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rubyrouge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
After buying this book in 2020, and not reading it until now, I actually really enjoyed it! I was surprised by how fast-paced it was, but I think it kept the emotions and anticipation high! The book felt as if we were building up to something *big*, and the ending definitely delivered that! I really like the characters, maybe not Callum. I think my favourite is Parisa! Her and Tristan were definitely the stars of the book, and I hope they have a bigger focus on Book 2!! Overall, I really enjoyed the fantasy element of a hidden society of medians, and the plot twist at the end was completely unexpected! I can't wait to read Book 2! (P.S. The scene between Callum and Parisa was... Mindblowingly incredible.)
matasatan's review against another edition
5.0
It was academically magical and everyone should kind of have sex with each other.
shubbard116's review against another edition
2.0
I waffled back and forth between 2-3 stars… but realized the 2 stars goes to the first 75% and the 3 goes to the last 25% of the book. So 2 it is!
I read a review that sums up really well how I feel about this book, so thank you ishika whoever you are, because you helped me formulate the abstract thoughts in my head and make a review.
I think I need to take a hard step back from all these booktok/book tube books because what those people are into is not what I’m into. The majority of the book was like an episode of gossip girl. Who wants to sleep with who, I’m going to use this person to win, I fight like a brat with this person because it’s our relationship, I was seduced into cheating on my boyfriend with a threesome… what? I think I’m supposed to like these characters. I think it was supposed to be “they’re rough around the edges but you can’t help but love them”. No. I hated them. First of all, it’s clear Reinas not important because she was barely mentioned. It was said a ZILLION times that Libby is uber powerful if she only had confidence… but that was never shown. Nico has a weird and boring infatuation with some half mermaid thing. Parisa was written in solely because sex sells. Tristan was the only one mildly interesting but then they somehow completely changed his character halfway through. And the plot twist at the end annoyed me greatly because it literally seemed like they were trying to pick the least likely character just to shock you more even though it made absolutely zero sense.
And what’s the moral question… should you murder for power? That one’s obvious soo….
I thought that this was going to be like a magic version of hunger games. Instead it was MAYBE (and this is generous) 25% magical hunger games, and 75% people sitting around using each other and pretending they say deep things.
I think my reviews keep getting more annoyed. I need better book recommendation sources.
I read a review that sums up really well how I feel about this book, so thank you ishika whoever you are, because you helped me formulate the abstract thoughts in my head and make a review.
I think I need to take a hard step back from all these booktok/book tube books because what those people are into is not what I’m into. The majority of the book was like an episode of gossip girl. Who wants to sleep with who, I’m going to use this person to win, I fight like a brat with this person because it’s our relationship, I was seduced into cheating on my boyfriend with a threesome… what? I think I’m supposed to like these characters. I think it was supposed to be “they’re rough around the edges but you can’t help but love them”. No. I hated them. First of all, it’s clear Reinas not important because she was barely mentioned. It was said a ZILLION times that Libby is uber powerful if she only had confidence… but that was never shown. Nico has a weird and boring infatuation with some half mermaid thing. Parisa was written in solely because sex sells. Tristan was the only one mildly interesting but then they somehow completely changed his character halfway through. And the plot twist at the end annoyed me greatly because it literally seemed like they were trying to pick the least likely character just to shock you more even though it made absolutely zero sense.
And what’s the moral question… should you murder for power? That one’s obvious soo….
I thought that this was going to be like a magic version of hunger games. Instead it was MAYBE (and this is generous) 25% magical hunger games, and 75% people sitting around using each other and pretending they say deep things.
I think my reviews keep getting more annoyed. I need better book recommendation sources.
samanthaaf21's review against another edition
5.0
am i obsessed with this book? yes. am i smart enough to understand it? no. do i think you should read it? absolutely.
kcfolsom82's review against another edition
Right now, it just seems to be the writing. The plot itself is intriguing.
andotherworlds's review against another edition
3.0
3 // a touch aggressive on the pretentious dialogue at times but overall enjoyable enough to get through
fox1105's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
bookmarvel's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
whiterubys's review against another edition
5.0
“We are the gods of our own universes, aren't we? Destructive ones.”
I really don't know how I am supposed to read another book again. Like, seriously. This book has everything.
A group of six extraordinarily gifted magicians are made an offer they can't refuse: to be caretakers of the lost Alexandrian Library. However, there is a catch. While six are selected, only five can be initiated. As the six grow more intertwined with one another and break the laws of magic, making their own, they learn that not everything is as it seems.
I kept hearing about this on Book Twitter, and I was very skeptical because hyped books don't always live up to my expectations. I'm thrilled to announce I was proven dead wrong. This book is literally amazing. I laughed out loud at some parts, and at other parts I wanted to throw it off my balcony (I live on the fifth floor, too, so this would've done some damage). This is one of the most well-crafted books I've ever read. Every scene was enchanting, every character was so different and layered, and the relationships were incredibly complex. I do not have a single criticism about this book.
I really don't know how I am supposed to read another book again. Like, seriously. This book has everything.
A group of six extraordinarily gifted magicians are made an offer they can't refuse: to be caretakers of the lost Alexandrian Library. However, there is a catch. While six are selected, only five can be initiated. As the six grow more intertwined with one another and break the laws of magic, making their own, they learn that not everything is as it seems.
I kept hearing about this on Book Twitter, and I was very skeptical because hyped books don't always live up to my expectations. I'm thrilled to announce I was proven dead wrong. This book is literally amazing. I laughed out loud at some parts, and at other parts I wanted to throw it off my balcony (I live on the fifth floor, too, so this would've done some damage). This is one of the most well-crafted books I've ever read. Every scene was enchanting, every character was so different and layered, and the relationships were incredibly complex. I do not have a single criticism about this book.