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Things We Lost In War
In a world where the elements themselves bend to the will of those who can harness their power, the students of the Institute of Elemental Sorcery return for their fourth year. A heavy burden weighs upon the heart of one of them, for he carries a secret that harbours the potential to spell doom for the entire nation.Hidden behind a veil of false promises, the one presenting himself as a saviour, a leader who will guide Elementalists from the shadows of oblivion, seeks to extend his influence across the world.The darkness looms on the horizon and the stage is set for an epic tale of power where the elements become weapons, friendships are tested, and one unlikely protagonist must find the strength to protect her world as it descends into a dystopian nightmare. The fate of a nation hangs in the balance, and the battle for freedom has never burned so brightly.
506 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 15, 2024
Tiktok made me do it... Not wort the buy, just a Harry Potter retelling from Luna's (if she was more normal) and Malfoy's pov. Honestly I've read better hp fanfics... But the last bit, like the last third of a book is good enough, but i just couldn't look pass this plagiarism... Also... Will I be reading 2nd part? Yes, yes I will (mostly bc I'm invested now and also bc it can't possible copy HP anymore so...)
#don't be a victim of booktok read reviews first!
#don't be a victim of booktok read reviews first!
February 28, 2024
This whole book is a Harry Potter fanfic with different names (and not all of them different) and magic system. I didn't mind it too much because I love harry potter so i had fun but i wouldn't recommend it unless you do too..
I'll probably will read the sequel, just for fun, but I'm not expecting much!
I'll probably will read the sequel, just for fun, but I'm not expecting much!
January 6, 2025
Listen is you want to read a self insert Draco/OC fic where the main character is a masked vigilante that becomes untouchable thanks to literal plot armor go ahead. It's beat for beat the last 2 books of Harry Potter. The first part is 6th year and our main character is a muggleborn who helps Draco fix the thing that brings the death eaters into hogwarts. The second is the 7th book and has the self insert OC being on the run cause she's a muggleborn and being a vigilante protecting muggles from death eater. They genderswapped Snape and Dumbledore but everything is the same. Different names (except Rugulus Black keeps his first name) and different magic system (no wands but elemental magic and ritual circles and runes). But essentially the exact same thing. There will be more books that technically will be new ideas since this book ends with the 7th book. But it's essentially gonna be a what happened next with trials and all that. Personally I'm not reading the rest of it. I'll probably look up spoilers when it comes out just so I know what happens but I'm not gonna read it. I loved Harry Potter as a kid but I honestly kinda hate it now (beyond hating JKR, the writing is shit) and even when I did like it I didn't read fanfics for it. This book was a fanfic from start to finish and I did not enjoy it. I wanted to because the initial concepts, forbidden friendship/romance, vigilante acting as a menace to the big bad, magic interested me. But when every plot point was a retelling of Harry Potter, even minor ones, it ruined it for me. So yeah if you like Dramione fanfic and self insert oc fanfics read it but if you don't this book isn't for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 /5
“They were children. They weren't supposed to be heroes.”
Ok straight up - is there big Harry Potter vibes in this? Yes. But that’s mainly in the first part honestly but even then, for me, there were still enough differences. I absolutely loved the characters in this and I cannot wait to continue their story. There were so many memorable quotes and scenes throughout this book and I was hooked. The magic system, the setting, the morally grey choices of the characters - I honestly enjoyed so much. The twists and revelations also had me on the edge of my seat, and I enjoyed that the main characters were not the “chosen one” honestly. I am definitely starting book 2 instantly because I need to know where we go next.
“Instead of being afraid, she could become something to fear. For all the people they had lost. For everyone, she had yet to save.”
🐦⬛ elemental magic
🌙 magic academy
🐦⬛ magical war
🌙 morally grey characters
🐦⬛ badass fmc
🌙 villain claiming to save the world
More fave quotes:
“I don't trust people, and therefore, they can't betray me."
“Your fear gives it power over you. Only you can decide to take that power away."
“Your battles are mine, Ren. We fight together."
“He needed her to live. He wasn't sure if Hecate was a goddess of bargains but he offered anyway. His very soul in exchange for hers.”
“This was not a tale of heroes and triumphant endings. It was a brutal war where not everyone could be saved.”
“They tried and they failed. They were only children after all. Children who had reached their limit. All they could do now was to go down fighting.”
“The invisible scars would forever serve as reminders. Reminders of the things lost in war.”
“They were children. They weren't supposed to be heroes.”
Ok straight up - is there big Harry Potter vibes in this? Yes. But that’s mainly in the first part honestly but even then, for me, there were still enough differences. I absolutely loved the characters in this and I cannot wait to continue their story. There were so many memorable quotes and scenes throughout this book and I was hooked. The magic system, the setting, the morally grey choices of the characters - I honestly enjoyed so much. The twists and revelations also had me on the edge of my seat, and I enjoyed that the main characters were not the “chosen one” honestly. I am definitely starting book 2 instantly because I need to know where we go next.
“Instead of being afraid, she could become something to fear. For all the people they had lost. For everyone, she had yet to save.”
🐦⬛ elemental magic
🌙 magic academy
🐦⬛ magical war
🌙 morally grey characters
🐦⬛ badass fmc
🌙 villain claiming to save the world
More fave quotes:
“I don't trust people, and therefore, they can't betray me."
“Your fear gives it power over you. Only you can decide to take that power away."
“Your battles are mine, Ren. We fight together."
“He needed her to live. He wasn't sure if Hecate was a goddess of bargains but he offered anyway. His very soul in exchange for hers.”
“This was not a tale of heroes and triumphant endings. It was a brutal war where not everyone could be saved.”
“They tried and they failed. They were only children after all. Children who had reached their limit. All they could do now was to go down fighting.”
“The invisible scars would forever serve as reminders. Reminders of the things lost in war.”
August 22, 2025
there was not one original thought in this book, and i could not continue, it’s like reading Harry Potter, with different names, from Luna perspective.
The only good thing about this book, is that hardcovers is really beautifull with beautifull ilustrations inside.
Maybe i will give another shot after some time but right now it was a waste of time and money.
The only good thing about this book, is that hardcovers is really beautifull with beautifull ilustrations inside.
Maybe i will give another shot after some time but right now it was a waste of time and money.
March 18, 2024
A sexless fan fiction of Harry Potter!!
February 16, 2024
Rating: 3,5/5
Booktok made me do it. I fell in love with the characters and the vibe before I even knew what book it was.
after some servere deja vu (IYKYK), in the first part of the book.. keep reading, trust me.
Booktok made me do it. I fell in love with the characters and the vibe before I even knew what book it was.
after some servere deja vu (IYKYK), in the first part of the book.. keep reading, trust me.
March 27, 2024
I really enjoyed the book,it was very fun to read and fast to get through.
I loved Harry Potter when I was younger,this book was similar but with elements and a lot of fun.
I'm not good at writing reviews, but I really enjoyed this book, and you should read it with an open mind.
I loved Harry Potter when I was younger,this book was similar but with elements and a lot of fun.
I'm not good at writing reviews, but I really enjoyed this book, and you should read it with an open mind.
April 17, 2024
I couldn’t even make it 10% into this book; the structure and grammar is terrible, the writing is atrocious, and it’s lacking plot structure. Constantly feels like you’re jumping around scenes and makes no sense. DNF’d.
March 12, 2024
Very HP coded, but I liked the elemental twist
March 19, 2024
DNF wasn’t looking for a fan fic of Harry Potter but something new and got sucked in by TikTok :(
February 9, 2025
very good
Long winded but amazing story line excited for book 2 hopefully we see more of Ren and Nash’s relationship develope!
Long winded but amazing story line excited for book 2 hopefully we see more of Ren and Nash’s relationship develope!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews