Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Paper Magician

This book is genuinely so nostalgic for me. I first read it when I randomly came across it in the adult fantasy section of the library when I was in middle school. Only to find out that the author lives in Salt Lake City and is a BYU alumni. Which at the time felt very significant and relevant to me. Especially since I just randomly picked it off a shelf. And then I begged my parents for my own set of the series for my next birthday, which I did get and is very well loved by now. And yes I fully admit that my 5 star rating is influenced by nostalgia, but I will honestly never change it. Plus I do genuinely think this book is very good. I like the magic system, and how closely tied into the Industrial Revolution it is. I also think the Excisioners are really cool and terrifying villains. Although I do wish there was a little more world building and lore in this series. Because you never get an explanation about how humans first discovered magic or the bonding words. There also isn't ever an explanation of how Ceony

ends up in Emery's heart, or how she freezes Lira. The magic behind it is always a little bit fuzzy.

I also love the characters. I love how headstrong and brave Ceony is, and how whimsical and passionate Emery is. And the cottage is so atmospheric and cozy. These books just feel like a warm hug to me and I literally reread this in one sitting.
Read my personal copy.

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saliwali's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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? Yes

3.75

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tookish_by_nature's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I wish I could like this book more than I do, however, there are a lot of small flaws that built up to the point it really dragged down the experience for me.

The magic system is very interesting and quite unique from what little we get to see of it, and for the first quarter of the book thats the main focus- we're along for the ride as our heroine learns to work magic with paper. If there was more of that I would love this book.

Quite quickly however it launches into the main plot that includes MANY flashbacks that almost feel like exposition dumps and the hint of a romance that felt forced and sudden- appearing out of nowhere with little apparent chemistry between the leads.

Its short enough that if you've any interest in the premise theres no harm in reading it, but it was a bit of a let down.

Hopefully other books in the series will expand on the magic system and be more worth the time.

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buxomfloozy's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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dodie_sullivan's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book started out strong. The magic system is cool, and I feel like it had good potential. That being said, I got bored once

Ceony goes to retrieve Emery’s heart. Witnessing his happiest memories, hopes, worst moments, and doubts was a cool way to explore Thane’s character but it felt like a shift away from the stuff that made me want to read the book in the first place.

Ceony was an okay character. I kept forgetting that Ceony was 19 because she acted liked a young teen. It would have been a four with all that but then the romance thing started. She, a nineteen-year-old, likes Thane (her teacher who is in his thirties) and while she doesn’t actively encourage, Ceony doesn’t do anything to stop. Thane does not initiate encounters or reciprocate the feelings in this book. At the end of the book, it’s implied that

they’ll get together and have kids.

I’m not sure I want to read to the other ones due to this.

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cj13's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.5

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kat1105's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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