Reviews

3.5 stars. I think?
Idk I kind of don’t know what to think about this book.
The concept was super interesting and for the first half of the book, I was fully invested in the magic and the drama. But towards the end, I felt like the story got a little out of hand and was a little messy - like too much trying to happen at once. It was a revenge story, it was control hunger, it was emotional manipulation, it was myth and fable come to life.

- This book is virtually impossible to read as a visualization reader. I gave up trying to picture anything that was happening.
- The school setting worked well for the sake of having a bunch of young people all together, but honestly the learning didn’t really play a huge part.
- The love triangle worked. I didn’t totally hate it. Probably because I kind of figured out what was coming at the end.
- The magic was unique and the ties to the tides was interesting.
- I have absolutely no idea what the caves looked like. What the heck is “the belly of the beast” and why was it referred like that so much? Like it’s just the center of the cave but what makes it so special/named like that?
- The mysterious magical vibes were really great. The secrecy of Emory’s abilities was interesting and the drama of who to tell and who to trust.

Maybe spoiler??
- I hate people using each other’s attraction to get what they want but I guess it’s okay if everyone is doing it?? 😂

emlaurino's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

prisoner_of_books's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is filled to the brim with dark academia vibes! It literally set in this fancy elite academy for those with above average magical abilities AND there is a secret society hidden behind its walls. But that wasn't even my favourite part of the book! I absolutely loved the magic system! It was so unique and refreshing plus VERY complex! I mean each moon phase had a bunch of different magical abilities attached to it with their own rules and limitations. BUT WAIT THERE'S EVEN MORE! The secrets and mysteries were just expertly crafted throughout the book! The hidden secrets behind eclipse magic and the true intentions of certain characters were definitely hinted at throughout the book but still revealed to the characters in a way that had me never wanting to put the book down!

Oh and did I mention the storyline is tied around myths and legends of Gods and a book? It also has a touch of forbidden magic and complex, messy characters who are just trying to prove that they are enough.

I just found this book jam packed with everything I love! It was so intriguing and the mystery kept me flipping page after page! I loved the development of all the characters and thought the author really did well at giving them realistic faults as teenagers. Also I still cannot get over the immaculate world building! Like it was SO complex but I was able to understand it and found it so interesting! I cannot wait for the next book to see how the author continues this mystery, the adventure and develops the magic even more!

The one thing I will say is that it took a little bit to peak my interest and at times it was a bit repetitive, the plot was great maybe a few points were predictable but the lead up was still written amazingly. There are not many negatives I can say because the premise really did just hook me in after the first part!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the eArc, this in no way affect my review or thoughts.

trafalgar_law's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

I think this book was made for me. While I do have some issues with the book that would make it a 4 star, this book touched my soul as someone who stopped reading until this year. This book welcomed me back into the reading world with open arms in a different way than all my other reads this year.
SPOILER FREE REVIEW UNTIL THE SPOILER WARNING LINE:

I was completely enthralled the second I saw this book on the Walmart bookshelf. I flipped through the first pages and I thought, “A moon and tides based magic system? Intriguing and beautifully written lore? A gorgeously illustrated college map? Sign me up!”

Reading this book completely transported me into their world. The Magic system is beautiful and intricate, the characters are interesting and diverse. I love the representation with gay and bi characters, as well as the androgynous Jae.

I could barely put the book down. I was completely enamored with this world- with Emory and her trauma, with Baz and his struggles with loss and his many fears. I could see myself in both of them; someone who feels mediocre, someone who’s afraid to lose people they love. The book beautifully balances their personal problems with the world and themselves with the death of Romie, Emory’s best friend and Baz’s sister, and boy does the mystery evolve.

SPOILERS INCOMING!
A few of my critiques on the book are with Emory. I felt like she was too naive in her relationship with Keiran, and I felt the same way I had when I read “Shadow and Bone”. However, I think I was critical because I was like Emory when I was her age- easily manipulated because I saw myself as unworthy, unlovable, and mediocre. I craved the eyes of certain ghosts from my past, and I would hurt others and use others to get what I wanted.
Emory knowing she was using Basil hurt me, but it just shows what she would do to get what she wants. Answers, safety, control over her newfound abilities.

I struggled a lot with Keiran as well. From the get go, I hated his mannerisms. Something screamed red flags at me, and I hated that Emory was so enthralled by him. A part of me couldn’t make sense of why he would sacrifice his friends in the end, literally killing Lizaveta with his own two hands. I still struggle with it. I know WHY they needed to be there, but I didn’t understand his motivations. Maybe I didn’t see enough of his love for his parents or Farran, maybe I missed some things in my ignorance through the beginning of the book.

However, there’s so much that outweighs the cons.

HEAVY PLOT SPOILERS BELOW!
The writing is beautiful. I loved every second of the story. As someone with INTENSE Thalassophobia I was horror struck when Travers and Lia emerged from the ocean. Literal chills went up my back and I had to stop and look around at my surroundings. The most terrifying moment in the book for me was when Romie says, “Jordyn? What are you doing?”

I wear I stopped breathing. Even now, thinking of that moment, I feel goosebumps forming on my skin. Lia’s body rising from the ocean? Then to find she screams and her throat is charred and her tongue is gone? HELLLLLL NO. I wrote in my book (I annotate) “BRUHHHHH” and then continued to devour the pages that followed. I have never been afraid reading a book before. Since I’ve just gotten back into reading, that doesn’t say much, but damn. The experience was new and so exciting to me.

I like that the romance felt respectful. The development between Baz and Emory felt so wholesome, and while I honestly hate when characters have a falling out bc of miscommunication or something like that, it felt a lot more justified and natural where. Baz, in his hurt and anguish and loneliness, saying “Everything you touch turns to ash”, destroyed me. Hell, we’ve all said something like that to someone in our lives, whether they deserved it or not.

In the end, where they have this unspoken connection, this companionship- it was so emotional. The things they couldn’t say, the things they didn’t have to say. Emory being the ocean, the tides themselves, and Baz being the shore she could always return to… god. Exquisite. Chef’s kiss. Amazing.

These wonderful things mixed in with the Institute and their bull, Kai and his entire character just being the best, Virgil, Nisha… I have so much to say about these incredible side characters. Virgil and Emory connected over Reaper magic and death, Virgil comforting her that death is just part of the cycle… I felt for them. Nisha and Romie’s relationship being explained, Kai stealing every scene he’s in, and Jae being the supportive figure I’ve always wanted in my life.

I have too much to say, truthfully. What a beautiful story. I desperately need the next book, and I hope to someday be able to express my adoration and appreciation to the author. This is my second 5 star read this year, and I’m happy it has taken that place.

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