Reviews

What Became of Magic by Paige Crutcher

findmeinfiction's review

2.0

thank you to netgalley for a free arc of this book!
an interesting story but a little hard to follow sometimes. it didn't really draw me in but it had it's cute moments

breezyrenee's review

3.0

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book!

This story is not one that I could explain to someone else. It had magic, it had a sort of found family, and it had soulmates. Other than that, I was lost through a good portion of this story.

I wish there was more world building, so we could understand the rules and what's happening. Instead, it was more of an anything goes plot. You have to sit there and accept what's happening or you'll dislike it.

I'm sure there are people out there who enjoy riddles and zany magical plots, and those people will adore this story. I just need more details laid out, so I can grasp what's happening better.

amberreadsalot's review

1.0

I almost stopped reading this book multiple times. The only reason I kept reading was because I have issues with not finishing a book I have started. But nothing about this book worked for me. The writing style, the plot, the characters…nothing connected. The plot was complex and convoluted and I had trouble following the background of what was happening in the story. Just not the book for me.

1 star. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

mariekitty's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

2.5

kelread's review

3.0

"What Became of Magic" is a beautiful, chaotic, heart-wrenching, messy story. The erratic storyline is compelling but hard to follow. Aline is sympathetic and interesting but pieces of her personality don't line up or make sense. There are vignettes in some chapters that are hard to reconcile with the action happening immediately before. There is the benefit of a designated (***) break on the page but it's still a sharp, abrupt departure.

I have no doubt "What Became of Magic" will knock it out of the park for some readers. Sadly, I'm not one of them.

lost_in_novels's review

3.0

Thank you Macmillan audio and NetGalley for an arc of What Became of Magic in exchange of my honest opinion.

This book started with a good premise but as the story develops it just exame so convoluted that it was hard to follow at the end.
First we start with our FMC as a kid/teen learning that she can see ghosts and at some point can also control nature elements when she gets angry to the point secasses an accident. This last event led her to seek the help of these 3 sisters that lived in her town. Then we have a huge jump in time and our FMC is an adult taking care of the store of the 3 sisters that sort of disappeared for a few days. She then try to find where they are and end up in this mysterious town. Out of the blue she discovered that there is a huge threat to all the magic world (which btw, I don’t know she was aware of that even as an adult) and she is the only one that can restore magic and save the magic beings.
It felt that there was not a smooth connection between times and all these revelations appeared without a proper introduction.

There is a romance in this book that actually got me invested and their chemistry saved the book for me.

Overall I thought the plot was truncated and convoluted, which left you trying to figure out for a long time what was going on

ladyj1989's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I was confused 98% off the time. 

maggpiebymoonlight's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

3.5

alyssayoung's review

4.0

Wow, I really loved this book! Initially I thought this might actually be a YA novel, until the author used the term “tits up,” and then I let myself get completely immersed into the story. What Became of Magic had romance, adventure, suspense, heartbreak, and obviously, magic. I am sad that Matchstick is not a real place, because the description was dreamy and I would move there in a heartbeat. This cozy, witchy town where all the homes are woodsy cottages, that also has a coffee shop, library, and tons of magical stores stole my heart. Crutcher is also excellent at world-building and I love the way she writes. 4/5 stars.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

michellehenriereads's review

4.0

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin. I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

Genre: Fantasy, Literary Fantasy
Spice Level: Mostly fade-to-black
Representation: References to a being who is neither him or her—just exists in their state that suits

WHAT BECAME OF MAGIC is not going to be for everyone—it's what I call weird fantasy. And I mean that in the best of ways. It's more literary. The point is exploring an idea or theme more than characterization or plot.

*This book reads like a fairy tale for adults.*

Things to look for:

The reluctant chosen one
Imagery
Personification
The idea of cause and effect
Imagery
Discovery
What is the origin of magic?
Themes: love, acceptance, cooperation, destructive nature of power

This is also a book that will mean different things to different people.

I personally enjoyed it, but I'm dropping a star because I felt like it could have pushed the envelope more. If it's going to be weird, go all in.

Happy (weird) reading!