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incandescentreads's reviews
1236 reviews
Boy of Chaotic Making by Charlie N. Holmberg
2.0
Rating : 2 ⭐
This whole book took us on a detour away from everything that had been set up in the second instalment. Most of it didn't appeal to me, except in the moments where I was actively annoyed. The mystery wasn't intriguing, and I personally wasn't interested in a plot revolving around the nobility. This series has never truly addressed the link between blood purity and magic in a way that feels satisfying and engaging. The whole plot of the book revolved around the nobles and their obsession with keeping the magical bloodlines pure, and I felt frustrated by the way in which these ideas were meant to be taken as a given. The three main characters and their relationships with each other were what kept me reading. By the end, the plot set up from the second book comes back into play for the next one. I'm still interested in seeing where that's going, but unfortunately this book felt mostly unnecessary.
This whole book took us on a detour away from everything that had been set up in the second instalment. Most of it didn't appeal to me, except in the moments where I was actively annoyed. The mystery wasn't intriguing, and I personally wasn't interested in a plot revolving around the nobility. This series has never truly addressed the link between blood purity and magic in a way that feels satisfying and engaging. The whole plot of the book revolved around the nobles and their obsession with keeping the magical bloodlines pure, and I felt frustrated by the way in which these ideas were meant to be taken as a given. The three main characters and their relationships with each other were what kept me reading. By the end, the plot set up from the second book comes back into play for the next one. I'm still interested in seeing where that's going, but unfortunately this book felt mostly unnecessary.
The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller
2.5
Rating : 2,5 ⭐
This book had interesting ideas, but the execution wasn't perfect. The mystery felt like it was dragging a little bit, and the big twist was predictable to me. The inclusion of chapters from different perspectives didn't feel necessary and they broke up the flow of the story. The ending was really a set-up for a sequel, and I wish the marketing around the book made it more apparent that this is meant to be a series. I would have gone into it with different expectations. I still enjoyed how the topic of antiques and cultural artifacts was approached in this book.
This book had interesting ideas, but the execution wasn't perfect. The mystery felt like it was dragging a little bit, and the big twist was predictable to me. The inclusion of chapters from different perspectives didn't feel necessary and they broke up the flow of the story. The ending was really a set-up for a sequel, and I wish the marketing around the book made it more apparent that this is meant to be a series. I would have gone into it with different expectations. I still enjoyed how the topic of antiques and cultural artifacts was approached in this book.