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4.49 AVERAGE
4.49 AVERAGE
I didn’t like it as much as Everyone else. The time loop parts got repetitive, the progression was too glossed over and filled with long lectures, the action was virtually non existent. The plot was interesting but I think there could have been more since I found myself skimming through alot of the stuff that wasn’t as important
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A wonderful fantasy time-loop story that is greater than the sum of it's parts
Mother of Learning is a series that has come up quite frequently as a recommendation from fans of "progression fantasy" fans after I have thoroughly enjoyed Cradle and some lesser known works in the same genre. If you aren't familiar, progression fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that features characters increasing in power and skill over time. For a very well known series that fits in this category, think Stormlight Archive.
This series started as a web-serial and was later converted into books, but unlike many web-serials it doesn't really read like one and if you didn't previously know this fact, you likely wouldn't pick up on it while reading.
I'm going to be somewhat critical of the book in my review as many of my review criteria get lower scores. However, this is a wonderful book that at the end of the day is just pure fun to read. And at the end of the day, isn't that really the most important thing when reading a book?
Story: 4/5
The story, without spoiling anything that isn't already on the back cover, is about a boy who is attending the first month of his third year in a mage academy. On the last day of the month, the academy is attacked by a foreign power and everyone dies. He suddenly finds himself right back where the first page of the book started and he is stuck in a time loop, where he has to live the same month over, and over, and over again. And each time he loops back, he keeps all his knowledge and powers from the previous books so he rather quickly becomes more powerful than everyone else his age.
The time loop is a story device that has been featured in several major movies, but not something I have personally read in literary form before. And as the time loops began I found myself thinking I was going to get rather bored of the constant repetition. But the author does a very good job of keeping things fresh and exciting. This is not just a book about the main character trying to figure out how to win this war, but it's about the mystery of why he is looping, how he can stop looping, and why this war is happening in the first place.
World Building: 3/5
The world building is fun and sucks you into the world, but it's extremely limited in scope with 95% of the book featuring the same location. And while I think it works for this specific story, it's definitely not a defining feature of this book like many other fantasy books.
Fantasy Elements: 5/5
The looping element in this book is very fun to read about and not something I have ever experienced in a fantasy novel. In addition, the cultivation of power throughout the loops is fun to watch, and the magic system utilized here - while not terribly unique - is a joy to read about. I think I'm a sucker for these progression fantasy type devices as a major fan of video games, but this book does a great job at exposing the reader to fun magical elements that are a joy to read about.
Characters: 4/5
For the first third of this book I would generously give the characters a 2/5 rating, as the main character is just an angsty teenager and his classmates don't get the necessary character development due to the plot device not allowing them to grow as people. But the main character takes a turn for the better as he learns more compassion throughout the story and he becomes quite likable. He also starts to develop deeper relationships with a large cast of characters and it's fun to read about these compelling back stories.
Writing Style: 3/5
The writing style here is not great, but is still passable from an enjoyable perspective. The author tends to write the adult characters rather poorly, and they all feel extremely similar to each other in terms of their demeanor and mannerisms.
However, the way he describes the magic - and the way he keeps things interesting with tight pacing is rather enjoyable.
Enjoyment: 4/5
I had a blast reading this book, and eagerly look forward to reading the next two books in this series. I would encourage any fantasy fan to give this book a try - but you need to read at least half the book in my opinion to really start to get a feel for what this story is trying to achieve.
A wonderful fantasy time-loop story that is greater than the sum of it's parts
Mother of Learning is a series that has come up quite frequently as a recommendation from fans of "progression fantasy" fans after I have thoroughly enjoyed Cradle and some lesser known works in the same genre. If you aren't familiar, progression fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that features characters increasing in power and skill over time. For a very well known series that fits in this category, think Stormlight Archive.
This series started as a web-serial and was later converted into books, but unlike many web-serials it doesn't really read like one and if you didn't previously know this fact, you likely wouldn't pick up on it while reading.
I'm going to be somewhat critical of the book in my review as many of my review criteria get lower scores. However, this is a wonderful book that at the end of the day is just pure fun to read. And at the end of the day, isn't that really the most important thing when reading a book?
Story: 4/5
The story, without spoiling anything that isn't already on the back cover, is about a boy who is attending the first month of his third year in a mage academy. On the last day of the month, the academy is attacked by a foreign power and everyone dies. He suddenly finds himself right back where the first page of the book started and he is stuck in a time loop, where he has to live the same month over, and over, and over again. And each time he loops back, he keeps all his knowledge and powers from the previous books so he rather quickly becomes more powerful than everyone else his age.
The time loop is a story device that has been featured in several major movies, but not something I have personally read in literary form before. And as the time loops began I found myself thinking I was going to get rather bored of the constant repetition. But the author does a very good job of keeping things fresh and exciting. This is not just a book about the main character trying to figure out how to win this war, but it's about the mystery of why he is looping, how he can stop looping, and why this war is happening in the first place.
World Building: 3/5
The world building is fun and sucks you into the world, but it's extremely limited in scope with 95% of the book featuring the same location. And while I think it works for this specific story, it's definitely not a defining feature of this book like many other fantasy books.
Fantasy Elements: 5/5
The looping element in this book is very fun to read about and not something I have ever experienced in a fantasy novel. In addition, the cultivation of power throughout the loops is fun to watch, and the magic system utilized here - while not terribly unique - is a joy to read about. I think I'm a sucker for these progression fantasy type devices as a major fan of video games, but this book does a great job at exposing the reader to fun magical elements that are a joy to read about.
Characters: 4/5
For the first third of this book I would generously give the characters a 2/5 rating, as the main character is just an angsty teenager and his classmates don't get the necessary character development due to the plot device not allowing them to grow as people. But the main character takes a turn for the better as he learns more compassion throughout the story and he becomes quite likable. He also starts to develop deeper relationships with a large cast of characters and it's fun to read about these compelling back stories.
Writing Style: 3/5
The writing style here is not great, but is still passable from an enjoyable perspective. The author tends to write the adult characters rather poorly, and they all feel extremely similar to each other in terms of their demeanor and mannerisms.
However, the way he describes the magic - and the way he keeps things interesting with tight pacing is rather enjoyable.
Enjoyment: 4/5
I had a blast reading this book, and eagerly look forward to reading the next two books in this series. I would encourage any fantasy fan to give this book a try - but you need to read at least half the book in my opinion to really start to get a feel for what this story is trying to achieve.
Luckily it's been a while since I was reading this serial monthly and now that it's in book form, reading it all at once is a delight! Seeing Zorian's incremental advances in magic hits even better clumped together in these arcs. On my first read I remember being particularly hooked when Zach and Zorian start to do everything together, so I'm pumped to experience the next few books! Definitely got more used to Jack's narration since the first too.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Bad writing, the plot is Convoluted and truly mostly doesn’t matter. It’s just a vehicle for reading about someone who tries to learn everything they possibly can and optimize their magic existence
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes