Helpful Score: 1
Faris Nallaneen is the heir to the small northern dukedom of Galazon; but until she reaches her majority, her despotic uncle rules with an iron hand. He has banished her to college, to keep her out of the country and out of his way. But little does he reckon on the specialty that is taught at the College of Greennlaw. That specialty is magic...and Faris shall prove to be an apt student indeed!
Karen R. (karendawn) reviewed A College of Magics (College of Magics, Bk 1) on + 287 more book reviews
It took me a while to get into this book (it was probably due to my being busy moving, not with any fault of the book), but once I did, I enjoyed the book. I wish I hadn't read it while I was busy with other stuff because I do think that took away some of the enjoyment of the book from me.
Taylor A. (Happybunny) reviewed A College of Magics (College of Magics, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Great book!
Delightful fantasy.
How does a girl learn magic?
At a college for magicians...
How does a girl learn magic?
At a college for magicians...
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
I discovered this title on PBS' "Where to start in fantasy" list. If I actually had "started in fantasy" with this book, I never would have returned.
I've never before read a book with "magic" in the title in which so little magic actually happens. In the first third of the book, Faris, the protagonist, and friends are attending a college of witches/magicians where no magic is actually taught and no one is allowed to practice magic. There are vague references throughout to the "structure of the world" and "anchors" and "wardens," but none of these magical elements is ever really elaborated.
Faris is petulant and contrary and not very likeable, while her Greenlaw College friends are so nondescript as to be indistinguishable. Faris is convinced that her uncle/guardian is out to get her, but other than him not having maintained Faris' wardrobe during her childhood, there are no clear reasons to warrant her suspicion that he actually wants to dispose of her.
Finally, Stevermer manages to make her tale's most exciting moments utterly anti-climactic. As a result, though the writing (style) was good, the story was just really uninteresting.
Overall, this book felt like a sketch or an outline that somehow made it's way into a published novel before the author had flushed out any of her ideas.
I've never before read a book with "magic" in the title in which so little magic actually happens. In the first third of the book, Faris, the protagonist, and friends are attending a college of witches/magicians where no magic is actually taught and no one is allowed to practice magic. There are vague references throughout to the "structure of the world" and "anchors" and "wardens," but none of these magical elements is ever really elaborated.
Faris is petulant and contrary and not very likeable, while her Greenlaw College friends are so nondescript as to be indistinguishable. Faris is convinced that her uncle/guardian is out to get her, but other than him not having maintained Faris' wardrobe during her childhood, there are no clear reasons to warrant her suspicion that he actually wants to dispose of her.
Finally, Stevermer manages to make her tale's most exciting moments utterly anti-climactic. As a result, though the writing (style) was good, the story was just really uninteresting.
Overall, this book felt like a sketch or an outline that somehow made it's way into a published novel before the author had flushed out any of her ideas.
Loriann S. (nalastormhunter) reviewed A College of Magics (College of Magics, Bk 1) on + 35 more book reviews
I couldn't get into it very much. Not my kind of story, I guess.
