This novel promised a lot but I began to lose interest and am trying to work out why that is. The start is interesting and, of course, reminiscent of the Harry Potter series.
Unfortunately, I couldn't really picture the surroundings. There isn't the anticipated contrast between the world outside the Arcanum Training Institute which our hero Ella is already familiar with and the customs, dress, teaching and people she encounters inside. All is strange and bizarre to the reader.
I needed more graphic detail. Or maybe fewer oddities with strange names. At times I lost track of whether a rottie is an animal, a machine, a spirit or a magical entity. Likewise conjure companions, starfolk, automats, photo-balloons, bell-blimps, pixies, coppers, saints, star messengers, starfruit, milk dragons, pocket doors and many more.
I particularly enjoyed the parts involving spices and it was good to be on (mostly) known territory in the spice lab.
Overall I admire this imaginative creation of Dhonielle Clayton but I didn't really find my footing in the Marvellers' world and may not return for a second helping when the next in the series is published.
Unfortunately, I couldn't really picture the surroundings. There isn't the anticipated contrast between the world outside the Arcanum Training Institute which our hero Ella is already familiar with and the customs, dress, teaching and people she encounters inside. All is strange and bizarre to the reader.
I needed more graphic detail. Or maybe fewer oddities with strange names. At times I lost track of whether a rottie is an animal, a machine, a spirit or a magical entity. Likewise conjure companions, starfolk, automats, photo-balloons, bell-blimps, pixies, coppers, saints, star messengers, starfruit, milk dragons, pocket doors and many more.
I particularly enjoyed the parts involving spices and it was good to be on (mostly) known territory in the spice lab.
Overall I admire this imaginative creation of Dhonielle Clayton but I didn't really find my footing in the Marvellers' world and may not return for a second helping when the next in the series is published.