msteen02's review
adventurous
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
allybelles's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
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
4.25
kkwins's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
randoravenclaw's review
adventurous
tense
fast-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
5.0
shouldigetbangs's review
I could not get through the onslaught of exposition. I might pick it up and try again eventually.
lsoccer12's review
3.0
Novik delivers another unique fantasy with an incredible protagonist.
I was a bit confused by the magic system and setting, but I stuck it out - the characters and writing were just too good not to!
I was a bit confused by the magic system and setting, but I stuck it out - the characters and writing were just too good not to!
lexieesrw's review
3.0
The premise — giving a kind of malicious sentience to a school — is creative and memorable. The details on the world building lore can get messy and nebulous, and as a result it can be a confusing read when it comes to visualising. I found some of the characters bland, and some of them teetered on being racially stereotypical (eg the Asian kids are the engineers) and it at times felt like diversity for diversity’s sake. I did enjoy the mixed race lead, and the diversity of characters but it felt trite at times as culture didn’t play into their differences so much as Novik using the international element to refer to different languages. I’d lean towards giving this 2.5 stars, but I rounded up because I found the idea very fun, and I love it when fantasy authors give life to things as well as people.
snowbenton's review against another edition
5.0
In the summertime, the highest compliment I can pay a book is that I read it at the pool and stayed out too long and got sunburnt.
I am extremely sunburnt.
I am extremely sunburnt.