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depeachymode's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
At best, this was entertaining. At worst, it was a predictable, unsatisfying, and self-congratulatory product of the Olivie Blake School of “Yeah, I Guess.” Great if you’re in the mood for a mystery that neither challenges nor unsettles you.
gabi55b's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.0
mapelti's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
4.25
Fun twist on a PI whodunit. Endings sort of unsatisfying though
gnovel_gnome's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
frigus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
manadabomb's review against another edition
3.0
I'm embarrassed it took me this long to review this book. And it wasn't even an in-depth review. Basically, it ain't Hogwarts and it's good
Review here!
Review here!
ellie_the_kraken's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-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? Yes
3.0
ambergamgee's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warning: abortion, cancer
This was a very engrossing book, I couldn’t put it down! Part magical youth, part detective drama. Like if Jessica Jones wasn’t magical but went to solve a murder at a magical high school. Um, actually better than that, I’m not doing it justice in my description! I really enjoyed it, it made me both laugh and gasp at different points.
This was a very engrossing book, I couldn’t put it down! Part magical youth, part detective drama. Like if Jessica Jones wasn’t magical but went to solve a murder at a magical high school. Um, actually better than that, I’m not doing it justice in my description! I really enjoyed it, it made me both laugh and gasp at different points.
timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
Four, except for the ending.
Many here complained that Ivy's a whiner. She IS, and I think that's a valid choice for a character, if the author explains WHY she's a whiner, and shows us in the story that Ivy still hasn't dealt with a lot of things in her life that she should have dealt with by now. There are real people like that, maybe a lot of them.
The plot rolls out quite nicely. Mrs. Webb is good. There's a lot of good who's-telling-the-truth, some red herrings, and a couple of maybe-a-bit-TOO-broad hints when people don't get their lies completely right. But she's a PI, so fair enough.
Two big problems for me, though:
(1)
and especially (2).
Gailey was so careful with the magic up till then, but for me they dropped the ball at the end.
I'll read their next one, though.
Many here complained that Ivy's a whiner. She IS, and I think that's a valid choice for a character, if the author explains WHY she's a whiner, and shows us in the story that Ivy still hasn't dealt with a lot of things in her life that she should have dealt with by now. There are real people like that, maybe a lot of them.
The plot rolls out quite nicely. Mrs. Webb is good. There's a lot of good who's-telling-the-truth, some red herrings, and a couple of maybe-a-bit-TOO-broad hints when people don't get their lies completely right. But she's a PI, so fair enough.
Two big problems for me, though:
(1)
Spoiler
a magic school, and no one notices Alexandria's various influences?and especially (2)
Spoiler
we are told repeatedly that certain levels of magic are impossible, unless you're Mrs. Webb and maybe even then .... but to resolve the plot we find that TWO of the key characters can do this impossible thing.Gailey was so careful with the magic up till then, but for me they dropped the ball at the end.
I'll read their next one, though.