oneqdprnjoy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jmcneill's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
ginnikin's review
3.0
For all that it's technically early Victorian, not Regency, this probably comes closer to "Jane Austen with magic" than other things I've seen hailed as such.
Still, love spells are now on my list of things that writers must take a proficiency test on before they're allowed to include them. It did at least handle love spells better than many other stories have.
Still, love spells are now on my list of things that writers must take a proficiency test on before they're allowed to include them. It did at least handle love spells better than many other stories have.
kendracurless's review
5.0
Took a few chapters to get into but it was really good & had an unexpected twist at the end. Very much like Sorcery & Cecelia.
kmc3050's review
1.0
Among the major disappointments in Marissa Doyle's first novel is her characters. Twins, Persephone (Persy) and Penelope (Pen), are up and coming witches preparing for their seasons in 1830s England. They are terribly annoying, careless, and pretty much oblivious to everything around them. The story revolves around the disappearance/kidnapping of their governess (who is also a witch), yet the two never seem to actually care about rescuing her until the end. A lead male, and love interest, is their neighbor, Lochinvar, who conveniently has his own little secret linking himself to the girls. Although there is evidence of research done for the book, it is hardly up to snuff, and this is a big setback. With all its downsides, this novel cannot persevere. Hopefully, Ms. Doyle has improved on what she has done here as she releases subsequent books in this series.
rachelreadwhat's review
3.0
Original concept as far as YA goes - I'd definitely have given it more stars if the main character hadn't been ridiculously annoying.