The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
jennifermreads's review against another edition
4.0
I was destined to inhale this book. I adored Ridley’s character in the Caster Chronicles so the idea of an entire book with her at its center? Pure, sugary sweetness!
For those new to Lena, Ethan, Ridley, Link, and the rest of the Caster Crew, yes you should read the other Caster Chronicles books first! Those books give lots of background on the entire saga. So, yes they should be read first, yes they should be read in order, and, yes, it is helpful to read the e-novellas - though I thoroughly disagree with the high cost-per-page of the novellas (see my rant in review of Dangerous Dream).
Ridley’s lollipops work magic even when she is not technically in the room. So that lollipop on the cover? It works. Be warned. You will be charmed by her Siren eyelash-batting and sucked into Ridley’s drama! And oh boy does that girl have drama. It follows her everywhere, she just cannot escape it. As hard as she tries to be good, she lapses regularly into her comfortable role of T.R.O.U.B.L.E. And, poor Link is just so wrapped around her lollipop holding fingers!
I loved going back to the Caster world and settling in with these old friends. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Lennox Gates and the crew of Link’s new band. The ending? Just *GASP* And that is not a spoiler. It. Just. IS!
For those new to Lena, Ethan, Ridley, Link, and the rest of the Caster Crew, yes you should read the other Caster Chronicles books first! Those books give lots of background on the entire saga. So, yes they should be read first, yes they should be read in order, and, yes, it is helpful to read the e-novellas - though I thoroughly disagree with the high cost-per-page of the novellas (see my rant in review of Dangerous Dream).
Ridley’s lollipops work magic even when she is not technically in the room. So that lollipop on the cover? It works. Be warned. You will be charmed by her Siren eyelash-batting and sucked into Ridley’s drama! And oh boy does that girl have drama. It follows her everywhere, she just cannot escape it. As hard as she tries to be good, she lapses regularly into her comfortable role of T.R.O.U.B.L.E. And, poor Link is just so wrapped around her lollipop holding fingers!
I loved going back to the Caster world and settling in with these old friends. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Lennox Gates and the crew of Link’s new band. The ending? Just *GASP* And that is not a spoiler. It. Just. IS!
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
4.0
Ridley and Link have so many fans! They truly deserve their own series. I'm excited to see where this is going to take us. So far, I loved the first book very much!
auroraskyes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
iphi_kc13's review against another edition
3.0
I wish they'd taken more time to build up certain things instead of rushing past. The story seemed disjointed in some spots and I don't recall that being an issue in previous books. Overall, I enjoy the Rid/Link side of things and will read any additions made to the series but I'm not blown away.
somarostam's review against another edition
5.0
I was a HUGE fan of the authors' series, Beautiful Creatures. I loved everything about it. The mythology, the world-building, the characters. So, excited would be an understatement to my feelings when I found out that they have a new series out.
Ridley and Link are separated from their friends in their hometown of Gatlin. Now, they're in New York. And Link is trying to make a name for himself in the music world. But what he doesn't know is that his gig of a lifetime was actually a payback from Ridley. Because, once, some time ago, Ridley lost a lot to a stupid game. And now, it's payback time.
In this series, we have two old characters from the previous series as the main characters, Ridley and Link. I really loved Link in BC, he was adorable and sweet and sarcastic. I was so happy that the authors decided to write from their point of view. Since, exploring their minds was a whole lot of fun.
Then, there's the world-building. As always, Margaret and Kami did an excellent job. They've created a whole new Caster world within the dark alleys of New York. It's beautiful and unpredictable and vivid. They've come back with a lyrical, realistic writing style that's even better than their previous series!
There's also the romance. Link and Ridely are already together but their relationship is really complicated. Then, there's Lennox. Which immediately became my favorite characters. He's charming, alluring, kind, and swoon-worthy. I couldn't imagine anyone better for a potential love triangle. I cannot wait to know where the authors are taking the love interests.
The ending is by far my favorite part of this book. But it is torture! It ends on such a wild, wild note and so UNEXPECTED. I cannot believe that they ended the book like that. Even though it's been almost a month since i have read this, it's still clear in my mind. And the days of waiting for the next book to come out, will be the most tortured days of my life. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have managed to create a new masterpiece with bits from the already-fascinating world that they created before.
Ridley and Link are separated from their friends in their hometown of Gatlin. Now, they're in New York. And Link is trying to make a name for himself in the music world. But what he doesn't know is that his gig of a lifetime was actually a payback from Ridley. Because, once, some time ago, Ridley lost a lot to a stupid game. And now, it's payback time.
In this series, we have two old characters from the previous series as the main characters, Ridley and Link. I really loved Link in BC, he was adorable and sweet and sarcastic. I was so happy that the authors decided to write from their point of view. Since, exploring their minds was a whole lot of fun.
Then, there's the world-building. As always, Margaret and Kami did an excellent job. They've created a whole new Caster world within the dark alleys of New York. It's beautiful and unpredictable and vivid. They've come back with a lyrical, realistic writing style that's even better than their previous series!
There's also the romance. Link and Ridely are already together but their relationship is really complicated. Then, there's Lennox. Which immediately became my favorite characters. He's charming, alluring, kind, and swoon-worthy. I couldn't imagine anyone better for a potential love triangle. I cannot wait to know where the authors are taking the love interests.
The ending is by far my favorite part of this book. But it is torture! It ends on such a wild, wild note and so UNEXPECTED. I cannot believe that they ended the book like that. Even though it's been almost a month since i have read this, it's still clear in my mind. And the days of waiting for the next book to come out, will be the most tortured days of my life. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have managed to create a new masterpiece with bits from the already-fascinating world that they created before.
mallorykjorgensen's review against another edition
4.0
Took a while to get into it, unlike the Beautiful Creatures series.
mairimav's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/After much inner debate, I am back into this world and I adore it as much as I did in high school! Thaaaank you K.Garcia and M. Stohl for this awesomeness of a book. I adore it. Link and Ridley were always my favourite characters in the series (though my puberty was characterised more as a Dark Lena phase) and their stories, their adventures, their way of thinking and acting was sooo interesting to read. This series was as addicting as the original one and I cannot possibly wait to see what comes next.
ALSO, fuck you Lennox Gates and your stupid mind games. One of the most deplorable characters OF ALL TIME. HANDS DOWN HE DESERVES TO SUFFER
ALSO, fuck you Lennox Gates and your stupid mind games. One of the most deplorable characters OF ALL TIME. HANDS DOWN HE DESERVES TO SUFFER
suhbreenah's review against another edition
5.0
Wow I really wasn't expecting to enjoy this book very much. I can definitely say for me the characters made the story. I really loved Lennox in the story, and I'm very interested to see what ends up happening to him in the next book. Also I loved Ridley as usual.
shosshelves's review against another edition
3.0
I literally just wanna be Ridley Duchannes and have a stupid dorky boyfriend as well as a mysterious hot enemy guy
poppycasgabs's review against another edition
5.0
I'm crying right now. Near the end it was so sad. I'm crying because someone else is crying. Sad right? The Castor Chronicles may have been awful, and really stupid, but Ridley's life has been complete crap. I really feel for her and it makes her a more likeable character. She has grown so much since Beautiful Creatures, and her life isn't fair. To be honest right now, I'm not even sure if I want her to end up with Link anymore, because of the third main character, Nox. He deserves a happy ending too, they all do. I need to know what happens next, especially after that cliffhanger. I'm now scared of fire, and "Stairway to Heaven". Sadly, if you want to really enjoy this book and understand everything, you have to read Beautiful Creatures and the rest of the books in the series. I mean, the first book was okay, but after that, not so much... I love the first chapters of this book though, it lets you know that it's going to be funny, angsty, and is going to play a major role in later books.