What do you think?
Rate this book
The Killing Spell
Edward Peach is a fourteen-year-old wizard who receives a letter that he has been accepted into the prestigious Prymoutekhny Wizards Academy for Boys, in the faraway land of Aradia. His parents are overjoyed, but he feels reluctant to leave his family, friends, and his comfy cottage in the English coastal village of Manley. As term begins, Edward adjusts to life in his new school, dealing with bullies, strict teachers, and challenging wizardry classes. He is almost ready to give up when he falls in love with a charismatic, privileged boy-and talented wizard-named Mr. Andreas. Prymoutekhny is a school that has still not opened up to same-sex attraction, so he must keep his feelings secret. Soon, Edward and the impressive boy realize their deep attraction for each other. This causes immediate controversy in the school, as they are the first two boys from feuding houses to come together-especially in a school where house rivalry can end in murder.He is then put to the ultimate test as he must risk being with the boy he loves even at the cost of his own life!
236 pages, Paperback
Published July 6, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Read
October 20, 2019*DNF*
I gave up at around 20% into this one, mainly because the *telling* vs. showing writing style was not something that I enjoyed in the least.
Yes, the story had plenty of potential; however, when MC's are standing right IN FRONT of one another and communicating, sorry, but I expect actual DIALOGUE.
The scene that broke the camel's back for me was where the MC's were face-to-face and the important conversation about them becoming boyfriends was TOLD, not shown.
And nearly everything else in the book was allllllll about the telling, too, so it felt as if the story was some type of super-dry journal that I'd been trying to get through.
Sorry, nope, nope, NOPE.
Also, having to refer to one of the 14 y.o. protagonists as "Mr. Andreas" was extremely irritating.
September 24, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.5 stars
Magic is always going to catch my interest, and the blurb made this book seem incredibly intriguing. But sadly, almost from the very beginning, I had issues with this book. And it all went downhill from there.
The first few pages admittedly drew me in. Edward is a young boy who wants nothing to do with the prestigious school. He doesn’t want to live in a foreign country, and he doesn’t want to leave his comfortable life. But his parents don’t give him a choice, and I really felt for Edward as this story began. But quickly, I realized the narrative style of this book wasn’t for me. After those first few pages, it became clear that the entire book was just one long slog of telling and not showing. Edward narrated what was going on, and to be blunt, this just didn’t work. I could not engage in the story and I did not feel invested. As page after page of this dragged on, I lost even more interest. And that was just the first of many problems for me.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
2.5 stars
Magic is always going to catch my interest, and the blurb made this book seem incredibly intriguing. But sadly, almost from the very beginning, I had issues with this book. And it all went downhill from there.
The first few pages admittedly drew me in. Edward is a young boy who wants nothing to do with the prestigious school. He doesn’t want to live in a foreign country, and he doesn’t want to leave his comfortable life. But his parents don’t give him a choice, and I really felt for Edward as this story began. But quickly, I realized the narrative style of this book wasn’t for me. After those first few pages, it became clear that the entire book was just one long slog of telling and not showing. Edward narrated what was going on, and to be blunt, this just didn’t work. I could not engage in the story and I did not feel invested. As page after page of this dragged on, I lost even more interest. And that was just the first of many problems for me.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
November 23, 2020
Heh. What a weird little story full of idiotic people. It entertained me, though, I give it that. Too bad it was so full of telling and so lacking in showing. Aside from the plot craters, that was the most irritating thing about it.
October 1, 2019
More accurately, it's 3.7 stars.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been originally posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Once in a while I like to read a nice YA-novel. Whatever anyone says about the Narnia-series (sexist, racist, whatever-ist), I just love those books. Rowling has poor vocabulary and only knows the verb “say”? Well, she’s a helluva good story-teller, and Harry Potter one helluva wickedly entertaining series. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is one of the sweetest, best-written books ever. So, a YA-novel with first love and wizards and magic? Pitch-perfect for me. Alas, once I’d finished the book, I had to admit it was a rather mixed bag for me. Somehow like a nice meal, a meal that smells heavenly, rich and spicy, and looks scrumptious. And when you eat it, you realize that there are spices aplenty, alright… but the cook has forgotten to add that pinch of salt that gives the whole thing real flavour.
Plot-wise, we follow Edward Peach, 14, first-person narrator, who’s just arrived in the renowned Prymoutekhny Wizards Academy for Boys, somewhere on a magical island. He isn’t thrilled to be there, far from his beloved England and his mates, but soon makes friends with three other lads from his house, the Manticore House. We learn there are three of them: Manticore (for middle-class boys), Phoenix (for the poor), and Alpha (for the well-off). Each house is like a secluded isle; classes are mixed, but apart from school activities, members of the different Houses don’t mingle. Any infringement of that unwritten rule is not only frowned upon, but almost outlawed and, as we learn, punished by death more often than not. Here, we get already three things that didn’t quite work for me. The whole school business remained too vague, Edward being always very detached, uninterested in details, unquestioning. The rigid and severe House-system seemed out of another century; yet, we know that when the boys go home for holidays, they use mobiles, and as they learn about Harry Potter’s struggles in their History class, we can suppose the story takes place nowadays. Last but not least, the way the death of a student is treated not only by his mates but also the teachers is disturbingly offhandedly—people don’t do more than shrug. Edward reacts with more sensitivity, but finally accepts his mate’s death as something unavoidable, almost normal and understandable (it is not, and that’s what disturbed me; that death was a cruel, stupid, inexcusable murder).
Anyway. Edward then becomes friends with a first-year student from the posh Alpha House: Mr. Andreas, son of a prestigious, world-famous wizard and already an accomplished wizard himself. They fall in love with each other and become boyfriends in less time than others say “Hello” (well, if my memory’s right, that’s how things happen when you’re 14). That falling-in-love part is sweet, but Mr. Andreas remains somewhat sketchy, as so many other things in this book. The fact that we (as well as Edward) don’t get to know his first name only adds to that perceived sketchiness. Alright, we learn that one must not speak out loud that first name for there’s a curse attached, but the author might have come up with something less zany. It’s indeed almost comical when one 14-year-old calls his boyfriend “Mr. Andreas” or “love”. Their relationship has (self-induced) ups and downs (well, yes, they’re 14)… and doesn’t seem to evolve at all. I wasn’t expecting porn; that would even have been out of place. But holding hands and exchanging kisses at 14? I didn’t have boyfriends at that age, I didn’t even dream of having boyfriends, but even I did more than that! At fourteen, you start to understand, explore, pleasure your body. Hormones shoot through you like sap up a tree-trunk in May, and you can hardly keep your hands away from certain body parts.
In one word, some things didn’t work for me. Unfortunately, many things are told and not shown, so that as a whole, my reading experience was not a satisfying one. Showing—the salt of that meal called book. This is a nice enough YA book, though. Good vocabulary (at last! someone is using a Thesaurus! Kudos to that), hardly any spelling or grammar mistakes, simply the odd typo. I guess the plot could have been made more thrilling, more engaging, but that would no doubt have been enhanced with more showing.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been originally posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Once in a while I like to read a nice YA-novel. Whatever anyone says about the Narnia-series (sexist, racist, whatever-ist), I just love those books. Rowling has poor vocabulary and only knows the verb “say”? Well, she’s a helluva good story-teller, and Harry Potter one helluva wickedly entertaining series. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is one of the sweetest, best-written books ever. So, a YA-novel with first love and wizards and magic? Pitch-perfect for me. Alas, once I’d finished the book, I had to admit it was a rather mixed bag for me. Somehow like a nice meal, a meal that smells heavenly, rich and spicy, and looks scrumptious. And when you eat it, you realize that there are spices aplenty, alright… but the cook has forgotten to add that pinch of salt that gives the whole thing real flavour.
Plot-wise, we follow Edward Peach, 14, first-person narrator, who’s just arrived in the renowned Prymoutekhny Wizards Academy for Boys, somewhere on a magical island. He isn’t thrilled to be there, far from his beloved England and his mates, but soon makes friends with three other lads from his house, the Manticore House. We learn there are three of them: Manticore (for middle-class boys), Phoenix (for the poor), and Alpha (for the well-off). Each house is like a secluded isle; classes are mixed, but apart from school activities, members of the different Houses don’t mingle. Any infringement of that unwritten rule is not only frowned upon, but almost outlawed and, as we learn, punished by death more often than not. Here, we get already three things that didn’t quite work for me. The whole school business remained too vague, Edward being always very detached, uninterested in details, unquestioning. The rigid and severe House-system seemed out of another century; yet, we know that when the boys go home for holidays, they use mobiles, and as they learn about Harry Potter’s struggles in their History class, we can suppose the story takes place nowadays. Last but not least, the way the death of a student is treated not only by his mates but also the teachers is disturbingly offhandedly—people don’t do more than shrug. Edward reacts with more sensitivity, but finally accepts his mate’s death as something unavoidable, almost normal and understandable (it is not, and that’s what disturbed me; that death was a cruel, stupid, inexcusable murder).
Anyway. Edward then becomes friends with a first-year student from the posh Alpha House: Mr. Andreas, son of a prestigious, world-famous wizard and already an accomplished wizard himself. They fall in love with each other and become boyfriends in less time than others say “Hello” (well, if my memory’s right, that’s how things happen when you’re 14). That falling-in-love part is sweet, but Mr. Andreas remains somewhat sketchy, as so many other things in this book. The fact that we (as well as Edward) don’t get to know his first name only adds to that perceived sketchiness. Alright, we learn that one must not speak out loud that first name for there’s a curse attached, but the author might have come up with something less zany. It’s indeed almost comical when one 14-year-old calls his boyfriend “Mr. Andreas” or “love”. Their relationship has (self-induced) ups and downs (well, yes, they’re 14)… and doesn’t seem to evolve at all. I wasn’t expecting porn; that would even have been out of place. But holding hands and exchanging kisses at 14? I didn’t have boyfriends at that age, I didn’t even dream of having boyfriends, but even I did more than that! At fourteen, you start to understand, explore, pleasure your body. Hormones shoot through you like sap up a tree-trunk in May, and you can hardly keep your hands away from certain body parts.
In one word, some things didn’t work for me. Unfortunately, many things are told and not shown, so that as a whole, my reading experience was not a satisfying one. Showing—the salt of that meal called book. This is a nice enough YA book, though. Good vocabulary (at last! someone is using a Thesaurus! Kudos to that), hardly any spelling or grammar mistakes, simply the odd typo. I guess the plot could have been made more thrilling, more engaging, but that would no doubt have been enhanced with more showing.
May 13, 2021
I want to thank the author and publisher for the opportunity to read The Killing Spell by Shane Ulrrein. I am grateful for this opportunity, but the following review is completely mine.
I really wanted to like this book, but I found it a bit average and sadly more lackluster than I had hoped. This book is not the first to take the tropes well established by the Harry Potter franchise and adapt them for a queer audience. At least the author doesn't pretend that Harry Potter has not influenced him and includes jokes about Dumbledore and Gandalf as a blatant "wink-wink" to the reading audience. I don't mind the inside acknowledgment, but I wish there was a bit more originality within the world-building.
For example, the courses the young protagonist takes at the wizarding school are awfully familiar to the ones at Hogwarts (including defense against the dark arts). I understand this to an extent, but I do wish there had been just a bit more originality in here. Also, instead of four houses, there are three houses and are based primarily on social strata. The character, even though he is on a full-ride scholarship, is placed in the mid-SES house (manticore). If you're going to take on a book like Harry Potter, you really need to be very inventive and think outside the box. Sadly, Ulrrein didn't achieve this.
Now, that's not to say the entire book doesn't have its merits. The focus of this book is between Edward Peach and a posh Alpha House (the top SES kids) kid named Mr. Andreas (his first name is cursed). The romance is cute and innocent. Other than some kissing and sleeping in bed with each other (no funny business happens though), the relationship is pure and innocent. This is not a steamy romance, which is great and age-appropriate for the intended middle-grade audience.
Notice, I do think this book is middle-grade. I don't know if this was the intended audience, but I think the writing and level of depth of the characters puts it lower than modern YA literature.
One thing I found very interesting about this novel (especially when compared to the Harry Potter series) is how much class plays into the story. Essentially, the posh Alpha House rules the school. In fact, the school has some pretty disturbing habits (from bullying to teacher-sanctioned murder). And the faculty on staff all bow down to the former alumni members of Alpha House and don't make waves for fear of getting killed themselves. This part I find interesting and crazy disturbing on so many levels. Like, why would any parent in good conscience knowingly send their kids to a school where outright murder of one's peers is accepted? I don't care how good the school is, the education won't do you any good if you're not alive to graduate. In fact, one student tries to buck the class system and ends up being killed. And while everyone suspects what happened, no one does anything about it. But I digress...
Overall, I found the book enjoyable. I think the book has its faults, but I think middle-grade kids will enjoy the story. And just like the Harry Potter books, this one sets itself up for a series of sequels. I hope the series can grow in depth and maturity if it continues.
I really wanted to like this book, but I found it a bit average and sadly more lackluster than I had hoped. This book is not the first to take the tropes well established by the Harry Potter franchise and adapt them for a queer audience. At least the author doesn't pretend that Harry Potter has not influenced him and includes jokes about Dumbledore and Gandalf as a blatant "wink-wink" to the reading audience. I don't mind the inside acknowledgment, but I wish there was a bit more originality within the world-building.
For example, the courses the young protagonist takes at the wizarding school are awfully familiar to the ones at Hogwarts (including defense against the dark arts). I understand this to an extent, but I do wish there had been just a bit more originality in here. Also, instead of four houses, there are three houses and are based primarily on social strata. The character, even though he is on a full-ride scholarship, is placed in the mid-SES house (manticore). If you're going to take on a book like Harry Potter, you really need to be very inventive and think outside the box. Sadly, Ulrrein didn't achieve this.
Now, that's not to say the entire book doesn't have its merits. The focus of this book is between Edward Peach and a posh Alpha House (the top SES kids) kid named Mr. Andreas (his first name is cursed). The romance is cute and innocent. Other than some kissing and sleeping in bed with each other (no funny business happens though), the relationship is pure and innocent. This is not a steamy romance, which is great and age-appropriate for the intended middle-grade audience.
Notice, I do think this book is middle-grade. I don't know if this was the intended audience, but I think the writing and level of depth of the characters puts it lower than modern YA literature.
One thing I found very interesting about this novel (especially when compared to the Harry Potter series) is how much class plays into the story. Essentially, the posh Alpha House rules the school. In fact, the school has some pretty disturbing habits (from bullying to teacher-sanctioned murder). And the faculty on staff all bow down to the former alumni members of Alpha House and don't make waves for fear of getting killed themselves. This part I find interesting and crazy disturbing on so many levels. Like, why would any parent in good conscience knowingly send their kids to a school where outright murder of one's peers is accepted? I don't care how good the school is, the education won't do you any good if you're not alive to graduate. In fact, one student tries to buck the class system and ends up being killed. And while everyone suspects what happened, no one does anything about it. But I digress...
Overall, I found the book enjoyable. I think the book has its faults, but I think middle-grade kids will enjoy the story. And just like the Harry Potter books, this one sets itself up for a series of sequels. I hope the series can grow in depth and maturity if it continues.
May 13, 2021
I really wanted to like this book, it seemed like an interesting (if very Harry Potter inspired) premise. There are some nice fantasy ideas in the book, and the author has obviously put some time into their world building.
The writing has a definite Enid Blyton feel, which is fine for a younger age group. Possibly this will be an enjoyable story for 14 year olds (although I wouldn't recommend this for this age group due, reasons to follow).
As an adult, the "tell, don't show" style is disengaging and frustrating; it's almost impossible to feel any empathy for the main characters, because everything is on a surface level. There's no heart.
The two MC's are terrible to each other, feeling at once like the 14 year olds they are supposed to be and also like very immature adults. Edward's love for Mr. Andreas is purely based on his physical looks and his prowess as a wizard. Mr Andreas only likes Edward because he's powerful, and it's upsetting that the first thing he does is cast a spell to remove Edward's acne, like he's not good enough otherwise. They also emotionally manipulate each other into doing what the other wants, it's very toxic. There is no depth to their feelings for each other and I would absolutely not want my kids to aspire to have the unhealthy, surface level relationship that's in this book.
The adults in the story are charicatures and wholly impotent, they seem to have little control over the students in their school (or possibly they don't care). Even the teacher you are supposed to like comes across as gossipy, inappropriately intimate and completely powerless.
Due to the unhealthy relationship in a book that, based off the writing style, is aimed at younger teens, I definitely will not be recommending it to people.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and I have chosen to leave an honest review.
The writing has a definite Enid Blyton feel, which is fine for a younger age group. Possibly this will be an enjoyable story for 14 year olds (although I wouldn't recommend this for this age group due, reasons to follow).
As an adult, the "tell, don't show" style is disengaging and frustrating; it's almost impossible to feel any empathy for the main characters, because everything is on a surface level. There's no heart.
The two MC's are terrible to each other, feeling at once like the 14 year olds they are supposed to be and also like very immature adults. Edward's love for Mr. Andreas is purely based on his physical looks and his prowess as a wizard. Mr Andreas only likes Edward because he's powerful, and it's upsetting that the first thing he does is cast a spell to remove Edward's acne, like he's not good enough otherwise. They also emotionally manipulate each other into doing what the other wants, it's very toxic. There is no depth to their feelings for each other and I would absolutely not want my kids to aspire to have the unhealthy, surface level relationship that's in this book.
The adults in the story are charicatures and wholly impotent, they seem to have little control over the students in their school (or possibly they don't care). Even the teacher you are supposed to like comes across as gossipy, inappropriately intimate and completely powerless.
Due to the unhealthy relationship in a book that, based off the writing style, is aimed at younger teens, I definitely will not be recommending it to people.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and I have chosen to leave an honest review.
March 27, 2020
This did not work for me, at all. I loved the blurb and the book did actually deliver everything mentioned in the blurb yet the way in which it was done was so strange and unfulfilling that I almost did not finish this.
Firstly, the language. It felt like the author used a US English to British slang dictionary and then proceeded to use every single phrase, some of them incorrectly. It felt like an attempt to out-British JK Rowling.
Secondly, the story. The whole idea of a 17-yo boy, sorry, lad, being known as Mr Andreas was laughable. Edward, who "lived for magic" for some reason does not want to go to a prestigious wizards academy, has a few unexplained fainting spells once he arrives, and then falls in lust with a pretty lad. For the rest of the book, he's either convinced it's true love or he doesn't understand or even hate his boyfriend. Two 14-year-olds, who repeatedly sleep in the same bed but never move beyond kissing.
The casual attitude towards murder is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the plot. So many things happen for no good reason and without any explanation.
According to the author's bio, he's a member of the LGBT community. As such I cannot believe he wrote the line: "My boyfriend's father was a cultured and well-endowed bloke". "well-endowed" Really!!!
The blurb was so promising and I love the premise of the book, so I honestly regret that the execution leaves so much to be desired.
Firstly, the language. It felt like the author used a US English to British slang dictionary and then proceeded to use every single phrase, some of them incorrectly. It felt like an attempt to out-British JK Rowling.
Secondly, the story. The whole idea of a 17-yo boy, sorry, lad, being known as Mr Andreas was laughable. Edward, who "lived for magic" for some reason does not want to go to a prestigious wizards academy, has a few unexplained fainting spells once he arrives, and then falls in lust with a pretty lad. For the rest of the book, he's either convinced it's true love or he doesn't understand or even hate his boyfriend. Two 14-year-olds, who repeatedly sleep in the same bed but never move beyond kissing.
The casual attitude towards murder is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the plot. So many things happen for no good reason and without any explanation.
According to the author's bio, he's a member of the LGBT community. As such I cannot believe he wrote the line: "My boyfriend's father was a cultured and well-endowed bloke". "well-endowed" Really!!!
The blurb was so promising and I love the premise of the book, so I honestly regret that the execution leaves so much to be desired.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2021
For a book labeled by Amazon.com as a children's book, with a 14-year old protagonist, this book had a disturbingly nonchalant view of murder and authority-sanctioned bullying. The structure of the school encouraged the older students to torment the younger ones, and the victims had no one to take their side or protect them. It seemed a bit too dark for that age-group target.
For older audiences, including older teens and adults, the premise and themes of the story might be engaging, but there was too much telling and not enough showing to maintain interest. There was not enough world-building or explanation of the system of magic for me. In short, the author has a good premise and plot here, but I think they need to choose their target audience and then adjust the story and delivery accordingly.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
For older audiences, including older teens and adults, the premise and themes of the story might be engaging, but there was too much telling and not enough showing to maintain interest. There was not enough world-building or explanation of the system of magic for me. In short, the author has a good premise and plot here, but I think they need to choose their target audience and then adjust the story and delivery accordingly.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
May 15, 2021
As possibly one of the two people on the planet not to have read/listened to/seen Harry Potter, I came to this story of Edward and Andreas without knowing all the inside jokes and references. That made not a whit of difference to my enjoyment of the story. I liked watching the school try to deal with their relationship and the Romeo and Juliet vibes of the feuding houses. When the real tests come, the two young men behave in character and true to their ages.
June 16, 2021
While I do enjoy and I don’t mind when an author uses another story (book, series, TV, Movie etc) as a reference or resource. I do still expect some originality and to hear their voice as an author. This book lacks that. The plot was entertaining and it was steady throughout the book. I found the story and characters interesting but lacking. The characters were developed and thought out. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.
May 13, 2021
This was an interesting take on a very familiar setting. There were parts that I liked and I really did not like the "telling" format of this story and I found it hard to get past. The characters were ok and the story was ok too. I read an advanced copy of this story and this is my unbiased review. I am looking forward to reading books by this author in the future!
September 12, 2020
As someone who actually lives in the south of England I have never actually heard anyone speak like the MC in this book! He sounds like an absolute mockney! The plot is pretty much a poor man's LGBT Harry Potter but no where near as good as those books.
May 23, 2021
This was a sweet YA opposites attract, magical romance.
This is a new to me author and the concept was definitely refreshing.
The storyline was fairly interesting and the characters were likeable.
Overall a fairly interesting read
This is a new to me author and the concept was definitely refreshing.
The storyline was fairly interesting and the characters were likeable.
Overall a fairly interesting read
November 30, 2020
2 stars maybe, it is not good, a bad harry potter knock off. it is a DNF as well, about half ways but cant take much more lol. Just not for me...
May 10, 2021
Loved it so much!!! I really hope there will be a lot more Books in the series!!! Absolutely loved our main and Mr. Andreas together
December 5, 2019
Every boarding school has its own set of rules. This school might have some of the most unique rules of them all!
Not all of Edward’s experiences at his new school were positive ones. Some of the best passages were the ones that talked about the bullying he went through and the different techniques he tried to deal with that. I appreciated the fact that this wasn’t something that he solved in the first chapter. It was an ongoing problem that the author took seriously and obviously worked hard to explore in a very realistic fashion.
This book spent a great deal of time telling the audience what was happening instead of showing it to us. Everything from the personalities of the characters to the descriptions of life at the Prymoutekhny Wizards Academy for Boys was affected by this issue. I adored the premise, but I had a lot of trouble getting into the storyline because of how hard it was to imagine what it would be like to experience that world for myself.
The romantic subplot was nicely written. I liked both of the characters who were involved in it, and thought they’d make great boyfriends for each other. It was also nice to see them get to know each other for a while before any hint of flirtation happened. Based on what the narrator told me about their personalities, this seemed like it would be the most logical thing for them to do.
I’d recommend The Killing Spell to anyone who likes the idea of attending a magical boarding school.
Not all of Edward’s experiences at his new school were positive ones. Some of the best passages were the ones that talked about the bullying he went through and the different techniques he tried to deal with that. I appreciated the fact that this wasn’t something that he solved in the first chapter. It was an ongoing problem that the author took seriously and obviously worked hard to explore in a very realistic fashion.
This book spent a great deal of time telling the audience what was happening instead of showing it to us. Everything from the personalities of the characters to the descriptions of life at the Prymoutekhny Wizards Academy for Boys was affected by this issue. I adored the premise, but I had a lot of trouble getting into the storyline because of how hard it was to imagine what it would be like to experience that world for myself.
The romantic subplot was nicely written. I liked both of the characters who were involved in it, and thought they’d make great boyfriends for each other. It was also nice to see them get to know each other for a while before any hint of flirtation happened. Based on what the narrator told me about their personalities, this seemed like it would be the most logical thing for them to do.
I’d recommend The Killing Spell to anyone who likes the idea of attending a magical boarding school.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews