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ohyouread's review
3.0
This had all the chances to be a truly incredible book. The world building was impressive, the magic system was one I have never read before, and while I could see where the author was influenced by other books, this one was really original.
Set in the 1940’s, in a world much like our own, Innate Magic (which serves as both our title and a form of actual magic in the book) is illegal in Great Britain. It is a form of spell work that needs no words to be performed. You need no lessons to learn it and no book to recite it. It is just created. If you are caught using innate magic, it’s punishable by death.
Now tell me that concept isn’t so perfect.
There are some bits that I did not love….. I went into this book under the impression that it was queer, which it is. There is a Bisexual MC, which made me so happy. Love that rep in books, we definitely don’t get enough…. But what I don’t love is religion and Christianity being dropped in like a bag of bricks.
Not only was I NOT warned about it, because I would have passed up the book, but it felt so unbelievably out of place and forced. Like, this character is performing magic, but takes the time to explain why he believes in God.
Set in the 1940’s, in a world much like our own, Innate Magic (which serves as both our title and a form of actual magic in the book) is illegal in Great Britain. It is a form of spell work that needs no words to be performed. You need no lessons to learn it and no book to recite it. It is just created. If you are caught using innate magic, it’s punishable by death.
Now tell me that concept isn’t so perfect.
There are some bits that I did not love….. I went into this book under the impression that it was queer, which it is. There is a Bisexual MC, which made me so happy. Love that rep in books, we definitely don’t get enough…. But what I don’t love is religion and Christianity being dropped in like a bag of bricks.
Not only was I NOT warned about it, because I would have passed up the book, but it felt so unbelievably out of place and forced. Like, this character is performing magic, but takes the time to explain why he believes in God.
annaka's review
slow-paced
3.0
I found the main character annoying and a bit tedious. It was interesting to see his world view and religion play out with the reality of the world as well as his sexuality. Even as an audiobook, it’s felt a bit long and drawn out, even more so when you consider the end essentially working to set up a second book in the epilogue. On the other hand, it is nice to get a new magic system that’s a bit different (although it also seems to echo some of Charlie Holmberg’s systems in the paper magician and I think she wrote the stories better). The plot twists were predictable but some of them were interesting. The mc becomes more unlikeable with his lack of commitment in dating which feels a bit against his claims of being a loyal person. Still it’s a gray area I suppose bc we don’t see any definition of a relationship prior. The stereotype of the bi character who flirts with everyone is certainly present and felt unnecessary. I don’t regret reading it but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it either. Other books have done similar things better.
Would I read the next book in series? Perhaps. More likely if it is from a different characters pov.
Will I read something else by this author? Unlikely.
Would I read the next book in series? Perhaps. More likely if it is from a different characters pov.
Will I read something else by this author? Unlikely.
ladyjane1114's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
shedsley's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
avglauren's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
thenameslus's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
jairquijano's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
timinbc's review
3.0
The first thing I am left with aftet this is that it relies far too much on there being a volume two. How else can you justify the non-ending, especially when it hastily takes several of the characters out of play for next time (or at least vastly changes their role.)
Second, I see NOTHING to tell me why the series is "Marrowbone Spells," which leaves me wondering if That Nasty Scene - which was IMHO totally unnecessary - is just a warmup for next time.
Third, I am really wondering whether Fay thought "what if the MC was actually a bit of a dick, with way more self-confidence than he should have?"
The book is baked with a modern recipe, a bi MC, a gay this, various ethnics with quick-cobbled explanations of why they are in 1940s London.
I liked the cloth magic, a different approach in a world where there are perhaps too many authors making up magic systems. The Court Magician concept didn't work for me, though, and the need to break bones was perhaps the hint that the above-referenced baking was going to use violence as a spice.
Paul's religion is referenced quite often, but not for any apparent purpose except a thought of repentance at the end. And here's the key issue. We see that the Court Magician isn't enjoying his work, and both he and Lady Fife have been unsuccessful against The System that knew about Myers.
Paul and Tonya join them in a moment of "oh dear, we have completely failed to understand what we're up against here." It's a GREAT backbone for a book and a series, but it feels as if it's almost lost in the rush of magic-and-violence scenes.
Speaking of Tonya - her character is just too conveniently plot-enabling, and so are Paul's friends, who are all related to key players and all share the approach of "oh, look at you, you're covered in blood again, come and have some tea, what?"
Interesting but flawed, but I'll make a first-novel allowance. I hope #2 has a tough, experienced editor to set its course through the reefs.
Second, I see NOTHING to tell me why the series is "Marrowbone Spells," which leaves me wondering if That Nasty Scene - which was IMHO totally unnecessary - is just a warmup for next time.
Third, I am really wondering whether Fay thought "what if the MC was actually a bit of a dick, with way more self-confidence than he should have?"
The book is baked with a modern recipe, a bi MC, a gay this, various ethnics with quick-cobbled explanations of why they are in 1940s London.
I liked the cloth magic, a different approach in a world where there are perhaps too many authors making up magic systems. The Court Magician concept didn't work for me, though, and the need to break bones was perhaps the hint that the above-referenced baking was going to use violence as a spice.
Paul's religion is referenced quite often, but not for any apparent purpose except a thought of repentance at the end. And here's the key issue. We see that the Court Magician isn't enjoying his work, and both he and Lady Fife have been unsuccessful against The System that knew about Myers.
Paul and Tonya join them in a moment of "oh dear, we have completely failed to understand what we're up against here." It's a GREAT backbone for a book and a series, but it feels as if it's almost lost in the rush of magic-and-violence scenes.
Speaking of Tonya - her character is just too conveniently plot-enabling, and so are Paul's friends, who are all related to key players and all share the approach of "oh, look at you, you're covered in blood again, come and have some tea, what?"
Interesting but flawed, but I'll make a first-novel allowance. I hope #2 has a tough, experienced editor to set its course through the reefs.
sunsoar25's review
2.0
I liked the idea of this but it didn't work for me nearly as much as I was hoping it would.
perfektionaise's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0