Not bad

I like the idea behind the magic of written word! The writing was overall pleasant to read, but something about this book doesn’t really make me interested in reading the next in this series. To be honest I’m not quite sure what about this story is making me reluctant....

WOW

Fantastic world building, compelling characters, both fairytale elements and Austen-like couplings. I can not wait to read the rest. Amazing

3.5 ⭐
Hmm... this book was... interesting.
I liked the idea if this book. A country where reading and writing is illegal and a common girl has powers? Yes pleeaasse.
I liked some parts of it, and the plot had enough tension to force me to finish it in a day. And yes, it was predictable. I guessed some of the twists easily. But I still liked it!! I'd say the plot was the main reason that this book has 3.5 stars. Otherwise, if the plot was even half as bad as the romance, it'd get one. More about that later. And I had a few favorite scenes!!
*the scene she FINALLY realizes her full powers
* the scene where Lucas stands up for her at the library
The ending was kind of all over, too. I was confused about WHO the bad guy is and how Elena figured it out. Is it just me or did Elena just point to the first guy she saw and say "Its him. He kidnapped me."
Tbh I'm not surprised that Lucas doesn't believe her.
Well, other parts could be taken out and I wouldn't really mind. Like the romance. The romance was a HUGE disappointment, and is INCOMPLETE??!! Seriously. Not that I want Elena to end up with Lucas--he is NOT the guy for her. Just trust me on that one.
The romance reminded me of Celine and Oliver's from A Crown of Snow and Ice if the enchantment had never been broken and Oliver's heart remained frozen. Lucas was rude, and would be all chatty and sweet to her one day, and the next give her the cold shoulder for no apparent reason.
Yeah. I don't know what Elena saw in Lucas. It's not like he has a character arc either.
And they only talk like four times in three sentence conversations, (plus the library), and then somehow Elena falls for him??
Elena made me just as frustrated at times too. She's being kidnapped and is like, "Oh, what should I do? I'm so helpless."
Really? You have freakin powers, girl. Don't just lay there helplessly while they kidnap you!

Elena really reminded of Celine from A Crown of Snow and Ice, too. She was almost a carbon copy of her, just given a new name and face. She's very impulsive, doubts herself constantly, and has very cool powers. See? Just like Celine.
I don't know if I'd read the rest of this series.
I liked this book well enough, (thus the three stars), and the plot is intriguing. Very addictive. But the romance fell flat and just wasn't there, and there was no happy ending with a ribbon on top. Nooope.
I expected more from Melanie Cellier. I guess I'm back on my brainwash theory. She must've been brainwashed into writing such terrible romance! Because really, as I said before, the plot was really good. Just not Lucas or the romance.

Age recommendation: 13+ (younger would be fine too as long as they're ok with the content below!)

CW/TW: one kiss with no details, an almost kiss, mentions of handsome guys and some mild physical attraction, an almost embrace, embraces, noticing touches and closeness

two almost kidnappings, semi detailed, fighting, knocking her captors unconscious with powers, mentions of execution, (they want to execute Elena but Lucas steps in and saves her), Elena is a non-blood in a mages boarding school, and is treated like dirt by some of the kids, punches, kicks, getting attacked by classmates, some arguing, mentions of war and being forced to fight in it, Elena gets jabbed by a dull sword

Elena can do magic by speaking words, she's a "mage" (the rest of her family isn't and it's said that she has a mage in her ancestry), there's a magic system where non-bloods aren't allowed to read or write because it's dangerous, and people of higher rank aka mages can unleash their powers through it.

Fine, but not really for me I guess