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A review by sam_is_reading
What Became of Magic by Paige Crutcher
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
This book really could’ve benefited from a second draft. It tried so hard to be A Wrinkle in Time but just didn’t pull it off.
The idea was so incredibly interesting. The underestimated underdog on a magical quest to save the world. But the story was confusing as hell and ran at a breakneck speed. Almost nothing was explained, and when it was it was incomprehensible riddles. I get that the story was complex and it could’ve easily been bogged down with exposition and worldbuilding - but instead chose to do almost zero worldbuilding.
The character design was interesting - some of them were interchangeable but honestly there were too many significant characters that we didn’t get enough time with. So when their character left or died, we didn’t sympathize with it.
Reads like the basic outline of a story. Requires an updated draft with more. Great story idea but better execution needed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Crutcher, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The idea was so incredibly interesting. The underestimated underdog on a magical quest to save the world. But the story was confusing as hell and ran at a breakneck speed. Almost nothing was explained, and when it was it was incomprehensible riddles. I get that the story was complex and it could’ve easily been bogged down with exposition and worldbuilding - but instead chose to do almost zero worldbuilding.
The character design was interesting - some of them were interchangeable but honestly there were too many significant characters that we didn’t get enough time with. So when their character left or died, we didn’t sympathize with it.
Reads like the basic outline of a story. Requires an updated draft with more. Great story idea but better execution needed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Crutcher, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.