amazing_emu's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
momtoeees's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing world building. Loved the writing style. Could picture everything perfectly.
shelves_by_sim's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In a world where strange abilities exist, or "talents" as they are called, Alice Quicke is partnered with a Mr. Coulton of the Cairndale Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland, in order to complete a job. Their mission? To retrieve two boys, Charlie and Marlowe, with particularly rare powers and bring them back to the institute unharmed.
Only, Miss Quicke is unaware of the nature of the boys and why the institute is sending her to take them away from their homes. That is, until Coulton explains to her that there is much more going on, and that the boys are somewhat... gifted - a fact she would never have believed, had she not witnessed, with her own eyes, how Charlie Ovid's skin stitched itself back together.
But the journey to and from American is not as straightforward as they had planned. Soon, a shadowy-dust figure starts to stalk the boys, his goal is to capture the little Marlowe with his strange shining power and to hand him over to the drughr, an evil spirit that feeds on talents and lives beyond the orsine - an opening to the land of the dead.
As secrets of the institution start to unfold, as the character's stories start to cross paths, as Marlowe and Charlie dig deeper into the nature of their abilities and their pasts, they need to gather the rest of the talents to stand against Jacob Marber and the drughr. It's either fight or sit back while the land of the dead meets the living.
"Tick-tick-tick went all the gears in all the clocks in the world."
My thoughts:
J. M. Miro is an incredible writer. The world he created, the way his writing transported me into the pages of this phenomenonal novel - I truly love it. I am obsessed with this book. The characters were strong and well developed - each very unique to their own story. The story had so many links woven together I was gripping my chair in suspense. The plot twists were unexpected and thrilling and my favourite part? I loved how we started the book out with Jacob Marber as the monster, but ever so slightly, we start to see his human side. The whole thing gives you this gorgeous feel for Victorian London, this beautiful historical world, but a world filled with monsters and the unexpected. It was a thrilling read and I can't wait for the next book!
Only, Miss Quicke is unaware of the nature of the boys and why the institute is sending her to take them away from their homes. That is, until Coulton explains to her that there is much more going on, and that the boys are somewhat... gifted - a fact she would never have believed, had she not witnessed, with her own eyes, how Charlie Ovid's skin stitched itself back together.
But the journey to and from American is not as straightforward as they had planned. Soon, a shadowy-dust figure starts to stalk the boys, his goal is to capture the little Marlowe with his strange shining power and to hand him over to the drughr, an evil spirit that feeds on talents and lives beyond the orsine - an opening to the land of the dead.
As secrets of the institution start to unfold, as the character's stories start to cross paths, as Marlowe and Charlie dig deeper into the nature of their abilities and their pasts, they need to gather the rest of the talents to stand against Jacob Marber and the drughr. It's either fight or sit back while the land of the dead meets the living.
"Tick-tick-tick went all the gears in all the clocks in the world."
My thoughts:
J. M. Miro is an incredible writer. The world he created, the way his writing transported me into the pages of this phenomenonal novel - I truly love it. I am obsessed with this book. The characters were strong and well developed - each very unique to their own story. The story had so many links woven together I was gripping my chair in suspense. The plot twists were unexpected and thrilling and my favourite part? I loved how we started the book out with Jacob Marber as the monster, but ever so slightly, we start to see his human side. The whole thing gives you this gorgeous feel for Victorian London, this beautiful historical world, but a world filled with monsters and the unexpected. It was a thrilling read and I can't wait for the next book!
vikologia's review against another edition
4.0
A unique beautifully written story in a dark academia setting, Scotland in the end of the 19th century. The author creates imagery masterfully, every word goes perfectly well with the other which is so rare for contemporary fantasy novels.
Took 1 star off solely due to my personal reading preferences: I don't like lengthy flashbacks and have a hard time getting into stories that switch between multiple characters every chapter.
I'd recommend this book to anyone even if you're not a fantasy lover, just for the beautiful language, vivid characters and a one of a kind plot.
Took 1 star off solely due to my personal reading preferences: I don't like lengthy flashbacks and have a hard time getting into stories that switch between multiple characters every chapter.
I'd recommend this book to anyone even if you're not a fantasy lover, just for the beautiful language, vivid characters and a one of a kind plot.
ghosties88's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
torikennedy930's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
helen_is's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amelianotthepilot's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.5
It was sooooo long and they were still introducing characters and doing set up 400 pages into the 700 page book! 0/10 I honestly don't know why I even bother with long fantasies cause I've never read a good one. I truly don't believe books ever need to be that long. There's always definitely a spot where it could have been split up or there's so many extra irrelevant things that could've been edited out. I'm honestly disappointed because the concept is cool and the vibes are good but and the writing wasn't bad per se but the plot was soooo sloww and also I didn't particularly feel anything for the characters. I dunno a disappointing read overall. The cover was really cool and it was very hyped online so I'm a bit bummed.
only the last 50 pages were exciting i appreciate that the wrap up was quick and not too drawn out
only the last 50 pages were exciting i appreciate that the wrap up was quick and not too drawn out
tashadandelion's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0