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mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
5.0
*I am reading all of the books on the 2022 SSYRA Grades 6 to 8 list. If you want to see a complete list altogether in one place in order of best to worst check out my ko-fi. Or you can check out my tag ssyra grades 6 to 8 for star ratings*
I’m going to be honest, when I saw Archimancy was on the SSYRA list I did not have high hopes for it. I read A Path Begins (Thickety #1) by J.A. White last year and I was not impressed. Though I try not to write off an author over one book it stands to reason that another book by the same author would be just as unpleasant as the first. Thankfully, I was wrong: Archimancy is a great book.
Cordelia is my favorite kind of middle grade protagonist. She’s forthright, upstanding and has an edge of brattiness to make her realistic. I love how committed to the cause of helping the ghosts she was. A protagonist unafraid of consequences because they know what they’re doing is right is always endearing to me.
Nuanced portrayals of ghosts are always a plus in my book. Ghosts never asked to get stuck on this plane of existence. If they’re not harming anyone then there’s no reason to be scared of them. Sympathetic ghost stories are the best ones to me. Even if there are evil ghosts, it’s like with humans - some humans are bad, sure, but that doesn’t spoil the whole bunch.
The book does focus more on the plot, but that was not to its detriment in the least. The character development and arcs are woven in nicely so as not to stall the progression. It’s a solid balance that left the mystery chugging along consistently. The locale was wonderfully creepy. A boarding school with a seedy underbelly was a perfect location for haunted hijinks.
The biggest selling point is that the story is genuinely fun. I can’t think of a better way to describe it. It’s well paced, it moves briskly, and there’s an air of adventure with every page. The characters are diverse in a way that feels authentic though keep in mind it isn't a central part of the story so there isn't a lot of attention paid to it.
It managed to completely flip my opinion on an author. I am not ready to be singing his praises from the rooftop just yet, but I won’t be going into the next book by him with quite so many reservations. I can recommend it with a clear conscience and full heart.
I’m going to be honest, when I saw Archimancy was on the SSYRA list I did not have high hopes for it. I read A Path Begins (Thickety #1) by J.A. White last year and I was not impressed. Though I try not to write off an author over one book it stands to reason that another book by the same author would be just as unpleasant as the first. Thankfully, I was wrong: Archimancy is a great book.
Cordelia is my favorite kind of middle grade protagonist. She’s forthright, upstanding and has an edge of brattiness to make her realistic. I love how committed to the cause of helping the ghosts she was. A protagonist unafraid of consequences because they know what they’re doing is right is always endearing to me.
Nuanced portrayals of ghosts are always a plus in my book. Ghosts never asked to get stuck on this plane of existence. If they’re not harming anyone then there’s no reason to be scared of them. Sympathetic ghost stories are the best ones to me. Even if there are evil ghosts, it’s like with humans - some humans are bad, sure, but that doesn’t spoil the whole bunch.
The book does focus more on the plot, but that was not to its detriment in the least. The character development and arcs are woven in nicely so as not to stall the progression. It’s a solid balance that left the mystery chugging along consistently. The locale was wonderfully creepy. A boarding school with a seedy underbelly was a perfect location for haunted hijinks.
The biggest selling point is that the story is genuinely fun. I can’t think of a better way to describe it. It’s well paced, it moves briskly, and there’s an air of adventure with every page. The characters are diverse in a way that feels authentic though keep in mind it isn't a central part of the story so there isn't a lot of attention paid to it.
It managed to completely flip my opinion on an author. I am not ready to be singing his praises from the rooftop just yet, but I won’t be going into the next book by him with quite so many reservations. I can recommend it with a clear conscience and full heart.
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bkclub4one's review against another edition
4.0
I has resolutely decided not to read any spooky reads this October. 2020 has already being creepy enough so I didn't want to have any more reasons to keep me awake. Which is why I don't understand how I began reading this in the first place! Nevertheless I have to say, I enjoyed it a lot. The book was not scary for me but I think it could be for someone in the recommended age group.
sophia0808's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
sinslashcos's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.0
A lovely little read that I enjoyed by the campfire with some smores.
I picked this up from the library because the librarian had tagged it as a Magical School book and I was intrigued! I felt a craving for magical schools after watching Saltburn (a very disturbing movie) and reading this healed my soul some. I really enjoy JA White's books as they're a level of horror that I can really enjoy. I hope I'll be able to work up to some adult horror eventually, but for now, juvenile horror it is for me! (less)
I picked this up from the library because the librarian had tagged it as a Magical School book and I was intrigued! I felt a craving for magical schools after watching Saltburn (a very disturbing movie) and reading this healed my soul some. I really enjoy JA White's books as they're a level of horror that I can really enjoy. I hope I'll be able to work up to some adult horror eventually, but for now, juvenile horror it is for me! (less)
julesthebookdragon417's review against another edition
4.0
Rounding up from 3.5.
This was a nice blend of wholesome and creepy. Cordelia and her friends are on a mission to figure out what's keeping the ghosts at Shadow School trapped in the same old patterns, day after day, and whether there's a way to set those souls free. But maybe Cordelia's trapped in a rut of her own, one that her newfound friendships and purpose can help to pull her out of.
The cast is diverse, the atmosphere spooky (but not scary), and the friendships have their (realistic) ups and downs. I enjoyed this and look forward to the sequel. When does that come out again?
*looks*
WAIT IT COMES OUT THIS MONTH ok well that's convenient.
This was a nice blend of wholesome and creepy. Cordelia and her friends are on a mission to figure out what's keeping the ghosts at Shadow School trapped in the same old patterns, day after day, and whether there's a way to set those souls free. But maybe Cordelia's trapped in a rut of her own, one that her newfound friendships and purpose can help to pull her out of.
The cast is diverse, the atmosphere spooky (but not scary), and the friendships have their (realistic) ups and downs. I enjoyed this and look forward to the sequel. When does that come out again?
*looks*
WAIT IT COMES OUT THIS MONTH ok well that's convenient.
tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child death, Death, Violence, Confinement, Grief, and Bullying