Scan barcode
cptn_compacitor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
mindsplinters's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is actually a 3.5 but I couldn't quite bring myself to round up because it felt like an editor should have brought down the pacing stick harder. That said, I did like it and I need to read the next one because CLIFF HANGER. Blake really takes time to introduce the characters and the basic concepts of the world. Each character has a different feel to them and a different voice (though, with the exception of Libby, they all could use much better parental units, holy shit). Also I know Dalton isn't as old as my brain wants to make him but I can't help but picture him all Giles-y and that is rather hot and intriguing - especially with the inner Ripper-esque thing going on. Also, while I'm sure Nico is supposed to be the most-loved of the Six, my heart melts for poor, gaslit, conflicted, self-esteem issues Tristan. Probably not a healthy instinct but what can you do? Blake really makes your heart hurt for him, poor baby.
And the magic system is really complicated but fascinating and clearly Blake has put an immense amount of thought into it. I appreciate a good magical system. It shows forethought and magic is so easy to just hand-wave that an effort is something special.
So the main issue I had with the book was the pacing. As in, it was a LOT of world-building and getting-to-know-them and backstory with a few bursts of action here and there. I feel like it could have been streamlined to create a tighter effect. The next book really better dive straight in because that cliff hanger was for real.
And the magic system is really complicated but fascinating and clearly Blake has put an immense amount of thought into it. I appreciate a good magical system. It shows forethought and magic is so easy to just hand-wave that an effort is something special.
So the main issue I had with the book was the pacing. As in, it was a LOT of world-building and getting-to-know-them and backstory with a few bursts of action here and there. I feel like it could have been streamlined to create a tighter effect. The next book really better dive straight in because that cliff hanger was for real.
squishsquish's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
laurolly's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I felt that each characters POV was well written and I was really engaged with the story (I had a lot of theories which I wanted to be proved right or wrong so couldn’t put the book down for long).
That being said, there isn’t a lot that happens throughout the book. Everything seems to be a “tell” instead of a “show”, meaning that characters are said to be super powerful and intriguing but the story itself doesn’t really show that. There is a lot of build up to the final chapters but these chapters then feel very rushed and unsatisfying. I am hoping that the second book builds on this.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I felt that each characters POV was well written and I was really engaged with the story (I had a lot of theories which I wanted to be proved right or wrong so couldn’t put the book down for long).
That being said, there isn’t a lot that happens throughout the book. Everything seems to be a “tell” instead of a “show”, meaning that characters are said to be super powerful and intriguing but the story itself doesn’t really show that. There is a lot of build up to the final chapters but these chapters then feel very rushed and unsatisfying. I am hoping that the second book builds on this.
bellella's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
amellett's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tencutepuppies's review against another edition
5.0
(5) How does this book not have more hype? I still have no idea how to encapsulate the extent of my feelings on it. It’s just too smart for me.
yram997's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
emilys_pageturners's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
This book turned out completely different than I expected and I really loved it!
Sometimes I even felt like I was in a class there and I mean that in the best possible way.
The characters were all flawed and kind of morally grey and I absolutely loved it!
I really liked the magic system and the whole book was very atmospheric. The multiple POV's worked really wel and naturally flowed from one character to the next. There also were some plot twists that I did not see coming. And that ending...!
This is dark academia at it's best and I can't wait to read the next book!
Sometimes I even felt like I was in a class there and I mean that in the best possible way.
The characters were all flawed and kind of morally grey and I absolutely loved it!
I really liked the magic system and the whole book was very atmospheric. The multiple POV's worked really wel and naturally flowed from one character to the next. There also were some plot twists that I did not see coming. And that ending...!
This is dark academia at it's best and I can't wait to read the next book!