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taniedarling's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
amanda_ryan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
misleroux's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
The tense aggravated me to no end, making the sentences clunky. The story & characters saved it.
listenbeforeigo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lilmermaid246's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bibliophile_girl_08's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.25
I enjoy learning from stories I read and wasn't much to learn but a very enjoyable story.
saga99's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
writicious's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
spinebreaker_101's review against another edition
3.0
3.6
Okay this wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Yeah, the way this book is written is very simple but sometimes it’s nice to have a break from good/flavourful/complex writing I suppose (?). I feel like this is only acceptable because the world-building is actually quite interesting and the trials weren’t that bad or that generic - I like that there is failure there as it makes it more credible when considering the ability level of our main character.
I thought that everyone having a surname relating to a day of the week would be a bit of an ick but it’s actually not bad and I see why it’s the way it is, though I’m stuck on figuring out how everyone doesn’t accidentally get with their distant cousin because family trees must get a bit confusing and that is quite concerning ..
Take a shot every time there is any mention of Winnie clicking her teeth. Wtf does that even mean? How does one click their teeth and why would you even do that as a stress response??? THAT was the real ick. Equally so, the way that having glasses was her biggest personality trait … bye
Aside from that, I actually wanted to know what happens next. There was a level of intrigue in a lot of aspects which is why I’m glad I didn’t DNF this book because there is a big reveal at the very end which now makes me want to get the next book. Also I want to see more awkwardness between Jay and Winnie who have their own weird past.
A lot of the time, when there are creatures/monsters/demons etc involved, they can be depicted in a very basic, unimaginative and one-dimensional way - this book luckily was quite creative in that aspect. It’s hard to think of things that literally do not exist and then giving those things characteristics of some sorts so I can definitely appreciate the detail here (eg the poison extracted from a banshee’s claws can do x, y, z). This for sure gives us better than surface level world building. The illustrations were also cool, it’s like we were able to get a sneak peek into the Compendium itself.
A very YA book that I would’ve probably 5 starred if I was in my early teens again, but nonetheless I will carry onto the next book because it’s an easy read and I’m intrigued how the story will unfold.
Okay this wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Yeah, the way this book is written is very simple but sometimes it’s nice to have a break from good/flavourful/complex writing I suppose (?). I feel like this is only acceptable because the world-building is actually quite interesting and the trials weren’t that bad or that generic - I like that there is failure there as it makes it more credible when considering the ability level of our main character.
I thought that everyone having a surname relating to a day of the week would be a bit of an ick but it’s actually not bad and I see why it’s the way it is, though I’m stuck on figuring out how everyone doesn’t accidentally get with their distant cousin because family trees must get a bit confusing and that is quite concerning ..
Take a shot every time there is any mention of Winnie clicking her teeth. Wtf does that even mean? How does one click their teeth and why would you even do that as a stress response??? THAT was the real ick. Equally so, the way that having glasses was her biggest personality trait … bye
Aside from that, I actually wanted to know what happens next. There was a level of intrigue in a lot of aspects which is why I’m glad I didn’t DNF this book because there is a big reveal at the very end which now makes me want to get the next book. Also I want to see more awkwardness between Jay and Winnie who have their own weird past.
A lot of the time, when there are creatures/monsters/demons etc involved, they can be depicted in a very basic, unimaginative and one-dimensional way - this book luckily was quite creative in that aspect. It’s hard to think of things that literally do not exist and then giving those things characteristics of some sorts so I can definitely appreciate the detail here (eg the poison extracted from a banshee’s claws can do x, y, z). This for sure gives us better than surface level world building. The illustrations were also cool, it’s like we were able to get a sneak peek into the Compendium itself.
A very YA book that I would’ve probably 5 starred if I was in my early teens again, but nonetheless I will carry onto the next book because it’s an easy read and I’m intrigued how the story will unfold.