The most I can say about this book is that it was OK. It wasn't remarkable or really great, but it helped me pass time while taking a break from catching up on podcasts. I'm not in love with any of the characters, which is probably why I find the book just OK. Maybe if I was drawn to the characters, I'd be more interested in the series as a whole, but I don't find myself completely in love with any of them and I found my mind drifting a lot while listening. The story just isn't sticking with me and I realized, while listening to this book, I had forgotten a LOT of what happened in the books before. I really want to enjoy this series, but nothing about this series really grabs me and makes me want to stick along for the ride. Even now, that I just finished it, I don't even remember what happened. It was just, eh. It is well written, since I really enjoyed the writing style, but with an eh plot and no characters I'm in love with, I just can't give this book an amazing review.

3.5 out of 5

You know, I think I would've given this a better score if not for the fact I read this while COVID is such a big thing. I suppose it just hit too close to home.

It's crazy that this book was written a while ago and it's hitting everything going on now. This science-fiction became basically science fact, and I was just overwhelmed the whole time. I really think that it hurts the book more than helps the book. All it did was bring me down and remind me how terrible the world really is.

Luckily this book has amazing characters that really lifted it up. I loved them all, and they really kept me going because the plot was sometimes too much to handle at times.

Honestly, I'd be careful reading this book right now. If this pandemic has been too much for you, like it has for so many others, then I'd say to stay away. It will get to you and might trigger a lot of bad emotions and panic attacks.

This is my 2nd time through this book and I'm surprised that I didn't remember any of it. Right now, I feel like this is the weakest book in the series. Every other book felt like really felt like the main plot really tied everything together, but in this book, being trapped on island felt like it had nothing to do with the main story or plot. I can't remember if it ties with the rest of the books, but it just feels so out there and meaningless.

It is still a fun book, but I think it really takes a step back from the story as a whole.

I went into this book thinking it wouldn't be as good as the first, but I was surprised. I actually really enjoyed it and enjoyed all the twists and turns it had to offer. All the new characters and the world development were so amazing.

I recently complained about Sanderson being a terrible world-builder because all his characters are white. People constantly praise him for his amazing worlds, but I just can't say the same when he only creates a world with white people. This book introduces characters of color, and not just nothing side characters that have no meaning, but important side characters. I really hope we see more of them and I hope they remain in the story. I realize they are just the side characters, but it's more than someone like Sanderson has to offer.

I also like the magic system, as it's explained more. At first, when I read the first book, I just enjoyed it casually. But, this book just expanded the world and expanded my love for the series. At first, I was fine with taking a long time with listening to the rest of the series, but now I wanna listen to the rest now.

This wasn't my favorite book in the series, but it had a very satisfying ending.

I'm not gonna say much because once I finished this book I went right onto the last book because I needed to know what happened.

All in all, I'm just gonna say for this book is that I seriously love the magic system that has been set up. I'm so intrigued by it. It really mixes things we know with some new elements. There's a lot on the line, and it really leaves you on the edge of your seat while you're reading.

At first, I thought this was just an entertaining book that I was enjoying when I waited for other books to come off hold, but now I'm recommending it left and right. I hope I have some friends that read it soon! And I hope they enjoy it.

What a great ending to such a surprising series.

I started this series because Overdrive recommended it to me when my other book was on hold, and I figured, why not! I didn't even read what it was about, I figured the app knew what it was talking about. And it did!

I listened to the first book and enjoyed it. I wasn't in a rush to read the other books but wanted to get to them. It just so happened I reached a time when I had nothing to listen to, so I decided to go onto book 2, and I was completely hooked. The first book was charming and so interesting, but book 2 onwards were so enticing.

I spoke of my love for the magic system in this book and each book expanded on it making it more and more interesting. I found myself so enthralled with it. I wanted to know more and why it worked the way it did. Everything was explained so well and in time to watch the characters grow and learn.

I loved the fact Kara and Taff had such a good relationship. I think if they didn't, this series would've been too difficult to read. With everything else going on, a bad relationship would've been too much.

Then that ending! I left feeling SO satisfied. I loved the ending and really felt like it tied everything together so well. It had the right amount of happiness and realism, perfect but not too perfect where it felt fake of forced.

I'm just so happy with this series and so happy it was recommended to me by chance! Thanks Overdrive!

I went into this book nervous. I was very nervous. While the first book was good, listening to a book about a flu pandemic during a flu pandemic was rough. All of it felt too real and like it was too much. I wasn't even sure I wanted to listen to the 2nd book. However, I decided to listen to it since I had other books on hold.

I still love all the characters, so it wasn't like I didn't want to listen to it, but I didn't know how I'd be able to. I did, and I enjoyed the book. The characters were even better than they were in the first book. Plus, the lack of the flu pandemic, made it much easier to listen to.

Some of the relationship drama was a lot. I am not a fan of drama made by lack of communication, but it wasn't a massive part of the story, I was able to get through it and focus on the main plotline. I enjoyed this book, but since the first book was on the difficult side, I don't know if I can recommend it to people. I hope there comes a time soon when I can when this pandemic isn't so overwhelming, but right now, I know my friends would struggle with this book like I did.

I went into this book kinda unsure. My friend said they loved it, so I wanted to try it out, and it was a bit to get into the story, but once I did, I enjoyed it.

I feel like my biggest struggle was reminding myself this wasn't Harry Potter. I didn't want to read HP, but queer. I wanted a unique story all on its own. As the story went on, the book proved to be more than just an HP retelling, but there were some other issues with it. I had a hard time grasping the magic system in this book. I enjoy the "power of words," but it just didn't feel like it fit or fully developed as an idea. It was the weakest part of this story.

I did end up enjoying the book as a whole though. I really liked Simon's story and watching him grow. It turned out to be a charming book though, and I'm looking forward to reading more.