Scan barcode
rochelle_mn's review against another edition
3.0
Fun little read, but a bit more over the top than expected. Magic, demons AND multiple dimensions?! It's a good thing I love Hogwarts & the Tardis, or this might have been too much.
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book as a Kindle serial.
Joy Wilkins is a member of the FBMA, the Federal Bureau of Magical Affairs. In order to try to find the people behind a rash of magical attacks called Heartstoppers, Joy goes undercover at Gooseberry Bluff Community College of Magic as an instructor.
As Joy gets deeper into the mystery, she learns that very little is as it seemed when her assignment began, and the trouble could be even bigger than they suspected.
This book is full of enjoyable characters, subplots, and dialogue. The alternative US Schwartz has envisioned is rich and well imagined. Some figures from 19th and 20th century occultism come up, but in this world of real life magic their impact and importance has changed.
The cast of characters is diverse, both in terms of gender and race. Joy Wilkins herself is afflicted with the condition "face blindness," meaning she cannot recognize the differences in faces. Joy is an aura reader, so she has a leg up on a sufferer from our world, but it informs her character very well.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it wholeheartedly.
Joy Wilkins is a member of the FBMA, the Federal Bureau of Magical Affairs. In order to try to find the people behind a rash of magical attacks called Heartstoppers, Joy goes undercover at Gooseberry Bluff Community College of Magic as an instructor.
As Joy gets deeper into the mystery, she learns that very little is as it seemed when her assignment began, and the trouble could be even bigger than they suspected.
This book is full of enjoyable characters, subplots, and dialogue. The alternative US Schwartz has envisioned is rich and well imagined. Some figures from 19th and 20th century occultism come up, but in this world of real life magic their impact and importance has changed.
The cast of characters is diverse, both in terms of gender and race. Joy Wilkins herself is afflicted with the condition "face blindness," meaning she cannot recognize the differences in faces. Joy is an aura reader, so she has a leg up on a sufferer from our world, but it informs her character very well.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it wholeheartedly.
shesagift's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of the most original books I've read in a very long time. The non-typical characters (black woman with face blindness, genderqueer secretary, characters with origins all over the globe) made this a breath of fresh air, and the plot was twisty-turny and always kept me on my toes.
But I am giving this 3 stars only because the book dragged on and on. I was interested, but I wasn't necessarily engaged. I was halfway through and feeling like I should be so much closer to the end. Normally a book like this would be a quick, easy read, and instead I felt like I was slogging through it despite the fun plot and amazing characters.
I would be interested to read a follow-up book, however. Maybe with a second book Mr. Schwartz will hit his stride with the pacing and I'll get the riveting ride with Joy Wilkins I'd been expecting.
But I am giving this 3 stars only because the book dragged on and on. I was interested, but I wasn't necessarily engaged. I was halfway through and feeling like I should be so much closer to the end. Normally a book like this would be a quick, easy read, and instead I felt like I was slogging through it despite the fun plot and amazing characters.
I would be interested to read a follow-up book, however. Maybe with a second book Mr. Schwartz will hit his stride with the pacing and I'll get the riveting ride with Joy Wilkins I'd been expecting.
cortjstr's review against another edition
3.0
I teetered between 3 and 4 for this so call it a 3.5. I didn't realize going in that I was reading the collected version of a serialized work which I take as a positive because it means there wasn't a lot of summary exposition at the beginning of each episode. It's also not an overtly YA book though the title makes it sound that way. Despite taking place at a school the students rarely factor into anything.
My biggest issue was realizing there wasn't enough book remaining to create a satisfactory ending. That and it really seemed like there was going to be more to
My biggest issue was realizing there wasn't enough book remaining to create a satisfactory ending. That and it really seemed like there was going to be more to
Spoiler
Margaret. It seemed like she was being set up to be more than she initially appeared to be.londysaurus's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the serials. I'd be interested in reading further.
constant_reader_19's review against another edition
3.0
I read the first 4 episodes in this Kindle Serial....looking forward to more!!! I found them interesting...
Update....episode 5 was great....reading episode 6....
Now through Episode 12...the serial is getting better!!!
Update....episode 5 was great....reading episode 6....
Now through Episode 12...the serial is getting better!!!
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
This book is so danged fun. Took several turns I didn't expect, too. If you like your urban fantasy full of ordinary people dealing with extraordinary situations, give this one a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, Alcohol, and Sexism
Moderate: Classism, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Body horror, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Death, War, and Alcoholism
Minor: Ableism
jonmhansen's review against another edition
5.0
"We have resources," said Cyril Lanfair.
Lutrineas groaned. "My sister has assassins, or did you forget that already? She has librarians. Police officers. Meter maids. Army captains. Agents provocateurs." Something flashed outside the window, followed a moment later by a sound like something igniting. "Like that one, probably."
Lutrineas groaned. "My sister has assassins, or did you forget that already? She has librarians. Police officers. Meter maids. Army captains. Agents provocateurs." Something flashed outside the window, followed a moment later by a sound like something igniting. "Like that one, probably."
mewsie's review against another edition
3.0
The story had a lot of potential and was very enjoyable until the last installment. The ending is what dropped it down to three stars for me. After I read it, I was like "that's it? That can't be the ending?" I was positive there has to be at least one more installment but there won't be. It was rather unfulfilling and it felt as though the author took possibly one of the lamest ways to end the tale.
2357aya's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0