Reviews

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker

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nicole_marissa's review against another edition

3.0

This book conflicted me. It was entirely too long and while I was reading it, mainly a large chunk of the middle section, I wondered what the point of all of it was. However, every time I put the book down, I was compelled to want to pick it back up. I enjoyed it enough to anticipate the sequel but it was a bit long winded.

There were some parts of it where I wondered how an educated, obviously intelligent woman like Nora could be so blatantly stupid, and it annoyed me that the author, a woman herself, could reduce such a strong, independent character like Nora into a helpless woman who lacked any common sense.

katsant1's review against another edition

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Slow, boring and not interested in the characters or story.

secretmagic's review against another edition

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4.0

I really, really liked this book. At first I thought the plot was being rushed for such a huge book, but everything made more sense as you kept reading. Nora had her faults, but I loved watching her discover magic and a world outside her own. I want more Nora and Aruendiel! Can't wait to see what Emily Croy Barker comes up with next!

ellebeekay's review against another edition

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dnf

susannareads's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

A great take on a common formula. I loved the nuanced, sometimes unlikeable characters and the more realistic take on the “21st century woman dropped in a magical/historical world” trope.

widenera's review against another edition

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1.0

Oh man. I am irritated I finished this book. It's difficult to read a book where the character begins as a wishy washy, whiney grad student only for her to end up at the end of all of her fantastic adventures... a wishy washy, whiney person.

Supposedly she is a feminist? But its difficult to see how. She flares up at the prospect of a man asking for her hand through another man, but she falls in love with an asshole character who killed his pregnant wife? This book 100% perpetuates the idea that if a man is terrible to you, he must be in love with you. It doesnt even try to ceate the illusion that the man will change for love. He's just a grumpy asshat through the entire book.

I really wanted to like this book. I love fantasy. I love the idea of tripping into a new world where there is magic. However, the weak minded protagonist and just generally unlikable characters in this book made it difficult to like.

Also... its long... and much of it is boring. Nothing happens or arbitrary things happen for a good 250 pages.

I can't believe I read this whole book.