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incognitomode's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookfiend1990's review
5.0
What a fantastic read! I very much enjoyed the story of Sonea, a slum girl who suddenlt discovers that she has a natural magical ability. I found myself cursing her enemies, and enjoying the good moments very much.
sobergs's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? No
3.75
amanda_shortman's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This is a re-read of an old favourite.
It's the first book in a fantasy trilogy, which begins in the slums of the city. The very first line sets the stage - "It is said, in Imardin, that the wind has a soul, and that it wails through the narrow streets because it is grieved by what it finds there" and this sense of injustice flows throughout the trilogy.
In many ways it is a very typical "magic school" kind of story - the protagonist finds out she has magic and (eventually) joins the Guild in order to be trained in its use. And near the end of this first book we find out that there is a "big baddie" and the main character is intrinsic to this part of the plot.
But what I love most about this book (and the series as a whole) is that nothing is clear cut. For instance, magic isn't this amazing thing that everybody wants to have. Sonea fears magicians, and her own growing power. Finding out she has magic means leaving behind everything she knows and trusts. And yet she is torn because bringing magic into the slums could help so many people.
This is developed further in the following books, but this first one is very much focused on Sonea coming to terms with her magic and her place in this world.
It's the first book in a fantasy trilogy, which begins in the slums of the city. The very first line sets the stage - "It is said, in Imardin, that the wind has a soul, and that it wails through the narrow streets because it is grieved by what it finds there" and this sense of injustice flows throughout the trilogy.
In many ways it is a very typical "magic school" kind of story - the protagonist finds out she has magic and (eventually) joins the Guild in order to be trained in its use. And near the end of this first book we find out that there is a "big baddie" and the main character is intrinsic to this part of the plot.
But what I love most about this book (and the series as a whole) is that nothing is clear cut. For instance, magic isn't this amazing thing that everybody wants to have. Sonea fears magicians, and her own growing power. Finding out she has magic means leaving behind everything she knows and trusts. And yet she is torn because bringing magic into the slums could help so many people.
This is developed further in the following books, but this first one is very much focused on Sonea coming to terms with her magic and her place in this world.
calbowen's review against another edition
2.0
This book is good at only one thing - setting u the next novel - there is very little action and the book is simply put as this - without major spoilers - the 1st half, there is a girl, she has magic, we must train her, she is hiding - and the second half - she is training - she debates staying - her ONE friend is worried - there is little intrigue (and I do mean only a little) and then the story is over - what is the point of this novel you ask? - it is to set up the next book apparently because this is the biggest yawn fest for me to read this year - no, no, and very much no
books_of_daria's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
panycanela's review against another edition
3.0
Aunque sea un libro con una trama que personalmente me gustó y me entretuvo mucho, se nota que es un primer libro de una saga: no pasa mucho.
Los conflictos se resuelven muy rápido (es su mayoría, y en los/el que no, sentía que tardaban mucho, pero esto puede ser percepción mía), también están los personajes, pueden terminar siendo un poco planos, y no se profundizó mucho con protagonista para que lleguemos a conocerla en profundidad sino más bien la hostoria es contada desde demasiadas perspectivas (esto no es necesariamente malo, pero me hubiera gustado conocer más a Sonea); los antagonistas eran malos porque sí o por alguna razón media vaga.
Aún así llegué a simpatizar con los personajes y, repito, la trama me gustó y me mantuvo enganchada, espero que el segundo mejore o al menos no empeore ja.
Los conflictos se resuelven muy rápido (es su mayoría, y en los/el que no, sentía que tardaban mucho, pero esto puede ser percepción mía), también están los personajes, pueden terminar siendo un poco planos, y no se profundizó mucho con protagonista para que lleguemos a conocerla en profundidad sino más bien la hostoria es contada desde demasiadas perspectivas (esto no es necesariamente malo, pero me hubiera gustado conocer más a Sonea); los antagonistas eran malos porque sí o por alguna razón media vaga.
Aún así llegué a simpatizar con los personajes y, repito, la trama me gustó y me mantuvo enganchada, espero que el segundo mejore o al menos no empeore ja.
redbird_23's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Enjoyed the exploration into the detriments of homophobia. A good introduction to someone just starting to unpack all that internalized sh!t. The characters were interesting and fun. Would give it a 4, except for the lack of diversity and that one black-face joke. To be fair, it was published over 20 years ago, but like jeezus. There was literally no reason to slap that in there.
mprov80's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0