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hugbuggirl's review
5.0
Great :)
I loved learning Angelique's backstory! Clean, fun, and enjoyable. If you haven't read them yet - read the Timeless Fairytales series! This ends just before those begin... It is a great adventure and I am excited for the conclusion.
I loved learning Angelique's backstory! Clean, fun, and enjoyable. If you haven't read them yet - read the Timeless Fairytales series! This ends just before those begin... It is a great adventure and I am excited for the conclusion.
user613's review
3.0
2.5 stars
Technically this book was sweet, cute, innocent and clean. However, at the same time, it still managed to feel mature.
Why?
The romance. Specifically the teacher loving his underage student,
Even worse, it doesn't feel wrong in the book. It seems all nature and cute and innocent like everything else in the book. And, based on the ending, I'd guess that in the next book Angelique is going to be equally in love with him. Which will make everything seem even more okay. But, in reality, it changes nothing.
Teachers should not be touching their students like Evariste was. No matter how small the age gap. No matter what they think their student feels. No matter how innocent the touch is. Especially when both parties aren't interested. When the older, wiser, teacher figure, is the one making all the unwanted advances. When the student obviously doesn't want it.
Which is what happened in this book.
Also, Angelique's dark fears of her war powers give the book a slightly mature feel. She's constantly battling those fears throughout the book, and believing she's an evil, horrible person because she has such power. (And, these doubts are part of the reason she is okay with her teacher's advances. Because she thinks she's not worth enough and needs to be grateful for everything he does.)
And, did I mention that Angelique is annoying? The book takes place over years and years. And, at the end of it she's still as annoying and immature and as much of a bratty teen as she was in the beginning.
The characters and development lacked depth in general. It would've served the book well if all the characters were younger, and if the years that the book took place over were narrowed to months, since there was no reason for all that time to pass.
All that said, this book had many fun, intricate, magical parts to it as well.
The world's well built world with many details that serve to make it feel even more interesting and real. Also, Angelique learns to fight physically too, and not only with her magic, which I thought was great.
And, the fairy tales woven into the story are cute, as well. Angelique plays a part in quite a few.
And, she's at the Christening of a princess who's cursed to die on her 18th birthday after being priked by a needle. Angelique gives her a blessing that she will fall into a deep sleep instead and a kiss from her true lover will wake her.
This book reminds me of both [b:Keeper of the Lost Cities|12842828|Keeper of the Lost Cities (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #1)|Shannon Messenger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1326469854l/12842828._SX50_.jpg|17993650] and [b:Howl’s Moving Castle|6294|Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle, #1)|Diana Wynne Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1630502935l/6294._SX50_.jpg|2001], though those books definitely had a more innocent feel to them. Again, the romance plays a big part in this book feeling so mature.
In fact, if you're looking for a fun, innocent, magical adventure, I'd recommend those books instead of this one.
Content Warnings
Romance
There's a mention of an illegimate child (no details). And, enchanters all have a magical beauty.
Most of the romance in the book is between Evariste and Angelique.
In the one or two chapters from Evariste's eyes, we hear that he's slowly falling in love with her, and wishes she felt the same.
A few girls flirt with Evariste, which she finds reassuring, but he's interested in no one but Angelique.
There are many casual touches between Angelique and her mentor, Evariste. Flirting, winks, hand-holding and embraces. Evariste calls her Angel as a nickname. Angelique is oblivious to his feelings and obviously doesn't feel anything in return and hates all his attentions. One hug she spends half a page protesting. And, while he doesn't do anything more than hug her, or casually place a hand on her shoulder/back, she. doesn't. want. it.
Underage romance should not be a thing. Especially when both parties aren't interested. Especially when the older, wiser, teacher figure, is the one making all the unwanted advances.
Violence
There are scary scenes. Killing. Violent fights. Dangerous chasing of criminals. Nothing is described graphically.
Angelique's parents were killed in a goblin attack.
They fight a troll.
Angelique has war magic that can kill people. She's deathly afraid to use it. She goes through extreme pain in one scene, to avoid hurting people. There are black magic users that use magic to kill people. Angelique and Evariste chase them down to stop them from hurting others. They kill people twice.
Evariste is kidnapped.
Other
Magic. The enchanters can control the weather, change their appearance, open portals that take them from place to place and more. There are many magical creatures including goblings, trolls, unicorns, elves, pheonix, and fairygodmothers and even a star constellation, Pegasus who has magic and take a bodily form. A horse made out of fire. He's summoned twice to carry Angelique and Evariste.
There is also a living puppet which Angelique thinks they might need holy water to overpower. (Though they end up using a different method)
Technically this book was sweet, cute, innocent and clean. However, at the same time, it still managed to feel mature.
Why?
The romance. Specifically the teacher loving his underage student,
Spoiler
and touching her whenever he can, knowing that not only does she not return his feelings, but she doesn't like any of it. It's all clean, true. He comforts her when she's afraid, hugs her, holds her hand, casually puts a hand on her back, nothing more than that. But it's her body. And she doesn't like it. He's completely and totally taking advantage of her. And she just lets him because of all her fears and doubts and all her own emotional baggage. The whole book we watch Evariste taking advantage of Angelique's weaknesses and his position of power and using it to fill his desires. Which is completelywrong. Why does a young adult book encourage such behavior?Even worse, it doesn't feel wrong in the book. It seems all nature and cute and innocent like everything else in the book. And, based on the ending, I'd guess that in the next book Angelique is going to be equally in love with him. Which will make everything seem even more okay. But, in reality, it changes nothing.
Teachers should not be touching their students like Evariste was. No matter how small the age gap. No matter what they think their student feels. No matter how innocent the touch is. Especially when both parties aren't interested. When the older, wiser, teacher figure, is the one making all the unwanted advances. When the student obviously doesn't want it.
Which is what happened in this book.
Also, Angelique's dark fears of her war powers give the book a slightly mature feel. She's constantly battling those fears throughout the book, and believing she's an evil, horrible person because she has such power. (And, these doubts are part of the reason she is okay with her teacher's advances. Because she thinks she's not worth enough and needs to be grateful for everything he does.)
And, did I mention that Angelique is annoying? The book takes place over years and years. And, at the end of it she's still as annoying and immature and as much of a bratty teen as she was in the beginning.
Spoiler
Also, after being apprenticed for more than eight years, you'd think at the very least that something would change in her feelings towards her magic. But nothing does. It would've been nice if her feelings towards her magic developed at least a bit more during the story.The characters and development lacked depth in general. It would've served the book well if all the characters were younger, and if the years that the book took place over were narrowed to months, since there was no reason for all that time to pass.
All that said, this book had many fun, intricate, magical parts to it as well.
The world's well built world with many details that serve to make it feel even more interesting and real. Also, Angelique learns to fight physically too, and not only with her magic, which I thought was great.
And, the fairy tales woven into the story are cute, as well. Angelique plays a part in quite a few.
Spoiler
She creates wolves to teach the boy who cried wolf a lesson. Enchants a duke to have beautiful clothing, then purposely drops the enchantment to teach him a lesson. She gives a boon to two girls - as an old lady then as a little girl - first diamonds, then frogs and snakes. (And, even better, she realizes that having jewels falling from the mouth of a peasant girl is at best useless and at worst dangerous and draws thieves.)And, she's at the Christening of a princess who's cursed to die on her 18th birthday after being priked by a needle. Angelique gives her a blessing that she will fall into a deep sleep instead and a kiss from her true lover will wake her.
This book reminds me of both [b:Keeper of the Lost Cities|12842828|Keeper of the Lost Cities (Keeper of the Lost Cities, #1)|Shannon Messenger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1326469854l/12842828._SX50_.jpg|17993650] and [b:Howl’s Moving Castle|6294|Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle, #1)|Diana Wynne Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1630502935l/6294._SX50_.jpg|2001], though those books definitely had a more innocent feel to them. Again, the romance plays a big part in this book feeling so mature.
In fact, if you're looking for a fun, innocent, magical adventure, I'd recommend those books instead of this one.
Content Warnings
Romance
There's a mention of an illegimate child (no details). And, enchanters all have a magical beauty.
Most of the romance in the book is between Evariste and Angelique.
In the one or two chapters from Evariste's eyes, we hear that he's slowly falling in love with her, and wishes she felt the same.
A few girls flirt with Evariste, which she finds reassuring, but he's interested in no one but Angelique.
There are many casual touches between Angelique and her mentor, Evariste. Flirting, winks, hand-holding and embraces. Evariste calls her Angel as a nickname. Angelique is oblivious to his feelings and obviously doesn't feel anything in return and hates all his attentions. One hug she spends half a page protesting. And, while he doesn't do anything more than hug her, or casually place a hand on her shoulder/back, she. doesn't. want. it.
Underage romance should not be a thing. Especially when both parties aren't interested. Especially when the older, wiser, teacher figure, is the one making all the unwanted advances.
Violence
There are scary scenes. Killing. Violent fights. Dangerous chasing of criminals. Nothing is described graphically.
Spoiler
Angelique's parents were killed in a goblin attack.
They fight a troll.
Angelique has war magic that can kill people. She's deathly afraid to use it. She goes through extreme pain in one scene, to avoid hurting people. There are black magic users that use magic to kill people. Angelique and Evariste chase them down to stop them from hurting others. They kill people twice.
Evariste is kidnapped.
Other
Magic. The enchanters can control the weather, change their appearance, open portals that take them from place to place and more. There are many magical creatures including goblings, trolls, unicorns, elves, pheonix, and fairygodmothers and even a star constellation, Pegasus who has magic and take a bodily form. A horse made out of fire. He's summoned twice to carry Angelique and Evariste.
There is also a living puppet which Angelique thinks they might need holy water to overpower. (Though they end up using a different method)
kebreads's review
5.0
This book was SO good! I loved it. I loved getting to know Angelique and Evariste better and getting more of the background/bigger picture. I can't wait to read the next book when it comes out, and I think it was quite perfect that this book was released after Snow White.
Content: clean- some violence
Content: clean- some violence
fmcfranny's review
4.0
my fave part of this was the banter between her and her mentor. not a fan of the time skips which is why its not a 5 star rating.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
Ever since finishing the Timeless Fairy Tales series I was already looking forward to reading this series. Angelique is only a side character in most of the fairy tales, but here she's the starring character. This is her story. I have to admit that I didn't read anything about this book, apart from the fact that it was connected to Timeless Fairy Tales and that it was adviced to at least not read the second book in the series before finishing this one.
I therefore needed a little time to process that this book was set before the fairytales in the Timeless Fairy Tales series. The book starts when the academy discovers what kind of magic Angelique has and even more how much she has. Luckily she is taken on as an apprentice and therefore escapes having her magic bound and sealed away. And then the learning, discovering and growing could truly start. And there was a lot of learning, discovering and growing to do.
It's quite clear already in the fairytale series that Angelique is afraid of her magic. In this book that's even more extreme. All this time she has heard how dangerous her magic is, how it shouldn't exist and how everyone is afraid of her and it clearly does quite some damage. Although her teacher is trying, Angelique refuses to accept her magic, with sometimes really heartbreaking outcomes. I guess by now we all know what Angelique's story is about, right?
Although this book takes place before the fairytales the storyline does already intertwine at moments with events coming into play later. Here we meet our little Puss in Boots when he's a small little kitten and of course we get a very detailed description of what Angelique had to do to change the curse of the future sleeping beauty. And since the book ends where the fairytale series starts I assume that the next book is gonna be Angelique's side of the stories. I can't wait to dive in!
I therefore needed a little time to process that this book was set before the fairytales in the Timeless Fairy Tales series. The book starts when the academy discovers what kind of magic Angelique has and even more how much she has. Luckily she is taken on as an apprentice and therefore escapes having her magic bound and sealed away. And then the learning, discovering and growing could truly start. And there was a lot of learning, discovering and growing to do.
It's quite clear already in the fairytale series that Angelique is afraid of her magic. In this book that's even more extreme. All this time she has heard how dangerous her magic is, how it shouldn't exist and how everyone is afraid of her and it clearly does quite some damage. Although her teacher is trying, Angelique refuses to accept her magic, with sometimes really heartbreaking outcomes. I guess by now we all know what Angelique's story is about, right?
Although this book takes place before the fairytales the storyline does already intertwine at moments with events coming into play later. Here we meet our little Puss in Boots when he's a small little kitten and of course we get a very detailed description of what Angelique had to do to change the curse of the future sleeping beauty. And since the book ends where the fairytale series starts I assume that the next book is gonna be Angelique's side of the stories. I can't wait to dive in!
anna_maxima's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
Oh look, another book that I wanted to like more than I originally did.
Apprentice of Magic was an okay book. In it, you will meet Angelique who has war magic. Sounds like of cool and this is where I started to get intrigued. She lives a life where everyone is afraid of her because she's a boss ass bitch with some power. Before losing her powers one day, she is taken under the wings of Enchanter Evariste to learn more about her magic: like controlling it or maybe even loving herself for who she is.
So, yeah, I wanted to like this more than I did. I will admit that it had some interesting parts but the flow, format, and chapters were just off. I often felt like I missed something if I blinked.. or ya know yawned. Then I just feel like I got way too much information at one point. It's hard to explain but it just dragged this book and myself with reading it. Again, I rarely take longer than 3 days to read a book - yet, this happened.
Overall, I'm glad I took a chance on a new series and I might dive into the next book if it's a hell of a lot more interesting/fascinating than this one.
Apprentice of Magic was an okay book. In it, you will meet Angelique who has war magic. Sounds like of cool and this is where I started to get intrigued. She lives a life where everyone is afraid of her because she's a boss ass bitch with some power. Before losing her powers one day, she is taken under the wings of Enchanter Evariste to learn more about her magic: like controlling it or maybe even loving herself for who she is.
So, yeah, I wanted to like this more than I did. I will admit that it had some interesting parts but the flow, format, and chapters were just off. I often felt like I missed something if I blinked.. or ya know yawned. Then I just feel like I got way too much information at one point. It's hard to explain but it just dragged this book and myself with reading it. Again, I rarely take longer than 3 days to read a book - yet, this happened.
Overall, I'm glad I took a chance on a new series and I might dive into the next book if it's a hell of a lot more interesting/fascinating than this one.
gypsydawn's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating!
This was one of the more fascinating and intricate books I’ve read so far this year. Definitely a fantasy with an aura of POTENTIAL romance, but it’s the world itself that drags you in and beats you upside the head with intrigue. Fairy tales are dropped like bombs in subtle conversation, or woven into the narrative with a deft hand. Sleeping beauty, Goldilocks, the boy who cried wolf (yes even Aesop’s fables get a feature) Rumplesteliskein and more. It truly is fascinating, and complex, even if the main story revolves around a budding Enchantress (the strongest magic users in this world) and her dangerous (not dangerous?) magic.
Multiple POV
Pros:
- Fairy tale inclusions, though there are differences, which are quite notable as you read.
- The underlying tension.
- An almost lyrical quality to much of he narrative.
- The cat.... I love the cat.
Cons:
-Ok.... I get that she is scared of her magic, but come on!!!! She spends MORE time with her mentor than at the academy, yet the hold they have over her very soul is brutal, and a bit whiny. I wanted to smack her towards the end. I mean, would a sliver of self belief be a bad thing? Her constant need to put herself down is worse than a teenager who has just been dumped by the quarterback.
- A bit rambly in places.
- did I mention wanting to smack the FMC? Yeah... that. Still going to read book 2 though. 😂🤗
This was one of the more fascinating and intricate books I’ve read so far this year. Definitely a fantasy with an aura of POTENTIAL romance, but it’s the world itself that drags you in and beats you upside the head with intrigue. Fairy tales are dropped like bombs in subtle conversation, or woven into the narrative with a deft hand. Sleeping beauty, Goldilocks, the boy who cried wolf (yes even Aesop’s fables get a feature) Rumplesteliskein and more. It truly is fascinating, and complex, even if the main story revolves around a budding Enchantress (the strongest magic users in this world) and her dangerous (not dangerous?) magic.
Multiple POV
Pros:
- Fairy tale inclusions, though there are differences, which are quite notable as you read.
- The underlying tension.
- An almost lyrical quality to much of he narrative.
- The cat.... I love the cat.
Cons:
-Ok.... I get that she is scared of her magic, but come on!!!! She spends MORE time with her mentor than at the academy, yet the hold they have over her very soul is brutal, and a bit whiny. I wanted to smack her towards the end. I mean, would a sliver of self belief be a bad thing? Her constant need to put herself down is worse than a teenager who has just been dumped by the quarterback.
- A bit rambly in places.
- did I mention wanting to smack the FMC? Yeah... that. Still going to read book 2 though. 😂🤗
annmaries's review against another edition
3.0
The premise for the story is promising, and it's a quick and easy read, but it wasn't what I was hoping for. That's not the book's fault, obviously, and forgivable, but it definitely impacted my enjoyment.
There are a few stylistic choices the author made that drove me a little nuts, and I would describe her style as more tell than show, which seems a shame in such an interesting fantasy world.
There are a few stylistic choices the author made that drove me a little nuts, and I would describe her style as more tell than show, which seems a shame in such an interesting fantasy world.