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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
pattyblom's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Very nice read. Can be read as a standalone in my opinion. Very much a character driven story, how she tries to live her life but other people intervene.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
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
ballgownsandbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
I'm honestly so surprised I haven't seen more hype for this! Not because it's the best book I've ever read, but it seems like exactly the kind of thing that would become a book community darling: it's got the spunky heroine who's out of place in her own life; the parallel magical London; family secrets; the dark, mysterious, initially-antagonistic love interest...
I found a lot of the worldbuilding quite confusing - I really struggled to keep all the different factions and types of magic straight, and the fact that Witherward has all the same place names as regular London, but in a different arrangement, really threw me off! On the other hand, we got a lot of details about the intricacies of shapeshifting, and I really loved those granular details about the rules of the magic!
I enjoyed Ilsa's character, and the friends she makes in Witherward (especially Fyfe!) - found family will always get me! It also seems to be setting up for the sequel to have one of my favourite romance tropes, so I'm excited to see where the story goes next!
I found a lot of the worldbuilding quite confusing - I really struggled to keep all the different factions and types of magic straight, and the fact that Witherward has all the same place names as regular London, but in a different arrangement, really threw me off! On the other hand, we got a lot of details about the intricacies of shapeshifting, and I really loved those granular details about the rules of the magic!
I enjoyed Ilsa's character, and the friends she makes in Witherward (especially Fyfe!) - found family will always get me! It also seems to be setting up for the sequel to have one of my favourite romance tropes, so I'm excited to see where the story goes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent
Claustrophobia