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The Lost Apprentice
FÁILTE TO THE SOS
Fiadh Whelan should be over the moon. After months spent burning the midnight oil, at twenty-three years of age, everything she’s worked hard to achieve is finally within her grasp. Incredibly, she has her pick of prestigious apprenticeships. But when her beloved cousin goes missing, Fiadh’s world falls apart.
WHERE KNOWLEDGE IS ONLY FOR THE WORTHY
She seems to be the only person who won’t accept the neat explanation that Muriel messed up at work and ran away. Fiadh suspects her cousin’s former colleagues are lying; and, determined to find the truth, she accepts an apprenticeship at the firm responsible for her cousin’s disappearance. Her plan is simple: stay under the radar and investigate everyone. Annoyingly, that plan goes to hell when her rival, Keefe ‘swan man’ O’Kelly, sticks his beak where it’s not wanted and delves into a past she’d rather remain buried.
AND DARK DEEDS ARE AFOOT
In fact, it feels as though everyone around her is hiding secrets, making it hard to know whom to trust. Yet, it’s sink or swim at Heron Early LLP and Fiadh has to compete for a coveted spot in the SoS, a secret society of solicitors she believes may be the key to finding Muriel. But every apprentice eventually learns an unfortunate truth: once a dark deed is signed, sealed and delivered – you’re theirs to control.
The Lost Apprentice is a deliciously quirky, dark academia fantasy novel, perfect for fans of The Atlis Six, A Study in Drowning and Ninth House.
Fiadh Whelan should be over the moon. After months spent burning the midnight oil, at twenty-three years of age, everything she’s worked hard to achieve is finally within her grasp. Incredibly, she has her pick of prestigious apprenticeships. But when her beloved cousin goes missing, Fiadh’s world falls apart.
WHERE KNOWLEDGE IS ONLY FOR THE WORTHY
She seems to be the only person who won’t accept the neat explanation that Muriel messed up at work and ran away. Fiadh suspects her cousin’s former colleagues are lying; and, determined to find the truth, she accepts an apprenticeship at the firm responsible for her cousin’s disappearance. Her plan is simple: stay under the radar and investigate everyone. Annoyingly, that plan goes to hell when her rival, Keefe ‘swan man’ O’Kelly, sticks his beak where it’s not wanted and delves into a past she’d rather remain buried.
AND DARK DEEDS ARE AFOOT
In fact, it feels as though everyone around her is hiding secrets, making it hard to know whom to trust. Yet, it’s sink or swim at Heron Early LLP and Fiadh has to compete for a coveted spot in the SoS, a secret society of solicitors she believes may be the key to finding Muriel. But every apprentice eventually learns an unfortunate truth: once a dark deed is signed, sealed and delivered – you’re theirs to control.
The Lost Apprentice is a deliciously quirky, dark academia fantasy novel, perfect for fans of The Atlis Six, A Study in Drowning and Ninth House.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
9 people are currently reading
1858 people want to read
About the author
Tara O’Toole
3 books33 followersTara O’Toole is an award-winning, Irish author of adult fantasy and thriller novels. She is known for writing fast-paced, intricately plotted books with unexpected twists that both delight and horrify her readers in equal measure.
Tara’s villain origin story began when growing up in the Irish countryside. She often struggled to get her sticky little hands on the first books in popular YA series. Not one to be easily deterred, she would read the sequels instead and use her imagination to deduce the rest. Thus began her fascination with plotting and writing.
These days, Tara’s favourite pastime is to visit the bookstores in every new place she visits. She especially loves when a dog wanders in and wags their tail at the smell of freshly printed paper. It makes her smile every time.
To receive bonus chapters, subscribe to Tara’s newsletter at https://www.taraotoole.com/newsletter.
Or follow Tara on TikTok or Instagram @thetaraotoole
Tara’s villain origin story began when growing up in the Irish countryside. She often struggled to get her sticky little hands on the first books in popular YA series. Not one to be easily deterred, she would read the sequels instead and use her imagination to deduce the rest. Thus began her fascination with plotting and writing.
These days, Tara’s favourite pastime is to visit the bookstores in every new place she visits. She especially loves when a dog wanders in and wags their tail at the smell of freshly printed paper. It makes her smile every time.
To receive bonus chapters, subscribe to Tara’s newsletter at https://www.taraotoole.com/newsletter.
Or follow Tara on TikTok or Instagram @thetaraotoole
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
January 23, 2025
In this book we follow Fiadh. She has to find out for herself what happened to her cousin Muriel, who suddenly went missing six months ago. In order to find out what happened, she applied to the same internship Muriel went to, gets accepted and goes sorta undercover to figure out what happens to Muriel. In the mean time she gets sucked into a darker, secret world with the Society of Solicitors and now she has to juggle her internship, the SoS and the disappearance of her cousin.
First I would like to say that this story has a lot of promise. The set up is nice, the mystery is there and even though I did not enjoyed it like I would have liked, I wanted to continue to find out what happened to Muriel.
I did find a lot of lacking in the writing. Where some passages where very long and could have been significantly shortened. Other passages where over in an instant where I felt like I would have loved to read more.
This book is being advertised as Dark Academia. And yes, it takes place at an academia setting, but it felt insignificant. I would have liked to read more about the internship, the classes and all the things that take place in that academic setting. However, the plot was mostly about the SoS and their initiation. Even the disappearance of Muriel felt very insignificant compared to the premise.
I would have loved to read more from the months before Muriel's disappearance, but the only "flashback" we get is in chapter 3, where Fiadh is looking back to the vigil, where she saw her suspect.
Also, I have noticed some consistency mistakes. This book takes place on roughly two weeks time. In chapter 2 Fiadh mentions that she saw her suspect six months ago and after the flashback in chapter 2, she mentioned she saw her suspect five months ago. The time did not go on during the flashback. I have noticed this a couple times throughout the book.
Furthermore, the use of the nick name "swan man". I could not understand why she keeps on referring to Keefe as swan man. In the beginning when she does not know his name, I can understand it. But she uses his name and the nickname she gave him both, and it makes absolutely no sense. He has a name. Use the name.
The mystery surrounding Muriel's disappearance is lacking in my opinion. We keep getting reminded she is missing, but we never get any clues, other than the suspect. And then, after 55% into this book we get another clue, that Muriel was part of the SoS. Then a whole lot of nothing, no hinting, no small clues. At 75% we suddenly find Muriel and then the story lost me completely. To me it felt like all the hell broke lose and in the last 15% every possible "shock" was thrown into the ending. It made no sense to me. The only thing we had clues about was Joyce and a bit of Edna. Paedar suddenly turning against them, then not and then he does and then he doesn't makes no sense. Keefe's father being the head of the Council made even less sense and it looked like it was added just for the shock effect.
I would have loved to have a better build up to the end. It felt rushed and because there was little to no build up it felt all over the place.
Overall, this story has the potential to be great. It could have used a bit more polishing and editing, but overall it was an ok read.
Thank you Netgalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.
First I would like to say that this story has a lot of promise. The set up is nice, the mystery is there and even though I did not enjoyed it like I would have liked, I wanted to continue to find out what happened to Muriel.
I did find a lot of lacking in the writing. Where some passages where very long and could have been significantly shortened. Other passages where over in an instant where I felt like I would have loved to read more.
This book is being advertised as Dark Academia. And yes, it takes place at an academia setting, but it felt insignificant. I would have liked to read more about the internship, the classes and all the things that take place in that academic setting. However, the plot was mostly about the SoS and their initiation. Even the disappearance of Muriel felt very insignificant compared to the premise.
I would have loved to read more from the months before Muriel's disappearance, but the only "flashback" we get is in chapter 3, where Fiadh is looking back to the vigil, where she saw her suspect.
Also, I have noticed some consistency mistakes. This book takes place on roughly two weeks time. In chapter 2 Fiadh mentions that she saw her suspect six months ago and after the flashback in chapter 2, she mentioned she saw her suspect five months ago. The time did not go on during the flashback. I have noticed this a couple times throughout the book.
Furthermore, the use of the nick name "swan man". I could not understand why she keeps on referring to Keefe as swan man. In the beginning when she does not know his name, I can understand it. But she uses his name and the nickname she gave him both, and it makes absolutely no sense. He has a name. Use the name.
The mystery surrounding Muriel's disappearance is lacking in my opinion. We keep getting reminded she is missing, but we never get any clues, other than the suspect. And then, after 55% into this book we get another clue, that Muriel was part of the SoS. Then a whole lot of nothing, no hinting, no small clues. At 75% we suddenly find Muriel and then the story lost me completely. To me it felt like all the hell broke lose and in the last 15% every possible "shock" was thrown into the ending. It made no sense to me. The only thing we had clues about was Joyce and a bit of Edna. Paedar suddenly turning against them, then not and then he does and then he doesn't makes no sense. Keefe's father being the head of the Council made even less sense and it looked like it was added just for the shock effect.
I would have loved to have a better build up to the end. It felt rushed and because there was little to no build up it felt all over the place.
Overall, this story has the potential to be great. It could have used a bit more polishing and editing, but overall it was an ok read.
Thank you Netgalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.
October 9, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Fantasy but not too far fetched. Magic but not what you’d imagine.
I was expecting to struggle at first with the setting being a law firm and having no idea about solicitors but as soon as those masks and hoods came out to play I was hooked. The twists in this book were top notch. If you like suspense, a bit of magic and plenty dark deeds, pick this one up!
I was expecting to struggle at first with the setting being a law firm and having no idea about solicitors but as soon as those masks and hoods came out to play I was hooked. The twists in this book were top notch. If you like suspense, a bit of magic and plenty dark deeds, pick this one up!
August 14, 2025
3,5/5
I picked up this book while deep in my binge-watching-law-TV-series phase, fresh off catching up on an ongoing show, and "The Lost Apprentice" seamlessly filled the void.
You think you're getting a legal mystery, but surprise! You also get secret societies, a dash of cultism, and a bucketful of unexpected magic.
What worked for me:
✔ Quick, snappy, and impossible to put down. A fast-paced read with just the right amount of twists, made even more addictive by its short, bingeable chapters.
✔ The secret society/cult dynamic. Nothing like some good old-fashioned shady traditions to keep things interesting.
✔ The classic Scooby-Doo gang dynamic. This book serves up a perfect example of how group projects actually work. PTSD reactivated.
✔ The Irish flavor. The use of phraseologies, along with the sprinkling of Irish Gaelic, gave the book a unique voice.
✔ Magic? In MY legal thriller? You wouldn’t expect it, but it works surprisingly well, an unexpected yet oddly fitting touch, complete with a cozy magic system.
What didn’t quite win me over:
❌ Some characters felt like they were missing a key argument, and for the first time ever, I wasn’t a big fan of the comic relief character, but he did have his good moments as well.
❌ The predictability factor. Once I got into the rhythm of Tara O’Toole’s writing, I started guessing major twists before they happened. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it did take away some of the mystery.
❌ Dramatic leaps in logic. Certain characters had a talent for drawing conclusions out of thin air rather than actual facts.
❌ Main character’s questionable expectations. She makes some bold assumptions about friendships and loyalty, and let’s just say… I had some thoughts.
While the book's concept and genre might not be a "trending read" right now, it’s a solid case of “unexpected but enjoyable.” If you like legal mysteries with a side of cults and a *dash* of magic, it’s worth adding to your reading docket.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the copy~
I picked up this book while deep in my binge-watching-law-TV-series phase, fresh off catching up on an ongoing show, and "The Lost Apprentice" seamlessly filled the void.
You think you're getting a legal mystery, but surprise! You also get secret societies, a dash of cultism, and a bucketful of unexpected magic.
What worked for me:
✔ Quick, snappy, and impossible to put down. A fast-paced read with just the right amount of twists, made even more addictive by its short, bingeable chapters.
✔ The secret society/cult dynamic. Nothing like some good old-fashioned shady traditions to keep things interesting.
✔ The classic Scooby-Doo gang dynamic. This book serves up a perfect example of how group projects actually work. PTSD reactivated.
✔ The Irish flavor. The use of phraseologies, along with the sprinkling of Irish Gaelic, gave the book a unique voice.
✔ Magic? In MY legal thriller? You wouldn’t expect it, but it works surprisingly well, an unexpected yet oddly fitting touch, complete with a cozy magic system.
What didn’t quite win me over:
❌ Some characters felt like they were missing a key argument, and for the first time ever, I wasn’t a big fan of the comic relief character, but he did have his good moments as well.
❌ The predictability factor. Once I got into the rhythm of Tara O’Toole’s writing, I started guessing major twists before they happened. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it did take away some of the mystery.
❌ Dramatic leaps in logic. Certain characters had a talent for drawing conclusions out of thin air rather than actual facts.
❌ Main character’s questionable expectations. She makes some bold assumptions about friendships and loyalty, and let’s just say… I had some thoughts.
While the book's concept and genre might not be a "trending read" right now, it’s a solid case of “unexpected but enjoyable.” If you like legal mysteries with a side of cults and a *dash* of magic, it’s worth adding to your reading docket.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the copy~
September 26, 2024
Wow. The writing in this book is so incredible. All show, no need to tell. Just weaving details and storylines and never quite winding up the way you expect all orienting around such an interesting premise - a secret law society.
Incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and the slow reveals of all the different facets of the characters. No one is all they seem to be, and even when I thought all the secrets were revealed, there was still more to come.
I found the MC to be pitiable - I felt bad for her, and the thoughts we’re privy to left me hoping that it all isn’t a dead end and that she isn’t wrapping her whole future around a possibility. I wanted her to succeed, but she doesn’t inspire much confidence. And I think that was the beauty of this story - she isn’t a heroine, she doesn’t save the day, it’s just a lonely but determined girl who ends up having solid friends looking out for her. And there’s a magic in that.
The use of magic was so interesting and tied well with their professions. An elevation to their mundane jobs, and one that could be used in practical ways or twisted based on the creativity of the user. I appreciated that it wasn’t used as a savior or problem solver - there’s no magic wand wave solution.
This story is so well written I was lost in it. Snuggled up reading it and ignoring the world around me as I’m lost in the mystery and intrigue and twists!
Incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and the slow reveals of all the different facets of the characters. No one is all they seem to be, and even when I thought all the secrets were revealed, there was still more to come.
I found the MC to be pitiable - I felt bad for her, and the thoughts we’re privy to left me hoping that it all isn’t a dead end and that she isn’t wrapping her whole future around a possibility. I wanted her to succeed, but she doesn’t inspire much confidence. And I think that was the beauty of this story - she isn’t a heroine, she doesn’t save the day, it’s just a lonely but determined girl who ends up having solid friends looking out for her. And there’s a magic in that.
The use of magic was so interesting and tied well with their professions. An elevation to their mundane jobs, and one that could be used in practical ways or twisted based on the creativity of the user. I appreciated that it wasn’t used as a savior or problem solver - there’s no magic wand wave solution.
This story is so well written I was lost in it. Snuggled up reading it and ignoring the world around me as I’m lost in the mystery and intrigue and twists!
February 25, 2025
[ARC REVIEW]
If there’s anything I can’t say no to, it’s a secret society with hidden (or not so hidden) malice. The Lost Apprentice delivers on this. I was hooked almost instantly.
Whew what a twisty-turny story. This gave me big Academy for Liars vibes, with how the magic worked and was explained, but I enjoyed this much more. I love this being centered around law apprentices, a mundane world, and even more the use of Gaelic all throughout.
This does move fairly slow at the start but once it gets going it doesn’t stop. There’s so much suspense and the details just keep building and building. I think the thing I loved the most was there wasn’t a clear “hero,” the FMC isn’t some chosen one with insane powers. In fact, she’s rather sad. She’s just so desperate to find out what happened and finds herself in terrible situations but gains a great group of friends.
I couldn’t have ever guessed the end and the numerous reveals that came with it. I do wish there was a bit more expanded on why the characters were given the animals assigned, there’s a bit of a throw away line about how an animal suits a character but what did that mean?
Loved this! Thank you to booksirens for this ARC!
If there’s anything I can’t say no to, it’s a secret society with hidden (or not so hidden) malice. The Lost Apprentice delivers on this. I was hooked almost instantly.
Whew what a twisty-turny story. This gave me big Academy for Liars vibes, with how the magic worked and was explained, but I enjoyed this much more. I love this being centered around law apprentices, a mundane world, and even more the use of Gaelic all throughout.
This does move fairly slow at the start but once it gets going it doesn’t stop. There’s so much suspense and the details just keep building and building. I think the thing I loved the most was there wasn’t a clear “hero,” the FMC isn’t some chosen one with insane powers. In fact, she’s rather sad. She’s just so desperate to find out what happened and finds herself in terrible situations but gains a great group of friends.
I couldn’t have ever guessed the end and the numerous reveals that came with it. I do wish there was a bit more expanded on why the characters were given the animals assigned, there’s a bit of a throw away line about how an animal suits a character but what did that mean?
Loved this! Thank you to booksirens for this ARC!
September 16, 2024
This book was brilliant, and I expected nothing less. A cleverly written Dark Academia type novel based around the Irish legal system. This book follows a group of apprentices at an Irish law firm as they navigate a secret society, nights out, loss, and betrayal. I really appreciated having the little pronunciation table to go back to throughout as it definitely made the book more accessible (whilst also teaching me some pronunciations of names I haven’t encountered previously). I knew immediately on seeing the description for this book after finishing another O’Toole book, ‘Rite of Radnik’, that this was a book I wanted to read and it was excellent for me in every way. I can’t wait to see what else this author does!
🥀I received an ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review voluntarily🥀
🥀I received an ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review voluntarily🥀
November 17, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Lost Apprentice by Tara O’Toole is a captivating blend of dark academia and Irish folklore, set in a moody, magical world. The richly atmospheric academy and innovative, well-crafted magic system felt refreshing, while the infusion of Irish mythology added a unique charm and grounded the story in cultural mystique. However, while the ambiance and world-building shone, I felt that the plot often felt cluttered with too many competing threads that occasionally derailed the pacing. Thankfully, the ending tied these elements together, providing a somewhat satisfying resolution.
Where the book stumbled most was in its villain. Although their motivations were explained, they lacked the logical clarity needed to make their reasoning convincing. Their actions often felt forced, which weakened the stakes of the narrative. Despite this, the story’s rich setting, intriguing magical elements, and its balance of folklore and academia made it an engaging read.
The Lost Apprentice by Tara O’Toole is a captivating blend of dark academia and Irish folklore, set in a moody, magical world. The richly atmospheric academy and innovative, well-crafted magic system felt refreshing, while the infusion of Irish mythology added a unique charm and grounded the story in cultural mystique. However, while the ambiance and world-building shone, I felt that the plot often felt cluttered with too many competing threads that occasionally derailed the pacing. Thankfully, the ending tied these elements together, providing a somewhat satisfying resolution.
Where the book stumbled most was in its villain. Although their motivations were explained, they lacked the logical clarity needed to make their reasoning convincing. Their actions often felt forced, which weakened the stakes of the narrative. Despite this, the story’s rich setting, intriguing magical elements, and its balance of folklore and academia made it an engaging read.
January 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a really interesting story! The world of this book was easy to get into, and the world-building was well done. The magic system was super unique and well thought out and I could have read so much more about the magic and the history of this secret society.
The characters did feel a little bit flat, I didn't quite feel invested in the relationships; and I had trouble caring about the big reveals - I think they could have had a little more punch to them.
Some of the writing was a bit choppy for my taste, especially the dialogue, but the writing style was easy to follow and the story was easy to fall into.
A quick, fun read!
This is a really interesting story! The world of this book was easy to get into, and the world-building was well done. The magic system was super unique and well thought out and I could have read so much more about the magic and the history of this secret society.
The characters did feel a little bit flat, I didn't quite feel invested in the relationships; and I had trouble caring about the big reveals - I think they could have had a little more punch to them.
Some of the writing was a bit choppy for my taste, especially the dialogue, but the writing style was easy to follow and the story was easy to fall into.
A quick, fun read!
January 7, 2025
The Lost Apprentice is a perfect mix of dark academia, mystery, and magic, set against the lush, atmospheric backdrop of Ireland. Fiadh joins a cutthroat legal apprenticeship to uncover the truth behind her cousin’s disappearance after he joined the program the year before. The magic system is unique and plays a key role in the mystery, making it an exciting part of the story.
The characters are rich and complex, each one flawed but deeply interesting. The group Fiadh becomes involved with is dynamic and full of tension, with relationships that keep you guessing. The Irish setting adds to the book's dark, immersive tone, and I really appreciated that Tara O’Toole included a pronunciation guide at the beginning. She also weaves in some Irish (Gaelic?) throughout the story, which I found fascinating and made me want to learn more about the language, especially since it’s part of my roots.
I read this book in one sitting. The pacing is spot-on, and the twists kept me hooked—I fell for every misdirection! It’s rare for me to stay so utterly confused, but this book pulled it off brilliantly, and I loved every minute of it.
If you’re into mystery, magic, and a bit of romance, this is definitely worth the read. It’s fast-paced, twisty, and completely absorbing—highly recommend!
Thank to NetGalley for the eARC.
The characters are rich and complex, each one flawed but deeply interesting. The group Fiadh becomes involved with is dynamic and full of tension, with relationships that keep you guessing. The Irish setting adds to the book's dark, immersive tone, and I really appreciated that Tara O’Toole included a pronunciation guide at the beginning. She also weaves in some Irish (Gaelic?) throughout the story, which I found fascinating and made me want to learn more about the language, especially since it’s part of my roots.
I read this book in one sitting. The pacing is spot-on, and the twists kept me hooked—I fell for every misdirection! It’s rare for me to stay so utterly confused, but this book pulled it off brilliantly, and I loved every minute of it.
If you’re into mystery, magic, and a bit of romance, this is definitely worth the read. It’s fast-paced, twisty, and completely absorbing—highly recommend!
Thank to NetGalley for the eARC.
May 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange of an honest review.
Another novel read that piqued my curiosity, but for the first 30%, it was a little slow, and I completely forgot what this book was about in the first place. Fiadh began her career as an apprentice at a prestigious law company that had previously housed her missing cousin. Then she discovered a hidden group, the Society of Solicitors, which she believes is linked to her cousin's disappearance.
Then she embarked on her journey to become a worthy member of the SoS, even if it meant changing her human empathy in order to reveal the lies that the firm and secret society had worked hard to conceal. Believe me, you might not see the twist coming. I like how we constantly predict the wrong guy as the villain. And while some sequences do not make sense, they are vital to the plot in the end. However, the main focus of this novel is on finding her cousin, but there aren't many clues or suggestions; it's as if it was a side narrative rather than the main plot. Too much emphasis on the SoS and Fiadh's work life rather than the important clues to Muriel's disappearances.
Rating: 3.5 stars. I simply wish there was more in-depth character development for all of the side characters, particularly Muriel.
Another novel read that piqued my curiosity, but for the first 30%, it was a little slow, and I completely forgot what this book was about in the first place. Fiadh began her career as an apprentice at a prestigious law company that had previously housed her missing cousin. Then she discovered a hidden group, the Society of Solicitors, which she believes is linked to her cousin's disappearance.
Then she embarked on her journey to become a worthy member of the SoS, even if it meant changing her human empathy in order to reveal the lies that the firm and secret society had worked hard to conceal. Believe me, you might not see the twist coming. I like how we constantly predict the wrong guy as the villain. And while some sequences do not make sense, they are vital to the plot in the end. However, the main focus of this novel is on finding her cousin, but there aren't many clues or suggestions; it's as if it was a side narrative rather than the main plot. Too much emphasis on the SoS and Fiadh's work life rather than the important clues to Muriel's disappearances.
Rating: 3.5 stars. I simply wish there was more in-depth character development for all of the side characters, particularly Muriel.
January 23, 2025
Unfortunately this missed the mark for me. Many thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this and write an honest review. [Spoilers below!]
This had a lot of promise - the concept of a dark academia style fantasy set in a Irish legal graduate scheme was pretty novel, and I saw quite a few good reviews, so thought I would go ahead with this.
I'll summarise a few of my thoughts below, but overall I thought this was poorly written, one-dimensional, with the plot and characters relying on archetypes of the 'romantasy' genre, rather than building anything genuine for itself.
1. Going to strike this one off early, but there are quite a few spelling and grammar mistakes that are just difficult to get past (once is forgivable, but over 3, 4, 5 times and it becomes a problem).
2. Very odd pacing. Most of the time this seemed to be going at a breakneck speed with every single trope imaginable being shoved in - a set of initiation rituals where the apprentices have to complete "tasks" (Hunger Games/Goblet of Fire/Divergent), mystery plot of a missing cousin, starting a legal graduate scheme, induction into a magic legal cult (yeah I know). Then, weirdly, amongst the madness, there are whole paragraphs that drag on as we are told again and again and again about how upset our central protagonist is without much action to back it up. Everything seems to be building to a massive climax, but the moment it actually gets interesting and our characters face legitimate conflict (the missing cousin has a spell over her meaning she forgets who everyone is), the spell is undone in, I kid you not, 4 sentences, and then it's all sunshine and roses and we're onto the next trope. The big "reveal" at the end was extremely underwhelming and in a Scooby Doo-esque removal of masks (yes, masks are actually taken off), the villains seem to have no other real motivation than some absurd child-revenge-career climbing nonsense.
2. Excuse making. I completely get that this genre of fiction may not be for me, but I started losing my patience when some of sentences the characters utter make it so blatant that the author knows the shortcomings of her work. FIX THEM! When you literally write your characters dialogue that tries to redeem your writing choices, maybe that's the point you try to rework a chapter. I'm talking about quotes like "is everyone in Ireland related" to explain away the EXTREMELY convenient fact that every single character you meet in the book will somehow wind up at the denouement (abusive divorced father, landlady/grandma etc), or "it's hard to believe we're only 2 weeks into our apprenticeship" - yes, it is, and you saying that is only furthering my annoyance because you're clearly aware that the pacing of the book is insane. Besides that, all the plot points are just way too convenient - there's always an object/person/revelation that is introduced before the characters experience any sort of conflict or confusion, making the text predictable but also cluttered as a problem is introduced and resolved within the space of a sentence.
3. Flat, one-dimensional characters - every single character in this book seems to have been given traits and emotions like a label slapped onto them. Instead of inferring the kind of people they are from their actions, there is a distinct lack of any real personality, replaced by overwrought phrases like, "my tattered soul" - ok? and? tell us a bit more? The author repeats the same metaphors over and over to describe how ruined the main character is, but it never goes beyond the surface of those words. In the same vein, the villains are nasty and mean, but only because we're told so - it almost feels like the characters react before anything has even happened - e.g. a legal partner is "vitriolic" but other than one sentence of him being slightly rude, there is nothing to back up SUCH a strong generalisation which then becomes a massive plot point without which the story doesn't work.
I think the author had certain plot points she wanted to aim for and knows which emotions she needs to make them happen (e.g. love interest feels betrayed, main character feels upset) - instead of finding ways to get to the plot points organically, the characters just react very bizarrely. Someone will say something pretty inoffensive and our main character will storm out because, of course, that needs to happen so she can realise she needs to hide in the boot of someone's car (it's a very A to B kind of writing).
4. General cringe. There is a whole chapter when the 2 main male characters have a hex put on them meaning they get period cramps. The two female characters spend the rest of the chapter moralising about how this is "the norm" for women - it's supposed to be funny I think, but for me it was just such a poor attempt at a crowd pleaser for the female romantasy audience - "It appears Peadar has come to the realisation that many women in the workplace have to deal with this every month" - YAY FEMINISM!
I don't want to spend too much time on the "spice" scene because, yeah, what was that. BUT. For a "romantasy" branded novel, it really is out of nowhere that our main character decides she fancies this apprentice - who she lovingly calls "swan man" (dying inside typing that). They hook up, and you betcha, she keeps calling him swan man! They seem to have developed this inextricable bond, again, without any evidence to back it up other than being told this. I had to put my Kindle down at the line our dashing young man utters: "I have something important to discuss and, soz, but no snakes allowed" :)
5. Foggy setting and world-building. There ARE some nice moments in this book that will appeal to the dark academia lovers. But it is just so hard to picture what is going on. Focusing more on the affect of her protagonist, the settings and actual movements of the characters in the space are really murky. Other than the mountain episode (which was actually pretty well described), there's a lot happening without much visuals. People do things in spaces that haven't been mapped out for you, and given that world-building is one of the backbones of the fantasy genre, this didn't help rescue the book from its flat characterisation. The magical elements were just...there...and the pace is so so rapid, you are only just familiarising yourself with one location before you are ripped to another.
I realise this has been a pretty damning review, but I unfortunately HAVE to say something as I, too, was led in by the current 3-4 star ratings of this book. Reading this ironically rather than for quality, I can see how this would be a fun and mindless pick, and I did actually find a lot my issues with this book amusing as I read (although I fear this was not the intention).
This had a lot of promise - the concept of a dark academia style fantasy set in a Irish legal graduate scheme was pretty novel, and I saw quite a few good reviews, so thought I would go ahead with this.
I'll summarise a few of my thoughts below, but overall I thought this was poorly written, one-dimensional, with the plot and characters relying on archetypes of the 'romantasy' genre, rather than building anything genuine for itself.
1. Going to strike this one off early, but there are quite a few spelling and grammar mistakes that are just difficult to get past (once is forgivable, but over 3, 4, 5 times and it becomes a problem).
2. Very odd pacing. Most of the time this seemed to be going at a breakneck speed with every single trope imaginable being shoved in - a set of initiation rituals where the apprentices have to complete "tasks" (Hunger Games/Goblet of Fire/Divergent), mystery plot of a missing cousin, starting a legal graduate scheme, induction into a magic legal cult (yeah I know). Then, weirdly, amongst the madness, there are whole paragraphs that drag on as we are told again and again and again about how upset our central protagonist is without much action to back it up. Everything seems to be building to a massive climax, but the moment it actually gets interesting and our characters face legitimate conflict (the missing cousin has a spell over her meaning she forgets who everyone is), the spell is undone in, I kid you not, 4 sentences, and then it's all sunshine and roses and we're onto the next trope. The big "reveal" at the end was extremely underwhelming and in a Scooby Doo-esque removal of masks (yes, masks are actually taken off), the villains seem to have no other real motivation than some absurd child-revenge-career climbing nonsense.
2. Excuse making. I completely get that this genre of fiction may not be for me, but I started losing my patience when some of sentences the characters utter make it so blatant that the author knows the shortcomings of her work. FIX THEM! When you literally write your characters dialogue that tries to redeem your writing choices, maybe that's the point you try to rework a chapter. I'm talking about quotes like "is everyone in Ireland related" to explain away the EXTREMELY convenient fact that every single character you meet in the book will somehow wind up at the denouement (abusive divorced father, landlady/grandma etc), or "it's hard to believe we're only 2 weeks into our apprenticeship" - yes, it is, and you saying that is only furthering my annoyance because you're clearly aware that the pacing of the book is insane. Besides that, all the plot points are just way too convenient - there's always an object/person/revelation that is introduced before the characters experience any sort of conflict or confusion, making the text predictable but also cluttered as a problem is introduced and resolved within the space of a sentence.
3. Flat, one-dimensional characters - every single character in this book seems to have been given traits and emotions like a label slapped onto them. Instead of inferring the kind of people they are from their actions, there is a distinct lack of any real personality, replaced by overwrought phrases like, "my tattered soul" - ok? and? tell us a bit more? The author repeats the same metaphors over and over to describe how ruined the main character is, but it never goes beyond the surface of those words. In the same vein, the villains are nasty and mean, but only because we're told so - it almost feels like the characters react before anything has even happened - e.g. a legal partner is "vitriolic" but other than one sentence of him being slightly rude, there is nothing to back up SUCH a strong generalisation which then becomes a massive plot point without which the story doesn't work.
I think the author had certain plot points she wanted to aim for and knows which emotions she needs to make them happen (e.g. love interest feels betrayed, main character feels upset) - instead of finding ways to get to the plot points organically, the characters just react very bizarrely. Someone will say something pretty inoffensive and our main character will storm out because, of course, that needs to happen so she can realise she needs to hide in the boot of someone's car (it's a very A to B kind of writing).
4. General cringe. There is a whole chapter when the 2 main male characters have a hex put on them meaning they get period cramps. The two female characters spend the rest of the chapter moralising about how this is "the norm" for women - it's supposed to be funny I think, but for me it was just such a poor attempt at a crowd pleaser for the female romantasy audience - "It appears Peadar has come to the realisation that many women in the workplace have to deal with this every month" - YAY FEMINISM!
I don't want to spend too much time on the "spice" scene because, yeah, what was that. BUT. For a "romantasy" branded novel, it really is out of nowhere that our main character decides she fancies this apprentice - who she lovingly calls "swan man" (dying inside typing that). They hook up, and you betcha, she keeps calling him swan man! They seem to have developed this inextricable bond, again, without any evidence to back it up other than being told this. I had to put my Kindle down at the line our dashing young man utters: "I have something important to discuss and, soz, but no snakes allowed" :)
5. Foggy setting and world-building. There ARE some nice moments in this book that will appeal to the dark academia lovers. But it is just so hard to picture what is going on. Focusing more on the affect of her protagonist, the settings and actual movements of the characters in the space are really murky. Other than the mountain episode (which was actually pretty well described), there's a lot happening without much visuals. People do things in spaces that haven't been mapped out for you, and given that world-building is one of the backbones of the fantasy genre, this didn't help rescue the book from its flat characterisation. The magical elements were just...there...and the pace is so so rapid, you are only just familiarising yourself with one location before you are ripped to another.
I realise this has been a pretty damning review, but I unfortunately HAVE to say something as I, too, was led in by the current 3-4 star ratings of this book. Reading this ironically rather than for quality, I can see how this would be a fun and mindless pick, and I did actually find a lot my issues with this book amusing as I read (although I fear this was not the intention).
November 30, 2024
Once again, I had the pleasure of reading this book ahead of its time and couple months back, and let me tell you, it is creative and hilarious. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a bit dark and quite mysterious, but I laughed.
The Lost Apprentice is a magical mystery set in Ireland at an apprenticeship school for solicitors. We follow Fiadh who has made it into the most prestigious apprenticeship in Ireland and is now surrounded by rich kids all on their way to become fearsome lawyers. But she’s there to investigate a case: the disappearance of her beloved cousin who was an apprentice at the same school. As Fiadh tries to figure out what happened, she discovers a magical society of solicitors and it turns out, everything is much more corrupt than it seems. The book is funny and dark, it discusses the gruesome nature of the apprenticeship system every solicitor in Ireland has to go through and the social hierarchies that are often a part of it. Fiadh is a clever main character and The Swan Man is one of my favourite love interests ever. If you get the chance, pick this one up, especially around Halloween because it’s a bit spooky!
The Lost Apprentice is a magical mystery set in Ireland at an apprenticeship school for solicitors. We follow Fiadh who has made it into the most prestigious apprenticeship in Ireland and is now surrounded by rich kids all on their way to become fearsome lawyers. But she’s there to investigate a case: the disappearance of her beloved cousin who was an apprentice at the same school. As Fiadh tries to figure out what happened, she discovers a magical society of solicitors and it turns out, everything is much more corrupt than it seems. The book is funny and dark, it discusses the gruesome nature of the apprenticeship system every solicitor in Ireland has to go through and the social hierarchies that are often a part of it. Fiadh is a clever main character and The Swan Man is one of my favourite love interests ever. If you get the chance, pick this one up, especially around Halloween because it’s a bit spooky!
February 20, 2025
A fantasy novel where the main characters are lawyers?! Sign. Me. Up.
As a law student, this book was an absolute treat! The Lost Apprentice takes legal drama, blends it with magic, and sets it all against an atmospheric Dublin backdrop—what’s not to love?
What Worked:
✅ Engaging writing style – The sentence structure and rich vocabulary made for a compelling read. No dry prose here!
✅ Fast-paced plot – The story moves quickly, keeping you hooked from start to finish.
✅ Subtle (but well-executed) romance – I didn’t expect smut in this book, but hey, it was tastefully done!
✅ Dublin’s magic – The setting felt alive, with just the right touch of Irish history to add depth.
What Could’ve Been Better:
⚖️ The mystery element wasn’t all that mysterious, but it did its job moving the plot forward.
⚖️ The ending felt a bit Scooby-Doo-esque—not necessarily a bad thing, but it could have packed more punch.
Final Verdict: If you’re a fan of dark academia with a legal twist, this one’s for you. I’d love to own a physical copy myself! ✨📖
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
As a law student, this book was an absolute treat! The Lost Apprentice takes legal drama, blends it with magic, and sets it all against an atmospheric Dublin backdrop—what’s not to love?
What Worked:
✅ Engaging writing style – The sentence structure and rich vocabulary made for a compelling read. No dry prose here!
✅ Fast-paced plot – The story moves quickly, keeping you hooked from start to finish.
✅ Subtle (but well-executed) romance – I didn’t expect smut in this book, but hey, it was tastefully done!
✅ Dublin’s magic – The setting felt alive, with just the right touch of Irish history to add depth.
What Could’ve Been Better:
⚖️ The mystery element wasn’t all that mysterious, but it did its job moving the plot forward.
⚖️ The ending felt a bit Scooby-Doo-esque—not necessarily a bad thing, but it could have packed more punch.
Final Verdict: If you’re a fan of dark academia with a legal twist, this one’s for you. I’d love to own a physical copy myself! ✨📖
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!
October 13, 2024
UMMMMM, Okay okay okay, I'm between a 4.75 and a 5, so we are just going to round up!!!
This book was a whirlwind, I honestly fell for every red herring that I was presented and loved that I was confused nearly the entire time!!! - which is a rare thing for me, I hate being confused LOL
SO!!! Coming from someone who is actively working on starting a publishing company and was going to become a corporate lawyer, this book was strangely a healing journey for me! The STRESS I felt for our apprentices was no joke. The first 25% really sets you up, and the rest of the book comes at you like a vortex.
Definitely a GREAT read for spooktober, will be buying and re-reading, will NOT STOP YAPPING ABOUT THIS ONE.
But… will there be a follow up? I just need like 25 pages of The Deer and The Swans HEA :) pls and thx
ALSO ALSO thank you to Tara for the ARC, I cannot wait to read more <3
This book was a whirlwind, I honestly fell for every red herring that I was presented and loved that I was confused nearly the entire time!!! - which is a rare thing for me, I hate being confused LOL
SO!!! Coming from someone who is actively working on starting a publishing company and was going to become a corporate lawyer, this book was strangely a healing journey for me! The STRESS I felt for our apprentices was no joke. The first 25% really sets you up, and the rest of the book comes at you like a vortex.
Definitely a GREAT read for spooktober, will be buying and re-reading, will NOT STOP YAPPING ABOUT THIS ONE.
But… will there be a follow up? I just need like 25 pages of The Deer and The Swans HEA :) pls and thx
ALSO ALSO thank you to Tara for the ARC, I cannot wait to read more <3
September 24, 2024
Intelligence, humour, love, family, mystery, fantasy…… This book has it all !! There aren’t enough descriptive words in the world to explain what a breath of fresh air this was to read. It has everything in it that you could possibly ask for. The incorporation of the rich history of Ireland and especially of Dublin was so informative and fun to learn about ! I was gripped from page one and couldn’t stop reading, all I want to know now is when is the next one? I found myself lost in and under Tara O’toole’s control through the entire book! There are twist and turns everywhere and it is amazingly unpredictable in the best possible way! Tara O’toole, thank you for making an incredible world to jump into and I truly am awaiting with bated breath for your next project !
October 2, 2024
More👏🏻 feminism👏🏻in 👏🏻law👏🏻practices!👏🏻I recived an eARC through Book Sirens and loved this book and the message the author wished to convey to audiences. The author has included so many niche interests of mine crammed into one well thought out mystery. I finished this book in 6 hours of nonstop page turning. Law school, magic, secret society, and villainous plots where no one is in the wrong but everyone must operate through their own interpretation of the grey. With a perfect little treat of fluff and smut. I'm obsessed with this world and want to be a SoS member so goddamn bad. (And maybe go to law school?)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 2, 2024
The way this plot and story played out was completely enticing, mysterious and foreboding in such a magical and dark way - I had such a good time reading this!
Fiadh joins a group of apprentices at an Irish Law Firm in order to try and discover what has happened to her cousin who has been missing for the last few months, having been last seen at the very same law firm.
There’s secret societies, unique ‘magic’ systems which I was fully captivated by and think is executed brilliantly, smidges of lusty romance and legal drama. Despite the legal jargon, it was easily digestible and leans into the ‘dark academia’ themes, it’s an incredible read for around 300 pages and could easily read more!
Thank you Book Sirens and Tara O’Toole for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Fiadh joins a group of apprentices at an Irish Law Firm in order to try and discover what has happened to her cousin who has been missing for the last few months, having been last seen at the very same law firm.
There’s secret societies, unique ‘magic’ systems which I was fully captivated by and think is executed brilliantly, smidges of lusty romance and legal drama. Despite the legal jargon, it was easily digestible and leans into the ‘dark academia’ themes, it’s an incredible read for around 300 pages and could easily read more!
Thank you Book Sirens and Tara O’Toole for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
October 20, 2024
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Book Sirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This dark academia book made a perfect autumn read. I loved the cast of characters and the magic system was really well fleshed out. Usually when there's loads of technical jargon (in this case, related to law practice) I can get a bit bored but it was really well done in the writing and didn't feel extremely overwhelming.
I will say the romance aspect fell a bit flat for me personally but I still really enjoyed the relationship dynamics between all the characters.
This dark academia book made a perfect autumn read. I loved the cast of characters and the magic system was really well fleshed out. Usually when there's loads of technical jargon (in this case, related to law practice) I can get a bit bored but it was really well done in the writing and didn't feel extremely overwhelming.
I will say the romance aspect fell a bit flat for me personally but I still really enjoyed the relationship dynamics between all the characters.
October 6, 2024
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Studying is sexy and books are hot. Lean into it and have some fun. Love, life,
law!”
When I read the dedication page was when I knew I was in for some good writing.
This is a masterfully written magical dark academia novel set in Dublin, Ireland. I would recommend this book to everyone, get ready for a fun group of characters, witty dialogue, and a well thought out mystery. You will be pulled in from the first page (that is, if the cover didn’t already do that), I finished this book in two days and would read it again in a heartbeat.
The pronunciation guide was a fun touch, and helpful too.
"Studying is sexy and books are hot. Lean into it and have some fun. Love, life,
law!”
When I read the dedication page was when I knew I was in for some good writing.
This is a masterfully written magical dark academia novel set in Dublin, Ireland. I would recommend this book to everyone, get ready for a fun group of characters, witty dialogue, and a well thought out mystery. You will be pulled in from the first page (that is, if the cover didn’t already do that), I finished this book in two days and would read it again in a heartbeat.
The pronunciation guide was a fun touch, and helpful too.
October 6, 2024
Academia, mystery, magic, and a touch of romance. I don't need anything more in a book. If you are the same, you'll enjoy this read! The core friend group had a wonderful set of personalities and the setting was immersive, so fitting for the dark tone. The twists and turns hit just right.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 8, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The characters are believable, and I love the magic system - very unique. I thought I knew where the plot was going, but I wasn't even close, which is a sign of great writing!
April 19, 2025
I enjoy Tara O'Toole's books more and more with each book that I read. I'm glad I was able to join the first group of readers of "The Lost Apprentice" and I eagerly await the author's other works.
"The Lost Apprentice" is set in a mystically painted Dublin and other parts of charming Ireland. In my mind, Ireland itself has always been mystical, full of interesting, alluring and unique traditions and mythology. The author brilliantly weaves all this into a fast-paced and adventurous plot. And all this is surrounded by the realm of academia. Just give me more books full of the mood of academia, especially if their authors know what they are talking about! It seemed to me that Tara O'Toole is really familiar with the world of Irish solicitors and lawyers, or that she knows how to do good research before writing books. This made the book and the details related to lawyers in it believable and alive.
The only thing that threw me off was the introduction of magic and a secret society into this world of law and lawyers. Yes, it was an interesting part of the plot, but at the same time it somehow didn't stick with me. In addition, the aforementioned mystery aspect in this book was more related to Ireland itself, its traditions (at least that's how it seemed to me), and was kind of softer than it could have been. I needed a little more tension to make the thriller/mystery part of the plot more convincing and blood-curdling . Not all stakes were as high as I think they were meant to be portrayed. And at the same time, not all characters or their actions were convincing, or maybe they just lacked full, stronger resolution. I also think that the final/ really important scene, where the apprentices
I would have also loved to see more of the love story of the two main characters Fiadh and Keefe. It's marketed as rivals-to-lovers type of romance story, but again, the "rivals" part was lacking in the initial tension (for me). Instead, it just felt like flirting, but make it sarcastic (honestly, best kind of flirting in my eyes). I think I'd rather say it was a bickering-to-lovers kind of story, I found it sweet, and wish it was given a bit more time and energy.
However, despite this, I think that this author will only grow and her books will only become even more interesting. And I definitely recommend this and her other books and I myself am looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC of this book. My review is based solely on my honest opinion.
"The Lost Apprentice" is set in a mystically painted Dublin and other parts of charming Ireland. In my mind, Ireland itself has always been mystical, full of interesting, alluring and unique traditions and mythology. The author brilliantly weaves all this into a fast-paced and adventurous plot. And all this is surrounded by the realm of academia. Just give me more books full of the mood of academia, especially if their authors know what they are talking about! It seemed to me that Tara O'Toole is really familiar with the world of Irish solicitors and lawyers, or that she knows how to do good research before writing books. This made the book and the details related to lawyers in it believable and alive.
The only thing that threw me off was the introduction of magic and a secret society into this world of law and lawyers. Yes, it was an interesting part of the plot, but at the same time it somehow didn't stick with me. In addition, the aforementioned mystery aspect in this book was more related to Ireland itself, its traditions (at least that's how it seemed to me), and was kind of softer than it could have been. I needed a little more tension to make the thriller/mystery part of the plot more convincing and blood-curdling . Not all stakes were as high as I think they were meant to be portrayed. And at the same time, not all characters or their actions were convincing, or maybe they just lacked full, stronger resolution. I also think that the final/ really important scene, where the apprentices
I would have also loved to see more of the love story of the two main characters Fiadh and Keefe. It's marketed as rivals-to-lovers type of romance story, but again, the "rivals" part was lacking in the initial tension (for me). Instead, it just felt like flirting, but make it sarcastic (honestly, best kind of flirting in my eyes). I think I'd rather say it was a bickering-to-lovers kind of story, I found it sweet, and wish it was given a bit more time and energy.
However, despite this, I think that this author will only grow and her books will only become even more interesting. And I definitely recommend this and her other books and I myself am looking forward to reading more.
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC of this book. My review is based solely on my honest opinion.
January 9, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free from Net Galley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Lost Apprentice by Tara O'Toole is a fast-paced, quirky, and hilarious tale that keeps you guessing and wanting more. I could not put the book down from the moment I started reading. O'Toole's descriptive language mesmerized me, immersing me in Ireland's landscape. This book has everything from a mysterious disappearance, secret societies, romance, hilarious and loveable characters, and magic. The first 30% of the book can be a little confusing as O'Toole creates the setting in a short period of time and leaves some holes that left me curious and wanting to know more. The great thing about this book is that the holes or aspects that O'Toole left out or included add to the quirkiness of the story. You just have to accept what's given to you and roll with it. I really hope there are squeals to this book as I want to know more about the magic system and the characters who really made the story wonderful to read. Each character is funny, intelligent, and vibrant, banding together to face a series of emotional and physical challenges.
Thank you, Tara O'Toole, for a fantastic read.
The Lost Apprentice by Tara O'Toole is a fast-paced, quirky, and hilarious tale that keeps you guessing and wanting more. I could not put the book down from the moment I started reading. O'Toole's descriptive language mesmerized me, immersing me in Ireland's landscape. This book has everything from a mysterious disappearance, secret societies, romance, hilarious and loveable characters, and magic. The first 30% of the book can be a little confusing as O'Toole creates the setting in a short period of time and leaves some holes that left me curious and wanting to know more. The great thing about this book is that the holes or aspects that O'Toole left out or included add to the quirkiness of the story. You just have to accept what's given to you and roll with it. I really hope there are squeals to this book as I want to know more about the magic system and the characters who really made the story wonderful to read. Each character is funny, intelligent, and vibrant, banding together to face a series of emotional and physical challenges.
Thank you, Tara O'Toole, for a fantastic read.
January 28, 2025
Very fun! I liked the characters (justice for Brigid, my queen did nothing wrong), the prose was nice, and the secret society was appropriately creepy (just like where I did undergrad). The beginning was a bit slow (and not improved by the somewhat cliche character introductions), but once it got going, it got going and I was putting off doing my readings for the next day of class so I could finish this.
Loved the magic system as well, and I would definitely fuck with a sequel, bc I wish they had gotten to play around with it more! Show me the magic, show me the fucked up side effects of the magic, yes that was present in the text of the work, but I want more because I am a freak. Also would have loved watching them write out that part of the magic system, because I am insane.
My only complaint would be that it felt like everything got wrapped up a little too neatly at the end? I would have liked a slightly more ambiguous ending.
Overall, a fun, quick read.
I received this book from NetGalley.
Loved the magic system as well, and I would definitely fuck with a sequel, bc I wish they had gotten to play around with it more! Show me the magic, show me the fucked up side effects of the magic, yes that was present in the text of the work, but I want more because I am a freak. Also would have loved watching them write out that part of the magic system, because I am insane.
My only complaint would be that it felt like everything got wrapped up a little too neatly at the end? I would have liked a slightly more ambiguous ending.
Overall, a fun, quick read.
I received this book from NetGalley.
October 7, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. The magic system was really interesting and was really well written into the story well. I struggled slightly at first then everything picked up and I devoured the book in 2 sittings. Loved the Irish theme, true pronunciations and place names added a folky/academia feel to the book that I really loved. Would definitely recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 12, 2024
I read the first page and was hooked, to the point I read the whole thing in one day.
The characters are well written and I found myself hoping for the best outcomes for them.
I teared up a little towards the end, but it was a brilliant resolution and I can't wait to see where it goes next!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters are well written and I found myself hoping for the best outcomes for them.
I teared up a little towards the end, but it was a brilliant resolution and I can't wait to see where it goes next!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 24, 2025
DNF @ 28%. I love a dark academia setting, but one of the things I love about it is pairing the setting with an academic level of writing. I’ve read this in books like The Secret History, Babel, and The Historian. Unfortunately the writing in the Lost Apprentice doesn’t live up to its setting or predecessors and reading it was more akin to fan fiction than literary fiction it’s aspiring to.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2024
The Lost Apprentice is a dark academia mystery with contemporary fantasy elements. The story follows Fiadh who embeds herself in a cutthroat legal apprenticeship scheme to find out what has happened to her cousin who went missing after joining the same program the year before.
The magic system is interesting and unique, playing a vital role in uncovering the truth.
The characters are excellent, all flawed but fascinating with brilliant ties together. I do think the romance, while not the main focus, could have been further developed.
I read this book in a single sitting and as the pacing picked up throughout, I couldn't wait to turn the next page and let the story unfold.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The magic system is interesting and unique, playing a vital role in uncovering the truth.
The characters are excellent, all flawed but fascinating with brilliant ties together. I do think the romance, while not the main focus, could have been further developed.
I read this book in a single sitting and as the pacing picked up throughout, I couldn't wait to turn the next page and let the story unfold.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 22, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, love is not dead in Dublin!”
Rivals to lovers, quirky, dark academia fantasy quick read that had me hooked from the first page. Why? I have no idea. The book had me on an emotional rollercoaster from the beginning. I was annoyed, angry, terrified, sad, and happy all in the span of less than 300 pages.
Theres like one little spicy spice scene but its over quickly, so 1/5 🌶️
“Ladies and Gentlemen, love is not dead in Dublin!”
Rivals to lovers, quirky, dark academia fantasy quick read that had me hooked from the first page. Why? I have no idea. The book had me on an emotional rollercoaster from the beginning. I was annoyed, angry, terrified, sad, and happy all in the span of less than 300 pages.
Theres like one little spicy spice scene but its over quickly, so 1/5 🌶️
September 10, 2024
I loved this cozy, dark academia fantasy based within the Dublin legal ecosystem! The magic system was so different and interesting and although unsettling at times, this was a lot of fun to read! I highly recommend for anyone looking to add to their autumn TBR
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