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hannah_curtis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
thewellreadmrs's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.25
Synopsis: Twins. One brother born for good one brother born for evil. Both set to mentor the future generations.
Twin brothers have been fated by "The Pen" to mentor students at the school for Good and Evil. Think Harry Potter Houses, where all students take classes together, but Good and Evil are rewarded equally the more they fine tune their "true" inner spirits.
"The Pen" writes the stories of the students of the schools. With the good students usually turning up the heroes and the evil students turning into the villains of some well known fairy tales. Even Captain Hook makes an appearance, "The Pan" and Aladdin.
Loves:
- Magic without being "witchcraft"
- Plot twist at the end - didn't see that coming but should have. It was never explicitly stated. (You'll know when you know.)
- Sibling Rivalry vs. True familial love
Pain Points:
- I listened to the audio book which had amazing narration, however I do wonder if I would have experienced this differently had I read the words myself. I didn't get swept away as much as I would have liked to - which had me removing one star.
- If you haven't heard the stories/seen the movies of Aladdin or Peter Pan - it may be hard for some to get the context and connection to the characters.
- "Wands" are introduced and it began to feel a little Harry Potterish towards the end.
Final Thoughts: Enjoyable. Fun adventure. Multiple action scenes. Kept me interested enough to want to reach the next book, but not rushing to read it immediately.
bluebellreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐️ Really enjoyed reading this book, cool world and fun take on a fairytale story
claudiafernandes1703's review against another edition
5.0
So... I have s lot of thoughts and I need to rant. That twist oh the twist! First of all I always liked Rafal in the main series so I was thrilled to know more about him and his brother.
I loved their bickering, they reminded me of an old married couple... but then Rhian started to get cocky thinking he was the Pen's favorite and I was like 'nooo I know you die but I want you and Rafal to be happy so stfu and stop escalating this situation!!!' and then Rafal was gone and Rhian let his inner school girl out and I felt so seen when Marialena and the Deans called him out on his dumb bulshit! I usually don't like characters making this many dumb decisions but Rhian was just so entertaining.
At first I thought it was kinda cute how he was building a castle out of pettiness but then I realized how little thought he put on the logistics of having a glass castle and how easily he fell for every lie just because a handsome guy was telling it and I swear my first thought was 'You remind me of Sophie when she was in denial about how evil she is...' (I even thought while laughing to myself that the book could be renamed "how to screw things up with your twin over a boy - by Rhian aka dumb-dumb ") but I didn't pay attention to it, so when the ending came I felt so stupid! The signs were all there even Vulcan called it out!
I am still shook but it all makes sense now, I didn't understand how Rafal could ever turn on Rhian, yes he was by no means the perfect brother but he was devoted, Rhian was his light and even when he was hurt he loved his brother ... but Rhian? He loved his twin but he was always looking recklessly for more, more love, more glory... he didn't mind screwing balance, he was selfish and still expected his twin to always sort his messes...
I have no idea how things escalated from this to a war but what I do know is that I want them to sort this out to find balance again but I know this won't happen CUZ ONE OF THEM DIES AND RIGHT NOW I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF THE RAFAL WE KNEW WAS EVEN RAFAL!!!!
I loved this book but I hate that I know it won't have a happy ending and that I can't read the sequel right now.
I loved their bickering, they reminded me of an old married couple... but then Rhian started to get cocky thinking he was the Pen's favorite and I was like 'nooo I know you die but I want you and Rafal to be happy so stfu and stop escalating this situation!!!' and then Rafal was gone and Rhian let his inner school girl out and I felt so seen when Marialena and the Deans called him out on his dumb bulshit! I usually don't like characters making this many dumb decisions but Rhian was just so entertaining.
At first I thought it was kinda cute how he was building a castle out of pettiness but then I realized how little thought he put on the logistics of having a glass castle and how easily he fell for every lie just because a handsome guy was telling it and I swear my first thought was 'You remind me of Sophie when she was in denial about how evil she is...' (I even thought while laughing to myself that the book could be renamed "how to screw things up with your twin over a boy - by Rhian aka dumb-dumb ") but I didn't pay attention to it, so when the ending came I felt so stupid! The signs were all there even Vulcan called it out!
I am still shook but it all makes sense now, I didn't understand how Rafal could ever turn on Rhian, yes he was by no means the perfect brother but he was devoted, Rhian was his light and even when he was hurt he loved his brother ... but Rhian? He loved his twin but he was always looking recklessly for more, more love, more glory... he didn't mind screwing balance, he was selfish and still expected his twin to always sort his messes...
I have no idea how things escalated from this to a war but what I do know is that I want them to sort this out to find balance again but I know this won't happen CUZ ONE OF THEM DIES AND RIGHT NOW I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF THE RAFAL WE KNEW WAS EVEN RAFAL!!!!
I loved this book but I hate that I know it won't have a happy ending and that I can't read the sequel right now.
classysassreads's review
5.0
Just wow
Now this definitely took a turn and prove me wrong for sure because rhian being the one the vision was about with betrayal war and death blew my mind. Everything surely came full circle can’t wait for part 2.
Now this definitely took a turn and prove me wrong for sure because rhian being the one the vision was about with betrayal war and death blew my mind. Everything surely came full circle can’t wait for part 2.
johanna_b's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read:
I'm just realizing that I never came back to write my original review for this book! I needed to read it again before starting the sequel and this time I listened to the audio-book. It wasn't quite as good as I remember from reading it the first time around, but Kit Young's narration was fantastic! Full thoughts to come =)
I'm just realizing that I never came back to write my original review for this book! I needed to read it again before starting the sequel and this time I listened to the audio-book. It wasn't quite as good as I remember from reading it the first time around, but Kit Young's narration was fantastic! Full thoughts to come =)
vallows's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Lo leí por la portada siendo sincera, el arte es muy lindo, pero no conozco como tal la historia y los otros libros
maggie1903's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
littlewit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
The story was interesting. It seemed a little slow at first and then picked up. It feels a bit like a longer book was cut into two. Undecided on whether I will read the second.