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cat_queen005's review against another edition
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
3.0
brendaclay's review against another edition
3.0
As this second book in the Magic trilogy begins, Reason, Jay-Tee, and their friend Tom are on the Australia side of the magic door, having decided to trust Reason's grandmother Esmeralda and learn whatever she can teach them about magic. But the evil Jason Blake, still on the NYC side, won't let them escape so easily. When something evil seeps through the door and attacks Reason, they assume it's from him, but she instinctively knows it's something more mysterious. So, empowered with a new, weird magic, she sets off through the door in search of answers - and finds way more than she bargained for. Meanwhile, Jay-Tee's magic is almost used up and her time is short. Is there any way to get around their curse? Oh and I did NOT see the ending coming, although I probably should have!
jsmithborne's review against another edition
4.0
So far, just as fun as the first one.
I'd recommend having all 3 of these books in hand so you don't have to slow down. I really fun story that you can just get lost in for a few days.
I'd recommend having all 3 of these books in hand so you don't have to slow down. I really fun story that you can just get lost in for a few days.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
3.0
In this sequel to Magic or Madness, the story picks up shortly after the events of the last book. Reason & Jay-Tee are to begin taking magic lessons from Esmeralda. Things go badly awry however when someone or something starts trying to get through the door from Sydney to New York. As action packed and character driven as the last book this was well-written and paced.
I would have given the book a four except for the ending. Full review/rant is below due to spoilers.
SPOILERS
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I really liked the book, right up until the moment 15-year-old Reason ends up pregnant. It's not so much that she's pregnant but the way it's presented. As though that is perfectly normal, acceptable and desirable. I disagree with the blase way teen pregnancy was treated in the ending of this book. For goodness sake Reason is 15! She's so young and a baby is a huge responsibility, not only that but she's the third generation in her family to have a child super, super young. Her mother was pregnant at fifteen as well.
Granted in Larbalestier's world and portrayal of magic, the magic-users die young and therefor must have kids young. Again, the main problem is how Reason's pregnancy is presented in this novel. She is not afraid, or apprehensive. She has little reaction at all. The repercussions of her pregnancy (granted she's just found out) just aren't there and it feels like a sort of "oh isn't that cool" attitude that disturbs me. I don't see Reason's pregnancy as realistic or inevitable from the previous events of the story. If the pregnancy had been dealt with differently, if the reasons for it had been different I think it would have been less jarring. Overall, however, the ending just really soured the series for me.
I may or may not be reading the third book. Still undecided.
I would have given the book a four except for the ending. Full review/rant is below due to spoilers.
SPOILERS
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.
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.
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I really liked the book, right up until the moment 15-year-old Reason ends up pregnant. It's not so much that she's pregnant but the way it's presented. As though that is perfectly normal, acceptable and desirable. I disagree with the blase way teen pregnancy was treated in the ending of this book. For goodness sake Reason is 15! She's so young and a baby is a huge responsibility, not only that but she's the third generation in her family to have a child super, super young. Her mother was pregnant at fifteen as well.
Granted in Larbalestier's world and portrayal of magic, the magic-users die young and therefor must have kids young. Again, the main problem is how Reason's pregnancy is presented in this novel. She is not afraid, or apprehensive. She has little reaction at all. The repercussions of her pregnancy (granted she's just found out) just aren't there and it feels like a sort of "oh isn't that cool" attitude that disturbs me. I don't see Reason's pregnancy as realistic or inevitable from the previous events of the story. If the pregnancy had been dealt with differently, if the reasons for it had been different I think it would have been less jarring. Overall, however, the ending just really soured the series for me.
I may or may not be reading the third book. Still undecided.
kebojo's review against another edition
2.0
I was very disappointed in this second volume of Larbalestier's Magic trilogy. It almost seemed to have been written by a different, and far less capable, author. The action and dialogue were disjointed and the "rules" of the magical world incomprehensible. Plus, the Aussie lingo seemed forced, even though Larbalestier is a native speaker; if I read the word "chunder" one more time, I was going to, well, chunder. Surely the Australians have synonyms for vomiting?
I'll read the third book because I'm incapable of abandoning a series, but I don't expect to like it. Maybe that's the most disappointing thing of all.
I'll read the third book because I'm incapable of abandoning a series, but I don't expect to like it. Maybe that's the most disappointing thing of all.
pinkbookscoffee's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like it quite as well as the first one, but I'm still anxious to read the last installment. I thought some of the language was a little mature for a young adult book, though that's a problem I had with the first one too. It was a bit weird at the end, but I'm hoping it will pay off in the third book.
janae's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A really interesting story, great world building and magic system.
laurabenson's review
2.0
Justine is married to Scott Westerfeld. I still think his writing is a bit tighter. But she's coming along.
refusetoshine's review
adventurous
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
bibliocat4's review
3.0
I liked this one better than the first one! Justine's magic is very interesting - if you don't use your magic, you will go mad but the more magic you do use, the shorter your life.