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kmackatie's review against another edition
3.0
[b:Ruthless Magic|39718964|Ruthless Magic (Conspiracy of Magic, #1)|Megan Crewe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1524160818s/39718964.jpg|61390355] is the first book in a new series by author [a:Megan Crewe|2839407|Megan Crewe|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1413660351p2/2839407.jpg], and is a fresh take on how magic may exist in the modern world. From engaging characters, a new magic system, and a mystery that takes a while to unravel, this book is a great fun read.
Magic wielders and regular people co-exist in modern society, with the magical space overseen by the Confederation of Mages, or more commonly referred to as the Confed. Each year, aspiring mages who come of age apply for a position at the College of the North American Confederation of Mages and are either accepted or denied. This number is capped to satisfy the non-magical 'Dulls' and make them feel like the balance can't shift too much in Mages favour. If you don't make the cut, you have the option of declaring and taking part in the Exam. If you can prove your worth, you can be named Champion and be awarded a place of honour at the College.
Finn Lockwood and Rocio Lopez both find themselves in circumstances where they declare for the Exam. Finn comes from one of the prestigious ancient mage families, desperate to prove he has what it takes to live up to his name. Rocio is from new magic, and has to fight every step of the way to even be part of the conversation.
Thrown together on the first day of the Exam, along with friends and foes alike, the young mages must use every bit of strength and skill to survive.
This is the first of Crewe's novels that I've read, and Crewe has an easy writing style that is effortless to read. The characters were unique and diverse, something so rarely seen in YA books today. The setting in Manhattan was gritty and real, and the interplay between magic and non-magic so seamlessly done. Ruthless Magic had all the elements of a great starting point, but it lacked that spark of something that would have made me fall completely in love.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and at times couldn't put it down, but it just didn't completely grab me.
The romance plot that was woven through fell into the insta-love space which is a trope I generally can't get on board with. The main part of this novel took place over four days, which is an unrealistic time frame to meet someone and then say you're in love with them. In the highly emotional and physical circumstances the characters went through, it doesn't seem like the right time for it to be happening at all. This is probably the biggest thing that held me back from giving Ruthless a four-star rating.
Will I pick up the next one? For sure. Ruthless Magic ends with a question that I need an answer too.
- Katie
Thank you to Netgalley, Megan Crewe, and the publisher Another world Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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In the contest to keep their magic, the only options may be die... or kill.
Magic wielders and regular people co-exist in modern society, with the magical space overseen by the Confederation of Mages, or more commonly referred to as the Confed. Each year, aspiring mages who come of age apply for a position at the College of the North American Confederation of Mages and are either accepted or denied. This number is capped to satisfy the non-magical 'Dulls' and make them feel like the balance can't shift too much in Mages favour. If you don't make the cut, you have the option of declaring and taking part in the Exam. If you can prove your worth, you can be named Champion and be awarded a place of honour at the College.
Finn Lockwood and Rocio Lopez both find themselves in circumstances where they declare for the Exam. Finn comes from one of the prestigious ancient mage families, desperate to prove he has what it takes to live up to his name. Rocio is from new magic, and has to fight every step of the way to even be part of the conversation.
Thrown together on the first day of the Exam, along with friends and foes alike, the young mages must use every bit of strength and skill to survive.
This is the first of Crewe's novels that I've read, and Crewe has an easy writing style that is effortless to read. The characters were unique and diverse, something so rarely seen in YA books today. The setting in Manhattan was gritty and real, and the interplay between magic and non-magic so seamlessly done. Ruthless Magic had all the elements of a great starting point, but it lacked that spark of something that would have made me fall completely in love.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and at times couldn't put it down, but it just didn't completely grab me.
The romance plot that was woven through fell into the insta-love space which is a trope I generally can't get on board with. The main part of this novel took place over four days, which is an unrealistic time frame to meet someone and then say you're in love with them. In the highly emotional and physical circumstances the characters went through, it doesn't seem like the right time for it to be happening at all. This is probably the biggest thing that held me back from giving Ruthless a four-star rating.
Will I pick up the next one? For sure. Ruthless Magic ends with a question that I need an answer too.
- Katie
Thank you to Netgalley, Megan Crewe, and the publisher Another world Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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wilko's review against another edition
4.0
Solid 3.5 star just shy of a 4 star
This is a slow burn book, but tit is well worth the wait to get to where it starts to really crack on with everything. This has some interesting world building, I like how we get a history of magic so we get why things are the way they are and how the magic is not just straight forward magic it comes in different ways so no need for a wand for some people! I liked Finn and Rocio they are opposites but they work, this is definitely a mix of quiet a few well known YA books/movies and it does work well. Once they get into the games everything starts to get amped up in the book as the games are a serious matter and you do not want to lose! I think this has great potential and book 2 could be a fantastic read after all the learnings from this book.
This is a slow burn book, but tit is well worth the wait to get to where it starts to really crack on with everything. This has some interesting world building, I like how we get a history of magic so we get why things are the way they are and how the magic is not just straight forward magic it comes in different ways so no need for a wand for some people! I liked Finn and Rocio they are opposites but they work, this is definitely a mix of quiet a few well known YA books/movies and it does work well. Once they get into the games everything starts to get amped up in the book as the games are a serious matter and you do not want to lose! I think this has great potential and book 2 could be a fantastic read after all the learnings from this book.
readliftbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Ruthless Magic indeed. The story begins with a young man named Finn trying to impress his family with his feeble magical ability. Finn comes from a long-time magical family, and yet he’s struggled to keep up with his magical peers. He’s desperate to prove himself to his granduncle and his father that he deserves placement at The Academy, and doesn’t want to be given a placement simply because of his familial relations.
The magical confederation determines which youth will be granted admission into the Academy for tutoring, and which will instead be “dampered”. If you’re not chosen for The Academy, your magical ability is dampered down to just a single enhanced ability, such as being a great cook. Finn’s best friend Prisha is the first in her family to be magical. The Confed doesn’t trust new magic. Their intent with their magical ability can’t be trusted. Discrimination runs rampant throughout this story.
Clearly a few young and brave souls need to change the hierarchy while surviving the test.
If not chosen for The Academy, a person can challenge the decision by declaring for “The Exam”, a magical test put on by The Confed. No one knows just what The Exam entails, only that it is dangerous. Rocio, our second point of view in Ruthless Magic knows all too well that the exam has cost lives of previous participants. Passing The Exam allows each champion to retain all of their magical ability. Failure is worse than the dampering. All of your magical ability is stripped away.
Hunger Games, meets Dumbledore’s Army with a Divergent twist.
Naturally, The Exam is much more dangerous than any of the examinees could have imagined. A few of them are suspicious of The Confed but wisely keep it to themselves. When met with very unsettling news from the examiners, all of them must make a difficult choice. They can forfeit and lose their magic, or they can continue for a chance to keep their magic while sacrificing their morals. Definitely an awful twist in the story.
In Ruthless Magic, no one is a witch/wizard, all simply mages. There are no wands. Magic is intertwined with the mage and is released with a rhythm or song lyric. This lends to a more honest and organic feeling of magic. Megan Crewe did a fantastic job of setting up the series for the next book. There is enough conclusion to be satisfied with this portion of Finn and Rocio’s story; however, there is definitely more Ruthless Magic ahead of them.
The magical confederation determines which youth will be granted admission into the Academy for tutoring, and which will instead be “dampered”. If you’re not chosen for The Academy, your magical ability is dampered down to just a single enhanced ability, such as being a great cook. Finn’s best friend Prisha is the first in her family to be magical. The Confed doesn’t trust new magic. Their intent with their magical ability can’t be trusted. Discrimination runs rampant throughout this story.
Clearly a few young and brave souls need to change the hierarchy while surviving the test.
If not chosen for The Academy, a person can challenge the decision by declaring for “The Exam”, a magical test put on by The Confed. No one knows just what The Exam entails, only that it is dangerous. Rocio, our second point of view in Ruthless Magic knows all too well that the exam has cost lives of previous participants. Passing The Exam allows each champion to retain all of their magical ability. Failure is worse than the dampering. All of your magical ability is stripped away.
Hunger Games, meets Dumbledore’s Army with a Divergent twist.
Naturally, The Exam is much more dangerous than any of the examinees could have imagined. A few of them are suspicious of The Confed but wisely keep it to themselves. When met with very unsettling news from the examiners, all of them must make a difficult choice. They can forfeit and lose their magic, or they can continue for a chance to keep their magic while sacrificing their morals. Definitely an awful twist in the story.
In Ruthless Magic, no one is a witch/wizard, all simply mages. There are no wands. Magic is intertwined with the mage and is released with a rhythm or song lyric. This lends to a more honest and organic feeling of magic. Megan Crewe did a fantastic job of setting up the series for the next book. There is enough conclusion to be satisfied with this portion of Finn and Rocio’s story; however, there is definitely more Ruthless Magic ahead of them.
jennicareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.5
Harry Potter meets Hunger Games meets Maze Runner. It was fine. Interesting enough. It just felt a bit aslow and failed to get me invested in the characters or storyline. I don’t plan to finish the series.
This was the very first book I got approved for on NetGalley, 5 years ago! Yikes. It was very long and I never talked myself in to reading it. 🙈 I read 75% of the prequel and fizzled out before I ever got to this one. I recently found it on audio through Hoopla and decided to get it done! I’m glad to have it off my mental to-do list and it wasn’t bad.
This was the very first book I got approved for on NetGalley, 5 years ago! Yikes. It was very long and I never talked myself in to reading it. 🙈 I read 75% of the prequel and fizzled out before I ever got to this one. I recently found it on audio through Hoopla and decided to get it done! I’m glad to have it off my mental to-do list and it wasn’t bad.
leeza_robertson_writes's review against another edition
3.0
I have to say this book ended up being a lot better than I thought it would be. I wasn't expecting much at all, but what I got was a thrilling ride of a book that one might mistake as the love child of the Hunger Games and the Maze Runner, but with magicians! This book is really well paced and had quite intense moments which drive the plot along effortlessly. The character arcs are not bad either as they feel realistic and honest. This is an action-packed magical journey like nothing I have read before. This is not your average magic fiction story, instead, it is refreshingly original and I really do look forward to reading the other books in this series.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks Netgalley for a ARC to read and get be my honest opinion.
This book is like Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and Mortal instruments all rolled up in one...but the author puts a good enough spin on it to make it her own. My first by this author and even though Im not a huge fan of dystopian-like books this book made me curious how the Hunger Games would have played out if there had been magic. The book bounces between two main characters, Rocio, and Finn, but there are several key players.
Rocio is a have not in my book, she grew up poor, has to attend a basic school with teachers that have very little Magic experience. She, however, is full of the affinity for magic. She is refused a spot in the North American confederation of Mages college, not because she doesn't deserve a spot but because of where she comes from. She has to take the mages test to either become a champion or have her magic burned out.
Finn is a have.... he has all the best schools, money, family ties...you name it. He has been offered a spot in college but he refuses it. Refuses to take a spot because there are more deserving people who are better at magic than him. He doesn't want to be handed a spot, he wants to earn it. He decided to enter the games with his friend Prisha who was denied a spot, going against his powerful family's wishes.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the challenges they face during the exam. There are only so many spots for champion so the battle is cutthroat until the end. Without it facing any spoilers I would definitely continue the series, and recommend it to anyone who likes Hunger Games. I give it Four stars of entertainment! Thanks for a great read.
This book is like Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and Mortal instruments all rolled up in one...but the author puts a good enough spin on it to make it her own. My first by this author and even though Im not a huge fan of dystopian-like books this book made me curious how the Hunger Games would have played out if there had been magic. The book bounces between two main characters, Rocio, and Finn, but there are several key players.
Rocio is a have not in my book, she grew up poor, has to attend a basic school with teachers that have very little Magic experience. She, however, is full of the affinity for magic. She is refused a spot in the North American confederation of Mages college, not because she doesn't deserve a spot but because of where she comes from. She has to take the mages test to either become a champion or have her magic burned out.
Finn is a have.... he has all the best schools, money, family ties...you name it. He has been offered a spot in college but he refuses it. Refuses to take a spot because there are more deserving people who are better at magic than him. He doesn't want to be handed a spot, he wants to earn it. He decided to enter the games with his friend Prisha who was denied a spot, going against his powerful family's wishes.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the challenges they face during the exam. There are only so many spots for champion so the battle is cutthroat until the end. Without it facing any spoilers I would definitely continue the series, and recommend it to anyone who likes Hunger Games. I give it Four stars of entertainment! Thanks for a great read.
lolasreviews's review against another edition
I DNF'd this one at 13%
I shortly share my thoughts about why I DNF'd, it contains some small spoilers.
I was quite enjoying this book, until at 13% a side character killed one of her pet rats to make a point. Sadly I lost interest in continuing the book after that scene. Animal cruelty is one of my pet peeves in books and as I have had pet rats that scene hit me extra hard and I couldn't wrap my head around that someone would willingly kill one of their own pet rats.
Besides that it seemed like a great blend of dystopian elements and magic. I didn't quite get Finn's motivations for joining the exam and it seemed quite wrong they didn't tell mages more about it. I liked how the two main characters are basically opposites with Finn coming from an old magic family, but having little magical talent while Rocio came form a new magic family and had lots of magical talent. I can't say much more about the part I read. it seemed solidly written. It didn't fully pull me in yet, but it was enjoyable enough so far. Until I read that scene with the rat and just decided to DNF it as I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the rest of the book if it had any more dark scenes like that.
I shortly share my thoughts about why I DNF'd, it contains some small spoilers.
I was quite enjoying this book, until at 13% a side character killed one of her pet rats to make a point. Sadly I lost interest in continuing the book after that scene. Animal cruelty is one of my pet peeves in books and as I have had pet rats that scene hit me extra hard and I couldn't wrap my head around that someone would willingly kill one of their own pet rats.
Besides that it seemed like a great blend of dystopian elements and magic. I didn't quite get Finn's motivations for joining the exam and it seemed quite wrong they didn't tell mages more about it. I liked how the two main characters are basically opposites with Finn coming from an old magic family, but having little magical talent while Rocio came form a new magic family and had lots of magical talent. I can't say much more about the part I read. it seemed solidly written. It didn't fully pull me in yet, but it was enjoyable enough so far. Until I read that scene with the rat and just decided to DNF it as I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the rest of the book if it had any more dark scenes like that.
kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
This was in the batch of 30 books I tried for #SPFBO this year.
It was the one I liked the most - and luckily it ended up the finalist for fantasy faction!
At the start it felt a bit like Harry Potter to me, with a couple of magic schools in our normal world. The big difference being that the normal people know about magical capabilities!
And to appease those people only the ones with enough magic to make into one of the schools do get to keep their magic, and therefore be under control. The ones who don't get an invitation will get their magic burned out of them. And for those these is one last change to still make it in after all! One long test that only the best of the "didn't make it in the first place" will get a place after all... Quite an interesting concept, that did expand the world quite a bit
over the course of the story.
The second half felt a bit more like "hunger games" and definitely got quite a bit darker than the first half. I'd say it's well suited for ages 14 and up or adults who still enjoy a story about mostly teenage characters.
I really enjoyed the characters, who did follow some tropes, but still felt different and nuanced enough to feel real to me. The side characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, but the main characters clicked well with me and I was hooked to know what would happen to them! I especially enjoyed that they were from different layers of society. One who comes from a rich family and actually CHOSE to go there even though he would have got in due to his family's influence. One who has magic in abundance but didn't get in as she's from a low class family and one from the middle of society who has some magic, but just not enough to get in on the first wave. This means different points of view that made it quite a bit more engaging.
Definitely a book I enjoyed a lot!
It was the one I liked the most - and luckily it ended up the finalist for fantasy faction!
At the start it felt a bit like Harry Potter to me, with a couple of magic schools in our normal world. The big difference being that the normal people know about magical capabilities!
And to appease those people only the ones with enough magic to make into one of the schools do get to keep their magic, and therefore be under control. The ones who don't get an invitation will get their magic burned out of them. And for those these is one last change to still make it in after all! One long test that only the best of the "didn't make it in the first place" will get a place after all... Quite an interesting concept, that did expand the world quite a bit
over the course of the story.
The second half felt a bit more like "hunger games" and definitely got quite a bit darker than the first half. I'd say it's well suited for ages 14 and up or adults who still enjoy a story about mostly teenage characters.
I really enjoyed the characters, who did follow some tropes, but still felt different and nuanced enough to feel real to me. The side characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, but the main characters clicked well with me and I was hooked to know what would happen to them! I especially enjoyed that they were from different layers of society. One who comes from a rich family and actually CHOSE to go there even though he would have got in due to his family's influence. One who has magic in abundance but didn't get in as she's from a low class family and one from the middle of society who has some magic, but just not enough to get in on the first wave. This means different points of view that made it quite a bit more engaging.
Definitely a book I enjoyed a lot!
randomly_kait's review against another edition
4.0
So I was super excited to be able to read this book, because I saw where it was recommended for fans of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Cassandra Clare. (And I love all three of those things!)
It was a little slow at the beginning, but give it a bit and it really picks up pace, and becomes a book you won't want to put down until you've finished reading it. And it does jump Points of View, so you'll need to keep an eye on that so you don't get confused about whose turn it is to narrate, but it's so worth the read.
I loved our two main characters and their relationship with each other, and the romance that was built between them. I thought they balanced each other out quite nicely, and the secondary characters were wonderful as well.
This book was packed with action, adventure, and romance that kept me flipping through the pages at lightning speed just so I could see what would happen next.
It had amazing world and a diverse cast of characters that I loved getting to know more about. There were also real world problems that were addressed such as racism, LGBTQIA, among others.
There were so many twists and turns in this book, some of them I saw coming and others I did not, and I am extremely excited to see what happens next!
It was a little slow at the beginning, but give it a bit and it really picks up pace, and becomes a book you won't want to put down until you've finished reading it. And it does jump Points of View, so you'll need to keep an eye on that so you don't get confused about whose turn it is to narrate, but it's so worth the read.
I loved our two main characters and their relationship with each other, and the romance that was built between them. I thought they balanced each other out quite nicely, and the secondary characters were wonderful as well.
This book was packed with action, adventure, and romance that kept me flipping through the pages at lightning speed just so I could see what would happen next.
It had amazing world and a diverse cast of characters that I loved getting to know more about. There were also real world problems that were addressed such as racism, LGBTQIA, among others.
There were so many twists and turns in this book, some of them I saw coming and others I did not, and I am extremely excited to see what happens next!
snowmariaaa's review against another edition
3.0
I give this book two and a half stars mainly because I had a real hard time staying interested in it. I almost DNFed it a couple of times but I l managed to force my way through it. The magic system was a little confusing for me at times but I did appreciate how hard the author worked to come up with an original magical system and world. I don't think I would recommend this book since I feel like books about witches/mages are really hit or miss and this one didn't stand out enough for me. The story line was a little dull.