daniking's review against another edition
1.0
I just could not get into this one. I tried 3 different times. Her other series was fantastic, but the writing in this one did not deliver.
cbalaban's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
purplehulk713's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Whirling. So exciting and fun, but dark, relevant, and unpredictable, unlike a lot of fiction that I’ve read recently. Morgan Rhodes isn’t afraid of addressing difficult concepts like alcoholism, sibling death, disease or trauma, and this makes for very compelling fiction, especially in a YA context. Her characters seem fully realized (even if their development is slightly didactic, but that seems to be for a purpose), and they’re all so enjoyable to read about, even if you just love to hate them (e.g. Farrell). Crys is my hero. I also loved how Rhodes manages to create so many plot twists without the story seeming unrealistic. This was one of those books that you’ll be like “Oh, right, they mentioned before that . . . “ I’m so excited to learn more about the lore of this world, especially the immortals of Mytica like Eva and where their magic comes from. I enjoyed the reversal of trope where the ancient old man in fact looks incredibly young and beautiful (like in his twenties) but rather everyone around him does in fact know that this is his nature, unlike characters like the Darkling. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been left wanting so much more, though, plot-wise. Rhodes’s themes of personhood and filial bonds are deftly woven through a high-intensity attraction of magic, secrets, murders, and theft.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Drug abuse, Murder, Sexual harassment, Violence, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide, Rape, and Trafficking
_alwaysrealokay's review against another edition
4.0
Me want the second book now.
This was a smashing story. Magic and romance combine in a page turning adventure what else can a girl ask for. I had much fun reading this book, now i await the sequel.
This was a smashing story. Magic and romance combine in a page turning adventure what else can a girl ask for. I had much fun reading this book, now i await the sequel.
forsakenfates's review against another edition
3.0
So I rushed to finish this book before The Darkest Magic came out thinking I would pick The Darkest Magic up right away but I should have know. The book has been out for a week and a half and I have not even started it.
This book was very interesting. We have two coinciding stories being told that are both interconnected in a way that is still mostly unknown. These two stories are told from four different characters point of views. You have Maddox, Farrell, Becca, and Crystal. One story is in modern day Toronto and the other is ancient Mytica. It was fascinating to read this book and see how Morgan Rhodes was connecting the two very different worlds.
This book gave a lot of great backstory on Mytica and how they go to where they are in the Falling Kingdoms Series and I really loved the extra information. As for the Toronto story, I have been to Toronto only once in my life but I knew exactly where a lot of the landmarks Morgan Rhodes uses were. And I loved that she was descriptive enough and used names that I recognized, it just added to my investment in this story.
I definitely have a favorite character after this book but based on what happened I do not want to say who it is. I will just keep that to myself and see what said character does in the next book.
This book was very interesting. We have two coinciding stories being told that are both interconnected in a way that is still mostly unknown. These two stories are told from four different characters point of views. You have Maddox, Farrell, Becca, and Crystal. One story is in modern day Toronto and the other is ancient Mytica. It was fascinating to read this book and see how Morgan Rhodes was connecting the two very different worlds.
This book gave a lot of great backstory on Mytica and how they go to where they are in the Falling Kingdoms Series and I really loved the extra information. As for the Toronto story, I have been to Toronto only once in my life but I knew exactly where a lot of the landmarks Morgan Rhodes uses were. And I loved that she was descriptive enough and used names that I recognized, it just added to my investment in this story.
I definitely have a favorite character after this book but based on what happened I do not want to say who it is. I will just keep that to myself and see what said character does in the next book.
bookscrystals93's review against another edition
5.0
Morgan Rhodes has done it again! This is the first book In the spin off series of Falling Kingdoms. In this book Becca Hatcher suddenly finds herself in the world of Mytica after opening a book in her family's book store. There she meets Maddox who helps her find her way home. While this is happening Becca's sister Cyrs finds out a lot about their family including a secret that could possibly change both of their lives. If you've read the Falling Kingdoms series then you'll definitely enjoy this.
cindeereads's review against another edition
2.0
I have so much to say about this book for one I did not really like it the story was very generic and predictable with a few parts that could of made the story better they just made it all the more boring with no depth whatsoever. Now on to the characters they were mostly one dimensional starting with Crystal a selfish moron who most of her actions were a instant eye roll and her attitude could barely stand her though sometimes she was not too bad. Moving on to Becca the type of girl who does not think she is pretty and is you stereo typical bookworm. On to the asshole called Farrel he was the worst male lead I have read read about really creepy and smarmy he was just a thug could not stand him at all. Lastly on to Maddox he was actually the one I liked best he had more dimension than the other characters and the things he did made so much more sense the only likable character of the bunch. To the romance it was all insta love which I just can not stand I like romance with some form of development which this had none. The plot was for one boring completely predictable with really bad world building the story starts with Becca falling into a coma after touching a book going to another world meeting Maddox and moves on to Crystal finding out about a secret society after awhile meeting a total douche getting caught and escaping nothing interesting there. So overall I did not really like this book and will not be continuing the series.
womanon's review against another edition
3.0
So, the standards were high, since the Fallen Kingdoms series is one of my favourites. Unfortunately, I didn't like this book nearly as much. I disliked the characters a great deal, and their relationship with each other didn't feel natural to me. The plot was okay, though I expected this to be set in a fantasy world solely, so I was sorely disappointed.