Review: A Darker Shade of Magic

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This review is also found on Goodreads! :)
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Magic, Londons, princes, a stubborn and strong-willed girl, and a nefarious plot with a confusing albeit cliché execution. It lacked.... something . I started the book as someone from afar, an audience watching things unfold, and I ended the book feeling exactly the same: just an audience and not part of the story. The story and characters all felt one-dimensional.

The setting and premise were what drew me to glance at this book in the first place. The reviews and ratings were what convinced me to pick it up. Sadly, I was not as roped in to the story as I hoped I would be. Everything was a dark matter-of-fact, and to be honest, a bit flat. Where Strange the Dreamer overflowed with emotion, this book lacked it. It lacked depth. It didn't feel immersive, which is such a total waste. I loved the world it built, but was disappointed with how shallow the book ran.

Review: The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This review is also found on Goodreads! :)
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The Night Circus feels like a dream. The ambiance from start to finish was splendid. It started off pensive and whimsical, until it gradually progressed to a darker undertone. There's nothing graphic about the novel, but certain chapters left me feeling...derailed. The challenge was obscured and remained a confusion to me up until the end of the book, but I didn't mind. The mystery kept me tethered to the story.