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saoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
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
3.5
It was all-consuming to a hazy point and never stopped moving with action. The story was filled with plentiful movements and characters intertwined, making it whole. The introduction to a certain world through a portal and sects that fight for balance within the city in their powerful forces. Although it was dynamic with the characters and plot, there were shallow edges that needed room for improvement to take advantage of the said powers. It had plenty of twists, which became draining with the sequential aspects of it through the deceit, making it possible for a book 2. Though, quite frankly, the way it ended does not really entice me to continue with the other installation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
r_gale's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I loved this story the world was imaginative but with the tether to London was easy to understand and gauge locations.
All the different magic types were interesting and the lore and magic is explained clearly but only when needed which thankfully saved from an info dump.
The characters are complex but lovable, I honestly finished wanting more and was devistated that the 2nd book in the series isn't a sequal but a prequel as I need to know what happens next!
All the different magic types were interesting and the lore and magic is explained clearly but only when needed which thankfully saved from an info dump.
The characters are complex but lovable, I honestly finished wanting more and was devistated that the 2nd book in the series isn't a sequal but a prequel as I need to know what happens next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Death
renettereads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
In this book we meet Ilsa, a Changeling street urchin with in Victorian England who has been taken in by a magician as his assistant. When Ilsa gets taken through a portal to an alternate London called the Witherward, she not only realises there’s more magic in the world than she knew, but she also finds links to all of the other things she’s been searching for since she was orphaned.
The book was really fast-paced and action packed and I enjoyed every second with Ilsa. She’s a feisty cockney character who doesn’t take any prisoners and I really enjoyed the way she handled herself. The rest of the cast were equally intriguing and because of the mysterious nature of the book, everyone behaved in a way that made me suspicious and I loved being kept on my toes.
There were moments throughout this book where I felt a little confused as Ilsa made her discoveries, but it wasn’t long until she showed her workings and explained how she arrived there, which made it feel a little clearer. I also think the ending was a little rushed and that there were things I wanted to see more resolved than they were, but overall this was fun and I really enjoyed the worldbuilding.
As the series continues, I’d like to explore the other magical factions. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the concept of books like A Darker Shade of Magic, but in the slightly less serious style of something like Twin Crowns.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Murder
lennie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.
This book follows Ilsa, a magician's assistant with a difficult upbringing, who also has the power to shapeshift.
One day someone shows up to take her to another world, the Witherward, as she is being hunted.
So I would definitely agree that this has aspects that are similar to A Darker Shade of Magic by V E Schwab, especially at the beginning but it quickly veers off into something entirely it's own.
I really liked the world building and magic in this book, especially all the different factions. The characters are all very layered and intriguing and I really liked the found family aspect..
However, I do feel like it took a while to get to the climax for it then to end quite abruptly leaving many of the plots still wide open.
I am very much looking forward to seeing what else this world has in store for Ilsa and everyone else if / when we get a sequel!
CW: Panic attacks, Blood, Death, Injury, Child abuse, Murder, Gun violence, Confinement, Torture, and Violence, Drugs, Drug Addiction, Grief, Death of a Parent (past mention)
This book follows Ilsa, a magician's assistant with a difficult upbringing, who also has the power to shapeshift.
One day someone shows up to take her to another world, the Witherward, as she is being hunted.
So I would definitely agree that this has aspects that are similar to A Darker Shade of Magic by V E Schwab, especially at the beginning but it quickly veers off into something entirely it's own.
I really liked the world building and magic in this book, especially all the different factions. The characters are all very layered and intriguing and I really liked the found family aspect..
However, I do feel like it took a while to get to the climax for it then to end quite abruptly leaving many of the plots still wide open.
I am very much looking forward to seeing what else this world has in store for Ilsa and everyone else if / when we get a sequel!
CW: Panic attacks, Blood, Death, Injury, Child abuse, Murder, Gun violence, Confinement, Torture, and Violence, Drugs, Drug Addiction, Grief, Death of a Parent (past mention)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
han_mahoney's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
5nazzyf0x's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
I've been stuck in a reading slump for ages but this pulled me out I was really getting into it and trying to figure out the ending. If you love magic, complicated romance and London you should read this book immediately!!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
alice_clay's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Blood, and Murder
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