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thelauramay's review
2.0
Honestly terrible--but terrible in that kind of endearing way. Facile plot, bizarrely stupid characters, transparent and flimsy use of plot devices just to get things moving, no use of professional editor, and NO ENDING. I wouldn't pay money for this, and wouldn't read the rest. Barely acceptable, and only because I was ill. Plus points: reasonable characterisation in parts, interesting world concept.
1.5*.
1.5*.
thelongroadtosanity's review
2.0
This whole book was just "Meh" to me. The plot was way too slow at times and then felt rushed through the action bits. It feels like you are thrusted into this extravagant world with little backstory about the magic system and whatnot. I also wasn't a huge fan of the main character, Petra. (04/2023)
2.5 stars out of 5, rounded down
2.5 stars out of 5, rounded down
lavendermarch's review
3.0
With a cover like that, I saw potential.
But...the pace was choppy, the book was in a whole different dimension from what I was expecting, I didn't really like or get to know any of the characters, and whole thing was just downright disturbing.
I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking (like I was) for a good magic school/college story with, like, CLASSES and stuff. I mean, it's called "Ravenridge COLLEGE", right? Anyway, it pulled a real 180 and then didn't impress me with what did happen.
3 stars. There was so much potential! Please excuse me while I go cry tears of sadness and disappointment.
But...the pace was choppy, the book was in a whole different dimension from what I was expecting, I didn't really like or get to know any of the characters, and whole thing was just downright disturbing.
I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking (like I was) for a good magic school/college story with, like, CLASSES and stuff. I mean, it's called "Ravenridge COLLEGE", right? Anyway, it pulled a real 180 and then didn't impress me with what did happen.
3 stars. There was so much potential! Please excuse me while I go cry tears of sadness and disappointment.
bookishexpat's review
2.0
This book. How can I put it? Just as I was starting to think it may make up for its faults, it ended. With a really lame, gimmicky cliff-hanger. Come ON.
Still, I’m having trouble reviewing it. It has a decent hook — magically talented misfit with dysfunctional family goes to magical school and turns out to be one of their only hopes to save the world. I know it sounds somewhat unoriginal, but the setup is actually pretty decent and the characters likable.
What’s not good is the writing. It reads like a kid’s diary, like those shows where the narrator is a child and they keep getting ahead of themselves and have to backtrack and explain things. For quite a long while, there is a lot of telling and not very much showing and I felt like I was trying to watch a show when I’d missed the first two seasons.
Another thing I didn’t like was that the characters could have been so much more, but they were not really developed, so things just kind of fall flat. It doesn’t help that the dialogue is quite uninspired. Seriously, if these were real people they’d have zero game.
Not planning to read the rest of the series. Moving on.
Still, I’m having trouble reviewing it. It has a decent hook — magically talented misfit with dysfunctional family goes to magical school and turns out to be one of their only hopes to save the world. I know it sounds somewhat unoriginal, but the setup is actually pretty decent and the characters likable.
What’s not good is the writing. It reads like a kid’s diary, like those shows where the narrator is a child and they keep getting ahead of themselves and have to backtrack and explain things. For quite a long while, there is a lot of telling and not very much showing and I felt like I was trying to watch a show when I’d missed the first two seasons.
Another thing I didn’t like was that the characters could have been so much more, but they were not really developed, so things just kind of fall flat. It doesn’t help that the dialogue is quite uninspired. Seriously, if these were real people they’d have zero game.
Not planning to read the rest of the series. Moving on.
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