Scan barcode
steph01924's review against another edition
3.0
These books randomly popped into my head the other night when I remembered reading them YEARS ago. Can't remember a thing about them, but I do recall staying up late reading. This must have been one of those random library picks back when I used to wander the actual shelves before Goodreads...
anastasiamakes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a reread for me but still great - a fun story about student vets helping out magical creatures, with some high stakes and intrigue pulling it all together.
The reason I don't rate it higher is just because of the Brandon segments - they tail off as you get further in so definitely don't let them put you off, as they're in a very different style to the rest of it. They all feel a bit 'forced set up'.
The reason I don't rate it higher is just because of the Brandon segments - they tail off as you get further in so definitely don't let them put you off, as they're in a very different style to the rest of it. They all feel a bit 'forced set up'.
cjanelle's review against another edition
5.0
Highly recommend to anyone going through a difficult time. It's been a long time since I read them but I've been thinking recently of the books that helped me when things got rough.
laurareads87's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I recently came across this book and, having wanted to be a veterinarian and having loved James Herriot books as a young person, picked it up. I loved the concept -- veterinary students travelling to an alternate world and treating griffons, unicorns, and centaurs -- and appreciated the little nod to Herriot in the text (there are a few scenes that are definitely inspired by him -- centaur birthing scene! -- but the similarities stop there). I feel like the description of this book (as represented on Goodreads) did not really give me a good idea of what it was actually about: this is a book wherein the alternate world is under threat, and is less about "discovering the wonders of magic" than it is about a group thrown together trying to fend off a threat to their existence. There are things about this book that I liked, certainly -- I appreciated BJ as a protagonist and several of the Crossroads characters -- but I found the other veterinary student characters a bit flat, feel like I didn't learn much about core parts of the plot, and found some of the plot a bit ... cheesy. I also found the transitions a bit choppy (as in, the characters would be chatting and all of a sudden be in a completely different location: I'd have to go back and see if I missed something).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Gore, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Grief, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
erine's review
5.0
Another book that I read countless times. I loved the crossover between reality, fantasy, and history.
lauraellis's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
genarti's review
There are basically two books in this: vet hijinks with fantasy animals sentient and otherwise, shadowed by the main character's looming potential terminal illness (all of which I loved!) and an epic plot about WAR and TORTURE and INEXPLICABLE FANTASYLAND KINGS MAKING TERRIBLE CHOICES (which I mostly didn't care about.) But the vet hijinks are the majority of the book, so on the whole I loved this!
lex_y's review
3.0
Reading this book was like eating a giant bowl of popcorn with my 11-year-old self. What it lacked in plot structure and character development it more than made up for in ruminations on centaur birth.
More...