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maria_schnecki's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
**I won this in a storygraph giveaway**
Lesser Demons starts off with the MC, a teenage girl named Zanny, being told she is part of a species of people being able to manipulate particle structures. But not just that, no, she is also the "chosen one", destined to save the universe from a great impending doom, even though she had no prior training and no idea what this is all about. At this point, the book sounds more or less like most of the typical 2010s fantasy distopians mixed with a little bit of sci fi.
However, the thing that distinguishes Lesser Demons is the unique "magic system" of particle manipulation. This concept was rather different and interesting and, at most times, this magic was explained quite well to the reader, showing Zanny having to memorize certain patterns or showing which ways there are to store energy. That being said, I still wished for the author to focus more on this magic system, as it honestely is the original selling point of this book. I really had the feeling that in the end,the particle manipulation skills turned more into full-on-avatar-element-bending - and honestely, why establish a complex magic system with patterns to memmorize and concepts to understand when the all-powerful way-reader can just slap all of this hefty energy out if and when they need to? . I found it really disappointing to have this whole unique magic concept just to throw it all out the window when it is convenient - just like any other typical YA dystopia.
I really don´t love comparision but this book reminded me a lot of the Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep - which, agein, is kinda sad when the concept was so promisingly unique.
But away from all the negativity, this was a well written book about a very likeable, but still flawed enough main caracter with a great concept and a convincing plot. The pacing is someting to slightly adjust, as I found the first half to drag quite a bit. That being said, powering through this first half proved to be worthwile because the second half was fast-paced, enjoyable and gripping. I also quite liked the side characters, which had a nice character depth and meaningful interactions.
Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone who wasn´t around for the chosen-one-dystopia-hype of the 2010s or who wants to feel nostalgic about these times. I would also recommend it to a slightly younger audience, which doesn´t mean NA and up can´t enjoy it either. I am quite looking forward to the sequel to find out more about these characters!
Lesser Demons starts off with the MC, a teenage girl named Zanny, being told she is part of a species of people being able to manipulate particle structures. But not just that, no, she is also the "chosen one", destined to save the universe from a great impending doom, even though she had no prior training and no idea what this is all about. At this point, the book sounds more or less like most of the typical 2010s fantasy distopians mixed with a little bit of sci fi.
However, the thing that distinguishes Lesser Demons is the unique "magic system" of particle manipulation. This concept was rather different and interesting and, at most times, this magic was explained quite well to the reader, showing Zanny having to memorize certain patterns or showing which ways there are to store energy. That being said, I still wished for the author to focus more on this magic system, as it honestely is the original selling point of this book. I really had the feeling that in the end,
I really don´t love comparision but this book reminded me a lot of the Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep - which, agein, is kinda sad when the concept was so promisingly unique.
But away from all the negativity, this was a well written book about a very likeable, but still flawed enough main caracter with a great concept and a convincing plot. The pacing is someting to slightly adjust, as I found the first half to drag quite a bit. That being said, powering through this first half proved to be worthwile because the second half was fast-paced, enjoyable and gripping. I also quite liked the side characters, which had a nice character depth and meaningful interactions.
Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone who wasn´t around for the chosen-one-dystopia-hype of the 2010s or who wants to feel nostalgic about these times. I would also recommend it to a slightly younger audience, which doesn´t mean NA and up can´t enjoy it either. I am quite looking forward to the sequel to find out more about these characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Grief, and Addiction
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Torture
belava's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide
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