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lyakimov's review against another edition
3.0
I read the third book of this series many years ago, so it was a bit of a learning curve remembering what was going on. This is an interesting middle grade series and was an entertaining fourth book. The romance does not really need to be in there, it doesn't really add anything, but it's fine. I am planning on finishing this series really soon, so I am interested to see how it ends.
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
This review will mainly be about the one issue that I have with the novel. I know that's not how it usually works but the thing is, I really like this series. I love the Magisterium setting, the characters are great, and I love the plot. The first two books in the series were really good, especially the first one. But even with the other two, Holly and Cassie always manage to deliver a twist we don't expect. Like killing Aaron and putting Callum in prison at the end of The Bronze Key (those were not happy twists). The problem is with the writing.
It's not bad, per se. But I know that both Holly and Cassie can do better. The atmosphere that they created in The Iron Trial, how hard the revelation about Callum having Constantine's soul hit the readers, that's missing. I feel like they're not bringing their A-game.
I understand that they both have their own, separate projects, and I feel like this series is being neglected. This book was really short. And maybe that was planned, but I'm not sure it was entirely planned. Things were kinda rushed. There could have been more time taken to building up the creep-factor of living with Master freaking Joseph or dealing with Constantine's mother, more intensity that would really immerse us in the novel. But it was — and I know a lot of people say this about a lot of books — more telling and not enough showing.
This series could be a lot better and despite my complaints, I'm hoping for the best with the next novel. It's the last one in the series. This was a good installment (better than the last one, for me). It just didn't feel like enough effort was put into making it great.
Alex's character needed more time than he was give. This book was Callum's personal journey, coming to terms with who he is, but I still think the other characters should have been given a bit more. The romance, especially, could have been better written. It came out of nowhere. I ship Callum with Jasper more than I ship him with Tamara.
I feel like this series is being treated like a side project. Maybe that's not the case, maybe it is. I just hope that the last book is amazing like the first one.
It's not bad, per se. But I know that both Holly and Cassie can do better. The atmosphere that they created in The Iron Trial, how hard the revelation about Callum having Constantine's soul hit the readers, that's missing. I feel like they're not bringing their A-game.
I understand that they both have their own, separate projects, and I feel like this series is being neglected. This book was really short. And maybe that was planned, but I'm not sure it was entirely planned. Things were kinda rushed. There could have been more time taken to building up the creep-factor of living with Master freaking Joseph or dealing with Constantine's mother, more intensity that would really immerse us in the novel. But it was — and I know a lot of people say this about a lot of books — more telling and not enough showing.
This series could be a lot better and despite my complaints, I'm hoping for the best with the next novel. It's the last one in the series. This was a good installment (better than the last one, for me). It just didn't feel like enough effort was put into making it great.
Alex's character needed more time than he was give. This book was Callum's personal journey, coming to terms with who he is, but I still think the other characters should have been given a bit more. The romance, especially, could have been better written. It came out of nowhere. I ship Callum with Jasper more than I ship him with Tamara.
I feel like this series is being treated like a side project. Maybe that's not the case, maybe it is. I just hope that the last book is amazing like the first one.
kaulhilo's review against another edition
4.0
oh man. the ending of this book made me so sad because 1) alex does not deserve! to live! or to be a chaos elemental! or to be powerful or influential at any point in this series! he deserves to die! die! die! die! fuckhead kills aaron ~ and ~ gets to lead call’s fucking army (i know call didn’t wanna lead it , but um.?) like how is that fair? ugh.
and 2) alex does not deserve! to live! or to be a chaos elemental! or to be powerful or influential at any point in this series! he deserves to die! die! die! die! fuckhead kills aaron ~ and ~ gets to lead call’s fucking army (i know call didn’t wanna lead it , but um.?) like how is that fair? ugh.
he really REALLY didn’t deserve the plot points he got, even in this book. loser. fucking loser. and now he’s going to be the major villain or whatever in the next book and i just. no. constantine madden didn’t die so a loser emo teenager would fight in his steed. fuck you alex.
also call :(( i lowkey was hoping for this book to be his evil awakening, sort of like an anti-hero maybe? constantine madden reborn, but for REALZ this time? (i really am gonna regret saying REALZ when i reread this review later). anyway. i really did hope for constantine to come back. but it’s too late for that now, and guess ill just have to put up with clumsy old angelic callum hunt (not that im complaining, i love call).
wish there was a lot more alastair and im so so SO sad over aaron and :( everyone :( fingers crossed the next book is really iconic (and constantine comes alive and kills everyone in direct sight) (or not) (whatever
and 2) alex does not deserve! to live! or to be a chaos elemental! or to be powerful or influential at any point in this series! he deserves to die! die! die! die! fuckhead kills aaron ~ and ~ gets to lead call’s fucking army (i know call didn’t wanna lead it , but um.?) like how is that fair? ugh.
he really REALLY didn’t deserve the plot points he got, even in this book. loser. fucking loser. and now he’s going to be the major villain or whatever in the next book and i just. no. constantine madden didn’t die so a loser emo teenager would fight in his steed. fuck you alex.
also call :(( i lowkey was hoping for this book to be his evil awakening, sort of like an anti-hero maybe? constantine madden reborn, but for REALZ this time? (i really am gonna regret saying REALZ when i reread this review later). anyway. i really did hope for constantine to come back. but it’s too late for that now, and guess ill just have to put up with clumsy old angelic callum hunt (not that im complaining, i love call).
wish there was a lot more alastair and im so so SO sad over aaron and :( everyone :( fingers crossed the next book is really iconic (and constantine comes alive and kills everyone in direct sight) (or not) (whatever
amiascah's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ive got to say this was probably my least liked of the series so far, and as my 11 year old said when we finished it, 'I wish there was more school, why can't they just have one normal year'
'The Silver Mask' is the fourth book in the Magisterium series but Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. It follows Callum Hunt, teenage boy with a limp and the soul of the Enemy of Death trapped inside him. This book starts off months after Aaron's death with Call locked up in the panopticon, the mages jail. Through the story we see most of the regular cast of characters we've grown used to over the years, but most notably missing is Alistair Hunt, Call's father. None of this instalment takes place at the magisterium, and much to my son's disappointment Call doesn't attend a single magic class.
To be honest it kinda reminded my of Harry Potter in ways. I remember kids laughing about how no matter what went down, preteens or as they got older teenagers managed to solve the crisis and wrap everything up in time for the school year to end and the world just kept on keeping on. But then you hit the last books and suddenly everything felt off kilter cause the set rules and expectations that everyone was used to fell away and it was exciting for some unsettling for others, maybe even weird. It didn't feel like the same series at times. 'The Silver Mask' is like that, I think my kid went into it expecting something anything to pop up so that Aaron was alive, he's used to characters being killed off but the best friend isn't usually one of them. And then for them to proceed to their 4th year at school, new uniforms, new bead. new problems. Instead we got a rollercoaster ride, that I think could have been better.
The kid was happy enough but there was just something missing. I'm not feeling the connection between Tamara and Call, the chemistry is not there. I liked Jasper's character more and enjoyed the development of that relationship between him and Call. The journal and Call figuring out the biggest riddle was interesting until he figured it out and then it was kinda anticlimactic. Overall I think somethings felt too forced, and then others was just slow and not as interesting as the other books.
'The Silver Mask' is the fourth book in the Magisterium series but Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. It follows Callum Hunt, teenage boy with a limp and the soul of the Enemy of Death trapped inside him. This book starts off months after Aaron's death with Call locked up in the panopticon, the mages jail. Through the story we see most of the regular cast of characters we've grown used to over the years, but most notably missing is Alistair Hunt, Call's father. None of this instalment takes place at the magisterium, and much to my son's disappointment Call doesn't attend a single magic class.
To be honest it kinda reminded my of Harry Potter in ways. I remember kids laughing about how no matter what went down, preteens or as they got older teenagers managed to solve the crisis and wrap everything up in time for the school year to end and the world just kept on keeping on. But then you hit the last books and suddenly everything felt off kilter cause the set rules and expectations that everyone was used to fell away and it was exciting for some unsettling for others, maybe even weird. It didn't feel like the same series at times. 'The Silver Mask' is like that, I think my kid went into it expecting something anything to pop up so that Aaron was alive, he's used to characters being killed off but the best friend isn't usually one of them. And then for them to proceed to their 4th year at school, new uniforms, new bead. new problems. Instead we got a rollercoaster ride, that I think could have been better.
The kid was happy enough but there was just something missing. I'm not feeling the connection between Tamara and Call, the chemistry is not there. I liked Jasper's character more and enjoyed the development of that relationship between him and Call. The journal and Call figuring out the biggest riddle was interesting until he figured it out and then it was kinda anticlimactic. Overall I think somethings felt too forced, and then others was just slow and not as interesting as the other books.
halfbloodcity's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a pretty easy/chill read but have been debating how to rate it since last night.
I wasn't a massive fan of the main plot but I do think it kinda adds with what I remember from the characters personalities. There was a moment in the end tho, but that wsa about the only thing I really liked.
Also, the "romance" bit ... where the heck did that came from?
I wasn't a massive fan of the main plot but I do think it kinda adds with what I remember from the characters personalities. There was a moment in the end tho, but that wsa about the only thing I really liked.
Also, the "romance" bit ... where the heck did that came from?
cjg0316's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bluejaybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, look, the only book I read in October. *Hides in shame.* If this isn’t an indicator of how busy I’ve been I don’t know what is.
There is something about this series that makes me always come back to it even though there are some less than amazing elements to it. I think it’s the premise. I love “hero destined for evil” stories so much.
There is something about this series that makes me always come back to it even though there are some less than amazing elements to it. I think it’s the premise. I love “hero destined for evil” stories so much.
_aoibheann_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
katieinca's review against another edition
3.0
"Mom. There's a really big surprise at the end of this one." "Yeah, I've read the other ones, I've totally given up on trying to guess anything about the end, they're nuts. I dig it." "NO BUT MOM. Like REALLY big. On basically THE LAST PAGE." <>