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hailstorm4's review against another edition
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Toxic relationship
jaded_kitty's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual harassment
savvyrosereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Twins Tory and Darcy learn they’re the long-lost heirs to the throne of Solaria—if they can graduate from a magic school where most of the student body wants them dead.
Eh? I was warned that the writing of this series left a bit to be desired, so I went in prepared, but I cannot stress enough that the writing is…not good. If you need top-tier writing to fully enjoy a book series, this is not for you—there are a lot of grammar/punctuation issues, the pacing is bizarre, there are loads of ridiculous cliche phrases (and the use of random out-of-context Spanish words to make sure we realize one of the characters is Latinx). The plot was also a little bonkers, and each of the characters made a series of bad decisions and overall drove me nuts.
That said, the world these books are set in is unique and pretty fun, and I found myself intrigued by the magic system and generally wanting to know what would happen next. My friend Hannah has compared these to movie theater popcorn, and I totally agree with that. Is it the best meal? No. Will you keep eating it if there’s a bowl sitting in front of you? Yes. For that reason, I’m definitely going to continue the series (though I don’t expect to go that quickly, which is why I’m planning to do individual reviews as I go!)
Recommended if you like: books about magic boarding schools, yes including the one you’re thinking of right now; dark/bully romance (I’m told—there was very little romance, dark or otherwise, in this one); popcorn fantasy
CW: Loads of violence/bullying/attempted murder; discussion of death of parents; references to foster care abuse/neglect
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Violence, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Car accident
celine_engel8's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Bullying
Minor: Addiction, Car accident, Alcoholism, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
panels2pages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
A fae-filled world that also features vampires, werewolves, dragons, peguses (pegusi?), and other fantastical creatures who feed off the weak. This is a leech-filled society perfectly content to bully and energy-rape anyone too weak to defend herself. But the four elements are also integral to the magic system... But also somehow the system is based on the zodiac? It's... a lot. But don't worry. You won't be bogged down by world-building as there's very very little of that.
I read this for a book club and after 13% of the book, considered quitting the book club and never speaking to those folks again. At 60% through I was changed. Forever warped by the promise of narrative redemption. Spoiler alert: I found none, but I was still compelled to finish the book. It read like 50 Shades of Grey or Twilight. You know it's bad, but it's easier to get off the ride by finishing it out, maybe. I don't know. I read it. I liked it at moments, but in that way you like McNuggets before they make you feel like a piece of garbage later.
I absolutely abhor the ways in which consent is repeatedly and overtly violated throughout this book. But it's also consciously justified as a completely acceptable way of life in fae-world.
Have I mentioned they have ipads with FaeBook? Or cars because who needs magic to travel in fairyland? I'm mad all over again. Read with caution.
Moderate: Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
1navn's review
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Torture, Confinement, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
nordicat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcohol and Violence
Minor: Incest, Body shaming, Death of parent, and Abandonment
omega's review against another edition
Found the bullying and whole “toxic situation to be dealt with” a bit too much and just tiring for being kinda exaggerated and never actually dealt with, losing any enjoyment of the characters getting over it.
And mostly got truly fed up of them calling the 4 main boys hot and pretty while they where ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIC PEOPLE that don’t deserve ANY positive attention, so I didn’t understand the need for so much unnecessary and inappropriate constant comments about how hot the pieces of shit were.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Racism, Bullying, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
ifoundcallie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Bullying, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Car accident, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Torture, Stalking, Incest, and Vomit
rachelreadsrelentlessly's review
3.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content