The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
yarisbooksandbevs's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
I thought this book was good. I found it a bit slow and dense at times making it a bit difficult to get through.
I didn’t find the plot twist super surprising but I like the way it was explained. I found Libby to oftentimes be annoying and I wasn’t a huge fan of Tristan’s audiobook narrator. I liked Nico and Parisa’s characterizations. I also liked the rivalry between Nico and Libby.Â
All in all it was a bit confusing at times but I was able to catch up and get on the same page. Not a bad book
I didn’t find the plot twist super surprising but I like the way it was explained. I found Libby to oftentimes be annoying and I wasn’t a huge fan of Tristan’s audiobook narrator. I liked Nico and Parisa’s characterizations. I also liked the rivalry between Nico and Libby.Â
All in all it was a bit confusing at times but I was able to catch up and get on the same page. Not a bad book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Car accident, Classism, Cursing, and Gun violence
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Drug use, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
philosofreaky's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I enjoyed this book but struggled to read it. (In the end, I think I just needed to be in the right mood/headspace to tackle it.) It's slow-paced, but I found the subject matter and character thoughts/conversations intriguing, until the last 5th of the book when it moves fast and exciting and couldn't put it down. That left me feeling quite content in the background and understanding I had of all the players moving forward.Â
I neither loved or hated anyone in particular, instead, did a good job of everyone having a purpose and being an intricate, ensemble cast. I will read the next one for sure, knowing that some parts might be dry but inevitably not? Somehow? I don't know. I still enjoyed the story AND the writing even though it didn't feel like a page turner. It made my brain happy.
Also, the bits in the short story included, Sacred Hospitality, did in fact make me chortle.
I neither loved or hated anyone in particular, instead, did a good job of everyone having a purpose and being an intricate, ensemble cast. I will read the next one for sure, knowing that some parts might be dry but inevitably not? Somehow? I don't know. I still enjoyed the story AND the writing even though it didn't feel like a page turner. It made my brain happy.
Also, the bits in the short story included, Sacred Hospitality, did in fact make me chortle.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, Violence, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Drug use, Death, Bullying, Alcohol, and Murder
yananhai's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
this book was truly a mystery for me. I didn't understand what was happening 90% of the time, and I really hoped that getting to the end would give me some answers, but it ends with only more questions to be (hopefully) answered in the next book.
I do understand why some people dislike the characters, there is almost zero development they go through (except maybe Tristan, but even that's a stretch). there is much more focus on building the plot and basis of the magic, and even that wasn't explained well.
this book did not do a good job in making me want to read the next one. so, I won't for now. maybe in the future, when I'm more in the mood.
I do understand why some people dislike the characters, there is almost zero development they go through (except maybe Tristan, but even that's a stretch). there is much more focus on building the plot and basis of the magic, and even that wasn't explained well.
this book did not do a good job in making me want to read the next one. so, I won't for now. maybe in the future, when I'm more in the mood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Classism, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
caseymac's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Kidnapping, Murder, Blood, and Confinement
daisywilliams's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was good when it picked up steam, but I found the ending to feel slightly rushedÂ
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Death
xeniba's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I felt this was too long and I hard a hard time differentiating Callum and Tristan at first, but I still enjoyed it.Â
I liked the twist at the end, and didn’t predict what it was, which doesn’t often happen. I had an inkling, but was surprised by the details.
I’m excited to read the next book to see what happens in their second year.
I liked the twist at the end, and didn’t predict what it was, which doesn’t often happen. I had an inkling, but was surprised by the details.
I’m excited to read the next book to see what happens in their second year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Violence, Death, and Suicide
Minor: Drug use and Sexual content
achay91's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Drug use
remaininlullaby's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? No
5.0
SO GOOD. whatever you think you're getting into, it's more. complex relationships, well thought out character development and challenging magic system.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide, Murder, Drug use, and Car accident
alittleoverrated's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Okay, I'll be quick here (I won't)Â
The book is for sure worth the read, it was a quick and easy read ( or listen if your me, the very wide cast for the audiobook was very nice and refreshing). You really do have to be in it for the characters though, because the plot is kind of lost in the sauce for most of the book. At times, it truly feels irrelevant that they are the most powerful magic users in the world, because your more wrapped up in the personal dramas. It reads much more like fanfic or a TV show than a novel, which I don't mind 95% of the time.Â
The premise and worldbuilding had me hooked from the beginning and then kind of failed to keep me there, or continue to expand or even explain things at time. I feel that this booked suffered from having a MASSIVE amount of interesting things going on but too many at the same time that none of them felt fully fleshed out or used to their full potential. I feel like I knew next to nothing about Reina because she was ignored half the book, Callum could have been infinitely more interesting and compelling if he would have spent less time being annoying, and a billion other stories felt very so exciting, but left to the side because we had to move on to the next characters bit.Â
Ultimately though, I did really enjoyed it a lot, the characters keep it interesting, the transitions between characters and the moments or realization a character has about another during their POV are always compelling.
But honestly, I read this book because someone said it had the best threesome scene they had read in it. It did not disappoint, though it would've been rated M not E if we are talking typical AO3 Rules. 10/10 smut.Â
The book is for sure worth the read, it was a quick and easy read ( or listen if your me, the very wide cast for the audiobook was very nice and refreshing). You really do have to be in it for the characters though, because the plot is kind of lost in the sauce for most of the book. At times, it truly feels irrelevant that they are the most powerful magic users in the world, because your more wrapped up in the personal dramas. It reads much more like fanfic or a TV show than a novel, which I don't mind 95% of the time.Â
The premise and worldbuilding had me hooked from the beginning and then kind of failed to keep me there, or continue to expand or even explain things at time. I feel that this booked suffered from having a MASSIVE amount of interesting things going on but too many at the same time that none of them felt fully fleshed out or used to their full potential. I feel like I knew next to nothing about Reina because she was ignored half the book, Callum could have been infinitely more interesting and compelling if he would have spent less time being annoying, and a billion other stories felt very so exciting, but left to the side because we had to move on to the next characters bit.Â
Ultimately though, I did really enjoyed it a lot, the characters keep it interesting, the transitions between characters and the moments or realization a character has about another during their POV are always compelling.
But honestly, I read this book because someone said it had the best threesome scene they had read in it. It did not disappoint, though it would've been rated M not E if we are talking typical AO3 Rules. 10/10 smut.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Death, and Drug use
There is a coerced on screen suicide attempt, but it is ultimately not real, though feels very real at the time. Read at your own rick, but know everyone is fine at the end. If you would prefer to skip, the scene begins when Callum and Parisa plan to have a battle of the minds so to speak.vic127's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Violence, and Blood