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Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'
Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Beginnings by Lydia Sherrer
2 reviews
bridge_to_narnia's review
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I'd give it 1.5 stars.
The Bad: the novel starts assuming that Sebastian and Lily have chemistry (they don't). The two already know each other (recentish meeting) and have established uncomfortable banter. Honestly, I don't know why Lily finds him charming because she just keeps mentioning that that is his quality. As the story moves from there, it just become more clear this is not the first book (it is). There is technically a novella set before this book#1, but is meant to be read between books 2 and 3. Also, Sebastian has his own trilogy to explain his backstory as it is then supposed to link with the Lily series, but he is very unlikable to me. The book paints him as an outcast from a Wizard family, but then doesn't elaborate on Wizarding culture, other than xenophobia. All in all the plot is fine, characters are meh to ick.
The Good: That being said, the lore are Wizard magic verse Witch magic is such an interesting premise. I wish it was more expanded upon. There are so many interesting ways to explore this concept that were not in the first book, but will probably be in place throughout the series. Also, the structure of the novel. There are 3 episodes. Lily's POV in episode 1 with a completed magical mystery task. Sebastian's POV in episode 2 with a semi-complete magical task. And the 3rd person omniscient(?) episode 3 that resolves episode 2's plot. I generally do not like skipping POV but the fact that they were basically complete story lines makes it very fun. It's like having little story snacks.
The Bad: the novel starts assuming that Sebastian and Lily have chemistry (they don't). The two already know each other (recentish meeting) and have established uncomfortable banter. Honestly, I don't know why Lily finds him charming because she just keeps mentioning that that is his quality. As the story moves from there, it just become more clear this is not the first book (it is). There is technically a novella set before this book#1, but is meant to be read between books 2 and 3. Also, Sebastian has his own trilogy to explain his backstory as it is then supposed to link with the Lily series, but he is very unlikable to me. The book paints him as an outcast from a Wizard family, but then doesn't elaborate on Wizarding culture, other than xenophobia. All in all the plot is fine, characters are meh to ick.
The Good: That being said, the lore are Wizard magic verse Witch magic is such an interesting premise. I wish it was more expanded upon. There are so many interesting ways to explore this concept that were not in the first book, but will probably be in place throughout the series. Also, the structure of the novel. There are 3 episodes. Lily's POV in episode 1 with a completed magical mystery task. Sebastian's POV in episode 2 with a semi-complete magical task. And the 3rd person omniscient(?) episode 3 that resolves episode 2's plot. I generally do not like skipping POV but the fact that they were basically complete story lines makes it very fun. It's like having little story snacks.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Classism, Abandonment, and Mental illness
foreverinastory's review
adventurous
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Car accident, and Death of parent
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