No Spoilers!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you so much to @storiesuntoldpress and @author.denight (on insta) for a free review copy of this book* in exchange for an honest review ☺️.
In the genre of fantasy, it’s difficult to find a world that is really unique, but Croswald is. I do agree with other reviewers that it’s like Harry Potter in that it’s about a magic school, and a young person discovering their abilities and their place in this new magic world. However, the way magic works in Croswald is very different and very intriguing. I love the quills and I think it’s interesting how the royals aren’t born with magic but sqwinches are, and that kind of puts them on the same playing field (instead of the royals “ruling” the school). I still don’t understand all of how the magic works in this world, but look forward to figuring it out in future books!
This book is very fast-pasted, which keeps it interesting but sometimes I wish we could slow down a bit to connect more with some of the side characters like Fyn and Rebecca (when things aren’t crazy 😅). I like Ivy as a character: she’s that typical curious, rebellious girl and easy to relate to, but she does seem to act younger than 16 at times.
Overall, the world is amazing and you can tell the author knows every little detail about it and how it works and I can’t wait to learn more about it! The way all the little hints come together for the conclusion is epic. My biggest critique is that sometimes I wish things were explained a bit clearer. There were quite a few things I had a difficult time picturing and sometimes the pace or POV changed really fast. (For example, I cannot figure out how big Humboldt is! His mouth is big enough to fit a tray of cakes but his body is small enough to fit in a cage Ivy can carry 😳?) But, I’d still love to read the second one and will likely finish the series (4th and final book was just announced)!
Side note: There is the coolest book merch stuff on the authors website and I want it all!!! Website linked in author’s bio. (I’m saying this on my own accord – just think the stuff is awesome and I can imagine how much fun it would be if I was younger to get all this stuff and feel like I’m part of the world!)
*I received a digital copy from the publisher. This photo is edited to appear as if it is a phyical copy.
Life Is Just A Blur 