5 ⭐️

Before I first read this book, I had been dreaming of a book that did not revolve around the heroes for quite a while. Boy, am I glad Patrick Ness decided to write one! A contemporary novel within an urban fantasy world.

Not only does this novel shows us the other side of the medal, but it's also such good anxiety rep! I don't get stuck in loops like Mike does (my thing's replacing objects in order), but I totally get the compulsive need to do something out of anxiety, without knowing if not acting on that need would really do any damage.

All the characters were really likable (except Nathan, but it would be impossible any other way, since we discover him through Mike's POV) and the story stood on its on even without the second narrative at the beginning of each chapter. In fact, the addition of that second narrative telling us the "big" story actually gives a plus value to the original storyline.

Much like my first read, I compare this novel to Buffy's episodes "The Zeppo" (season 3) and "Potential" (season 7), where the characters that don't have any magic power are the real heroes.

I do have to say I'm a bit offended that Ness made the Principal French Canadian. Don't get me wrong, love seeing us represented, but this is really crappy rep 😅 We do not sound boring when we speak English. If anything, we're probably amongst the most lively Canadians.

And nice touch with Bolts of Fire. I am guessing they're taking after One Direction (and many other boybands) and, if they do, then I am slightly offended that Ness thought Louis needed his voice modified by a computer (he's the only one the description could remotely fit in the band) 😝