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The Hidden Knife
Melissa Marr invites readers into a magical world where stone gargoyles live among humans, ferocious water horses infiltrate the sea, and school hallways are riddled with magic wards--and where a group of young heroes seeking justice discovers those very creatures are the best of allies.
Twenty years ago, a door opened between the world of humans and the Netherwhere, allowing all kinds of otherworldly creatures entry. Some, like the kelpies and fairies, who like to bite, are best avoided. But the gargoyles are wise and wonderful, and show a special affection for humans.
Vicky has grown up under the watchful eye of a gargoyle named Rupert, and excels at sword-fighting and magic. But there's so much she doesn't know--like why her mother, once one of the queen's elite Ravens, keeps Vicky hidden away and won't let Vicky train at the elite Corvus school where girls with her gifts perfect their skills. But when a horrific tragedy occurs, Vicky knows it's finally time to use her gifts, and that the only place she should be to avenge the crime against her family is at Corvus. There she bands together with a former street thief and an alchemy student to figure out whom they can trust in a place that's rife with intrigue and secrets. And all the while, the gargoyles watch and nudge. Time's not linear to them, so they know change comes in ripples. With their steadying influence, Vicky and her friends just might be the generation to expose the court's secrets and ensure a better future for both worlds.
Twenty years ago, a door opened between the world of humans and the Netherwhere, allowing all kinds of otherworldly creatures entry. Some, like the kelpies and fairies, who like to bite, are best avoided. But the gargoyles are wise and wonderful, and show a special affection for humans.
Vicky has grown up under the watchful eye of a gargoyle named Rupert, and excels at sword-fighting and magic. But there's so much she doesn't know--like why her mother, once one of the queen's elite Ravens, keeps Vicky hidden away and won't let Vicky train at the elite Corvus school where girls with her gifts perfect their skills. But when a horrific tragedy occurs, Vicky knows it's finally time to use her gifts, and that the only place she should be to avenge the crime against her family is at Corvus. There she bands together with a former street thief and an alchemy student to figure out whom they can trust in a place that's rife with intrigue and secrets. And all the while, the gargoyles watch and nudge. Time's not linear to them, so they know change comes in ripples. With their steadying influence, Vicky and her friends just might be the generation to expose the court's secrets and ensure a better future for both worlds.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2021
44 people are currently reading
4531 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
109 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
December 20, 2021
Wow! What a dark, magical, epic story! This wasn’t anything like I imagined it would be-it was more dangerous, darker, deadlier, & even more amazing than I imagined. There are many of the fantasy “tropes” in here, but not done the typical way. I love how the author took them, & made them her own. There are 2 parts to the story. Part 1 is the “innocent” time, so to speak, in the kids lives. Until the tragedy. Part 2 is after the tragedy, & innocence & childhood are over for the most part, with 1 horrible act..& that’s when it gets darker. There is also a magic school we get to see a little of. I found the school so intriguing, & actually wish there were more books to come, so we could learn & explore that more.
There are many magical creatures in here, including gargoyles-& they have my heart, especially Rupert..I want to hug him so bad! Lol These are some of the best gargoyles I’ve read about. They are protectors & amazing. I have a soft spot for Master Nightshade, Ebb & Penelope too. Loved them. I was gripped from the prologue, when we learn about the door to the other world opening 20 years before the story starts, & the backstory of that. I didn’t know who was the bad guy or what. I couldn’t decide if the Queen was evil or a victim. I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT THE WHOLE TIME! Lol There were some things about who did the “bad thing” that weren’t really clear at the end, but I don’t care because other than that the ending was so good! I loved the twists at the end as well-1 especially that had me so happy! So many gripping things in here from the story itself & the writing, to the other world, the magical creatures, the wards, combat, alchemy, the Queen, Ravens, the thieves, the school & everything & everyone in it, Vicky & her family’s whole backstory, athames, shadows, & more.
Then this group of kids who form a little found family of sorts, similar to the 1 a couple of their parents had before them. Vicky is so kick butt. There are some epic school scenes where I was just in awe of her. Such a force to be reckoned with. Milan was such a joy to read from/about. Seeing him go beyond the streets hoping to do something with his life, & at the same time making real friends. Algernon is just a sweetheart. He might be the bravest, because he was the most scared & went into danger anyway-to help his friends & family fight for what’s right & for justice. The chapters alternate between the different kids. I saw some people say there were too many characters, but I had no problems with it. Each character was so unique & memorable that I had no issues.
Big message on emotions in a way too. We think that it would be easier if we could turn off the pain/emotions. It wouldn’t. We NEED to FEEL. Hurting is apart of healing. I think this is a stand alone, but I hope that changes. There are so many more stories that could be told that would be incredible. Plus, I want to see & learn more about this amazing world(& the other world lol), the school, & just see these incredible characters again. HIGHLY recommend! BEAUTIFUL cover by the amazing Vivienne To as well!💜
There are many magical creatures in here, including gargoyles-& they have my heart, especially Rupert..I want to hug him so bad! Lol These are some of the best gargoyles I’ve read about. They are protectors & amazing. I have a soft spot for Master Nightshade, Ebb & Penelope too. Loved them. I was gripped from the prologue, when we learn about the door to the other world opening 20 years before the story starts, & the backstory of that. I didn’t know who was the bad guy or what. I couldn’t decide if the Queen was evil or a victim. I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT THE WHOLE TIME! Lol There were some things about who did the “bad thing” that weren’t really clear at the end, but I don’t care because other than that the ending was so good! I loved the twists at the end as well-1 especially that had me so happy! So many gripping things in here from the story itself & the writing, to the other world, the magical creatures, the wards, combat, alchemy, the Queen, Ravens, the thieves, the school & everything & everyone in it, Vicky & her family’s whole backstory, athames, shadows, & more.
Then this group of kids who form a little found family of sorts, similar to the 1 a couple of their parents had before them. Vicky is so kick butt. There are some epic school scenes where I was just in awe of her. Such a force to be reckoned with. Milan was such a joy to read from/about. Seeing him go beyond the streets hoping to do something with his life, & at the same time making real friends. Algernon is just a sweetheart. He might be the bravest, because he was the most scared & went into danger anyway-to help his friends & family fight for what’s right & for justice. The chapters alternate between the different kids. I saw some people say there were too many characters, but I had no problems with it. Each character was so unique & memorable that I had no issues.
Big message on emotions in a way too. We think that it would be easier if we could turn off the pain/emotions. It wouldn’t. We NEED to FEEL. Hurting is apart of healing. I think this is a stand alone, but I hope that changes. There are so many more stories that could be told that would be incredible. Plus, I want to see & learn more about this amazing world(& the other world lol), the school, & just see these incredible characters again. HIGHLY recommend! BEAUTIFUL cover by the amazing Vivienne To as well!💜
June 23, 2021
3/5 Stars
I think this was a good middle grade book. The writing was easy to read and get into. I really like all the different creatures that were included in the story. It really added something. I will say I think the writing could've been better, the transitions between different parts of the story didn't flow well. Overall I think it's a great read for kids and that they will have a great time!
I think this was a good middle grade book. The writing was easy to read and get into. I really like all the different creatures that were included in the story. It really added something. I will say I think the writing could've been better, the transitions between different parts of the story didn't flow well. Overall I think it's a great read for kids and that they will have a great time!
August 7, 2021
There are times when I worry about reviewing middle grade books because I'm worried that the only reason I didn't enjoy them was because I'm too old for them. Therefore, please take my word with a grain of salt if you think that you might enjoy this.
Note: this review will have spoilers in some forms.
This book follows an assortment of characters as they navigate their different goals around each other. They're all from very different lives and they end up at the same school.
First of all, I feel like the pacing was really off. Basically all of the action took place in the school, and yet they didn't get to the school until after 50% of the book. I honestly don't think that you needed about 40% of the book, all from the first half.
Also, there were parts of the book that were super choppy. The inciting incident, for example, just...happened. There was no buildup or anything, it was just 'and then one night...'.
I didn't really understand what was happening for a huge part of the book. The characters seemed to have goals, but they didn't tell us them unless it was Vicky, they just went out and did stuff and I didn't know WHY they were doing those things.
Also, what's with all the special gifts? The only gifts that were explained were Vicky's and even that was just 'she's part of the royal family.' Why can Algernon go into that Nether place? Why can Meredith bend the string things (I forget what they're called, ley lines?).
Lastly, we were always told that the queen was bad, however we never actually SAW that. And I know the whole point was that she wasn't actually, she was just being controlled and stuff, but still, give us some visible evidence that she's bad.
Note: this review will have spoilers in some forms.
This book follows an assortment of characters as they navigate their different goals around each other. They're all from very different lives and they end up at the same school.
First of all, I feel like the pacing was really off. Basically all of the action took place in the school, and yet they didn't get to the school until after 50% of the book. I honestly don't think that you needed about 40% of the book, all from the first half.
Also, there were parts of the book that were super choppy. The inciting incident, for example, just...happened. There was no buildup or anything, it was just 'and then one night...'.
I didn't really understand what was happening for a huge part of the book. The characters seemed to have goals, but they didn't tell us them unless it was Vicky, they just went out and did stuff and I didn't know WHY they were doing those things.
Also, what's with all the special gifts? The only gifts that were explained were Vicky's and even that was just 'she's part of the royal family.' Why can Algernon go into that Nether place? Why can Meredith bend the string things (I forget what they're called, ley lines?).
Lastly, we were always told that the queen was bad, however we never actually SAW that. And I know the whole point was that she wasn't actually, she was just being controlled and stuff, but still, give us some visible evidence that she's bad.
September 10, 2021
This is a great example of an idea that had potential but fell flat. Really this feels like a very rough first draft that somehow made it to print without the author or editor going over the book again to actually pull the story out. I will identify a couple of examples that will inevitably have spoilers.
The book starts with magical creatures coming into our world through a doorway to their world which is called the neverwhere. Then these creatures do almost nothing in the story after that point.
There are so many beginnings and they are all disconnected. I get that you need to introduce your different characters but if each introduction is its own isolated thing with no connection to any of the other characters, each one feels like the beginning of a new story. All these beginnings could flow together with some better connective tissue but they don't.
The plot doesn't kick in for much too long. I was about a third of the way through the book before any semblance of plot appeared. Even then, the actual plot doesn't start until a large event that occurs about 60% through the book.
The eventual plot of the book or at least how all the characters connect before they go on their adventure takes place at a school. This is easily the best part of the book. The interactions between the characters are great. But then that part ended much too abruptly. That part should have been the main part of the book but it was only a short detour. What it felt like was a Harry Potter book where there are 4 POV students. All 3 of the 4 get their "life at the Dursley's" introductions and all of those introductions are way too long and simultaneously don't give us nearly enough insight into the characters. Then the 4 get to school where the main setting of the book is, but then they leave the school after only a week to wrap up the story in the most dull way possible - epic battle? Nope, just some talking to the Queen and clearing up some misconceptions.
The way the characters are introduced is not well done. We are shown scenes of what is happening before they go to school but those scenes give us very little information about who the characters actually are, instead these scenes give us a more literal who the characters are - this one is the older of two brothers and is the son of the royal alchemist. Also, 2 of the main characters are introduced with their siblings and both times, the focus in on one of the siblings who isn't the one who becomes a main character. Then, after these introductions that focus on the wrong sibling, those siblings nearly disappear from the story to the point where you forget the siblings actually exist. 2 of the main characters are thieves and it seems like their backstories would be fascinating but only one of them gets an introduction -and it is more dull than fascinating. The other is ignored until everyone actually gets to school, does a couple important things, then disappears again for the tepid climax.
There are many other areas that have issues. The magic system and the magical creatures were not well thought out. The idea of wards is interesting but never explained much and there is a magical tool called an affimay (sp) and the word is used way to much for me to have no idea what it does. There is a money system, but the system is just "coins" which again feels like a rough draft where the author just stuck in coins with the idea of going back and making it clearer. I get that this is a nitpick but one character agrees to go into a life threatening situation for 3 coins. When you have a money system like in Harry Potter where there are different types of coins you can have 1 coin that is little and not worth a lot. If you have join "coins", a coin can't be worth a whole lot otherwise how would anyone buy anything? How can you buy a loaf of bread if your only currency is "coins" and a coin is worth a lot? Do you have to buy 100 loaves at at time? No, a coin has to be a small amount so it can actually purchase things, so maybe a loaf of bread or a fish costs a coin which means a character went into a life threatening situation for the price of 2 loaves of bread and a fish. So yet, that who idea is a big nitpick but it perfectly encapsulates how rough draft this story feels.
The book starts with magical creatures coming into our world through a doorway to their world which is called the neverwhere. Then these creatures do almost nothing in the story after that point.
There are so many beginnings and they are all disconnected. I get that you need to introduce your different characters but if each introduction is its own isolated thing with no connection to any of the other characters, each one feels like the beginning of a new story. All these beginnings could flow together with some better connective tissue but they don't.
The plot doesn't kick in for much too long. I was about a third of the way through the book before any semblance of plot appeared. Even then, the actual plot doesn't start until a large event that occurs about 60% through the book.
The eventual plot of the book or at least how all the characters connect before they go on their adventure takes place at a school. This is easily the best part of the book. The interactions between the characters are great. But then that part ended much too abruptly. That part should have been the main part of the book but it was only a short detour. What it felt like was a Harry Potter book where there are 4 POV students. All 3 of the 4 get their "life at the Dursley's" introductions and all of those introductions are way too long and simultaneously don't give us nearly enough insight into the characters. Then the 4 get to school where the main setting of the book is, but then they leave the school after only a week to wrap up the story in the most dull way possible - epic battle? Nope, just some talking to the Queen and clearing up some misconceptions.
The way the characters are introduced is not well done. We are shown scenes of what is happening before they go to school but those scenes give us very little information about who the characters actually are, instead these scenes give us a more literal who the characters are - this one is the older of two brothers and is the son of the royal alchemist. Also, 2 of the main characters are introduced with their siblings and both times, the focus in on one of the siblings who isn't the one who becomes a main character. Then, after these introductions that focus on the wrong sibling, those siblings nearly disappear from the story to the point where you forget the siblings actually exist. 2 of the main characters are thieves and it seems like their backstories would be fascinating but only one of them gets an introduction -and it is more dull than fascinating. The other is ignored until everyone actually gets to school, does a couple important things, then disappears again for the tepid climax.
There are many other areas that have issues. The magic system and the magical creatures were not well thought out. The idea of wards is interesting but never explained much and there is a magical tool called an affimay (sp) and the word is used way to much for me to have no idea what it does. There is a money system, but the system is just "coins" which again feels like a rough draft where the author just stuck in coins with the idea of going back and making it clearer. I get that this is a nitpick but one character agrees to go into a life threatening situation for 3 coins. When you have a money system like in Harry Potter where there are different types of coins you can have 1 coin that is little and not worth a lot. If you have join "coins", a coin can't be worth a whole lot otherwise how would anyone buy anything? How can you buy a loaf of bread if your only currency is "coins" and a coin is worth a lot? Do you have to buy 100 loaves at at time? No, a coin has to be a small amount so it can actually purchase things, so maybe a loaf of bread or a fish costs a coin which means a character went into a life threatening situation for the price of 2 loaves of bread and a fish. So yet, that who idea is a big nitpick but it perfectly encapsulates how rough draft this story feels.
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June 9, 2021This was pitched to me as being a middle grade book about gargoyles and while gargoyles were in it...it wasn't what I expected :(
June 7, 2022
I feel bad writing this, but I just did not enjoy this book very much.
Let me start by saying that it holds a lot of potential. I was very intrigued by the world-building. Basically, twenty years ago, magical creatures from another realm began to cross through a mysteriously-opened rift into a Victorian Englandesque world where some characters can create wards using leyline energies manipulated using athames (ceremonial blades). Our main characters are the children of "Ravens," the queen's elite servants/guards. This is all very interesting, yet also where everything begins to fall apart.
You see, the world was just not fleshed out enough. The cause of the rift is never broached or even teased at for future volumes. In fact, the magical creatures seem almost pointless. Magic is worked through wards, but we do not know what the grounds are for making them or why only some characters can. We know that it is set in a semi-magical unnamed kingdom ruled by the "Glass Queen," but it is unclear if it is on Earth since no historical events are referenced, yet one group of characters is named after real world cities. I'm fine with using my imagination to fill in some details, but because everything is very vague, the book did not feel grounded, and I felt like anything could happen at any time.
There is also the matter of the plot. With such a short book, I would hope that the action would start quickly, but over half the book is just buildup that really isn't relevant at all, just the main characters happening to meet each other. After a very surprising event that is not given enough page space (VERY LARGE ), the pace does pick up a bit, but the book changes into a magical academy novel. Aspects of the school are intriguing but never explored; this backdrop is not even relevant to the plot. There are also plot points that have no resolution (a coin, gem, and sword all given with no purpose), and the conflict is solved with no real effort on behalf of the protagonists.
Honestly, the characters are all interesting and I would have liked to get to know them more, but I never was given enough to actually understand them. Unfortunately, the large cast was also my biggest grievance with the book. The perspective switched on each chapter, and the chapters were incredibly short. I would just start to know what was happening in one chapter before it would switch to a different character. It was maddening.
Overall, this book had potential but did not satisfy. I hope that everyone else enjoyed it much more than I did, and I wish the best for you and the author!
Let me start by saying that it holds a lot of potential. I was very intrigued by the world-building. Basically, twenty years ago, magical creatures from another realm began to cross through a mysteriously-opened rift into a Victorian Englandesque world where some characters can create wards using leyline energies manipulated using athames (ceremonial blades). Our main characters are the children of "Ravens," the queen's elite servants/guards. This is all very interesting, yet also where everything begins to fall apart.
You see, the world was just not fleshed out enough. The cause of the rift is never broached or even teased at for future volumes. In fact, the magical creatures seem almost pointless. Magic is worked through wards, but we do not know what the grounds are for making them or why only some characters can. We know that it is set in a semi-magical unnamed kingdom ruled by the "Glass Queen," but it is unclear if it is on Earth since no historical events are referenced, yet one group of characters is named after real world cities. I'm fine with using my imagination to fill in some details, but because everything is very vague, the book did not feel grounded, and I felt like anything could happen at any time.
There is also the matter of the plot. With such a short book, I would hope that the action would start quickly, but over half the book is just buildup that really isn't relevant at all, just the main characters happening to meet each other. After a very surprising event that is not given enough page space (VERY LARGE ), the pace does pick up a bit, but the book changes into a magical academy novel. Aspects of the school are intriguing but never explored; this backdrop is not even relevant to the plot. There are also plot points that have no resolution (a coin, gem, and sword all given with no purpose), and the conflict is solved with no real effort on behalf of the protagonists.
Honestly, the characters are all interesting and I would have liked to get to know them more, but I never was given enough to actually understand them. Unfortunately, the large cast was also my biggest grievance with the book. The perspective switched on each chapter, and the chapters were incredibly short. I would just start to know what was happening in one chapter before it would switch to a different character. It was maddening.
Overall, this book had potential but did not satisfy. I hope that everyone else enjoyed it much more than I did, and I wish the best for you and the author!
February 8, 2021
I got this book as an eARC from NetGalley to review.
The Hidden Knife is a middle grade fantasy novel. There are a lot of positive aspects to the concept behind this novel. It talks about facing difficult emotions, and seeing the power in them; lots of strong female characters; building friendships across class divides; and it also features a genderfluid character, which the author specifically mentions in her closing notes. I found the inclusion of gargoyles to be a more unique element of this book, as they aren't something I've seen included in the other middle grade fantasy books that I've read.
Unfortunately, even with all the positive aspects of this book, it fell pretty far short for me. I struggled with motivation to finish it, even though it's a short novel. Perhaps part of the problem is there is a lot of content, and characters, fit into a fairly short book. It left me feeling confused and disjointed during many parts of the story. The main tragedy featured in the novel was especially jarring, and featured a character aspect that is never seen again, despite it's huge role in the tragedy scene.
I do really appreciate that the author included a character that is a genderfluid 'they', as I think that kind of representation is really important, so kudos for that!
The Hidden Knife is a middle grade fantasy novel. There are a lot of positive aspects to the concept behind this novel. It talks about facing difficult emotions, and seeing the power in them; lots of strong female characters; building friendships across class divides; and it also features a genderfluid character, which the author specifically mentions in her closing notes. I found the inclusion of gargoyles to be a more unique element of this book, as they aren't something I've seen included in the other middle grade fantasy books that I've read.
Unfortunately, even with all the positive aspects of this book, it fell pretty far short for me. I struggled with motivation to finish it, even though it's a short novel. Perhaps part of the problem is there is a lot of content, and characters, fit into a fairly short book. It left me feeling confused and disjointed during many parts of the story. The main tragedy featured in the novel was especially jarring, and featured a character aspect that is never seen again, despite it's huge role in the tragedy scene.
I do really appreciate that the author included a character that is a genderfluid 'they', as I think that kind of representation is really important, so kudos for that!
September 28, 2021
I've received an advance reader's copy of The Hidden Knife for review.
I wasn't expecting anything highly incredible and awe-inspiring from a short middle grade novel, and maybe many elements of this book sufficed as a plot, but this book ultimately fell flat.
I wasn't expecting anything highly incredible and awe-inspiring from a short middle grade novel, and maybe many elements of this book sufficed as a plot, but this book ultimately fell flat.
July 23, 2021
One day a door opened into our world from the Netherwhere and all sorts of creatures came through. Fairies, kelpies, dragonets and also gargoyles to watch over everyone. They guard particular people, such as Vicky's mother, and now Vicky herself.
I feel like I couldn't really connect with any of the characters very well, so I didn't feel all that invested in the story. It just felt a bit flat. It's such a shame as I am a huge Melissa Marr fan, but I was a bit disappointed with this one.
My favourite character was actually Rupert, a gargoyle, who didn't even make that much of an appearance. The book started to get more interesting near the end, but then it was all over very suddenly.
I feel like I couldn't really connect with any of the characters very well, so I didn't feel all that invested in the story. It just felt a bit flat. It's such a shame as I am a huge Melissa Marr fan, but I was a bit disappointed with this one.
My favourite character was actually Rupert, a gargoyle, who didn't even make that much of an appearance. The book started to get more interesting near the end, but then it was all over very suddenly.
August 11, 2021
3.5 This had such a good premise and I loved the world building, and I was so ready for this to be so good...and then it wasn't. The ending felt so rushed and everything was resolved very quickly. This could easily have turned into a series, or at least 2 books, so that things could have been developed a bit better.
May 25, 2022
There was a lot going on in this book and I worried that all of the plot points wouldn't be resolved by the end. Thankfully there is a companion book coming.
March 1, 2024
I read this with my son as it was a Mark Twain nominee. I just never got into it. It didn't have the plot it could have, it never picked up and pulled me in and I love fantasy. It just fell flat for me...
August 12, 2025
2.75 stars. This was a buddy read with a friend. The characters were fun and the plot had so much potential, but it all just fell flat. The author lays so much groundwork in part one then completely rushes part two. I feel like it needed to be divided into two books so it had more time to really flesh out the plot and the characters (especially with so many PoVs). I loved the gargoyles though, truly an underrated magical creature.
November 1, 2021
This is a middle grade fantasy. The beginning feels slow, despite things happening, because it jumps in with several POVs at once, none of which are immediately connected. That said, I liked the worldbuilding, and the plot was pretty good, though it ended rather abruptly.
September 26, 2021
The Hidden Knife (Melissa Marr)
Sometimes I just want a magical story where I can just escape without worrying about the ending. That’s the best description I can give for middle grade fantasy books. The Hidden Knife is no exception. I did not pick this book up for the tension, but I will admit there were still moments when I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next.
This story definitely is playing with a lot of typical fantasy tropes. I won’t go into detail, but I loved the way that they were flipped. This is where the tension comes into the story. Assumptions and beliefs are challenged in every group in this story.
I think this book does a great job about dealing with emotions. Through some magical means the main character of the story, Vicky, essentially dulls her emotions. It’s meant to help her, but the rest of the book has these moments where it points out how wrong that is. It helps that she finds friendship she didn’t really intend on. Her friends are so great too. They’re right there supporting her even when her plans are a little…reckless.
I liked how the school was kind of a magic school, but deadlier. Things were definitely complicated, and this queendom clearly only would accept the best. Even getting into the dorms was a puzzle.
I think the gargoyles were such a great part of the story too. They all just wanted the best for humanity. It also didn’t matter how grown up the adults of this book thought they were. To the gargoyles they were still children and that created some really funny moments. The other magical creates were really fun to see too. There’s also the way the humans have come together with the magical creatures. There’s a swordsmith who has sort of befriended the kelpies. There are little dragons who form bonds with humans and communicate telepathically.
I really hope that Melissa Marr comes back to this world. I think there are plenty more stories to be told in this world. And I really want to see everyone some more.
Sometimes I just want a magical story where I can just escape without worrying about the ending. That’s the best description I can give for middle grade fantasy books. The Hidden Knife is no exception. I did not pick this book up for the tension, but I will admit there were still moments when I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next.
This story definitely is playing with a lot of typical fantasy tropes. I won’t go into detail, but I loved the way that they were flipped. This is where the tension comes into the story. Assumptions and beliefs are challenged in every group in this story.
I think this book does a great job about dealing with emotions. Through some magical means the main character of the story, Vicky, essentially dulls her emotions. It’s meant to help her, but the rest of the book has these moments where it points out how wrong that is. It helps that she finds friendship she didn’t really intend on. Her friends are so great too. They’re right there supporting her even when her plans are a little…reckless.
I liked how the school was kind of a magic school, but deadlier. Things were definitely complicated, and this queendom clearly only would accept the best. Even getting into the dorms was a puzzle.
I think the gargoyles were such a great part of the story too. They all just wanted the best for humanity. It also didn’t matter how grown up the adults of this book thought they were. To the gargoyles they were still children and that created some really funny moments. The other magical creates were really fun to see too. There’s also the way the humans have come together with the magical creatures. There’s a swordsmith who has sort of befriended the kelpies. There are little dragons who form bonds with humans and communicate telepathically.
I really hope that Melissa Marr comes back to this world. I think there are plenty more stories to be told in this world. And I really want to see everyone some more.
June 20, 2021
An amazing adventure for young readers! My 8 year old loved getting lost in the book and said she would love to see it as a movie. As a young reader, she did need help with a few words. However, overall the book was easy for her to read and comprehend. This is a great purchase to increase vocabulary for young readers and is entertaining for adults as well.
May 7, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Because I read an arc all my quotes are based on uncorrected text and might be subject to change in the final version.
***
The Hidden Knife by Melissa Marr is a middle grade, fantasy stand-alone novel.
Twenty years ago, when Vicky’s mom was young, a door opened up between their world and the Netherwhere and magical creatures passed through. Most notable where the gargoyles who made a special connection with the humans and had a fondness for them and see time not linearly but past, present, and future all at once. Time doesn’t mean the same thing to them. At that time the young glass queen was taking steps towards change and Vicky’s mom and several of her friends were set on guarding the queen and seeing that change happen.
In the here and now things are changed, Vicky’s mom left the life of the court behind and doesn’t have as much trust in the queen as she once did and has done her best to keep Vicky far from that part of her life. Unfortunately an awful incident sends Vicky onto the path anyway and she runs into friends of her mother and the progeny of one of them and makes allies as she works towards justice.
***
Vicky was a girl after my own heart:
“Although Vicky wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she grew up, she knew that being a spy or soldier or an alchemist wasn’t it. Sometimes she wished there was a job that was just reading. That sounded like the best job. Swords for fun, books for work—Vicky could do that job.”
The gargoyles, particularly Rupert, were great. This might be my favorite depiction of gargoyles I’ve read in a book. Their ability to see time differently and the interactions with humans were a really big draw to me in the book.
“It made him smile. Well, as much a gargoyle smiled. The effort of turning a stone face into a human expression was slow, and he often found himself distracted midway.”
“He’d help them see that each choice in life mattered. Each small moment of courage and each time love overcame fear added up. With enough small ripples, entire oceans could be shifted. These acts of love, of loyalty, of justice would one day build into a mighty force that could create a great change.”
The story’s world was really cool and I enjoyed it greatly. The inclusion of the different magical creatures, the magic, the fighting, court intrigue, queen’s poisoner in training, so many fascinating things in this story, and all the things my former younger self would have loved.
Unfortunately the story fell a bit flat for me, everything felt very rushed, and I honestly feel this story would have done better having been either a bit longer or split into a second part to give this world and story what it truly deserved because there were a lot of great things in here.
I still feel there will be a lot of younger readers who will enjoy this book and I would still recommend it to younger readers looking for a fun magic read.
***
The Hidden Knife by Melissa Marr is a middle grade, fantasy stand-alone novel.
Twenty years ago, when Vicky’s mom was young, a door opened up between their world and the Netherwhere and magical creatures passed through. Most notable where the gargoyles who made a special connection with the humans and had a fondness for them and see time not linearly but past, present, and future all at once. Time doesn’t mean the same thing to them. At that time the young glass queen was taking steps towards change and Vicky’s mom and several of her friends were set on guarding the queen and seeing that change happen.
In the here and now things are changed, Vicky’s mom left the life of the court behind and doesn’t have as much trust in the queen as she once did and has done her best to keep Vicky far from that part of her life. Unfortunately an awful incident sends Vicky onto the path anyway and she runs into friends of her mother and the progeny of one of them and makes allies as she works towards justice.
***
Vicky was a girl after my own heart:
“Although Vicky wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she grew up, she knew that being a spy or soldier or an alchemist wasn’t it. Sometimes she wished there was a job that was just reading. That sounded like the best job. Swords for fun, books for work—Vicky could do that job.”
The gargoyles, particularly Rupert, were great. This might be my favorite depiction of gargoyles I’ve read in a book. Their ability to see time differently and the interactions with humans were a really big draw to me in the book.
“It made him smile. Well, as much a gargoyle smiled. The effort of turning a stone face into a human expression was slow, and he often found himself distracted midway.”
“He’d help them see that each choice in life mattered. Each small moment of courage and each time love overcame fear added up. With enough small ripples, entire oceans could be shifted. These acts of love, of loyalty, of justice would one day build into a mighty force that could create a great change.”
The story’s world was really cool and I enjoyed it greatly. The inclusion of the different magical creatures, the magic, the fighting, court intrigue, queen’s poisoner in training, so many fascinating things in this story, and all the things my former younger self would have loved.
Unfortunately the story fell a bit flat for me, everything felt very rushed, and I honestly feel this story would have done better having been either a bit longer or split into a second part to give this world and story what it truly deserved because there were a lot of great things in here.
I still feel there will be a lot of younger readers who will enjoy this book and I would still recommend it to younger readers looking for a fun magic read.
July 25, 2023
This book really had potential to be amazing, but it fell victim to poor pacing and flat writing. The premise of this book is actually awesome. A portal has opened between two worlds, and creatures from the Netherwhere, including gargoyles, fairies, and kelpies, have entered the human realm. The gargoyles see themselves as caretakers of the humans and gently guide their actions. Meanwhile, a young girl named Vicky is hidden away from court by her parents. Unbeknownst to her, she is the only heir to the queen and is in mortal danger as all the queen’s relatives have been murdered. Eventually she attends school in the kingdom and meets some other friends and go off on a dangerous adventure to save the kingdom. Awesome, right?
What isn’t awesome is that Vicky doesn’t even get to school until midway through the book. The first half just drags on so slowly, and I was incredibly bored. The second half is exponentially better than the first, but with limited time and space, the story isn’t able to adequately address all the themes, characters, and details that pop up in the story. I would have loved to know more about the school and the individual characters’ backstories and motivations. It’s a bummer, because this really could have been an excellent book!
What isn’t awesome is that Vicky doesn’t even get to school until midway through the book. The first half just drags on so slowly, and I was incredibly bored. The second half is exponentially better than the first, but with limited time and space, the story isn’t able to adequately address all the themes, characters, and details that pop up in the story. I would have loved to know more about the school and the individual characters’ backstories and motivations. It’s a bummer, because this really could have been an excellent book!
June 21, 2024
Great book ! Was a little fast paced towards the end, but I liked it anyway.
July 18, 2023
This review is for the Audiobook version narrated by Kelsey Griffin
ISBN 9780593341582 - Published June 2021, by Books on Tape, Listening Library
(not in Goodreads catalogue at time of review)
This is what happens when I find book-two before I find book-one. This is the first book in the series of books in the world that features the Netherwhere. After looking at the places that promote and sell these books, apart from the names being similar (The Hidden Knife, and The Hidden Dragon) there is no emphasis that these books take part in the same universe... but they do.
Thematically, this is a story that leans into doing small goods, in the hope that you can positively influence the future, bit by bit. I think it's a valuable idea to instill in children, and the unspoken inverse is that small bads, can eventually undo good things. I think that my kids would enjoy this one if they read it.
This first book has a lot more of a "magic school" feel than the second book, but I was mollified to feel that my guess that there was a Peter Pan energy in the second book is renewed in the first, when people talk about cutting off one's shadow. Reading in reverse order gives me the feeling that I am reading a prequel, as characters that appear in the second book now have more "backstory" for me. The magic school is a good way of world building, as you end up with a bunch of experts teaching a bunch of kids about the special character of magic in this world, some of the magical beings are explained and the importance of Ward Working, swordplay and Alchemy.
The feel of the two stories is not the same. It seems almost like the second book is aimed at a still younger audience than the first. The first book has a "city" dangerous feel, with more emphasis on the life of the Thieves and the students at Corvus (the School for the Artfully Inclined). The second book feels more "magical adventure" as there is more focus on a girl who comes from the sea. In the first book our main character is London, and in the second book he takes a back seat and is more secondary.
All up, it seems that there are machinations that affect the royalty that the children in our story are not clued up on, but for the most part they seem to be oblivious to the fact that they are in the dark.. they don't know what they don't know. This seems like it could play out into a tangled intrigue in a third book? but I really don't know how it would be done in a book for 12 year olds, without it feeling dumbed down. I continually feel like I have secrets tantalising me, and that nobody is even interested in taking a look behind that curtain (what curtain?) Yay.. we meet our own goals!.. mostly.. but what's REALLY going on? Who is pulling strings, and why are they messing with the Glass Queen?
If there's another book I will check it out, but I hope for better than I'm getting!
ISBN 9780593341582 - Published June 2021, by Books on Tape, Listening Library
(not in Goodreads catalogue at time of review)
This is what happens when I find book-two before I find book-one. This is the first book in the series of books in the world that features the Netherwhere. After looking at the places that promote and sell these books, apart from the names being similar (The Hidden Knife, and The Hidden Dragon) there is no emphasis that these books take part in the same universe... but they do.
Thematically, this is a story that leans into doing small goods, in the hope that you can positively influence the future, bit by bit. I think it's a valuable idea to instill in children, and the unspoken inverse is that small bads, can eventually undo good things. I think that my kids would enjoy this one if they read it.
This first book has a lot more of a "magic school" feel than the second book, but I was mollified to feel that my guess that there was a Peter Pan energy in the second book is renewed in the first, when people talk about cutting off one's shadow. Reading in reverse order gives me the feeling that I am reading a prequel, as characters that appear in the second book now have more "backstory" for me. The magic school is a good way of world building, as you end up with a bunch of experts teaching a bunch of kids about the special character of magic in this world, some of the magical beings are explained and the importance of Ward Working, swordplay and Alchemy.
The feel of the two stories is not the same. It seems almost like the second book is aimed at a still younger audience than the first. The first book has a "city" dangerous feel, with more emphasis on the life of the Thieves and the students at Corvus (the School for the Artfully Inclined). The second book feels more "magical adventure" as there is more focus on a girl who comes from the sea. In the first book our main character is London, and in the second book he takes a back seat and is more secondary.
All up, it seems that there are machinations that affect the royalty that the children in our story are not clued up on, but for the most part they seem to be oblivious to the fact that they are in the dark.. they don't know what they don't know. This seems like it could play out into a tangled intrigue in a third book? but I really don't know how it would be done in a book for 12 year olds, without it feeling dumbed down. I continually feel like I have secrets tantalising me, and that nobody is even interested in taking a look behind that curtain (what curtain?) Yay.. we meet our own goals!.. mostly.. but what's REALLY going on? Who is pulling strings, and why are they messing with the Glass Queen?
If there's another book I will check it out, but I hope for better than I'm getting!
August 16, 2025
This book kind of fell flat for me — maybe it was the other books I was reading around this time — because the ending wasn’t great. This book had a lot of exposition (I would say all of part one was exposition), which was good because it meant more world building and more time to get to know the characters. But because of that, it meant there wasn’t much time for the main problem and the conclusion to the problem. And because of that, the ending felt rushed and not very well explained. It felt like things were only happening because the author was forcing the ending and not because the characters would actually do things that fast.
After the main problem is introduced (at the very end of part one), we get part two. Part two felt more rushed than the slower pace of part one. For example, after Vicky decides to go to Corvus, she spends maybe three days there before she leaves. In this time she gets her swords, we get an official introduction to Meredith, and she finds a character to be the villain. She only believes this character is the bad one because her parents didn’t trust him and because she doesn’t get a good vibe of him. Like what? And then Vicky and her friends immediately leave, they don’t question her reasoning at all. I don’t want to spoil the ending too much, but it felt like one thing happened, then the next, then the next, with no time in between.
Maybe us the author added another fifty pages or so, the ending wouldn’t feel as rushed and I wouldn’t be so confused as to why things happened as the did. I don’t think this book was bad, it’s just the ending kind of ruined it for me. I liked the characters and story, I liked the way the story was going, it just was rushed. I also don’t understand why there is only one boy on the cover when there are two main male characters (Milan and Algernon)? I don’t know which one the boy is supposed to be either.
After the main problem is introduced (at the very end of part one), we get part two. Part two felt more rushed than the slower pace of part one. For example, after Vicky decides to go to Corvus, she spends maybe three days there before she leaves. In this time she gets her swords, we get an official introduction to Meredith, and she finds a character to be the villain. She only believes this character is the bad one because her parents didn’t trust him and because she doesn’t get a good vibe of him. Like what? And then Vicky and her friends immediately leave, they don’t question her reasoning at all. I don’t want to spoil the ending too much, but it felt like one thing happened, then the next, then the next, with no time in between.
Maybe us the author added another fifty pages or so, the ending wouldn’t feel as rushed and I wouldn’t be so confused as to why things happened as the did. I don’t think this book was bad, it’s just the ending kind of ruined it for me. I liked the characters and story, I liked the way the story was going, it just was rushed. I also don’t understand why there is only one boy on the cover when there are two main male characters (Milan and Algernon)? I don’t know which one the boy is supposed to be either.
March 31, 2023
I loved the world building in the first half of this book. I was getting attached to the characters, and then the second half started, and I am not sure what happened.
First of all, I hate what the author did to the main character, even though I know it was a plot choice, it made her unlikable to the point of not wanting to read about her. The entire second half felt very rushed, as well. It was like some fever dream that I couldn't escape.
There were points were I felt like the author was stating the point too explicitly (like saying "were friends just another sort of family?"). And then there were parts where she just left out vital information or descriptions of what was happening, to the point that I was rereading passages to try to see if I had misread something.
There were also almost no struggles for the characters, (they needed to go to the netherworld, so a dragonet came and led them there. They needed to see the Chimera, and all of a sudden there it was.) A huge focus in the story was Vicky's skills with a sword and an athame, yet she never really used them to defend herself, because she never had more than a little scuffle in the streets. And the fact that her sisters were magically still alive in the end, and nobody thought to mention that their bodies were never found?
But mostly the ending was just bland and unrealistic. She brings the queen a potion to heal her lack of emotions/Shadow, and then everything is Sunshine and rainbows.
So, I gave this book 3 stars because it was easy to read (until my eyes started rolling towards the end) and entertaining, but it could have been much better if it hadn't been so rushed in the second half.
First of all, I hate what the author did to the main character, even though I know it was a plot choice, it made her unlikable to the point of not wanting to read about her. The entire second half felt very rushed, as well. It was like some fever dream that I couldn't escape.
There were points were I felt like the author was stating the point too explicitly (like saying "were friends just another sort of family?"). And then there were parts where she just left out vital information or descriptions of what was happening, to the point that I was rereading passages to try to see if I had misread something.
There were also almost no struggles for the characters, (they needed to go to the netherworld, so a dragonet came and led them there. They needed to see the Chimera, and all of a sudden there it was.) A huge focus in the story was Vicky's skills with a sword and an athame, yet she never really used them to defend herself, because she never had more than a little scuffle in the streets. And the fact that her sisters were magically still alive in the end, and nobody thought to mention that their bodies were never found?
But mostly the ending was just bland and unrealistic. She brings the queen a potion to heal her lack of emotions/Shadow, and then everything is Sunshine and rainbows.
So, I gave this book 3 stars because it was easy to read (until my eyes started rolling towards the end) and entertaining, but it could have been much better if it hadn't been so rushed in the second half.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
Vicky Wardrop has had an interesting childhood. Her parents were once members of the Queen’s elite guard, the Ravens. Rupert, a gargoyle who came from the Netherwhere twenty years ago, has been an advisor and guardian for her mother, Kat, and has taken on the same role for Vicky and her siblings. Vicky has been trained extensively in defensive combat and warding, but knows very little about the circumstances that caused her parents to leave the Queen’s Court. When tragedy strikes, Vicky enters into the world her parents tried so hard to keep her from, swearing to take her revenge on those who harmed her family. At school, she finds it harder than she imagined to focus solely on the objective of revenge, as a number of other students have decided that they are her friends.
While the climax and culmination of the book felt a bit rushed, I think that this is a strong middle grade fantasy novel with a lot of space to explore more extensive world building. The structure of the novel suggests that it was written as a standalone novel, but the foundations of the world beg for more exploration in a sequel or companion book (and according to Marr’s website, there is one in the works!). I would recommend this book for young fantasy readers, and/or to later middle grade readers who are looking for a fantasy novel without a romance subplot.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
While the climax and culmination of the book felt a bit rushed, I think that this is a strong middle grade fantasy novel with a lot of space to explore more extensive world building. The structure of the novel suggests that it was written as a standalone novel, but the foundations of the world beg for more exploration in a sequel or companion book (and according to Marr’s website, there is one in the works!). I would recommend this book for young fantasy readers, and/or to later middle grade readers who are looking for a fantasy novel without a romance subplot.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
May 21, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
Fantasy novel for middle grade readers. Told from a variety of character perspectives. The early part of the book is heavily focused on character development with hints of the plot and adventures to come. Readers meet a Gargoyle who came through to the human kingdom years ago and connected with/watched over a group of children who were destined to protect and preserve the kingdom. Readers also meet the current generation as children learning who they are and what their purpose is. Vicky, Algernon, Milan and Merry must learn to trust each other and draw on their individual strengths to rescue the current queen and protect her and their kingdom from those who would destroy it from within. Those remaining in the older generation protect them and guide them as they face danger at school and home. Together, they venture into Netherwhere and meet the chimera. It offers a cure for Vicky and a way to save the queen. In the end, the four are united and ready to continue learning their new roles.
The overall story worked but there were a few jarring transitions from one narrator to the next and the plot was thin in places.
Though this is a stand alone volume, it would be interesting to see a sequel set a few years in the future.
Fantasy novel for middle grade readers. Told from a variety of character perspectives. The early part of the book is heavily focused on character development with hints of the plot and adventures to come. Readers meet a Gargoyle who came through to the human kingdom years ago and connected with/watched over a group of children who were destined to protect and preserve the kingdom. Readers also meet the current generation as children learning who they are and what their purpose is. Vicky, Algernon, Milan and Merry must learn to trust each other and draw on their individual strengths to rescue the current queen and protect her and their kingdom from those who would destroy it from within. Those remaining in the older generation protect them and guide them as they face danger at school and home. Together, they venture into Netherwhere and meet the chimera. It offers a cure for Vicky and a way to save the queen. In the end, the four are united and ready to continue learning their new roles.
The overall story worked but there were a few jarring transitions from one narrator to the next and the plot was thin in places.
Though this is a stand alone volume, it would be interesting to see a sequel set a few years in the future.
January 11, 2026
Gargoyles (and also fairies and kelpies and maybe tiny dragons) came into the real world, and the Gargoyles have been watching the glass queen ever since. She was good, but then she got less good. In other news, Cat was a student with the queen but then retired and kept her three daughters away from the palace. Also, there are some thieves who live with the alchemist. Eventually, they'll all have to work together to figure out what happened to Victoria's family and how to get Vicky to stop acting so strange.
I'm kind of trying to make this book sound not like a mess. But I admit I'm baffled. The beginning gave it a lot of good setup ... that set up a story we didn't get. I kept getting to a new chapter and thinking "ah, now at last we've come to the REAL plot," only to find that everything changed yet again and the goals and climactic moments actually meant nothing. NOTHING. I'm upset. I really wanted to like this world, and I loved the characters and the narration and the magic. But what on earth is going on??? Where's the resolution? Why does the real problem only show up two chapters from the end?
I'm kind of trying to make this book sound not like a mess. But I admit I'm baffled. The beginning gave it a lot of good setup ... that set up a story we didn't get. I kept getting to a new chapter and thinking "ah, now at last we've come to the REAL plot," only to find that everything changed yet again and the goals and climactic moments actually meant nothing. NOTHING. I'm upset. I really wanted to like this world, and I loved the characters and the narration and the magic. But what on earth is going on??? Where's the resolution? Why does the real problem only show up two chapters from the end?
March 28, 2021
The Hidden Knife opens with Rupert, a gargoyle, making his way into a new world through a door from Netherwhere. He meets a group of children who he decides to accept as his family. These children grow up, become adults, and have or adopt their own children. These children's stories are told through the alternating chapters as they struggle to learn their family traditions, how they came to exist, and find their place within their homes. As they engage in this learning, they try to protect themselves and decide whether the Glass Queen is trustworthy or not.
I would recommend this text to children who enjoy action, fantasy, or adventure stories or stories with female protagonists. This text emphasized the theme of trust and separated itself from several tropes I associate with fantasy. Overall, I enjoyed that this text had a calmer adventure that deviated from the ups and downs of a regular hero's journey. However, there are a few questions that were left unanswered for me.
http://librarianofeating.ca/?p=2434
I would recommend this text to children who enjoy action, fantasy, or adventure stories or stories with female protagonists. This text emphasized the theme of trust and separated itself from several tropes I associate with fantasy. Overall, I enjoyed that this text had a calmer adventure that deviated from the ups and downs of a regular hero's journey. However, there are a few questions that were left unanswered for me.
http://librarianofeating.ca/?p=2434
June 2, 2021
This is a unique and enjoyable MG fantasy that is a quick and easy read. You find yourself in a magical world filled with gargoyles, kelpies, fairies.
It's about a girl, Vicki, who has grown up with a gargoyle keeping an eye on her and she's good with swords and magic, but there are still things she doesn't know tied to family secrets and things. A lot of this book sets the groundwork for everything and has a lot of character development also.
After a horrible tragedy occurs involving Vicki's family, she finds herself at a school where she starts to train and hone her skills with swords, magic, and the like. She also befriends and starts hanging out with some others, a former street thief and an alchemy student among others, who ally themselves with her and her cause to avenge her family.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group for letting me read and review this quick and fun MG read. All opinions are my own.
It's about a girl, Vicki, who has grown up with a gargoyle keeping an eye on her and she's good with swords and magic, but there are still things she doesn't know tied to family secrets and things. A lot of this book sets the groundwork for everything and has a lot of character development also.
After a horrible tragedy occurs involving Vicki's family, she finds herself at a school where she starts to train and hone her skills with swords, magic, and the like. She also befriends and starts hanging out with some others, a former street thief and an alchemy student among others, who ally themselves with her and her cause to avenge her family.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group for letting me read and review this quick and fun MG read. All opinions are my own.
May 15, 2021
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. This is a middle grade book and I was looking forward to a nice fantasy book. Now it definitely as many aspects that were good. I liked the world and how they briefly explained the Netherworld. I liked the various fantasy creatures and how they were rather mysterious. The main problem for me would be the plot. I really didn't feel like there was a plot. The first part of the book was just meeting the characters. Half way through the book I felt like a solid plot was just beginning. But in the end it wasn't really wrapped up or solved. I also didn't have any real feelings for the characters.
I'll let my son decide (who is the target audience at least age wise) if he wants to read it. I don't think he'll be interested in the darker magical school. And I can imagine him having trouble understanding how honorable and wonderful thieves are.
I'll let my son decide (who is the target audience at least age wise) if he wants to read it. I don't think he'll be interested in the darker magical school. And I can imagine him having trouble understanding how honorable and wonderful thieves are.
June 18, 2023
Rated 2.5 but rounded up to 3.
This book is really hard to get into. Uses the first third of the book to set up the characters and backstory which is HEAVY in the fantasy elements. I did not want to finish reading this book but had to stay with it so that I could discuss it with students later. I'm glad I stuck with it-which is why I rounded up to 3 stars. Once the background and character building is complete the story is actually pretty good and then just ends....felt like it was trying to set up anticipation for a sequel or series but then just ends.
Also really bugged by the character Algernon.....everytime I heard his name I would mentally say "Flowers for Algernon" and annoy myself.
Also had a big Harry Potter vibe with the sorting into houses and school for students with special gifts.
This book is really hard to get into. Uses the first third of the book to set up the characters and backstory which is HEAVY in the fantasy elements. I did not want to finish reading this book but had to stay with it so that I could discuss it with students later. I'm glad I stuck with it-which is why I rounded up to 3 stars. Once the background and character building is complete the story is actually pretty good and then just ends....felt like it was trying to set up anticipation for a sequel or series but then just ends.
Also really bugged by the character Algernon.....everytime I heard his name I would mentally say "Flowers for Algernon" and annoy myself.
Also had a big Harry Potter vibe with the sorting into houses and school for students with special gifts.
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