more confident and develops in her powers. I also enjoyed learning more about the magicians. They were discussed in the first book but really only as a mysterious entity. The different magics and how it works is really interesting and different to magic styles I've seen in other books.
Once again the story is full of action, no dull moments. Very easy to read and difficult to put down!
I'd continue to recommend these books for lovers of the Red Queen series and any of the Samantha Shannon books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Rape
felicia's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Kidnapping
Minor: Bullying, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, and Xenophobia
siglerbooknook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape