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sharonskinner's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a nice twist on demons and magic. Unfortunately, I did not like the protagonist much and that made the story a bit of a slog. However, it was worth the read.
mrsjkamp's review against another edition
2.0
I listened to this in honor of Sarah Rees Brennan week in the book blog community. I wanted to like this. I really did.
Being an audio book listener, I tried to listen to this one. A male narrates it (James Langton), which is usually a turn-off for me (unless it's Phil Gigante of course). I wasn't completely put off by his voice, but some of the voices for the characters were pretty lame. I've never listened to this narrator before, and I'm always willing to try out a new voice. I think I'll pass on his books if I find another one read by him. I'll stick with the print.
So this book already had that not going for it. Then the main character happens to be so unlikeable. By the end I understood why he was like that, but still. The whole thing just felt like one big testosterone fest. From a female author? Hmm.
Also, I don't happen to be a fan of the sci-fi type like this. Demons are one thing, but magicians? I don't know.. just not for me. Same thing with angels. Those aren't always my thing. I think I'll stick with the vampires and werewolves. And I seriously need to read an adult book. I went off on a tangent there, sorry.
Full review on here on my blog (Mickey @ imabookshark)
Being an audio book listener, I tried to listen to this one. A male narrates it (James Langton), which is usually a turn-off for me (unless it's Phil Gigante of course). I wasn't completely put off by his voice, but some of the voices for the characters were pretty lame. I've never listened to this narrator before, and I'm always willing to try out a new voice. I think I'll pass on his books if I find another one read by him. I'll stick with the print.
So this book already had that not going for it. Then the main character happens to be so unlikeable. By the end I understood why he was like that, but still. The whole thing just felt like one big testosterone fest. From a female author? Hmm.
Also, I don't happen to be a fan of the sci-fi type like this. Demons are one thing, but magicians? I don't know.. just not for me. Same thing with angels. Those aren't always my thing. I think I'll stick with the vampires and werewolves. And I seriously need to read an adult book. I went off on a tangent there, sorry.
Full review on here on my blog (Mickey @ imabookshark)
kellyjcm's review
3.0
Cliffhanger ending that definitely makes me want to read on in the series! Heartbreaking to read about Alan and Nick's relationship. Although I had this in middle school library, I think it might move up to the high school. Loved the Goblin Market and reference to Christina Rossetti!
bibliofiendlm's review against another edition
5.0
A great read! Marvelous twist on a magical plot. Great portrayal of complicated sibling relationships, cool villain and very well written. I loved the story twists and turns. I'll definitely check out others in the trilogy.
drkappitan's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Enjoyable, and solidly paced. I'd have liked a bit more explanation of magic's origins in this world, but one can't have everything!
lydsansthekidd's review against another edition
3.0
There were a lot of markers from your usual YA novel in this. You had the sort of love triangle between Nick, Alan, and Mae. There was also the usual trope that is prevalent in supernatural YA where someone finds out the truth about their birth. The funny thing is they were there... sort of. Like, the love triangle sort of existed, but not really. Nick was sort of into Mae, but didn't want her because Alan did, but then he doesn't care and it's all a little wishy-washy. I mean, it doesn't help that the third-person limited point of view focusing on Nick doesn't have much to work with since he doesn't conventionally show emotion. The "surprise" about the person's true lineage isn't really a surprise either because it's obvious that they aren't quite what they should be. (Trying to keep it vague, but I think I still probably gave some of it away.)
Tropes aside, the book is still interesting. There are some really good moments in the prose. The characters can be flat, but they're just compelling enough. All and all, I liked it enough.
I will say though that I think this book got recommended to me through the LGBT+ tag. There is a gay character and he's an adorable disaster, but I definitely wish that he had more "screen time" since he was one of the four main characters. I was frequently hoping that instead of sort of fighting over Mae, one of the brothers would show interest in Jamie.
Tropes aside, the book is still interesting. There are some really good moments in the prose. The characters can be flat, but they're just compelling enough. All and all, I liked it enough.
I will say though that I think this book got recommended to me through the LGBT+ tag. There is a gay character and he's an adorable disaster, but I definitely wish that he had more "screen time" since he was one of the four main characters. I was frequently hoping that instead of sort of fighting over Mae, one of the brothers would show interest in Jamie.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
4.0
Nick and his brother Alan are on the run from magicians, trying to keep their mother and a talisman she owns safe. Their entire lives have been spent moving, staying one step ahead. When the magicians find them again matters are complicated when Alan decides to help a brother and sister who have run into trouble of their own. Jamie has a third-tier demon mark and it's only a matter of time before the demons claim him. His sister Meg isn't about to let that happen and soft-hearted Alan volunteers to help.
I struggled with this book. The main character, Nick, is not an overly sympathetic character. Seems like every page is filled with him being irrationally angry and just generally pissed at the world and everyone in it. The one thing he cares about is his brother and otherwise he's completely self-involved, detached, pissed-off and violent. He kills without a thought. All of that makes it hard to connect with Nick as a character and I toyed with idea of stopping the book. But the underlying ideas were intriguing. Despite some technical faults in the writing (minor, but noticeable like over-repetition) it is an interesting story.
For 2/3 of the book I could have continued or stopped reading and it'd have been fine either way. The book hadn't caught me. The last third however did everything the first part of the book didn't. It made sense. All of the things that bothered me about Nick were explained and had a purpose. I don't see how Brennan could have written him differently. But she brings everything to a satisfying conclusion and in the end, I do like Nick and Alan. I enjoyed the book. I guessed the big reveal about halfway through but I wasn't 100% sure so I kept reading. It felt natural and not forced and a logical outgrowth of the story before. Brennan did a good job laying her ground work. I strongly suspect there may be a follow-up novel and if so I'll definitely be reading it.
I struggled with this book. The main character, Nick, is not an overly sympathetic character. Seems like every page is filled with him being irrationally angry and just generally pissed at the world and everyone in it. The one thing he cares about is his brother and otherwise he's completely self-involved, detached, pissed-off and violent. He kills without a thought. All of that makes it hard to connect with Nick as a character and I toyed with idea of stopping the book. But the underlying ideas were intriguing. Despite some technical faults in the writing (minor, but noticeable like over-repetition) it is an interesting story.
For 2/3 of the book I could have continued or stopped reading and it'd have been fine either way. The book hadn't caught me. The last third however did everything the first part of the book didn't. It made sense. All of the things that bothered me about Nick were explained and had a purpose. I don't see how Brennan could have written him differently. But she brings everything to a satisfying conclusion and in the end, I do like Nick and Alan. I enjoyed the book. I guessed the big reveal about halfway through but I wasn't 100% sure so I kept reading. It felt natural and not forced and a logical outgrowth of the story before. Brennan did a good job laying her ground work. I strongly suspect there may be a follow-up novel and if so I'll definitely be reading it.
jbojkov's review against another edition
1.0
Ok- I didn't actually finish this! I just could not make myself continue- I wasn't intrigued by the plot nor did I care about the characters. I finally decided it just was not worth it- especially when I discovered that this is the first in a trilogy.
frootjoos's review against another edition
5.0
Superb! I usually have a hard time coming up with books to recommend to young male readers, as most of the books I read have decidedly female-leaning storylines. And while there aren't princesses, fairies, or girl-ninjas in this one, the pouty-lipped guy on the cover (Nick, as it turns out) screams "girl-getter" to me.
However, the story really does revolve around the relationship between brothers Nick and Alan Ryves as they run around England fleeing various Magicians' Circles who are hunting them for a talisman, one that is the only thing keeping their madwoman of a mother alive. When one brother is marked by a demon, the hunt comes to a head--they must kill or be killed.
As if that weren't enough pressure, a similarly marked sibling pair comes to the Ryves brothers for help. Nick's always been the bad boy, the delinquent kid even his own mother can't seem to love; Alan has always been the knight in shining armor. But when Nick starts discovering that Alan has been keeping secrets from him, the bonds between brothers begin to unravel. Who is really the angel, and which is the demon?
Well-written and tightly plotted, Brennan's debut is a must-read.
However, the story really does revolve around the relationship between brothers Nick and Alan Ryves as they run around England fleeing various Magicians' Circles who are hunting them for a talisman, one that is the only thing keeping their madwoman of a mother alive. When one brother is marked by a demon, the hunt comes to a head--they must kill or be killed.
As if that weren't enough pressure, a similarly marked sibling pair comes to the Ryves brothers for help. Nick's always been the bad boy, the delinquent kid even his own mother can't seem to love; Alan has always been the knight in shining armor. But when Nick starts discovering that Alan has been keeping secrets from him, the bonds between brothers begin to unravel. Who is really the angel, and which is the demon?
Well-written and tightly plotted, Brennan's debut is a must-read.
kiiouex's review against another edition
4.0
surprisingly really liked this one!
it's definitely YA in a way that loses a lot of points - "we're from a world of danger and magic you pathetic normies could never understand, but let me explain all of it to you and answer your follow up questions, while sneering derisively" - and the main female character was Aggravating enough to put me off a sequel that's All About Her, but!
the core of this book is the relationship between two brothers and it was really good. I thought there were enough layers of Stuff to keep the real issues secret until close enough to the end; I think the viewpoint choice of being in the unemotional character's PoV the whole time, struggling with trying to keep his much more empathetic brother happy and also safe was great; I just, I thought the characterisation and emotions were great.
All the peripheral bits (anything romantic) were sloppy as heck but idk, I think it worked and I got pretty into it
it's definitely YA in a way that loses a lot of points - "we're from a world of danger and magic you pathetic normies could never understand, but let me explain all of it to you and answer your follow up questions, while sneering derisively" - and the main female character was Aggravating enough to put me off a sequel that's All About Her, but!
the core of this book is the relationship between two brothers and it was really good. I thought there were enough layers of Stuff to keep the real issues secret until close enough to the end; I think the viewpoint choice of being in the unemotional character's PoV the whole time, struggling with trying to keep his much more empathetic brother happy and also safe was great; I just, I thought the characterisation and emotions were great.
All the peripheral bits (anything romantic) were sloppy as heck but idk, I think it worked and I got pretty into it