alexperc_92's review
5.0
Descriptions of the fairy lands and the way they lived while the heroine struggles to save Erris. My only protest is the ending. The author should have written more about what happened to the other of her heores but the ending was satisfactory!
chrissireads's review
3.0
Oh my goodness! I have been meaning to read this book for years. Literal years. No hyperbole. I read the first book in 2013. 2013!!!! It’s ridiculous that this book has been on my shelves for so long. I certainly think it’s a lesson to myself- don’t leave books too long. However, stepping into this story, it didn’t feel like it had been as long. I was super happy to return to Nimira, Erris and the world that Jaclyn Dolamore created.
Erris is trapped in clockwork form. He goes with Nimira to find the great sorcerer Ordorio Valdana, hoping that he will be able to give Erris a real life. They soon found out that Valdana has vanished. Nimira starts to study Valdana’s books in secret, but she realises that freeing Erris brings danger and possible war between the worlds…
It’s always hard to read a sequel of a book that you loved so dearly. Whilst this book didn’t quite capture my heart as much as its predecessor, it was still such an easy to read book.
The characters are incredibly complex, although I’m sad to say some of them did grate on me a little towards the middle of this book. I felt that their actions somewhat brought the book to a slower pace and I just wanted them to get on with saving Erris. I did really enjoy the inclusion of Ifra, a new character to this duology. He was a very interesting character and added something exciting to the story that’s for sure.
I’m not sure that I was overly satisfied with the ending. It felt a little rushed for my liking. I felt like I had a lot of unanswered questions. Whilst I wasn’t disappointed by this book, it lacked some magic of the first.
Erris is trapped in clockwork form. He goes with Nimira to find the great sorcerer Ordorio Valdana, hoping that he will be able to give Erris a real life. They soon found out that Valdana has vanished. Nimira starts to study Valdana’s books in secret, but she realises that freeing Erris brings danger and possible war between the worlds…
It’s always hard to read a sequel of a book that you loved so dearly. Whilst this book didn’t quite capture my heart as much as its predecessor, it was still such an easy to read book.
The characters are incredibly complex, although I’m sad to say some of them did grate on me a little towards the middle of this book. I felt that their actions somewhat brought the book to a slower pace and I just wanted them to get on with saving Erris. I did really enjoy the inclusion of Ifra, a new character to this duology. He was a very interesting character and added something exciting to the story that’s for sure.
I’m not sure that I was overly satisfied with the ending. It felt a little rushed for my liking. I felt like I had a lot of unanswered questions. Whilst I wasn’t disappointed by this book, it lacked some magic of the first.
bookworm_630's review
4.0
I liked Magic Under Glass, but I really enjoyed reading Magic Under Stone. The entire world had more weight and dimension, the characters gained depth, and the story is more engaging for it. I love the very strong female characters that drive both these books, but this one in particular.
shaunamovo's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I loved the first book so much. And a certain charm and magic was missing in this one. I really liked Ifra's POV, but something about Nimira felt very different. She just complained a lot more and I felt frustrated that she cared more about how she was feeling than about what Erris was going through. She just seemed very selfish. Especially when she tried to justify her continued correspondence with Hollin. The plot also rushed through the exciting and dramatic parks and dragged out the unimportant parts. The last few chapters were also felt very rushed. I'm just left feeling disappointed. I feel like the author didn't put as much care into this book as the first one.
bookwyrm_lark's review
4.0
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
It's not often that I enjoy a sequel even more than the original, but this is one of those books. I liked many things about Magic Under Glass, but hoped for more substance and depth in the sequel. I was not disappointed: Magic Under Stone is a wonderful follow-up, and better than the first book in several ways.
Magic Under Stone picks up some months after the end of Magic Under Glass, but little has changed for Nimira and Erris. The fairy prince is still trapped in the clockwork body of an automaton, although his face and hands appear alive thanks to the intervention of the Queen of Night. Erris and Nimira's relationship has become increasingly tense, as the strain of Erris's neither-alive-nor-dead state and their uncertainty about its eventual resolution takes a toll on both of them.
The book begins with the main characters' journey to a town on the border with Fairyland, in search of Valdana, a magician who may be able to help Erris -- and who, coincidentally, is Erris's brother-in-law, having married one of his sisters. Nim and Erris arrive at the border town only to find the magician gone; his spoiled and invalid half-fairy daughter, Violet, living a secret existence; and the local townsfolk both fearful and threatening. When a jinn shows up, sent by the usurper king of Fairyland to find and destroy the clockwork Erris and kidnap Violet, Nim and her friend Anneliese must journey into Fairyland in search of them both.
As I hoped, Dolamore has clearly grown as a writer. The characters in Magic Under Stone are more nuanced than in Magic Under Glass. Dolamore deftly portrays the tensions between Erris and Nim, as well as Nim's ambiguous feelings for Parry, the sorcerer for whom she once worked. Ifra, the jinn, is equally well-drawn, conflicted as he is about serving the fairy king. (The glimpses we get into jinn life and culture are fascinating; I hope we'll see more of Ifra and his world in the future.) On the other hand, the magician's daughter, Violet, feels less three-dimensional than the other characters; her motivations are sometimes unclear and her actions at times seem arbitrary. Perhaps we are supposed to attribute this to a combination of her isolation and the throes of adolescence, but given the depth of the other major characters, Violet's relative lack of cohesion was jarring.
Magic Under Stone also offers more depth and detail in both setting and world-building than its predecessor did. Although the book is about the same length as Magic Under Glass, the world and the events that take place in it feel more more real. As I mentioned, we get a glimpse of jinn society as well as a much better picture of Fairyland, which emerges as an intriguing combination of the mundane and the magical. The plot is similarly richer and more complex. I was thoroughly drawn in to the story and the world.
Magic Under Stone presents a more satisfying conclusion than Magic Under Glass, but there is ample room for a third sequel, since the underlying human-fairy conflict remains unresolved. I really enjoyed reading this installment, and I look forward to seeing what Dolamore comes up with next! Meanwhile, I'll have to content myself with hunting down a copy of Between the Sea and Sky, her mermaid book.
FCC disclosure: I borrowed this from the public library.
You can read more of my reviews at The Bookwyrm’s Hoard.
It's not often that I enjoy a sequel even more than the original, but this is one of those books. I liked many things about Magic Under Glass, but hoped for more substance and depth in the sequel. I was not disappointed: Magic Under Stone is a wonderful follow-up, and better than the first book in several ways.
Magic Under Stone picks up some months after the end of Magic Under Glass, but little has changed for Nimira and Erris. The fairy prince is still trapped in the clockwork body of an automaton, although his face and hands appear alive thanks to the intervention of the Queen of Night. Erris and Nimira's relationship has become increasingly tense, as the strain of Erris's neither-alive-nor-dead state and their uncertainty about its eventual resolution takes a toll on both of them.
The book begins with the main characters' journey to a town on the border with Fairyland, in search of Valdana, a magician who may be able to help Erris -- and who, coincidentally, is Erris's brother-in-law, having married one of his sisters. Nim and Erris arrive at the border town only to find the magician gone; his spoiled and invalid half-fairy daughter, Violet, living a secret existence; and the local townsfolk both fearful and threatening. When a jinn shows up, sent by the usurper king of Fairyland to find and destroy the clockwork Erris and kidnap Violet, Nim and her friend Anneliese must journey into Fairyland in search of them both.
As I hoped, Dolamore has clearly grown as a writer. The characters in Magic Under Stone are more nuanced than in Magic Under Glass. Dolamore deftly portrays the tensions between Erris and Nim, as well as Nim's ambiguous feelings for Parry, the sorcerer for whom she once worked. Ifra, the jinn, is equally well-drawn, conflicted as he is about serving the fairy king. (The glimpses we get into jinn life and culture are fascinating; I hope we'll see more of Ifra and his world in the future.) On the other hand, the magician's daughter, Violet, feels less three-dimensional than the other characters; her motivations are sometimes unclear and her actions at times seem arbitrary. Perhaps we are supposed to attribute this to a combination of her isolation and the throes of adolescence, but given the depth of the other major characters, Violet's relative lack of cohesion was jarring.
Magic Under Stone also offers more depth and detail in both setting and world-building than its predecessor did. Although the book is about the same length as Magic Under Glass, the world and the events that take place in it feel more more real. As I mentioned, we get a glimpse of jinn society as well as a much better picture of Fairyland, which emerges as an intriguing combination of the mundane and the magical. The plot is similarly richer and more complex. I was thoroughly drawn in to the story and the world.
Magic Under Stone presents a more satisfying conclusion than Magic Under Glass, but there is ample room for a third sequel, since the underlying human-fairy conflict remains unresolved. I really enjoyed reading this installment, and I look forward to seeing what Dolamore comes up with next! Meanwhile, I'll have to content myself with hunting down a copy of Between the Sea and Sky, her mermaid book.
FCC disclosure: I borrowed this from the public library.
You can read more of my reviews at The Bookwyrm’s Hoard.
totallybookedsolid's review
4.0
( big thanks to Netgalley for the ecopy Arc to read, and a big thanks to Jaclyn Dolamore for my signed Arc copy )
Magic Under Stone was a perfect mix of Man, Metal and Magic. Nimira saved Erris enough that he is not longer fully trapped in his clockwork body but not enough that they can truly be together. This new set up of life for them seem almost heartbreaking, to be so close to having the love they wanted but still having to deal with the fact that Erris might never truly be flesh again. Magic Under Stone hosts a whole new line of Characters to mix with the old ones. I really enjoyed that both Erris and Nimira were forced to grow in this book. Erris had to come to terms with the fact if he was ever free from the clockwork body , he would be a faerie Prince. Nimira grows in order to deal with several things such as the fact she is in love with a man trapped in a clockwork body who may never be free , but if he is free can she truly be worthy of a Prince when she is only human. I highly recommend this book and hope that others will pick up Magic Under Stone , so that they might to find out if Erris and Nimira's Love can conquer everything that is thrown at them.
(Other than receiving the book I was in no way compensated for reviewing this book, all opinions are my own)
Magic Under Stone was a perfect mix of Man, Metal and Magic. Nimira saved Erris enough that he is not longer fully trapped in his clockwork body but not enough that they can truly be together. This new set up of life for them seem almost heartbreaking, to be so close to having the love they wanted but still having to deal with the fact that Erris might never truly be flesh again. Magic Under Stone hosts a whole new line of Characters to mix with the old ones. I really enjoyed that both Erris and Nimira were forced to grow in this book. Erris had to come to terms with the fact if he was ever free from the clockwork body , he would be a faerie Prince. Nimira grows in order to deal with several things such as the fact she is in love with a man trapped in a clockwork body who may never be free , but if he is free can she truly be worthy of a Prince when she is only human. I highly recommend this book and hope that others will pick up Magic Under Stone , so that they might to find out if Erris and Nimira's Love can conquer everything that is thrown at them.
(Other than receiving the book I was in no way compensated for reviewing this book, all opinions are my own)
beththebookdragon's review
4.0
While not quite as entrancing as Magic Under Glass, this sequel contains many of the same elements--wonderfully gifted and flawed characters, a world of varying countries conjured in words with delightful details, and of course a fascinating plot. Nimira and Erris go through more adventures and setbacks, new characters are introduced, secrets are revealed in good time, and the story is wrapped up not with all loose ends tied up into a bow but satisfyingly unfinished.
Highly recommended for fans of Magic Under Glass.
Highly recommended for fans of Magic Under Glass.
ricksilva's review
5.0
The follow-up to Magic Under Glass adds more politics, more magic, and a great new character who is used as an alternate POV for parts of the story.
This had a slow build to the action, but it really payed off in the end with a powerful climax and resolution, and a much more epic feel than the first book of the series.
This had a slow build to the action, but it really payed off in the end with a powerful climax and resolution, and a much more epic feel than the first book of the series.
elevetha's review
3.0
2.5 stars.
I really felt that this book focused a lot on Ifra.
I loved Ifra's character. I did. He is a jinn who is taught never to feel or get emotionally involved in anything. He is obliged to obey any command given by his master. He never wants to do any of those things. He is hurt by everything he's been forced to do. There are two parts of him: the side that has no choice but to carry out the commands and the side that wants nothing more than to repair the damage he's done.
I love how, even though he can't actually change what he has to do, he feels for these people that he has hurt and tries to help them in ways they don't quite understand. He sends letters with information concerning their loved ones or the resistance. They can't fathom how someone who kills people and ruins people's lives can turn around and be so sorry. But he is. And I loved him.
I also loved how even though he loves Violet; he tells her off when she's being a spoiled brat. He knows she needs to grow up. He knows that she could be a good woman and queen. But she has to mature and grow up.
Violet annoyed me. I wanted to like her and what little I did like her was mostly because of Ifra.
And I suppose I realized that her life kinda sucked. She had virtually no family. She was spoiled and never told what was wrong or right. She just wanted somebody to love her and she wanted to love in return. She rather latched on to Ifra, which was slightly frustrating at first but.... But I fully believe that, with time, they will be good for each other.
I thought that they kissed a little too much but whatevs. Not a huge deal.
I would pay money for a book about Ifra or the jinns.
Maybe baby Ifra? His earlier masters? But then again, I'd love to see him deal with Violet and and have this series of events be not so far in the future. Or past, I suppose.
Nim seemed extremely one minded. She wanted to get Erris back which, while understandable, didn't leave much room for her worrying about the kingdom or Ifra or Violet or anyone else. That was a bad thing. No one should be so focused on something/someone that they don't seem to care about other things/people. Bad Nim.
Also, wisen up Nim!! Just stop writing Hollin, okay?
Nim seemed different. She wasn't quite as caring and she just felt a little out of true.
Erris was a little mopy and moody at times. I still liked him but...not as much? He seemed a little different, like Nim, esp at the end. Not quite sure what was going on there.
Loved (I'll find their names)
I really liked that Belin, while misguided and never the nicest person, did the right thing in the end.
It really started to feel rushed at the end. Moving too quickly.
But it's a happy ending and satisfactory if there is to be no more books in the series.
I really felt that this book focused a lot on Ifra.
I loved Ifra's character. I did. He is a jinn who is taught never to feel or get emotionally involved in anything. He is obliged to obey any command given by his master. He never wants to do any of those things. He is hurt by everything he's been forced to do. There are two parts of him: the side that has no choice but to carry out the commands and the side that wants nothing more than to repair the damage he's done.
I love how, even though he can't actually change what he has to do, he feels for these people that he has hurt and tries to help them in ways they don't quite understand. He sends letters with information concerning their loved ones or the resistance. They can't fathom how someone who kills people and ruins people's lives can turn around and be so sorry. But he is. And I loved him.
I also loved how even though he loves Violet; he tells her off when she's being a spoiled brat. He knows she needs to grow up. He knows that she could be a good woman and queen. But she has to mature and grow up.
Violet annoyed me. I wanted to like her and what little I did like her was mostly because of Ifra.
And I suppose I realized that her life kinda sucked. She had virtually no family. She was spoiled and never told what was wrong or right. She just wanted somebody to love her and she wanted to love in return. She rather latched on to Ifra, which was slightly frustrating at first but.... But I fully believe that, with time, they will be good for each other.
I thought that they kissed a little too much but whatevs. Not a huge deal.
I would pay money for a book about Ifra or the jinns.
Maybe baby Ifra? His earlier masters? But then again, I'd love to see him deal with Violet and
Spoiler
be serving Erris as a free manNim seemed extremely one minded. She wanted to get Erris back which, while understandable, didn't leave much room for her worrying about the kingdom or Ifra or Violet or anyone else. That was a bad thing. No one should be so focused on something/someone that they don't seem to care about other things/people. Bad Nim.
Also, wisen up Nim!! Just stop writing Hollin, okay?
Nim seemed different. She wasn't quite as caring and she just felt a little out of true.
Erris was a little mopy and moody at times. I still liked him but...not as much? He seemed a little different, like Nim, esp at the end. Not quite sure what was going on there.
Loved (I'll find their names)
I really liked that Belin, while misguided and never the nicest person, did the right thing in the end.
It really started to feel rushed at the end. Moving too quickly.
But it's a happy ending and satisfactory if there is to be no more books in the series.
goldsundrops's review
3.0
Similar to the first book in that it builds slowly and then rushes to the finish. Unlike the first book, the rush doesn't leave you wanting for more but instead... disappointed? At some point I noticed that there weren't many pages left and thinking that we were going to get a third book because there didn't seem to be enough time to wrap everything up properly.
I do agree with the other reviewers on here that felt Nimira and Erris didn't seem to have grown much from the previous book, but I do empathise with both the characters and can see why they acted the way they did. (I'm 23 and my natural instinct when encountering any hardship is also to complain about it LMAO.)
My favourite character here would have to be Ifra though, especially loved him putting Violet in her place but I wish the ending of him having to compromise his morals wasn't just glossed over in favour of the sugary sweet reunion of our two mains.
I do agree with the other reviewers on here that felt Nimira and Erris didn't seem to have grown much from the previous book, but I do empathise with both the characters and can see why they acted the way they did. (I'm 23 and my natural instinct when encountering any hardship is also to complain about it LMAO.)
My favourite character here would have to be Ifra though, especially loved him putting Violet in her place but I wish the ending of him having to compromise his morals wasn't just glossed over in favour of the sugary sweet reunion of our two mains.