lolomcro's review against another edition
1.0
I struggled to get through this book. It's apparently the first book in a possible series, but it feels like a story that should be taking place in the middle of a series. Like, I feel like I was dropped into the middle of a book, and I've missed the first part of the story, with no explanations, and I'm just trying to pick up the pieces. People and places are mentioned like we should know what they are and we absolutely do not.
I also felt like the relationships were strange and forced. Like, I think Fellian is into the ladies, but there is a male character that is super into her and basically wants to marry her, but they've literally only said 5 sentences to each other.
I wish this was a much longer book, with more relationship-building and world-building, because some of the lore and magic are unique and cool.
I would currently not recommend this book in its current format. I wish it had been given more time and length.
I also felt like the relationships were strange and forced. Like, I think Fellian is into the ladies, but there is a male character that is super into her and basically wants to marry her, but they've literally only said 5 sentences to each other.
I wish this was a much longer book, with more relationship-building and world-building, because some of the lore and magic are unique and cool.
I would currently not recommend this book in its current format. I wish it had been given more time and length.
bookishcapricorn's review against another edition
3.0
Did I read an actual book? Couldn't tell ya.
I thought I changed my mind on my dislike of short fiction, because I have been Loving the short stuff recently. But I still don't think I can get behind short fantasy. The point of fantasy is the magic and the world building, and you just don't get that with short stuff.
I thought I changed my mind on my dislike of short fiction, because I have been Loving the short stuff recently. But I still don't think I can get behind short fantasy. The point of fantasy is the magic and the world building, and you just don't get that with short stuff.
akemichan's review against another edition
3.0
Tralasciando il fatto che l'idea di base è letteralmente quella di Avatar - a parte che c'è un elemento in più ma è palesemente Avatar.
Non mi è dispiaciuto di base, ma trovo che con tutti i personaggi e le tematiche di base che ci sono ci siano veramente troppe poche pagine per un serio approfondimento. Alcune cose hanno davvero poco senso ma sono poste in quella maniera perché non c'era tempo altrimenti.
Soprattutto mi è dispiaciuto per la parte "politica" perché se da un lato ho apprezzato la volontà di inserirla (ed è anche ciò che rende interessante la scelta della protagonista) dall'altro finisce per avere poco senso in un contesto fantasy.
Questa è una cosa che mi capita spesso di ritrovarmi in questo tipo di libri perché nel momento in cui si inserisce un sistema magico va da sé che alcune regole che invece esistono nel mondo reale andrebbero adattate all'esistenza della magia; il ripetere pari pari temi reali senza tenere ciò in considerazione finisce per far perdere loro il senso o comunque non renderli attinenti alla realtà.
Finora secondo me l'unico che c'è riuscito seriamente è stata la saga di Bartimeus.
Non mi è dispiaciuto di base, ma trovo che con tutti i personaggi e le tematiche di base che ci sono ci siano veramente troppe poche pagine per un serio approfondimento. Alcune cose hanno davvero poco senso ma sono poste in quella maniera perché non c'era tempo altrimenti.
Soprattutto mi è dispiaciuto per la parte "politica" perché se da un lato ho apprezzato la volontà di inserirla (ed è anche ciò che rende interessante la scelta della protagonista) dall'altro finisce per avere poco senso in un contesto fantasy.
Questa è una cosa che mi capita spesso di ritrovarmi in questo tipo di libri perché nel momento in cui si inserisce un sistema magico va da sé che alcune regole che invece esistono nel mondo reale andrebbero adattate all'esistenza della magia; il ripetere pari pari temi reali senza tenere ciò in considerazione finisce per far perdere loro il senso o comunque non renderli attinenti alla realtà.
Finora secondo me l'unico che c'è riuscito seriamente è stata la saga di Bartimeus.
aidnoah's review against another edition
3.0
Loved loved loved the worldbuilding here. Hated the sudden and forced attempt at romance. Both times. Had a lot of wtf moments going on at the end, honestly. I definitely agree it could have benefitted from being longer or part of a series. If it DOES become part of a series I will definitely give the others a peek!!
jaime_scott's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
echan's review
adventurous
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
4.0
blanktarget's review
2.0
Couldn't get into it. I liked the idea of the repressed mages and secret plots but the characters felt very flat and stereotypical.
fathershawn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
alexanderp's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Enjoyed this, but there was a lot here that felt more "fantasy as by paint by numbers." It's always hard when you have elemental orders of mages to not have it feel this way, but while Fellian was a compelling character, the story is too short to be fully satisfying. Hoping there is a sequel in the works down the line.