The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kates_cat's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Confinement and Violence
ree_the_owlgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Self harm, Child abuse, Confinement, Torture, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, Sexism, Grief, and Racism
hannahs_library_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
tkhenry99's review against another edition
3.5
the story was fun and everything, but i felt like the characters relationships developed really fast for no reason. everyone jack meets he immediately becomes besties with? and he was supposed to have a familial bond with lucia and evangeline, but
i often thought the dialogue was weird and forced, like the author was trying too hard to be poetic.Â
the end also starts to drag, i found myself skimming a lot just to get to the end. the dual POV didn’t helpÂ
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexism, Lesbophobia, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Racism, Blood, Confinement, Homophobia, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Gun violence
archcon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death of parent, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Murder, Kidnapping, Bullying, Abandonment, Death, Sexism, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, and Lesbophobia
lastblossom's review against another edition
- 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
A beautiful queer romance front and center against a historical backdrop that sparks the imagination.
About
Jack Devin's great at sleight of hand, which is a good skill to have when your boss is a stage magician. He's also got flexible morals, which is a good mindset to have when your boss is ALSO a con artist. When Jack and his employer, the Enchantress, find themselves with a show at the Alaska Yukon Pacific World's Fair, it looks like the money's going to start flowing in. At least, until rival magician Laszlo appears with tricks that even Jack can't figure out. But Jack soon discovers he's much more interested in Laszlo's assistant, the quiet and enigmatic Wilhelm.
What I Liked
Stories about stage magicians are great. Even more when the author seems to respect the craft and the work that goes into it. Very little is spent on the actual magic, but all the tricks seem grounded and researched. Huuuge plus in my book. The setting - a World's Fair in Seattle - is full of potential and enthusiasm for the future, and the author does a great job of carrying the reader into that hopeful space. Both POVs are likable, and written with distinct voices, making the narrative easy to follow. The supporting cast are painted clearly with their own lives, dreams, and motivations. I've seen some descriptions liken this to The Prestige. It definitely had some similarities to the film (not the book, though), but it's a lot less dire of an ending, so I think I prefer this.
What Wasn't For Me
For a story about people who are also con artists, there was very little time spent on cons. The one we do get wasn't quite as twisty as I had hoped. But that feels like a very minor complaint overall.
Graphic: Confinement and Stalking
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Racism, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Death, Torture, and Sexism
Minor: Colonisation
meliroo's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Death, Misogyny, Torture, Racism, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Sexism, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Torture, Vomit, and Murder
angelareads's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Confinement, and Physical abuse
mals_library's review against another edition
1.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Misogyny, Classism, Homophobia, Sexism, and Racism
orchidd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gaslighting, Stalking, Misogyny, Sexism, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Murder