Farhan

Could definitely been shorter and would have been better without any romance but the plotlines were interesting and there were things I didn't see coming. It's not as much an "academy" book as the first one and I feel it suffers for that.

I slightly regret this reread because I had very fond memories of this series that had made it remain my favorite all time series. Until now.. Idk it's a fine series, but unlike say the Greenbone saga it's no masterpiece. Plot wise it's very basic and I think the villain is not at all compelling. I do have a particular fondness for the characters though, and the world itself, so I will be reading Threads of Power.

I enjoyed the first book more and think it did some things better, but this sequel also does some things better. From a power progression side, I think the first book was more satisfying. This book has its moments but less so in comparison, Rei only gets one big powerup and it's kind of unearned but makes sense story wise. I also think spending the whole book in the tournament was unnecessary and really bogs it down a bit, and slight spoilers but it looks like more of that is in the future and I don't know I feel about that..There are some interesting plot lines that are set up for the future which will be interesting to see play out, and my main worry of how relevant the rest of the cast will be as Rei outpaces them gets solved. I liked the focus on the characters and relationship development more in this book and it's nice to see characters that have logical discussions with each other, understand their faults and grow from them. Will be anticipating book 3

Reread after so many years and it is still such a magically wonderful world.

This was a nice and meaty read, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. And that's really what this book is, a journey, as you follow Ari as he comes to be the man he is. Which doesn't happen quickly. Or even in this book. But I'm looking forward to the rest of the tale. I loved the world building here especially as someone it personally caters to. And it looks like R.R. Virdi might be the first author I personally meet, so excited for that :D

I thought the writing here was witty and whimsically clever, making it an easy and fun read. I really thought how this book was structured would make more sense by the end, yet it didn't. Cliff is the only character that gets a 1st person POV, which makes him read as the main character, but we also follow Gemma and Dorcie in 3rd person POVs in their attempts to murder their own employers. I thought somehow the POVs would connect in some clever way by the end, but it really was just that. So in that sense if Cliff is the MC, but we get chapters following unrelated plot lines, half of this book was just filler? Like I really wanted something to bring it together for me, but regardless I did enjoy reading this.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Edit after reading:

I have been waiting for a new Percy Jackson as long as I can remember I feel, and this one immediately returns you to the shenanigans of this world and Percy's unique narrative voice and does not disappoint. My only issue is that there are no stakes here and it's really just a peek back into Percy's life. It was also novella level short so I want more. I NEED more.