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gillianrk's review against another edition
5.0
Stayed up until 3am on a work night to finish this book. Spectacular. So many unexpected twists, great world building, wonderful characters! Can't wait to be back in the world for book 2!
amykmjl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
briebs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
crbook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.75
leahjmeyer's review against another edition
4.0
SLAY VIS SLAY
Never ever compare this book to another, thank you very much. It stands on its own with its nuances, lore, characters, and pacing.
Never ever compare this book to another, thank you very much. It stands on its own with its nuances, lore, characters, and pacing.
carinamiya's review against another edition
5.0
This book 100% lived up to the hype--it might be my favorite fantasy academy that I've read so far as it was incredibly interesting but unique. All I knew going into the book was that it was similar to Red Rising, and that is an apt description, but beyond the "main character disguises himself and joins an elite academy", the books are very different. The types of challenges in the academy are vastly different, as are the peer interactions and Vis and Darrow's backgrounds (Vis' felt so convenient with how he was amazing at absolutely everything, whereas Darrow had to work extra hard to gain his skills).
I loved the entire book as I slowly learned more about Vis, Ulcisor, the Angius, the Academy, and Vis' friends and peers. I enjoyed the Academy and how Vis had to outsmart everyone to progress in it while still investigating Ulcisor's sketchy ruins. But, the ending felt so out of left field that it was a bit off-putting to me and left me with so many questions. I couldn't even understand what was going on until I read some Reddit analysis posts about the ending, it was that confusing. I will definitely read book #2 but I worry that I won't love it as much as this book.
I loved the entire book as I slowly learned more about Vis, Ulcisor, the Angius, the Academy, and Vis' friends and peers. I enjoyed the Academy and how Vis had to outsmart everyone to progress in it while still investigating Ulcisor's sketchy ruins. But, the ending felt so out of left field that it was a bit off-putting to me and left me with so many questions. I couldn't even understand what was going on until I read some Reddit analysis posts about the ending, it was that confusing. I will definitely read book #2 but I worry that I won't love it as much as this book.
wutheringreader's review against another edition
4.0
4.25
SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP. MY HEART IS BEATING SO FAST IM NOT KIDDING. JAMES ISLINGTON WHERE'S BOOK 2 BAE
SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP. MY HEART IS BEATING SO FAST IM NOT KIDDING. JAMES ISLINGTON WHERE'S BOOK 2 BAE
arthur_jameson's review against another edition
5.0
Roman inspired, pseudo academia, found family, survivor-raised-by-the-enemy type of book with an incredible unique magic system that is honestly more interesting as a piece of worldbuilding and culture than it is as magic.
For the first time since the Red Wedding, a scene made me shut the book in horror.
On a prose level, it’s nothing flowery or dense. It’s very intimate, with a rich, distinctive voice that fits its first person POV. It helps immensely that Vis Telimus is probably one of the best protagonists I’ve read in recent years. The twists make sense if you pay close attention, and there are some that the book masterfully makes you wish you had seen coming.
Given the ending, and the plot threads left open for the sequel, James Islington hasn’t just earned my Day 1 pickup of the next book, I’m now more inclined than ever to read his debut trilogy.
Easily top 3 books I’ve read this year.
For the first time since the Red Wedding, a scene made me shut the book in horror.
On a prose level, it’s nothing flowery or dense. It’s very intimate, with a rich, distinctive voice that fits its first person POV. It helps immensely that Vis Telimus is probably one of the best protagonists I’ve read in recent years. The twists make sense if you pay close attention, and there are some that the book masterfully makes you wish you had seen coming.
Given the ending, and the plot threads left open for the sequel, James Islington hasn’t just earned my Day 1 pickup of the next book, I’m now more inclined than ever to read his debut trilogy.
Easily top 3 books I’ve read this year.
jaimie99's review against another edition
3.0
A bold choice for a story
I really wanted to love this book, there was great world building and character building. The problem is that there is too much wording and it takes a few chapters to start getting to the beginning of the main story. This definitely could have been shorter.
I really wanted to love this book, there was great world building and character building. The problem is that there is too much wording and it takes a few chapters to start getting to the beginning of the main story. This definitely could have been shorter.