kusu00's reviews
289 reviews

From the beginning, I really loved the setting and the religion. It took me a while to connect all the dots, understand the power and family dynamics, but it's all worth it. While I did eventually understand it, I think spending a bit more time in explaining the importance of "first" and "second" wouldn't have hurt. 

The characters are great, they feel real and the more you get to know them and understand their situations, both with their own thoughts and feelings as well with their positions, the more you like them. 

I went into this completely blind, and I was greatly surprised. 

This book is a cute short read if you don't take it seriously. 
I couldn't figure out what Halloween represents in this universe. Is FMC just personally obsessed with it? No one else seems to go on about the "magic of Halloween" as much as she does. That was a bit weird.
The first two parts of the book are honestly very cringe. The third part is the best, and I almost feel like everything prior to that just didn't receive as much attention, and was just put together to lead to the third part.
The parts that describe the feelings of anxiety definitely feel the most real. You can tell the author has personal experience and knows what they're talking about. I could relate to a lot of it, and honestly, these might be the most realistic descriptions of anxiety and anxious thoughts I've read in a long time.
Most of the book feels like a fever dream, but it was a fun, okay read.

The first 20% of the book were very interesting. I was really into the story of a girl and her father, possibly different from everyone else due to their powers, conning their way out of class devides and poverty. And then... What the hell happened? From ~20% to around 60% is just a mess. I couldn't follow what was happening. The political scene has potential, but it's executed in a very messy way.
Firin is not a very likeable main character. She is very manipulative. Most of the time, I wanted things to go wrong for her. No idea how we were supposed to root for her.
Bregan is a little bland. I didn't care much for him or their love story.
Past the 60% point, I could follow the story again, but by that point I've lost all interest and I wasn't sure I would finish the book until I finally got closer to the end.

Have you ever bitten the inside of your cheek while you were sleeping? You know how when you wake up and you don't know if it hurts more to continue biting down or letting go. This is the constant feeling I had while reading this. For almost the entirety of the book, I just felt some lingering uncomfort. This might sound super specific, but it's also the only way I can explain it. 

I wasn't sure if the story is going to take a supernatural then or not (I go into every book completely blind), so the suspense felt so real. 

I really enjoyed this book. I felt with the characters, and I felt for them. An amazing read. 

An amazing sequel to the already amazing series.

It's always risky to introduce new villains in a way that doesn't feel forced. I think this book handled it perfectly. The political situation and tension built up a perfect set for a new spark of revolution. 

Most of the characters went through a similar period of embracing themselves and their powers in this book. I especially loved following Alice, as I feel she had to face a side of herself that isn't the easiest to accept, and Amalia, as she didn't get the spotlight previously. 

The atmosphere is just as tense and page-turning as I've expected it to be. 

I love it when a book manages to flow very naturally. Nothing feels like it's been written just to move the plot forward, just to have a spicy scene, etc. It follows a very belieavable narrative, while the characters manage to be their own distinctive personalities.

I just can't praise these books enough!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a pretty fun read. The characters are really likable. I enjoyed the lighthearted atmosphere, the comedic elements, and the slight bit of action and drama at the end felt just right. I would definitely come back to this series when I want something whimsical again. I finished it in one sitting, because even thought I could guess everything by chapter 4, I just really liked everyone. Would love to see drawings of the characters, because I'm sure I'm not imagining everyone right

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.