Whenever I finish a book and want to write a review, I struggle with what to write.
"It was good". Yes, it was, but why do I feel like The Mageye has been such a good book? What makes this book so special? I asked myself these questions and I realized that there are actually quite a few things:
Without having even finished Chapter One of The Mageye, I already fell in love with the Crawford siblings. Not only because they are protective of each other and have just the right amount of comedy, but because they are written so realistically. Kaufmann has done an amazing job at describing and introducing all of them and even if they do not play such a big part in this book, they own my heart (especially Raymond;)).
The reader gets introduced to a whole new world: Alveraada. And unlike other fantasy novels that tend to overwhelm people with their infodump, Alveraada's "basics" are introduced and added to once in a while, making it not at all overwhelming to learn about this new world.
After reading tons of fantasy books, you start to think that there is no other "magic system" out there for someone to create. But The Mageye mixes already used rules with new aspects and I truly think that the tip Myles gives Rose "always expect the unexpected to be unexpected" gets more genius the more you think about it.
One of my favourite things in books is foreshadowing and The Mageye did quite a good job with that. Sometimes you notice it right away, sometimes you have to read it again later to truly understand it, but there is so much foreshadowing in this book (and maybe I will learn to understand that some of it has actually been foreshadowing after I've read the next two books).
I personally did not always agree with the main character, Rose, but I feel like that is part of her character and her development in the story.
Even though most of the book basically revolves around Myles and Rose hiking and sleeping for weeks it is never boring. Kaufman has found the perfect balance of comedy, action, seriousness and emotions that lets the story always feel "fresh".
The Mageye managed to get me out of a reading slump (something which not many books are able to do) and I can't wait for the next books!