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voldycat's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.75
Graphic: Ableism and Death of parent
Moderate: Physical abuse and War
Minor: Child death
eyeleash's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Ableism
gen_wolfhailstorm's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Details:
Narrated by Paul Boehmer
Unabridged
This was a fun start to the series. I hadn't had much experience with Holly Black's novels (only reading Doll Bones years ago), but I recently just read through the Mortal Instruments books by Cassandra Clare, so it was interesting to see the style adapted to middlegrade/younger readers.
I can't say I liked Col much as a character but I was interested in his induction into a school of magic, as well as the mystery surrounding his parents. It was lovely to see him finally make and maintain genuine friendships too.
I also appreciated the disability rep.
I don't have an awful lot to say about this, other than it was a fun and good start to a series.
Narrated by Paul Boehmer
Unabridged
This was a fun start to the series. I hadn't had much experience with Holly Black's novels (only reading Doll Bones years ago), but I recently just read through the Mortal Instruments books by Cassandra Clare, so it was interesting to see the style adapted to middlegrade/younger readers.
I can't say I liked Col much as a character but I was interested in his induction into a school of magic, as well as the mystery surrounding his parents. It was lovely to see him finally make and maintain genuine friendships too.
I also appreciated the disability rep.
I don't have an awful lot to say about this, other than it was a fun and good start to a series.
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
kyliereads341's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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? No
4.0
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Torture, and Death of parent
ollie_again's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It wasn't exactly bad but I wasn't blown away either. The magical world seemed rich but never did it really felt that way, it actually felt kind of empty. The fact that every adult in this book behaved like an a-hole and the same can be said about most of 12yo characters, I didn't root for anybody in this mess.
Most of this book is spent on the school life of the main trio but at the same time, we don't see much of it at all. We are told what they were learning and with whom but apart from the pile of sand exercise we don't see much more. Sadly, those are the parts I enjoy in fantasy books the most aka the slow non-threatening parts in which we learn about the magic system and whatnot. The pacing is a bit off too because we go through the whole study year but I sometimes didn't know if hours, days or months went by.
Even with my complaints, it's not a bad book, I think it tried to tell too much within too little page count. I have a mild intrigue to continue the series but I can't say for sure I will.
Most of this book is spent on the school life of the main trio but at the same time, we don't see much of it at all. We are told what they were learning and with whom but apart from the pile of sand exercise we don't see much more. Sadly, those are the parts I enjoy in fantasy books the most aka the slow non-threatening parts in which we learn about the magic system and whatnot. The pacing is a bit off too because we go through the whole study year but I sometimes didn't know if hours, days or months went by.
Even with my complaints, it's not a bad book, I think it tried to tell too much within too little page count. I have a mild intrigue to continue the series but I can't say for sure I will.
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Ableism, Death, and Death of parent
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment and War
morgcxn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Solid start to the series.
Solid start to the series.
Graphic: Child death and Death of parent
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