I’m on the fence

I tried this first as an ebook and failed. I struggled so hard. Then with the thought to get through it I got the audiobook to see if that would help. It did, but only after I restarted the audiobook twice.

I get what the author was trying to do but the story dragged and the characters were annoying and for the most part, unlikeable.

The story only got interesting in the last two hours of the book. The narration was confusing at times with the various non explained foreign dialect as well as voice actors attempts at other characters when in their POV.

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4 people found this helpful

If nothing else listen for the last couple of chapters and the end scenes!

It took me forever to finish this! I think I listened to like 5other books completely since starting this one! Some of it was boring some very cringey! I most enjoyed the few chapters and the end scenes (some shorts a bit like deleted scenes) I wish the book as a whole had more of the interactions those end scenes did. It made all characters more interesting and relatable. I will probably end up going for book 2 but not going to worry too much if I don’t read it.
The different narrator voices was great but there were a couple I didn’t enjoy listening to all that much. As always wishing you got a snippet of everyone in the sample so you know what you’re going in for.

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disappointed

this book started so well and had great potential but it ended with a flopping sound.

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1 person found this helpful

Disappointing

It was alright in the beginning but didn’t end up going anywhere for me. A bit slow and some of the characters were annoying.

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Incredible Story!

Very well told! I particularly enjoyed the usage of multiple narrators to symbolise each character's thiughts and stories. Great plot, with lots of wonderful twists! I've already pre-ordered the sequel - can't wait!

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2 people found this helpful

Lost interest

I had high hopes for this book, but it didn't hold my attention. The storyline didn't convince me enough and the constant switching between narrators was annoying. By the time I got to the last few chapters, I had already checked out and was just waiting to move on to something else.
Maybe I'll listen to it again sometime and decide to move on to the next book, but not now.

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1 person found this helpful

overall just ok

Multiple narrators for a book in 3rd person really doesn't work. Story was interesting and had potential but could do with a little more action.

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Terrible story, narration was not bad

Very pretentiously written, almost unbearable to get through. The characters were not at all compelling, and the plot had very little substance. It was a nice premise but poorly executed on.
The narration was as usual, I can’t recall anything particularly terrible nor spectacular about it.

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Magic only gets you so far

The idea is intriguing and it starts well with exceptional magicians invited to a secret society. I felt however that far too much was just interplay between the contestants which seemed to me to add little to the story; and not enough action. It certainly picked up again towards the end but overall for me each new magical power thrown into the mix removed all narrative tension as anything was potentially doable. Good performance, won't bother with the sequel.

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1 person found this helpful

Absorbed by this magical world

Initially I thought I would not like this genre of book. Over time, it kept coming up as a recommendation for me, so I thought I would give it a go.
Wow, from the moment I read the first chapter I was hooked. Whether I was going for a bath, walking the dog or simply sitting, I listened to the book, almost addicted to following the six. The way the story evolves, refers back to subtle ‘clues’ gives it a rounded feel of a completely engrossing story. Despite the flaws of each character, I grew to like each one, and yet dislike each one too. Despite the irritation of the flaws in each character, they were each loveable enough for me to care about theiir fates. The story is both character driven, but thematic as well. What a fine balance, allowing different perspectives from the readers point of view. The upshot, when I finished it I was vexed whether to re-read or move swiftly on to the next instalment. I raced on. Absolute delight. Having completed both books, I will begin my re-read. The final chapter of the trilogy is at least a year away!
This is probably the best audible book of this style I have ever read. The different characters being read by different people added to the book. It gave the notion of it being that almost biographic element of the character telling the reader directly what they thought happened and why.
I am slightly annoyed I took so long to read the book, but then, glad I have just experienced the most mesmerising audible book in a very long time. I bought credits to read the second book…I wasn’t waiting for my monthly allowance.

Superb.

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