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asreadbykat's review against another edition
4.0
True Rating: 4/5
Originally, I was going to say my true rating for this novel was 4.5/5 stars. After all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and seeing more about Morrigan's journey in Nevermoor. However, I dropped that final half star because I realized that as much as I enjoyed seeing what happened...there was so much happening in the story that it felt like nothing happened at all.
In this novel alone, Morrigan has to deal with the prejudice and discrimination against Wundersmiths; the mysterious disappearances; her own powers; and her schooling with her new group. That is A LOT to cover, and while "Wundersmith" is a thick read, it's important to remember that much of that bulk comes to smaller-sized pages with fewer words on it. There simply isn't enough space in the story to cover every single one of those plot points well, and it ends up hurting the story a bit. While a fun read, it's hard to get as fully sucked in because we're jolting from one issue to the next, without getting any real depth to them, and without truly getting to know the newer characters.
While it makes sense for plots to get more complicated as a series goes on, there is such a thing as making them cluttered, and this definitely feels like it. All of the plot points I mentioned could have worked together better, but rather than somehow seamlessly tying into each other, they all felt distinctly different to me.
That being said, I still really enjoyed the book and the world it kept expanding, and it still managed to make me excited for the third one.
TL;DR: Still a fun and interesting read, but maybe took on too much plot-wise.
Originally, I was going to say my true rating for this novel was 4.5/5 stars. After all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and seeing more about Morrigan's journey in Nevermoor. However, I dropped that final half star because I realized that as much as I enjoyed seeing what happened...there was so much happening in the story that it felt like nothing happened at all.
In this novel alone, Morrigan has to deal with the prejudice and discrimination against Wundersmiths; the mysterious disappearances; her own powers; and her schooling with her new group. That is A LOT to cover, and while "Wundersmith" is a thick read, it's important to remember that much of that bulk comes to smaller-sized pages with fewer words on it. There simply isn't enough space in the story to cover every single one of those plot points well, and it ends up hurting the story a bit. While a fun read, it's hard to get as fully sucked in because we're jolting from one issue to the next, without getting any real depth to them, and without truly getting to know the newer characters.
While it makes sense for plots to get more complicated as a series goes on, there is such a thing as making them cluttered, and this definitely feels like it. All of the plot points I mentioned could have worked together better, but rather than somehow seamlessly tying into each other, they all felt distinctly different to me.
That being said, I still really enjoyed the book and the world it kept expanding, and it still managed to make me excited for the third one.
TL;DR: Still a fun and interesting read, but maybe took on too much plot-wise.
caitief's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
punkinmuffin's review against another edition
5.0
Finished listening to this one again, just love Gemma Whelan's narration
katykelly's review
5.0
Excellent continuation, full of magic, builds a whole world you can picture.
Not designed to be read without its predecessor, it follows on from Morrigan Crow's initial introduction to Nevermoor. Having passed her trials and allowed into the Wundrous Society, knowing her 'knack' (her power), Morrigan is looking forward to learning how to control her abilities and making lifelong friends. But of course, things are never that easy, and enemies with hidden agendas start interfering in her ambitions, threatening trouble.
I thought of Harry Potter as the Wundrous students began their lessons, but there is little similarity to any popular series. It was great to revisit Morrigan and her friends, and imagine a world of magic with the story advancing into Morrigan's training.
All the characters you'll remember liking in Nevermoor are back, we don't really get any development in any apart from Morrigan herself, the story moves along and they react to what is going on, with mysteries and a deeper view of her new world.
I listened to the Audible version of this, which was very enjoyable and easy to keep up with, with the adult narrator suiting the teenage protagonist, I didn't consider her voice as too old, she voiced the range of young and older characters smoothly.
The story ends with plenty of scope for a longer series, and I might be keeping up with them.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
Not designed to be read without its predecessor, it follows on from Morrigan Crow's initial introduction to Nevermoor. Having passed her trials and allowed into the Wundrous Society, knowing her 'knack' (her power), Morrigan is looking forward to learning how to control her abilities and making lifelong friends. But of course, things are never that easy, and enemies with hidden agendas start interfering in her ambitions, threatening trouble.
I thought of Harry Potter as the Wundrous students began their lessons, but there is little similarity to any popular series. It was great to revisit Morrigan and her friends, and imagine a world of magic with the story advancing into Morrigan's training.
All the characters you'll remember liking in Nevermoor are back, we don't really get any development in any apart from Morrigan herself, the story moves along and they react to what is going on, with mysteries and a deeper view of her new world.
I listened to the Audible version of this, which was very enjoyable and easy to keep up with, with the adult narrator suiting the teenage protagonist, I didn't consider her voice as too old, she voiced the range of young and older characters smoothly.
The story ends with plenty of scope for a longer series, and I might be keeping up with them.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
zsaleh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
_aoibheann_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
ldbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
honeycomblibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jesslolsen's review against another edition
5.0
When can I get the next one!!!!?!!!
The Magic was still as strong in the second book just as much as the first one, within the first few pages I was back in Nevermoor.
The Magic was still as strong in the second book just as much as the first one, within the first few pages I was back in Nevermoor.