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emath98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I often am nervous when starting books set in a magical boarding school, because of the potential for the story to become a HP knockoff. Not only is Magic for Liars told from a completely different genre and perspective, the flavor of the magic/magical world is really unique and sets it apart. Great book!
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
daffodilcherry's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I liked the central mystery, and the cast of characters that surrounded it were well fleshed out and real. The worldbuilding was just deep enough to keep the book moving, which was fine and explainable as Ivy doesn't understand much either. The heart of this story really was the relationship between Tabitha and Ivy rather than solving the mystery at times. I listened to this as an audiobook and Xe Sands perfected the world weary private detective vibe.
Definitely a great read, 4/5 stars since I'm feeling a little fatigue at American highschool stories. Secondary characters were in sapphic relationships, but the main character is very into a (bi) man, which was written sweetly. Specific content warnings will be explained below.
Wheelhouses: noir detective, snarky and self aware noir detective POV, magic school, highschool through the eyes of an adult, mean girls cliques, chosen one narratives with a twist, sapphic side characters, sister estrangement and reconciliation.
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, and Abortion
Moderate: Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
A major story arc is about Ivy uncovering a teen pregnancy who then has a magical abortion, which itself is a body horror experience without pain:abbiechron's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Abortion, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Cancer, Gore, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Blood, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
turrean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The audiobook was FANTASTIC.
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Blood, Medical trauma, Abortion, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness and Pregnancy
forg3y's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Gore, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Abortion, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Blood and Vomit
It handles the panic attack parts well, with some good ways to cope (and one, impossible-but-wouldn't-it-be-nice way)jes7037's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
The writing was great, sometimes funny and snarky, sometimes emotional and reflective, sometimes tense and dark. The relationships between characters (especially Ivy and Tabitha) were complex and emotional, with some of Ivy's inner thoughts causing me emotional damage with how poignant and raw they were. The characters felt real in the way they interacted, and I actually enjoyed the romance in this book.
The world and its magic were so interesting, especially the combination of medical and magical.
The audiobook voice actor was absolutely amazing, and I want to listen to more books narrated by them. And of course, I'm going to devour anything else this author has written.
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death and Pregnancy
Minor: Bullying, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
princessfabulous's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
tess_gee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Death, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage, Violence, and Abandonment
lira_the_recluse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Gore, Terminal illness, and Abortion
xosirenox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Death, Gore, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol