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ellakostka's review against another edition
4.0
Cults, ghosts, and a murder mystery is practically everything I love to read about and Leigh Bardugo writing it?? I am smitten. I was a little bit let down at parts and it got pretty slow, but overall, this was a great book.
The first and last 100 pages especially were fantastic. And that ending?? Dear lord I NEED the next book. Gimme.
I wish we got a bit more Darlington and Alex romance because it was kind of... nonexistent. There was some potential, I think.
One thing I love about Leigh’s writing is how she throws readers into the deep end of the plot immediately and you have to work things out as the story goes on. Even at the end when I thought everything had finally fallen into place and made sense... NOPE another plot twist!!!
Speaking of the plot twists, the first couple were kind of a let down but then Leigh was like “guess what! It’s not over” BAM another plot twist. oh, you want another one? BAM BAM BAM and I was like ok Leigh that’s good-
but they just kept coming. and I LOVED IT
you know that part in Thor where he’s drinking coffee and he loves it and he throws it on the ground and screams ANOTHER!! that’s me with the sequel to this book and all the other sequels after that
4/5⭐️
The first and last 100 pages especially were fantastic. And that ending?? Dear lord I NEED the next book. Gimme.
I wish we got a bit more Darlington and Alex romance because it was kind of... nonexistent. There was some potential, I think.
One thing I love about Leigh’s writing is how she throws readers into the deep end of the plot immediately and you have to work things out as the story goes on. Even at the end when I thought everything had finally fallen into place and made sense... NOPE another plot twist!!!
Speaking of the plot twists, the first couple were kind of a let down but then Leigh was like “guess what! It’s not over” BAM another plot twist. oh, you want another one? BAM BAM BAM and I was like ok Leigh that’s good-
but they just kept coming. and I LOVED IT
you know that part in Thor where he’s drinking coffee and he loves it and he throws it on the ground and screams ANOTHER!! that’s me with the sequel to this book and all the other sequels after that
4/5⭐️
emmalizzz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.25
justgina93's review against another edition
Just didn't care anymore and felt like a hate read to get to the end.
dani_doobiedoo's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
Magical realism slay and the end audiobook interview is so fun
Magical realism slay and the end audiobook interview is so fun
lyzaface's review against another edition
Books that jump back and forth in time aren't my jam
a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
I do not put it past Leigh to bring us an amazing story. In fact, I expect her to give me a story that unfolds with each chapter.
While I do think that the book can be 'triggering' to some, a LOT of the people are writing this out to be something that this isn't... it has adult situations, but they're fearing something that sounds like torture porn or graphic to the point of not being able to get through the story.
Guys, honestly, stop with that. The issues last about a three to five sentences. THAT'S IT.
Now that we got that out of the way: if you like S3 of Veronica Mars, Jessica Jones, Corman Strike, and ... well, the occult/magic, this is the book for you.
S3 of Veronica Mars: It takes place on a college campus. Veronica was against various guys who straight up suck. Alex enounters that.
Jessica Jones: Jessica's life was shit, her past made her who she is and while she tries to bury it, she can't.
Corman Strike: because there is a mystery - this is the first time that Leigh is taking on a 'mystery' and she does such a stellar job at it
Occult/Magic: the various college sororities are playing with magic and each of them have their own source of powers/magic assigned to them. As various characters put it, these are spoiled children playing with magic (or the 'deans' are entrusting this power to them) to make things happen - better or for worse.
The reason I rate this down a star is ... well, everything with Darlington. His character was a bit of linchpin to everything. Not only that, you only get glimpses of him through chapters that lead up to his 'disappearance'. I do feel a bit confused over the shocking revelation that you find out in the final chapter - one that I didn't seem coming nor can I really understand the schematics behind it all. But hey, guess we're going to go for a ride in Book 2.
Side note: I ended up liking North and I hope he features in the following books. Though, I have this strange inkling that he might end up being a love interest for Alex. Then again, I like their partnership. I just don't know how I feel about adding Darlington into the fray. (Then again, North is a ghost, he can't enter bodies/kick a living soul out of theirs... or can he?) BUM BUM BUM.
ANYWAY. This is, again, NOT the Grishaverse or anything similiar but it is different than the normal fare we get. If you like Neil Gaiman's books, there is a chance you might like this - certainly reads like one.
While I do think that the book can be 'triggering' to some, a LOT of the people are writing this out to be something that this isn't... it has adult situations, but they're fearing something that sounds like torture porn or graphic to the point of not being able to get through the story.
Guys, honestly, stop with that. The issues last about a three to five sentences. THAT'S IT.
Now that we got that out of the way: if you like S3 of Veronica Mars, Jessica Jones, Corman Strike, and ... well, the occult/magic, this is the book for you.
S3 of Veronica Mars: It takes place on a college campus. Veronica was against various guys who straight up suck. Alex enounters that.
Jessica Jones: Jessica's life was shit, her past made her who she is and while she tries to bury it, she can't.
Corman Strike: because there is a mystery - this is the first time that Leigh is taking on a 'mystery' and she does such a stellar job at it
Occult/Magic: the various college sororities are playing with magic and each of them have their own source of powers/magic assigned to them. As various characters put it, these are spoiled children playing with magic (or the 'deans' are entrusting this power to them) to make things happen - better or for worse.
The reason I rate this down a star is ... well, everything with Darlington. His character was a bit of linchpin to everything. Not only that, you only get glimpses of him through chapters that lead up to his 'disappearance'. I do feel a bit confused over the shocking revelation that you find out in the final chapter - one that I didn't seem coming nor can I really understand the schematics behind it all. But hey, guess we're going to go for a ride in Book 2.
Side note: I ended up liking North and I hope he features in the following books. Though, I have this strange inkling that he might end up being a love interest for Alex. Then again, I like their partnership. I just don't know how I feel about adding Darlington into the fray. (Then again, North is a ghost, he can't enter bodies/kick a living soul out of theirs... or can he?) BUM BUM BUM.
ANYWAY. This is, again, NOT the Grishaverse or anything similiar but it is different than the normal fare we get. If you like Neil Gaiman's books, there is a chance you might like this - certainly reads like one.
sauger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
ikeda89's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
megthehermit's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
I really liked the various twists and turn and how Alex kept peeling back more and more layers to finally get to truth.
maffa303's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-3.8 stars
I think 3 stars is a tad harsh, I genuinely really enjoyed this book. But when I look at books that I've recently given 4 stars, it isn't quite on their level, for me personally.
I liked the characters and their development. Really enjoyed the plot and twists. I haven't read many fantasy books set on Earth but thought the way that the magic was woven into the university was really interesting and intriguing. I understand why some people might find it slow but I thought the lace was good and steadily increased throughout. I also like the jumping back and forth between past and present, think I helps us understand the characters, their actions and the world. It is a solid book and I look forward to reading the sequel.
For me, I just didn't find myself struggling to put it down each time I picked it up and I wasn't as heavily invested in or attached to the characters in the same way as those from books I've read recently. Again, a solid read, that I genuinely enjoyed and I am excited for the sequel. 3 stars is harsh, definitely a 3.8 for me, close to 4 but not quite when compared to other books that I have rated as 4.
Would still recommend. Especially if people want to dip their toe into dark writing. Not on the level of grimdark of Joe Abercrombie or Mark Lawrence, but has a few dark moments in it to see if it's something you like in your books. Not sure it deserves the trigger warnings I've seen, it wasn't particularly dark or graphic.
I think 3 stars is a tad harsh, I genuinely really enjoyed this book. But when I look at books that I've recently given 4 stars, it isn't quite on their level, for me personally.
I liked the characters and their development. Really enjoyed the plot and twists. I haven't read many fantasy books set on Earth but thought the way that the magic was woven into the university was really interesting and intriguing. I understand why some people might find it slow but I thought the lace was good and steadily increased throughout. I also like the jumping back and forth between past and present, think I helps us understand the characters, their actions and the world. It is a solid book and I look forward to reading the sequel.
For me, I just didn't find myself struggling to put it down each time I picked it up and I wasn't as heavily invested in or attached to the characters in the same way as those from books I've read recently. Again, a solid read, that I genuinely enjoyed and I am excited for the sequel. 3 stars is harsh, definitely a 3.8 for me, close to 4 but not quite when compared to other books that I have rated as 4.
Would still recommend. Especially if people want to dip their toe into dark writing. Not on the level of grimdark of Joe Abercrombie or Mark Lawrence, but has a few dark moments in it to see if it's something you like in your books. Not sure it deserves the trigger warnings I've seen, it wasn't particularly dark or graphic.