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ofliterarynature's review against another edition
3.0
If I’m being honest this probably deserves four stars, but I just really didn’t enjoy it. If I hadn’t already been halfway through and trying to finish my reading challenge I probably would have DNF’d.
shealea's review against another edition
5.0
Layered. This book is so beautifully, astonishingly layered. And it’s complemented by a powerful punch that quite literally took my breath away. And just when I thought it couldn’t possibly get any better, Elsie Chapman effortlessly pulled off a “ha bitch you thought” and set up a wildly fascinating premise for the sequel.
Not to exaggerate but the moment I finished Caster, I sat quietly for minutes, asked myself if this was a stand-alone novel, and then sent Elsie Chapman a message on Instagram that said:
I forgot about [the announcement of its sequel]. Djdnsjsjs. But tbh, if this /was/ a standalone, it would singlehandedly be the cruelest but also the most iconic thing anyone has ever done.
Because some stories can stand on their own, but Caster made everyone else bow, took the crown, and ran off with it. And then strutted back into the room wearing it.
I swear, all my metaphors would make sense if you read this book. So do it. Do it now.
Full review once I recover.
Highly recommended! (5 stars)
Not to exaggerate but the moment I finished Caster, I sat quietly for minutes, asked myself if this was a stand-alone novel, and then sent Elsie Chapman a message on Instagram that said:
I forgot about [the announcement of its sequel]. Djdnsjsjs. But tbh, if this /was/ a standalone, it would singlehandedly be the cruelest but also the most iconic thing anyone has ever done.
Because some stories can stand on their own, but Caster made everyone else bow, took the crown, and ran off with it. And then strutted back into the room wearing it.
I swear, all my metaphors would make sense if you read this book. So do it. Do it now.
Full review once I recover.
Highly recommended! (5 stars)
victoria1111's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cassidyreadss's review against another edition
3.0
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, so thank you to Scholastic Canada!
Given Goodreads lack of half star rating ability I had to rate this book 3 stars, but a more accurate rating would be 3.5 stars! Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it just lacked a couple elements that would have pushed my rating to a 4 or 5 star. I've seen a lot of people comparing this to The Last Airbender and Fight Club, and I think that's a pretty accurate comparison as this book definitely had elements of both those things.
This story takes place in a dark dystopia/fantasy world that has Chinese cultural influences. Dystopia because the world they live in feels that way, but there is a magic element added to that. I really loved that environment, it was super dark and gritty and everyone was kind of out for themselves. I thought the Chapman did a really good job with world building. I really liked how the aspects of Chinese culture were woven into this story, but I wish the author added even more of that influence!
The fact that magic in this society is forbidden really added a high stakes element that kept you flipping the page. Our main character has magic and enters into a casting competition while trying to figure out how her sister died. Throughout her time in the competition she learns more and more about the secret life her sister was leading and how those secrets may have played a part in her death. Aza was a really good main character and I liked how hard she fought for what she believes in and how she had such unconditional love for her sister. We get a few glimpses into what Aza's grieving process was after her sisters death and I thought that was interesting to read. I also appreciated that a romantic plot was not front and centre (it probably will be in the sequel, but I like when a YA doesn't rely on a romance to make the plot).
The reason I gave this book 3.5 stars is mainly because of the underdeveloped magic system. I found the magic system confusing at most times and could never get a full grasp on it even by the end of the book. I also sometimes felt that Aza was handed a lot of answers, instead of her finding those answers out for herself, so some of the mystery was lost there.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and I will be picking up the sequel!
Given Goodreads lack of half star rating ability I had to rate this book 3 stars, but a more accurate rating would be 3.5 stars! Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it just lacked a couple elements that would have pushed my rating to a 4 or 5 star. I've seen a lot of people comparing this to The Last Airbender and Fight Club, and I think that's a pretty accurate comparison as this book definitely had elements of both those things.
This story takes place in a dark dystopia/fantasy world that has Chinese cultural influences. Dystopia because the world they live in feels that way, but there is a magic element added to that. I really loved that environment, it was super dark and gritty and everyone was kind of out for themselves. I thought the Chapman did a really good job with world building. I really liked how the aspects of Chinese culture were woven into this story, but I wish the author added even more of that influence!
The fact that magic in this society is forbidden really added a high stakes element that kept you flipping the page. Our main character has magic and enters into a casting competition while trying to figure out how her sister died. Throughout her time in the competition she learns more and more about the secret life her sister was leading and how those secrets may have played a part in her death. Aza was a really good main character and I liked how hard she fought for what she believes in and how she had such unconditional love for her sister. We get a few glimpses into what Aza's grieving process was after her sisters death and I thought that was interesting to read. I also appreciated that a romantic plot was not front and centre (it probably will be in the sequel, but I like when a YA doesn't rely on a romance to make the plot).
The reason I gave this book 3.5 stars is mainly because of the underdeveloped magic system. I found the magic system confusing at most times and could never get a full grasp on it even by the end of the book. I also sometimes felt that Aza was handed a lot of answers, instead of her finding those answers out for herself, so some of the mystery was lost there.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and I will be picking up the sequel!
jedegra's review against another edition
4.0
Reminds me of The Beckoning Shadow by Katharyn Blair. Also liked that one a lot, but this was grittier.
mbartman21's review against another edition
3.0
This book has a very interesting concept. It takes place in an Asian nation in a world where everyone used to be able to do magic. Over time, however, the magic started slowly destroying the Earth. Every time a caster used magic there would be earthquakes, crazy weather, mass extinctions, etc. As time went on, people started to feel physical repercussions from using magic. They would get massive headaches, bruises, bloody noses, etc. The stronger the spell used, the more destruction it would cause on Earth and on the caster’s body. Eventually the numbers of those would could cast full magic dwindled until there were very few left. People who could still cast were hunted by police and would have their magic stripped from them if found out.
Anywho, “Caster” is the story of Aza Wu. She is a full caster, and she wants to solve the mystery of her sister’s death. In doing so, she winds up telling lie after lie that kind of spiral out of control. She eventually joins a caster tournament, “Fight Club” style, in order to make money and try to save her family’s name.
I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The concept was awesome, but the constant lies and deception made me so anxious. Aza is a very stressed and anxious character, and as a person with my own mental health issues, this book was kind of a trigger for me. I wanted to read more of this book at a time, but had to take breaks or I would have had a panic attack. If you don’t have massive anxiety and like the concept of this book, definitely check it out!
Anywho, “Caster” is the story of Aza Wu. She is a full caster, and she wants to solve the mystery of her sister’s death. In doing so, she winds up telling lie after lie that kind of spiral out of control. She eventually joins a caster tournament, “Fight Club” style, in order to make money and try to save her family’s name.
I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The concept was awesome, but the constant lies and deception made me so anxious. Aza is a very stressed and anxious character, and as a person with my own mental health issues, this book was kind of a trigger for me. I wanted to read more of this book at a time, but had to take breaks or I would have had a panic attack. If you don’t have massive anxiety and like the concept of this book, definitely check it out!
fallenprincess's review against another edition
4.0
In a world where casting true magic takes a toll on the caster and the planet, magic is essentially illegal. But people still want to try to find casters to get some things done.
Aza is one of those casters. Her sister died as a result of using too much magic so she is aware of the cost. That being said, she is unable to stop casting because it's the only thing that keeps her family afloat financially.
She finds up that her sister was involved with some type of Fight Club for casters and that is linked with her death so Ava goes to investigate.
This book is underrated and it was engrossing. I had a lot of fun with it
Aza is one of those casters. Her sister died as a result of using too much magic so she is aware of the cost. That being said, she is unable to stop casting because it's the only thing that keeps her family afloat financially.
She finds up that her sister was involved with some type of Fight Club for casters and that is linked with her death so Ava goes to investigate.
This book is underrated and it was engrossing. I had a lot of fun with it
dreams_of_attolia's review against another edition
Caster is an entertaining, easy, fast read about a world in which using magic physically hurts both the caster and the earth around the caster. The world is an environmental dystopia due to past excessive magic casting, and casting full magic is illegal. As I was reading, my back-brain kept poking at the plausibility of some of the plot surrounding the magic tournament (along the lines of "if she could do that, why didn't she pull that move before?), but I was enjoying the book enough to ignore it and keep going (and honestly that's true of most fictional fight scenes). And I question the logic of some of the MC's decisions, but that's a common reading-experience for risk-averse me.
A sequel isn't guaranteed, but the ending definitely sets one up. I had enough fun to pick up the sequel if it gets published.
A sequel isn't guaranteed, but the ending definitely sets one up. I had enough fun to pick up the sequel if it gets published.
telegramsam's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and its world. I will definitely be reading any books that follow and can see myself reading it again.
I hope to write a deeper review in the future.
I hope to write a deeper review in the future.
faerin82's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the world building a lot.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
I felt full magic and winning came much too easily to the main character, who should have been limited in the tournament by her punishment as well as her inexperience. I’m nervous that any sequel will be less enjoyable now that the world has been built and all we have to rely on is the author’s sketchy plot choices.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
I felt full magic and winning came much too easily to the main character, who should have been limited in the tournament by her punishment as well as her inexperience. I’m nervous that any sequel will be less enjoyable now that the world has been built and all we have to rely on is the author’s sketchy plot choices.