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talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Death of parent, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Slavery, Suicide, and Murder
drjoannehill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I enjoyed this lighhearted fantasy which channelled Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and Susanna Clarke's Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell. At times it felt like Strange and Norrell fan fic, and it wasn't as complex, but it was certainly more diverse regarding the characters and their backgrounds. It was also compared to Harry Potter which I can see.
We meet Zacharias, who as a boy was purchased (or stolen) off a slave ship and brought up to learn about English magic. He becomes the Sorcerer Royal in mysterious circumstances which are later revealed. He is invited to give a speech about magic (or the dangers of it) at a girls school where young ladies are taught to suppress their magic, meets Prunella who is a bit of a Hermione character, and thus begin their adventures to tackle the belief that women shouldn't do magic, via stopping a diplomatic breakdown between Britain and an island nation in south east Asia, and a scheming mermaid.
The idea that women should not do magic because it is dangerous for them is laid on a bit thick, but it is not out of character for the time. I thought it a clever book at times, with plenty to say about colonialism, sexism, and classism, and lots of cute magical ideas. Also like the Emily Wilde Encyclopedia series.
Very fast paced - the story jumps in and the world building happens along the way, or not at all, barely any taking time to explain something - you have to guess and go along with it. I found I didn't mind this. Would definitely read the sequel (I think there's quite a bit left to finish off).
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Slavery and Colonisation
atamano's review
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment
ijustreallyliketrees's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Death and Racial slurs
marla_leonce's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, and Death of parent
softwindflower's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Death
Minor: Slavery
asnecessaryasbread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Death and Suicide
buttermellow'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? No
3.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Moderate: Ableism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Death
aplanetarymind's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Death and Violence
Period-typical racism and sexism/misogyny. There is recount of the death of the parental figure, and several assassination attempts are described.achingallover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Grief, and Death of parent