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happysami's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, and Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
bookph1le's review against another edition
2.0
This one just really didn't do it for me. I've noticed something about my relationship with McGuire's writing: she often hooks me with her concept, but at some point my enjoyment of her work plummets. She's very talented, but sometimes I think all her big ideas get away from her.
That isn't as much the case with this installment as it was in the last. With this one, we actually see the action instead of being told about it. But I think what I didn't like about this one was the return to the Moors, which isn't a door that interests me all that much. I also think this ventured too much into horror territory for me. I don't outright dislike horror, but it is a genre that doesn't tend to do much for me, with rare exceptions.
That isn't as much the case with this installment as it was in the last. With this one, we actually see the action instead of being told about it. But I think what I didn't like about this one was the return to the Moors, which isn't a door that interests me all that much. I also think this ventured too much into horror territory for me. I don't outright dislike horror, but it is a genre that doesn't tend to do much for me, with rare exceptions.
demikevy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
seudograph's review against another edition
3.0
It’s hard to rate any of this series below 3 stars, but I was tempted to with this book. As much as I loved The Moors in book 2, it just didn’t hit the same in this one. The world felt less ominous & like it had lower stakes. Jack was constantly repetitive (I know you’re a genius, I’ve known it since book 1, I don’t need it constantly repeated).
And the overall theme of this book bothered me. Jack and Jill are 2 sides of the same coin. You need both of them to provide balance. They’ve both struggled & so far, I’ve empathized with each of them. But in this one, we are expected to make a hard line & be on one side, which I strongly disliked & feel goes against one of the messages of the series. I don’t want to think any of these adolescents are irredeemable.
And Cora, why was she even there?
Definitely my least favorite so far.
And the overall theme of this book bothered me. Jack and Jill are 2 sides of the same coin. You need both of them to provide balance. They’ve both struggled & so far, I’ve empathized with each of them. But in this one, we are expected to make a hard line & be on one side, which I strongly disliked & feel goes against one of the messages of the series. I don’t want to think any of these adolescents are irredeemable.
And Cora, why was she even there?
Definitely my least favorite so far.
mali_karina's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bonafidefaygo's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While I do prefer the books continuing the main storyline, I'm just not compelled by the Moors as a setting nor am I compelled by Jack and Jill.
And while I like the main cast of characters, there's just far too many for such short books.
I'm going to continue in the series, obviously, because the worldbuilding is great and the writing itself is so good. But I fear that the only book in the series that will be a knock out for me will have been the first one.
And while I like the main cast of characters, there's just far too many for such short books.
I'm going to continue in the series, obviously, because the worldbuilding is great and the writing itself is so good. But I fear that the only book in the series that will be a knock out for me will have been the first one.