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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Wonderfully written, with great characters. I really liked how Morgan Rhodes wove the two story lines together, the one set in Toronto and the one set in Mytica, and I especially loved the family dynamics within the Hatchers. For people who have read the Fallen Kingdoms series, this book expands on the mythology that Morgan Rhodes first introduced there (which I loved), but you can definitely read this one without having read Fallen Kingdoms first.
I usually love companion series, and this was no different. I liked how we got two stories happening at the same time in different worlds. One in ancient Mytica, when the immortal sisters were still ruling, and one in Toronto. I really liked these new characters. Rhodes has a knack for writing really deplorable characters that I sympathize with. For some reason, I find it hard to hate Farrell as much as I should. I think that has something to do with the fact that his actions aren't 100% his doing. Can't wait to read the next one!
“Tears aren't just for babies. They're proof that you feel something and aren't afraid to show it. It's those that won't ever allow themselves to cry that are the weak ones.”
[To be read as 2.5]
Similar to the Falling Kingdoms series, A Book of Spirits and Thieves is written in alternating perspectives, however instead of Mytican royalty and revolutionaries, Michelle Rhode’s spin-off series is told by Crystal Hatcher and Farrell Grayson from modern-day Toronto and Maddox Corso from ancient Mytica.
The lives of Crystal, called Crys, and Becca Hatcher have always revolved around their family owned book store, The Speckled Muse. It’s a relatively uneventful job, until a package from their aunt arrives, triggering an ancient magic and intertwining the fates of the modern day teens with ancient rebels.
The mysterious leather-bound book puts Becca’s body in a catatonic state as her mind is spirited away, leaving Crys guilt-ridden and desperate to do anything possible to save her sister – but from what exactly?
Crys and Becca lives quiet lives over a book store in downtown Toronto, they go to school, work part-time jobs and take care of a stray kitten named Charlie. How could their lives possibly be interwoven with a magical book?
Compared to the Falling Kingdoms series I really didn’t like A Book of Spirits and Thieves and I think that’s mainly because it tried to connect Mytica with modern day Toronto. When I first heard there Rhodes was writing a spin-off series to Falling Kingdoms I was ecstatic because it is easily one of my favorite series and hello?! it’s taking place in TORONTO!!
But A Book of Spirits and Thieves didn’t wow me the way her first series did. The connection between Toronto and Mytica and this idea of a secret society wasn’t well developed and felt thrown together very last minute.
Of the three perspectives I definitely enjoyed Maddox’s the most and I think that’s because it takes place in Mytica and you learn more about the world I fell in love with. Maddox also exhibits a power that wasn’t seen anywhere else in the series. In Falling Kingdoms we only learn about elemental magic so I am excited to see how Rhodes will bring out other forms just as necromancy later in the series.
Even though this is definitely my least favourite Morgan Rhodes book to date I do want to continue with the series and see where she takes it. I hope the next novel will be more developed and we’ll learn more about Mytica/different forms of magic but for now I’m anticipating Crystal Storms more than The Darkest Magic.
[To be read as 2.5]
Similar to the Falling Kingdoms series, A Book of Spirits and Thieves is written in alternating perspectives, however instead of Mytican royalty and revolutionaries, Michelle Rhode’s spin-off series is told by Crystal Hatcher and Farrell Grayson from modern-day Toronto and Maddox Corso from ancient Mytica.
The lives of Crystal, called Crys, and Becca Hatcher have always revolved around their family owned book store, The Speckled Muse. It’s a relatively uneventful job, until a package from their aunt arrives, triggering an ancient magic and intertwining the fates of the modern day teens with ancient rebels.
The mysterious leather-bound book puts Becca’s body in a catatonic state as her mind is spirited away, leaving Crys guilt-ridden and desperate to do anything possible to save her sister – but from what exactly?
Crys and Becca lives quiet lives over a book store in downtown Toronto, they go to school, work part-time jobs and take care of a stray kitten named Charlie. How could their lives possibly be interwoven with a magical book?
Compared to the Falling Kingdoms series I really didn’t like A Book of Spirits and Thieves and I think that’s mainly because it tried to connect Mytica with modern day Toronto. When I first heard there Rhodes was writing a spin-off series to Falling Kingdoms I was ecstatic because it is easily one of my favorite series and hello?! it’s taking place in TORONTO!!
But A Book of Spirits and Thieves didn’t wow me the way her first series did. The connection between Toronto and Mytica and this idea of a secret society wasn’t well developed and felt thrown together very last minute.
Of the three perspectives I definitely enjoyed Maddox’s the most and I think that’s because it takes place in Mytica and you learn more about the world I fell in love with. Maddox also exhibits a power that wasn’t seen anywhere else in the series. In Falling Kingdoms we only learn about elemental magic so I am excited to see how Rhodes will bring out other forms just as necromancy later in the series.
Even though this is definitely my least favourite Morgan Rhodes book to date I do want to continue with the series and see where she takes it. I hope the next novel will be more developed and we’ll learn more about Mytica/different forms of magic but for now I’m anticipating Crystal Storms more than The Darkest Magic.
I really am not sure how I feel about this one. I don't know if it was the narrator, the writing, or both... something about it felt annoying the whole time. But I also became invested enough to want to read the second. Except weirdly I don't want to read it. I want to listen, but the library doesn't have an audio copy...hmmmm...
The characters were a bit annoying so that might've been it. I never really connected with any of them. The plot itself...not a lot happened. But as I said, I still feel compelled to continue.
The characters were a bit annoying so that might've been it. I never really connected with any of them. The plot itself...not a lot happened. But as I said, I still feel compelled to continue.
Morgan Rhodes never fails to deliver!
I l o v e d this book!! The plot was fast-paced, and the characters were amazing!
P.S I AM SO MAD THIS SERIES ISN'T GETTING A THIRD BOOK!!!
I l o v e d this book!! The plot was fast-paced, and the characters were amazing!
P.S I AM SO MAD THIS SERIES ISN'T GETTING A THIRD BOOK!!!
4.5/5 Stars!!
This was my first Morgan Rhodes book and I loved the world! I was engrossed in it from the get go. This takes place from 3 different perspectives, and from different worlds that connect. I love Maddox so much! Crys and Becca are two sisters who don't always see eye to eye but in the time of need they can't be more in sync. I highly recommend this book!!! The only reason I down voted half of a star was because I felt like the ending was just a tad bit rushed, not saying it was bad, just rushed a bit.
This was my first Morgan Rhodes book and I loved the world! I was engrossed in it from the get go. This takes place from 3 different perspectives, and from different worlds that connect. I love Maddox so much! Crys and Becca are two sisters who don't always see eye to eye but in the time of need they can't be more in sync. I highly recommend this book!!! The only reason I down voted half of a star was because I felt like the ending was just a tad bit rushed, not saying it was bad, just rushed a bit.
HOLY CLIFFHANGERS, BATMAN!
(A.k.a. I'm a huge nerd, this book was AMAZING, and I don't know how I can survive a Mytica-less drought for the next 5+ months.)
Morgan totally blew me away with this one, you guys. I didn't expect to be so attached to all these characters so quickly, and though I couldn't help make my comparisons to the Falling Kingdoms characters at time (for example, Farrell was so like current Magnus at the start, but rapidly began to show a different side of himself), I really grew to enjoy all of the characters - even the ones I wasn't supposed to!
I think the most exciting thing about this new trilogy is that it introduces the possibility of time travel (in a sense) within Mytica. I have no idea if Morgan intends to incorporate that or the Bronze Codex into Falling Kingdoms, but it would be insanely cool! I also loved that this book gave us some really cool "easter eggs", especially with Maddox.
Ironically, I think my favorite character is Farrell (or at least, Farrell pre-Markus.) I pity him because his family thinks so little of him, because he is compassionate yet he pushes so much of it away to cover his pain. Unfortunately, joining Markus's stupid circle was a nail in the coffin for any shred of decency in him as of this moment, and I worry that he could quickly end up on the same path as Connor.
There were so many twists and connections made, and so many secrets revealed in this first book that I can't imagine what else is in store for the remaining books! I loved every turn and shocker, and I think that it really shows how steadily Morgan's writing continues to develop. A Book of Spirits and Thieves is such an impressive and well-planned new series, and I have so much love for how Morgan makes all these characters and places so visceral and real. If you haven't read Falling Kingdoms yet, you're honestly missing out on something great. And if you have read it but you haven't gotten around to this book yet - what are you waiting for!?
(A.k.a. I'm a huge nerd, this book was AMAZING, and I don't know how I can survive a Mytica-less drought for the next 5+ months.)
Morgan totally blew me away with this one, you guys. I didn't expect to be so attached to all these characters so quickly, and though I couldn't help make my comparisons to the Falling Kingdoms characters at time (for example, Farrell was so like current Magnus at the start, but rapidly began to show a different side of himself), I really grew to enjoy all of the characters - even the ones I wasn't supposed to!
I think the most exciting thing about this new trilogy is that it introduces the possibility of time travel (in a sense) within Mytica. I have no idea if Morgan intends to incorporate that or the Bronze Codex into Falling Kingdoms, but it would be insanely cool! I also loved that this book gave us some really cool "easter eggs", especially with Maddox.
Ironically, I think my favorite character is Farrell (or at least, Farrell pre-Markus.) I pity him because his family thinks so little of him, because he is compassionate yet he pushes so much of it away to cover his pain. Unfortunately, joining Markus's stupid circle was a nail in the coffin for any shred of decency in him as of this moment, and I worry that he could quickly end up on the same path as Connor.
There were so many twists and connections made, and so many secrets revealed in this first book that I can't imagine what else is in store for the remaining books! I loved every turn and shocker, and I think that it really shows how steadily Morgan's writing continues to develop. A Book of Spirits and Thieves is such an impressive and well-planned new series, and I have so much love for how Morgan makes all these characters and places so visceral and real. If you haven't read Falling Kingdoms yet, you're honestly missing out on something great. And if you have read it but you haven't gotten around to this book yet - what are you waiting for!?
3.5 Stars!
I liked this more than anticipated and definitely more than the most recent installment of Falling Kingdoms!
I liked this more than anticipated and definitely more than the most recent installment of Falling Kingdoms!
(4.5)
I really enjoyed this book. If this was a stand-alone, I would have been IN LOVE with this. However, thought the book I couldn't help but wonder how this played in with The Falling Kingdom books...Is it going to change them at all? I don't know. But I would definitely give this book a read. A lot of the characters were extremely dislikable and complex, just like Rhodes' other writings. I want the next one NOOOOOWWWWWW.
I really enjoyed this book. If this was a stand-alone, I would have been IN LOVE with this. However, thought the book I couldn't help but wonder how this played in with The Falling Kingdom books...Is it going to change them at all? I don't know. But I would definitely give this book a read. A lot of the characters were extremely dislikable and complex, just like Rhodes' other writings. I want the next one NOOOOOWWWWWW.
