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izabelstohel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Minor: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Blood
imageryx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Violence, Terminal illness, Mass/school shootings, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Blood, Gun violence, and Death
Minor: Car accident
archiveofrasa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
there's much to be desired in this magic system, as every reviewer mentioned. I quickly realised the story wouldn't really explain anything at all. I just started going along with it as if it was a fanfiction, which this book definitely gives me that vibe. it's as if it's from a source material that has a more thought-out world to which if you were a fan of, you'd understand what the fanfic was trying to do and think it was actually quite intelligent.
the themes of moral dilemma were very interesting. I wish we spent more time on exploring why some feel as if this world, which is mostly similar to our own minus the magic (yes I know it doesn't really make sense), is not doing very well and why the Society needs these academics. I feel like if that was built up properly, then I feel like it would've come into fruition near the end much more smoothly. the plot twist was kind of just thrown at us? It was interesting enough that it didn't piss me off but I wish it was done better.
the characters were probably my favourite and I am biased to say it was mainly because of the messy dynamics between all of them. you can literally ship anyone, it's so much fun. I do wish we got more out of Nico and Reina as characters; the scenes they chose for each of their POV chapters didn't really say much about them? I really liked Nico's relationship with Gideon and how that developed, even though I think the author was trying to go for an "academic rivals to lovers" with Libby (I see it but I am a queer friends to lovers guy at heart). I liked all the characters and am curious to see where they end up in the second (and final) book.
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility, Alcohol, and Violence
sarahl92's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Suicide
Minor: Chronic illness, Alcohol, and Confinement
blueberry0531's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content
ashleyreads88's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
taranightreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Suicide
chluless's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
If not, I will happily read the books anyway. These characters with all their messy issues have me in a chokehold. It’s overdramatic and it’s fun.
Moderate: Suicide
Multiple mentions of death of a sisterblessjessmess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
OF COURSE, if magic were commonplace, it would find itself being used corruptly in finance, politics, and crime.
But what I really loved about this book is that this books main theme revolves around information. How information is weaponized against those without the means to access it. How the more information you know you realize theres so much you don't know. How easily information can be altered and how that can have dire consequences. How censorship hurts the entire population. And how information is power and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
- I held off on a 5 simply because the first book (the intro book, if you will) of a series should never be its best, which means I have high expectations for the upcoming 3rd in the series.
- I, personally, loved this book. It's a bit meta in the most original way I've seen any genre meta book written before, so I really enjoyed that.
- I liked that each character was well rounded, and time was spent on developing the entire cast in the novel.
- This book is incredibly cerebral, but I love cerebral fiction so that's a win for me.
- This book basically said F*** the Hero's Journey and took its on path....and I really respect that.
You will like this book if you like:
- alternating povs
- science theory
- coming of age books
- grounded magic
- time travel
- dimensional travel
- Dream travel
- found family
- if you want the feel of Harry Potter but want adult themes and modernized for the environment we currently live in
- If you are in a reading rut this is a good book to break it
You will NOT like this book if:
- unlikable characters.
- meta reading
- advanced science jargon
******I half read/half listened to this book on audio. I found I preferred the audio because of the voice actors.
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide
Minor: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
kaziaroo's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Murder, and Suicide