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bookworm5732's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
megradiant's review against another edition
4.0
Such a great book! I loved the magic system and world Kat Howard created here. Not rated 5 stars because I felt the ending a bit rushed and unsatisfying, but there is going to be a sequel! I have high hopes for that!
annikenmarijke's review against another edition
3.0
This story feels too large for its format. I really like the story and the premise, but there are too many characters,
POVs and too much going on. I consider myself an attentive reader, but had trouble really feeling this one.
POVs and too much going on. I consider myself an attentive reader, but had trouble really feeling this one.
nessyreadsalot's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don’t think I’ll continue with this series. I liked this book and it’s ending enough to stop my interest here. The main thing that kept me from being fully invested was that there were sooo many characters to keep track of. On top of that, I feel like most of their personalities blended in too much and there wasn’t enough distinctiveness between them to make it easy in following them along in the plot of the story. It seemed to me like The houses showed more of the characters’ personalities than the characters themselves.
I did love the plot/general vibe of the book. Set in NY where magicians live among mundanes but also have their own “unseen” world for the tournament and magic related lifestyles; furthermore, the lives of the magicians/houses are tied to institutions that impact the mundane world, making the winner of the tournament that much more powerful.
I haven’t read an urban fantasy before so I found this approach to the fantasy genre to be so intriguing. Even though I won’t be continuing the series, I’ll definitely be looking for similar genres/settings.
I did love the plot/general vibe of the book. Set in NY where magicians live among mundanes but also have their own “unseen” world for the tournament and magic related lifestyles; furthermore, the lives of the magicians/houses are tied to institutions that impact the mundane world, making the winner of the tournament that much more powerful.
I haven’t read an urban fantasy before so I found this approach to the fantasy genre to be so intriguing. Even though I won’t be continuing the series, I’ll definitely be looking for similar genres/settings.
theliteraryapothecary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
So I first started this an audiobook only read - and after a few chapters I realized that I needed the text in front of me while reading. I wasn't giving it the full attention it deserved, couldn't follow along and stay interested in what was happening. Realized I was 5 chapters in without knowing what happened in those 5 chapters. So I changed to an immersion read and started over, which went better for me.
CAWPILE Rating:
Characters: 3/5 - For me, there were too many characters to keep up with, many of which felt the same. It was hard to keep track of who was who, and who belonged to what house and were doing what, all the time. Some of the characters were much more interesting than others, some kind of blended together for me.
Atmosphere/Setting: 5/5 - I abosolutely loved the idea that the houses were kind of sentinent - if you will. Slight spoiler warning: They took on the magic of their "owner" - and I LOVE this idea! They changed themselves to match their owners personality. It was just such a cool idea.
Writing Style: 3/5 - Sometimes, even following along in print was hard for me to follow.
Plot: 4/5 - At times, I had no idea what the actual plot was. BUT that ending - it surprised me soo much. I loved it, and has me really intrigued on where the series goes from here.
Intrigue: 3/5 - My intrigue came and went at times.
Logic/Relationships: 4.5/5 - This is the kind of book that makes 100% sense once you have finished reading it and can think back to it. While it all made sense in the end, I prefer books that make sense throughout, which is why I took off .5 points for that.
Enjoyment: 4/5 - Once I switched to an immersion read, I enjoyed this book a lot more. I loved the ideas presented in it and am intrigued on how it proceeds in the series. I think when I get to book 2 (one day...), I will reread this book first and just do a straight read without the audiobook.
Audiobook Narration: 2/5 - The audiobook narration was far too slow, even with it sped up - it still felt intentinally slow, with some of the characters she slowed it down way too much. It made a frustrating read. Her narration for the male characters were not good, IMO - but also some of them blended together for me. When I read the rest of the series I will not be doing the audiobook.
Total: 28.5/8 = 3.5/5 stars
Quotes:
"She spoke a word that sounded like glass shattering [...]" (106)
So I first started this an audiobook only read - and after a few chapters I realized that I needed the text in front of me while reading. I wasn't giving it the full attention it deserved, couldn't follow along and stay interested in what was happening. Realized I was 5 chapters in without knowing what happened in those 5 chapters. So I changed to an immersion read and started over, which went better for me.
CAWPILE Rating:
Characters: 3/5 - For me, there were too many characters to keep up with, many of which felt the same. It was hard to keep track of who was who, and who belonged to what house and were doing what, all the time. Some of the characters were much more interesting than others, some kind of blended together for me.
Atmosphere/Setting: 5/5 - I abosolutely loved the idea that the houses were kind of sentinent - if you will. Slight spoiler warning: They took on the magic of their "owner" - and I LOVE this idea! They changed themselves to match their owners personality. It was just such a cool idea.
Writing Style: 3/5 - Sometimes, even following along in print was hard for me to follow.
Plot: 4/5 - At times, I had no idea what the actual plot was. BUT that ending - it surprised me soo much. I loved it, and has me really intrigued on where the series goes from here.
Intrigue: 3/5 - My intrigue came and went at times.
Logic/Relationships: 4.5/5 - This is the kind of book that makes 100% sense once you have finished reading it and can think back to it. While it all made sense in the end, I prefer books that make sense throughout, which is why I took off .5 points for that.
Enjoyment: 4/5 - Once I switched to an immersion read, I enjoyed this book a lot more. I loved the ideas presented in it and am intrigued on how it proceeds in the series. I think when I get to book 2 (one day...), I will reread this book first and just do a straight read without the audiobook.
Audiobook Narration: 2/5 - The audiobook narration was far too slow, even with it sped up - it still felt intentinally slow, with some of the characters she slowed it down way too much. It made a frustrating read. Her narration for the male characters were not good, IMO - but also some of them blended together for me. When I read the rest of the series I will not be doing the audiobook.
Total: 28.5/8 = 3.5/5 stars
Quotes:
"She spoke a word that sounded like glass shattering [...]" (106)
driftinggrav's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I was not a huge fan of this book. The pacing was rushed and the focus of the plot was not very clear. The characters were well developed individuals though the pov slipped between too many too often in my opinion. Interesting magic system. I liked that there had to be an equal exchange--power for pain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism
jayarna's review against another edition
4.0
This book had been on my radar but I'd never added it to my Goodreads tbr as I hadn't heard much about it from anyone. But low and behold, mytbr.co sent it to me in a list of custom recommendations I paid for (so freaking fun, I would highly recommend giving it a go!)
This was the first one I've read and I'm so glad I did this. This book hit so many home runs for me. Interesting, layered characters in complex situations that worked with each other in such interesting ways. A little romance, lots of magic, a cool setting, darkness - omg this was awesome!
There's a lot of perspectives in this book, although Sydney is definitely the main character, and each scene is well thought out and serves a purpose. Never was I bored because the story was constantly moving forward, and it wasn't that long, but it felt like a great, fleshed out story and I think it was the perfect length. Honestly, I'm blown away. This recommendation was on point.
This was the first one I've read and I'm so glad I did this. This book hit so many home runs for me. Interesting, layered characters in complex situations that worked with each other in such interesting ways. A little romance, lots of magic, a cool setting, darkness - omg this was awesome!
There's a lot of perspectives in this book, although Sydney is definitely the main character, and each scene is well thought out and serves a purpose. Never was I bored because the story was constantly moving forward, and it wasn't that long, but it felt like a great, fleshed out story and I think it was the perfect length. Honestly, I'm blown away. This recommendation was on point.
ihateprozac's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. If you wanted to like Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus but struggled with the literary fiction vibes, you will enjoy this.
An Unkindness of Magicians follows New York City’s underground community of magicians as they compete in a tournament to determine their next leader. The focus is less on the magical tasks themselves and more on the political manoeuvrings of each House, their motivations, and what lengths they’ll go to. Think Game of Thrones set in a magical New York and you can imagine the double crossing and scheming going on!
My main issue with this book is that I never got a hold of the magic system. You’re thrust into the story and expected to keep up, and world-building is drip-fed over the course of the novel; but I never fully grasped the limitations of this world. The fact that during The Turning we rarely saw the actual feats of magic just exacerbated my confusion.
Additionally, while I liked the characters, there are so many players on the board that it was hard to keep them straight. Probably could have used family trees to help me follow along with the audiobook.
I liked how deeply political this book was; I haven’t been this enthralled by backstabbing and plotting since Olenna Tyrell vs Cersei Lannister! While I ultimately found the world building and character relationships confusing, the drama is definitely enough to get me reading the sequel!
An Unkindness of Magicians follows New York City’s underground community of magicians as they compete in a tournament to determine their next leader. The focus is less on the magical tasks themselves and more on the political manoeuvrings of each House, their motivations, and what lengths they’ll go to. Think Game of Thrones set in a magical New York and you can imagine the double crossing and scheming going on!
My main issue with this book is that I never got a hold of the magic system. You’re thrust into the story and expected to keep up, and world-building is drip-fed over the course of the novel; but I never fully grasped the limitations of this world. The fact that during The Turning we rarely saw the actual feats of magic just exacerbated my confusion.
Additionally, while I liked the characters, there are so many players on the board that it was hard to keep them straight. Probably could have used family trees to help me follow along with the audiobook.
I liked how deeply political this book was; I haven’t been this enthralled by backstabbing and plotting since Olenna Tyrell vs Cersei Lannister! While I ultimately found the world building and character relationships confusing, the drama is definitely enough to get me reading the sequel!