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ashley_apairofreaders's review
4.0
Fun, quick urban magical read that explores an alternate London where magic is known. Interested to see how the story concludes in the next book.
annmeyer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.25
actuallycandy's review
5.0
An alternate Victorian era of the 1800's with a flare for magic. In a world where there are aspectors (those who cast magic) and spellbreakers.
We follow the story of an unregistered spellbreaker called Elsie Camden as she navigates bringing the impoverished lower class to justice by spellbreaking spells cast by master aspectors in the UK.
Alongside Elsie's story we follow a aspector from Barbados looking to become a master aspector in the London Athenaeum.
This book has unpredictable twists and turns and the plot was well paced. Nothing is as it seems in this page turner and Charlie N. Holmberg has a way of transporting you out of reality with relative ease. I took on this read with no expectations as it was a buddy read with my best friend. I was pleasantly surprised and will give this adventure an easy 5 stars. I'm certain this is one I'd be happy to read again and again.
It's a magical escape. It's not overly tense but also not extremely cosy. It was a very nice balance for an all rounder read. I think the characters were well fleshed with enough intrigue to hold your interest for the sequel. The plot isn't so expansive but enough to let your curiosity linger.
Officially added Charlie N. Holmberg to my list of favourite authors. Looking forward to reading all her works
We follow the story of an unregistered spellbreaker called Elsie Camden as she navigates bringing the impoverished lower class to justice by spellbreaking spells cast by master aspectors in the UK.
Alongside Elsie's story we follow a aspector from Barbados looking to become a master aspector in the London Athenaeum.
This book has unpredictable twists and turns and the plot was well paced. Nothing is as it seems in this page turner and Charlie N. Holmberg has a way of transporting you out of reality with relative ease. I took on this read with no expectations as it was a buddy read with my best friend. I was pleasantly surprised and will give this adventure an easy 5 stars. I'm certain this is one I'd be happy to read again and again.
It's a magical escape. It's not overly tense but also not extremely cosy. It was a very nice balance for an all rounder read. I think the characters were well fleshed with enough intrigue to hold your interest for the sequel. The plot isn't so expansive but enough to let your curiosity linger.
Officially added Charlie N. Holmberg to my list of favourite authors. Looking forward to reading all her works
vejohnson's review against another edition
3.0
A little too predictable for the most part, though the end twists were a nice surprise. The main character’s naïveté annoyed me too.
tadhgerman's review
3.0
Four stars, it got better as it went on. Overall enjoyable with an interesting plot, the pacing is really to blame for it but getting five stars for me. That and the wilful naïveté of our heroine who seems to be an altogether smart and capable young woman. Parts of the twist did genuinely surprise me but the twist that the shadow organisation that had been sending her to do illegal things for years was actually sinister and not some Robin Hood type group was evident from the first chapter nearly and takes the whole book to be revealed. Perhaps that was the author's intent but it did make it hard to sympathise with the lead.
All that said I enjoyed it enough to finish and I'm about to start the second one so clearly I liked it. The world and the premise are intriguing and I'm curious to see where it goes and find out who is behind it all.
All that said I enjoyed it enough to finish and I'm about to start the second one so clearly I liked it. The world and the premise are intriguing and I'm curious to see where it goes and find out who is behind it all.
thereticentseer's review
4.0
An underrated thrilling book with dashes of romance! Elsie and Bacchus' chemistry is just my most favorite thing in the world rn and no one can tell me otherwise!
zaineylaney's review
4.0
The Review
✨ The Title/Cover Draw:
I have loved this author’s past Paper Magician series. I meant to read this one when I saw it come out, but didn’t. However, I did get approved for the sequel so this gave me an excuse to read it.