goldensnitch's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
This book will have you on the edge of your seat and gasping out loud and feeling heartbreak and every other emotion at the same time. It's suspenseful and fun to read. Goosebumps are a must while reading this book. I highly suggest this book and the entire series. It is amazing and definitely on my will read again list as well as my favorite book list. The characters are deep and have meaning other than just the obvious. The writing style is extremely easy to read and will have you breezing along. I fell in love with all the characters and will continue to love them and apply what they learned to my own life. Look out for V. E. Schwab and her amazing books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
jessicaludden's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
*3.5*
“Magic bent the world. Pulled it into shape. There were fixed points. Most of the time those points were placed. But sometimes, rarely, they were people.”
This book was super slow in the first half. I’m not sure if it was because there was a lot of world building, because I’m not really sure there was, or if it was because we spent a lot of time following the characters’ every movement. I feel like this book had a lot of potential to be amazing. The magic is very cool and the world is super interesting, but I think the characters fall flat. I wasn’t very invested in their fates and was only slightly intrigued as to what they were doing and their back stories. I also didn’t really see the romantic connection between the two main characters, to me it felt completely platonic. I think this book was very plot focused and didn’t give me a lot of time to get to know the characters. I also feel like it wrapped up pretty nicely. Like, if I didn’t know this was a trilogy I would think that was the end. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and am interested in the story but I hope I feel more connected to the characters as the trilogy continues.
“Magic bent the world. Pulled it into shape. There were fixed points. Most of the time those points were placed. But sometimes, rarely, they were people.”
This book was super slow in the first half. I’m not sure if it was because there was a lot of world building, because I’m not really sure there was, or if it was because we spent a lot of time following the characters’ every movement. I feel like this book had a lot of potential to be amazing. The magic is very cool and the world is super interesting, but I think the characters fall flat. I wasn’t very invested in their fates and was only slightly intrigued as to what they were doing and their back stories. I also didn’t really see the romantic connection between the two main characters, to me it felt completely platonic. I think this book was very plot focused and didn’t give me a lot of time to get to know the characters. I also feel like it wrapped up pretty nicely. Like, if I didn’t know this was a trilogy I would think that was the end. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and am interested in the story but I hope I feel more connected to the characters as the trilogy continues.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Death
lavenderbluestories's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
creepypiespice's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent and Sexism
emilyplun's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Gun violence, and Torture
Minor: Sexual content
paper_queen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Initial Response
THAT. WAS. EPIIIIIIIIC.
High Lights
- I somehow managed to get through this one during NaNo, and OH MAN. It was magical.
- Kell is a precious person that must be protected at all costs.
- Lila is a snarky, knife-lover who wants to be a pirate and is pretty much the perfect mix of girl and thief.
- Rhy is the strangest little person, but I love him so very much.
- Holland is...complicated, and I really, really hate him, I do...But I also kind of love him? Like? He's an awesome villainous person??
-
- THE MAGIC. IT'S MAGICAL. I LOVE IT. It was just so well explained, while still being a bit mysterious, and ANTARI ARE SO STINKIN' COOL.
- The other Londons...how to even begin. They're amazing. I love the connections, I love how great the world is built and shown to us, and I really just need the second book.
- I'm so good at reviewing books. XD
Low Lights
- There was some swearing, but it was mild. However, there was some heavy violence, which didn't bother me too much, but it's not as sensitive a subject to me as it might be for others. So, read with caution.
Conclusion
This was so fun. It was such a great book to have to just take a break from writing and read a few chapters. It really inspired me and helped keep my creative juices flowing. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for a magical adventure.
THAT. WAS. EPIIIIIIIIC.
High Lights
- I somehow managed to get through this one during NaNo, and OH MAN. It was magical.
- Kell is a precious person that must be protected at all costs.
- Lila is a snarky, knife-lover who wants to be a pirate and is pretty much the perfect mix of girl and thief.
- Rhy is the strangest little person, but I love him so very much.
- Holland is...complicated, and I really, really hate him, I do...But I also kind of love him? Like? He's an awesome villainous person??
-
Spoiler
Athos and Astrid are chilling and epic and the perrrrfect villains. I'm almost kind of disappointed that they're gone...but I have a feeling that things are going to crazy in the next books. O_O- THE MAGIC. IT'S MAGICAL. I LOVE IT. It was just so well explained, while still being a bit mysterious, and ANTARI ARE SO STINKIN' COOL.
- The other Londons...how to even begin. They're amazing. I love the connections,
Spoiler
I love how things happen in one London, and also happen in the other Londons- I'm so good at reviewing books. XD
Low Lights
- There was some swearing, but it was mild. However, there was some heavy violence, which didn't bother me too much, but it's not as sensitive a subject to me as it might be for others. So, read with caution.
Conclusion
This was so fun. It was such a great book to have to just take a break from writing and read a few chapters. It really inspired me and helped keep my creative juices flowing. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for a magical adventure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
shannonmarie's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.75
Absolutely loved this book. Was a bit worried I would be confused about the world based on the summary but the author did an amazing job setting it up and bringing the reader into the world. I am extremely excited to read the other books in this series.
Overall one of the best books I have read in awhile.
Spoiler
The only thing I did not love about the book was the random kiss between the two main characters that came out of no where for me. I thought of them as having a much more platonic brother-sister relationship throughout the book so it took me off guard. However it was very short and was not built upon afterwards. Maybe the next book will either build that relationship up or go back to being very platonic.Overall one of the best books I have read in awhile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual content
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