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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
I honestly can’t decide what I think of this one! Definitely shelve this between the Night Circus and The thousand doors of January, but with a rather generous dash of gore, so it’s certainly right up my alley, but…
Possibly more thorough thoughts once publication comes.
Arc via Netgalley.
Possibly more thorough thoughts once publication comes.
Arc via Netgalley.
Even though I wasn’t really convinced by the story at first, it turned out to be a nice read.
Violet was an amazing main character—so fearless and adventurous. It was interesting to follow her journey and see if she could lift the curse. The twist with Ever Everly still being alive really surprised me, and it touched me that he offered himself in the end.
In general, the idea of the different worlds that could be traveled using Reveurite keys was really cool. I liked the concept of a god-metal marble and everything it could encompass, but I wish we had seen more of the different worlds. Fidelis especially seemed like such a wonder, but once they got there, it didn’t feel as magical as I had hoped.
I really enjoyed seeing all the facets of Violet and Aleksander’s relationship. As kids, it seemed like they didn’t like each other but managed to move past that quickly. Later on, I didn’t fully trust him, but he seemed so honest in the café scene. When I got his POV and realized he was only doing it to gather intel for Penelope, I was sad. Still, he clearly started falling for Violet, which led to him stealing the key—something he was punished for. When Violet saw him in Prague and he told her he was no longer working for Penelope, I wanted to believe him so badly. So when he betrayed her again, I was devastated. But once he learned the truth about Penelope, he really redeemed himself. He followed Violet into the dark and was ready to offer himself to save her. That moment really showed his character development and how he accepted being “nothing.” I really want them to end up together, but I think it was the right choice for them to go their separate ways. The epilogue in the café felt hopeful to me, and I’m rooting for their happy ending.
As a mostly fantasy-focused book, I think it was a good one overall—though Marianne annoyed me. It was kind of sad that she was such a central topic but didn’t do anything truly memorable.
6 out of 10
Violet was an amazing main character—so fearless and adventurous. It was interesting to follow her journey and see if she could lift the curse. The twist with Ever Everly still being alive really surprised me, and it touched me that he offered himself in the end.
In general, the idea of the different worlds that could be traveled using Reveurite keys was really cool. I liked the concept of a god-metal marble and everything it could encompass, but I wish we had seen more of the different worlds. Fidelis especially seemed like such a wonder, but once they got there, it didn’t feel as magical as I had hoped.
I really enjoyed seeing all the facets of Violet and Aleksander’s relationship. As kids, it seemed like they didn’t like each other but managed to move past that quickly. Later on, I didn’t fully trust him, but he seemed so honest in the café scene. When I got his POV and realized he was only doing it to gather intel for Penelope, I was sad. Still, he clearly started falling for Violet, which led to him stealing the key—something he was punished for. When Violet saw him in Prague and he told her he was no longer working for Penelope, I wanted to believe him so badly. So when he betrayed her again, I was devastated. But once he learned the truth about Penelope, he really redeemed himself. He followed Violet into the dark and was ready to offer himself to save her. That moment really showed his character development and how he accepted being “nothing.” I really want them to end up together, but I think it was the right choice for them to go their separate ways. The epilogue in the café felt hopeful to me, and I’m rooting for their happy ending.
As a mostly fantasy-focused book, I think it was a good one overall—though Marianne annoyed me. It was kind of sad that she was such a central topic but didn’t do anything truly memorable.
6 out of 10
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
The book’s plot moves sort of slowly, but tons of disconnected details are continuously introduced that don’t always make sense; if you like guessing at the meaning of vague hints this book is for you.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I am extremely confused.
In theory, I like many things about this book.
I liked that certain story, told again and again in different ways throughout the book, getting closer to the truth each time.
I liked the gods and their gory twist.
I liked the way to travel between worlds, opening doors with fancy keys.
I liked the way, Information unfolds, not one big info dump, but little dumplings along the way.
I like the heavy change the mmc has to go through, his way to accept the truth.
And I like the not so typical kinda open ending.
But still, I'm not totally hyped and I can't really point my finger on the why.
Maybe it's the unanswered questions about the whereabouts of a certain russian guy, or the identity of that particular father.
Maybe it's the small imperfections in some scenes, like place-changing characters in fights or a group of people, wgo can't spot a completely stranger in their midst just because she wears a mask oyer her eyes.
Or it simply wasn't the perfect time to read the book.
Anyways, I liked it and I will keep it for now. And I think I'll give other books of the author a try if I spot them somewhere.
In theory, I like many things about this book.
I liked that certain story, told again and again in different ways throughout the book, getting closer to the truth each time.
I liked the gods and their gory twist.
I liked the way to travel between worlds, opening doors with fancy keys.
I liked the way, Information unfolds, not one big info dump, but little dumplings along the way.
I like the heavy change the mmc has to go through, his way to accept the truth.
And I like the not so typical kinda open ending.
But still, I'm not totally hyped and I can't really point my finger on the why.
Maybe it's the unanswered questions about the whereabouts of a certain russian guy, or the identity of that particular father.
Maybe it's the small imperfections in some scenes, like place-changing characters in fights or a group of people, wgo can't spot a completely stranger in their midst just because she wears a mask oyer her eyes.
Or it simply wasn't the perfect time to read the book.
Anyways, I liked it and I will keep it for now. And I think I'll give other books of the author a try if I spot them somewhere.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The dark cost of borrowed magic. A family ruined by a millenium of secrets and death.