rockchick's review against another edition
4.0
Institute of Magic is full non stop action, adventure and magic.
The world building is great as is any book written by Linsey Hall.
Laurel Schroeder once again delivers a great performance. She breathes life into the characters, makes us part of the story and takes us on a great adventure.
I love the main character. Ana was a fun character to "hang out" with, to watch struggle with harnessing and using her magic. Seeing her grow and and gain strength and confidence was satisfying.
I loved her interactions with Lachlan (wonderfully narrated by Laurel Schroeder).
The world building is great as is any book written by Linsey Hall.
Laurel Schroeder once again delivers a great performance. She breathes life into the characters, makes us part of the story and takes us on a great adventure.
I love the main character. Ana was a fun character to "hang out" with, to watch struggle with harnessing and using her magic. Seeing her grow and and gain strength and confidence was satisfying.
I loved her interactions with Lachlan (wonderfully narrated by Laurel Schroeder).
wolkenfels's review against another edition
3.0
What I liked - you get thrown into a full fleshed world with magic and have to discover it while the story runs at a fast pace.
At some point it was even a bit too much action for my taste. But the concepts how magic works seems to be interesting and it was refreshing ot see how some things just worked without explaining everything.
No super big drama and the character development could be better but was a fun read.
At some point it was even a bit too much action for my taste. But the concepts how magic works seems to be interesting and it was refreshing ot see how some things just worked without explaining everything.
No super big drama and the character development could be better but was a fun read.
mylastromancenovel's review against another edition
3.0
I always find Linsey Hall's books to be intriguing and enjoyable. Every now and then, one is particularly good, but I always know I'm going to enjoy the book. Some stand out more than others, but in general, they are fun quick reads. I prefer her Shadow Guild and later works to these series, but they are still enjoyable.
jennifergoodall's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful light read full of adventure and love.
tawnyad2004's review against another edition
5.0
Content: this series is VERY light on romance. I wouldn’t even put it in that category. Yes there is a romance between Ana and Lachlan but it it by no means a main plot in the story. There are only a couple of kissing scenes in the whole series and any thing more then that happens behind closed doors so to speak and is barely even implied.
I honestly read this series in like 2 days as I was laid up in bed to sick to do anything. This is the first series I’ve read by this author so I missed the first series in this collection. That being said I don’t think it affected my enjoyment in the book. I did miss out on understanding some of the characters better but it didn’t affect the story line.
I enjoyed this series. It was recommended as a paranormal romance which I don’t think it is but it was still be really good. The works the author created was incredible. I loved that she weaves the Celtic myths and gods from our history so seamlessly into this new world. I enjoyed Ana. She was strong, brave and loyal. Same with Lachlan. They were able to get through this battle together because they leaned and trusted each other so much. The ending of the book lacked a little for me. When all was said and done it was just that. Done. A get together at the local pub and a slap on the back. I guess I was just hoping for a little more then that with Ana and Lachlan. With them going through so much together I guess apart of me just wanted a little more. Regardless it didn’t change my rating of the books.
I didn’t stop and review every book in the series. I just read straight through so I’m not going to break down my review for each book. The gist of it is there is a great evil in this world that is trying to destroy it. Ana and Lachlan, along with her sisters and friends must stop that. Trial after trial, puzzle after puzzle Ana and Lachlan face it together. I really enjoyed when Bree and Rowan (the sisters) joined in the search by Ana’s side because there was a great dynamic between the 3. Ana coming into her magic was a good ride as well. Her magic could be a little confusing at times and other times I wondered why she didn’t use a different skill or search more about her power. But it was a faced paced story and I don’t think it would have fit into it as well. This author wove a world that I was sucked into and really enjoyed. I will definitely be reading more of her books.
I honestly read this series in like 2 days as I was laid up in bed to sick to do anything. This is the first series I’ve read by this author so I missed the first series in this collection. That being said I don’t think it affected my enjoyment in the book. I did miss out on understanding some of the characters better but it didn’t affect the story line.
I enjoyed this series. It was recommended as a paranormal romance which I don’t think it is but it was still be really good. The works the author created was incredible. I loved that she weaves the Celtic myths and gods from our history so seamlessly into this new world. I enjoyed Ana. She was strong, brave and loyal. Same with Lachlan. They were able to get through this battle together because they leaned and trusted each other so much. The ending of the book lacked a little for me. When all was said and done it was just that. Done. A get together at the local pub and a slap on the back. I guess I was just hoping for a little more then that with Ana and Lachlan. With them going through so much together I guess apart of me just wanted a little more. Regardless it didn’t change my rating of the books.
I didn’t stop and review every book in the series. I just read straight through so I’m not going to break down my review for each book. The gist of it is there is a great evil in this world that is trying to destroy it. Ana and Lachlan, along with her sisters and friends must stop that. Trial after trial, puzzle after puzzle Ana and Lachlan face it together. I really enjoyed when Bree and Rowan (the sisters) joined in the search by Ana’s side because there was a great dynamic between the 3. Ana coming into her magic was a good ride as well. Her magic could be a little confusing at times and other times I wondered why she didn’t use a different skill or search more about her power. But it was a faced paced story and I don’t think it would have fit into it as well. This author wove a world that I was sucked into and really enjoyed. I will definitely be reading more of her books.
aquariandancer's review against another edition
4.0
The Druid Book One, Dragon's Gift Universe Book Twenty-One.
Coming in last in a training mission wasn't the best indication of Ana's abilities, but she did gain the help of a trio of felines known as the Cats of Catastrophe. When a call for aid comes in, Ana ends up partners with Lachlan Munroe, one of the most notorious mages in the magical community. The two chase down several clues to find a stolen magic Lachlan never should have re-created. During this race, every mage begins to lose powers except Ana. Are her god powers appearing, or is she not affected for a different reason?
If you're looking for a fun story with swords and sorcery, this is the book for you. A quick note, though. I highly recommend beginning with the other miniseries within the Dragon's Gift Universe. While you can understand most everything going on, there isn't as much groundwork laid out for characters or world-building because the series is a continuation instead of a brand new series.
Audio Review:
Laurel Schroeder lays out the story in a light storytelling way. She is not overly dramatic, but does add accents and distinguishes between characters.
Coming in last in a training mission wasn't the best indication of Ana's abilities, but she did gain the help of a trio of felines known as the Cats of Catastrophe. When a call for aid comes in, Ana ends up partners with Lachlan Munroe, one of the most notorious mages in the magical community. The two chase down several clues to find a stolen magic Lachlan never should have re-created. During this race, every mage begins to lose powers except Ana. Are her god powers appearing, or is she not affected for a different reason?
If you're looking for a fun story with swords and sorcery, this is the book for you. A quick note, though. I highly recommend beginning with the other miniseries within the Dragon's Gift Universe. While you can understand most everything going on, there isn't as much groundwork laid out for characters or world-building because the series is a continuation instead of a brand new series.
Audio Review:
Laurel Schroeder lays out the story in a light storytelling way. She is not overly dramatic, but does add accents and distinguishes between characters.
echosong's review against another edition
2.0
244 pages long, this is a faced paced book that for me reads more like an action movie than a book. Set not only in Edinburgh, but also Paris and Pompeii this book shallowly dips it’s toes into the possibility of a world just out of our reach, beyond a magical border and has the main heroine jumping from one place to another with the help of the main character and is a pretty fun light read.
Admittedly, I have not read any other books in the larger series - or this including the main character sister and Cade - which might explain why some things confused me.
Other than that, my only real gripe with the book is the fact that in continually felt as if there was only one degree of separation between the two main characters. Which I wouldn’t have minded if I had felt if there was more grounding for it, but I didn’t feel there was.
In the end, it is a highly imaginative book filled with mythology and history, literally bringing Pompeii to life, that doesn’t take too long to read. The only thing is that you might find it more neutral than decisive, or so I have found.
Admittedly, I have not read any other books in the larger series - or this including the main character sister and Cade - which might explain why some things confused me.
Other than that, my only real gripe with the book is the fact that in continually felt as if there was only one degree of separation between the two main characters. Which I wouldn’t have minded if I had felt if there was more grounding for it, but I didn’t feel there was.
In the end, it is a highly imaginative book filled with mythology and history, literally bringing Pompeii to life, that doesn’t take too long to read. The only thing is that you might find it more neutral than decisive, or so I have found.
sarzwix's review against another edition
3.0
Muh
This book was ok for a quick read, but there are so many similarities to the previous set of books about the protagonist's sister that you're reading with a constant sense of deja vu. Also, there is no such word as 'shined'. No matter how many times you write it. It's 'shone'.
This book was ok for a quick read, but there are so many similarities to the previous set of books about the protagonist's sister that you're reading with a constant sense of deja vu. Also, there is no such word as 'shined'. No matter how many times you write it. It's 'shone'.
errantdreams's review against another edition
4.0
As usual, one of the first things that happens is Ana meets her love interest. This is where I bemoan the formulaic nature of these books: the moment we find Ana walking to a room while noting that she can feel someone super-powerful inside, we know immediately this will be her love interest. Because after all, the love interest in each sub-series is smokin’ hot, physically and magically super-powerful, and wealthy, and shows up pretty much at the start. (Why couldn’t someone be slim and wiry for once? Or bookish? Or female instead of male? Or sweet but poor?) We also seem to be revisiting the “we can’t smooch because we’re working together” argument, which is just kinda meh, especially when done twice in a row (you might recall that Bree and Cade briefly went through this stage as well).
One of the major early complications that hits is that everyone on the hunt for the spell has their magic dampened. Given that affecting others with magic from a distance without using some object of theirs is… not something we’ve really seen before? I think? And sounds kind of unlikely within the established parameters of the world, it’s hard to imagine how this is possible. Hopefully we’ll learn more within the five-book sub-series that will cause this to make sense. After all, we usually don’t learn about the over-arching power the main character faces until later.
As usual, the highlight is the combination of snark and action. Hall is still excellent at climactic fight scenes with a ton of danger, high-powered hijinks, and an array of adversaries and allies. We even get to see the Triumvirate in action again. I’m looking forward to finding out what pantheon has supplied Ana with her powers and how they manifest. Not to mention, how they’re used to create even more excellent fight scenes!
Consider my rating a 3.5
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2018/12/review-institute-of-magic-linsey-hall/
One of the major early complications that hits is that everyone on the hunt for the spell has their magic dampened. Given that affecting others with magic from a distance without using some object of theirs is… not something we’ve really seen before? I think? And sounds kind of unlikely within the established parameters of the world, it’s hard to imagine how this is possible. Hopefully we’ll learn more within the five-book sub-series that will cause this to make sense. After all, we usually don’t learn about the over-arching power the main character faces until later.
As usual, the highlight is the combination of snark and action. Hall is still excellent at climactic fight scenes with a ton of danger, high-powered hijinks, and an array of adversaries and allies. We even get to see the Triumvirate in action again. I’m looking forward to finding out what pantheon has supplied Ana with her powers and how they manifest. Not to mention, how they’re used to create even more excellent fight scenes!
Consider my rating a 3.5
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2018/12/review-institute-of-magic-linsey-hall/
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