WendigoLove

Received a copy for a fair review. Definitely geared to middle grade readers more than YA and made it harder to get into. The setting is very unique and the reversal of the schools was fun. The casual bullying and racism was too much for me to continue after asking Why Asian Kids are so good at school and so smart to an Asian kid. Just couldn't continue.

There is no red flag she will not run towards. No matter how traumatic or twisted. Green flags like wanting to talk are treated as horrible. Writing is good so 3 stars - FMC just feels like a desperate train wreck.

I got this as an arc giveaway and happy I did. Very different story from the author and I loved the characters and world. I will definitely read the next one in the series and hope it continues the character's growth.

Loved the backstory of all the characters and how they became a found family. The Lamplighter part felt tacked on and just rushed. Forcing a human and... alien / ruler? on a trip to a signal that is decaying and likely dead.

Cute cozy short story with fun characters

Was bored at the end. Not completely positive why with the action and tension. Just didn't care about the characters - the whole Clarissa and Bull arcs were obvious. And the characters I actually cared about (Amos, Alex, and Naomi) were off screen. The wrestling with what morality means in practice and that it is hard was done well. Not planning to continue.

Satisfying conclusion

Fun twisty story

Nice twists. MC is complicated and realistic which means want to shake sense into her sometimes.

Time travel, massive library and well written.

The characters are tweaks on familiar characters and super entertaining. And most realistic reaction of a chosen one. My favorite is the ADHD werewolf.

An enjoyable 150+ hours revising Osten Ard. Tad Williams is the OG of complex worlds and characters. Perfect.

Found time to read it- engaging and more typical of real high school magic.

Listened to the version with new Afterward - recommend it.

He tells all the stories so you can see it and feel it.

Sweet ending but one rescue too long.

DNF. After every brief plot advancement expect pages of technical descriptions that don't really add to the story. I actually liked the characters, but just couldn't do it.

Fun adventure set in a world with magic and artillery. Perfect novel for YA and young YA - PG. look forward to the next part of the series.

Navigating and understanding the split cities made more sense than the murder mystery.

I knew nothing about this book other than seeing in the top 10 for months and months. I would never have sought a “war” book but so glad I picked it up. A side and emotions of the war we never see

Didn't like nearly as much Main characters are selfish. Friends are more interesting. And so so many times things would have been solved by the dragons being dragons and using fire. Endless chase scenes or landing scenes when a nice blast would have finished problem. Author uses friends to address selfish and toxic main characters so Yarros hopefully has a plan.

Always goes in an unexpected direction

Doesn't follow the tropes - in a good way

Wish the lenses came as a sheet with nose slot. Tiring closing one eye. Images are great - recommend a strong light

Spoilers and TW



So. Much. Plot Armor. And unbelievable heroine. Zero emotional reaction to dog being killed. Repeatedly makes stupid and emotional decisions. But the rebellion 200+ years in the making chooses her. But it works because the suspicious tyrant doesn't check the women for weapons, doesn't change security during the 1 hour the walls are down, or do anything smart either. Finished book mostly because snorting during each miracle of avoiding being caught in spite of no attempts at stealth. And the absolute worst person you'd want leading your rebellion. Her Thought Out Major Plan was to knee the tyrant and steal his weapon. Yep.

Actual story in this one, not just bloody stuff