The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell - A Book Review

I got this book as a Goodreads giveaway (my first win!) and I put off reading it for a while because I had so many other books in my TBR that I wanted to read, and I think that I wanted to wait for the right time to read it. And the beginning of my last semester of undergrad felt like the time.

Now, due to it being my last semester, I only read the book when my homework was done (or done enough that I didn't have to stress the rest of the night or into the morning). I really needed them good grades. When I was able to read I was able to get at least five chapters done at a time, so I was able to read through it decently quickly. Still, it took me SEVEN MONTHS TO READ IT IN TOTAL.

Reading speeds do vary from person to person, and even from book to book, but I get so ashamed in myself when I take this long to read a book. My reading challenge isn't happy with me either, but I'm still happy that I was able to finish it!

I was so enamored by the characters and the storyline. I found myself wanted to dress up like Esta or Viola while I was reading it because the description of their outfits was something I was into. So was Harte but I digress. ANYWAY, the twists and turns in this book threw me, even if I sort of saw them coming, because of how the reader was introduced to them. It was through another character's eyes and it was their shock that became my shock.


When I first got this book (or first entered the giveaway) I wasn't 100% sold on it, but thank goodness that I won it or I would probably never read this book as soon as I did! When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about it, wondering who the Magician was, what they wanted, and eating up every intense moment between Esta and Harte.

I really liked the mix of present day and past New York in the story too. The differences, while not the main focus of the book, were nice and perfect enough to transport me there. The inclusion of the Brink that surrounded the city I liked as well because it added danger to the characters, and brought even more intrigue to the plot.

My favorite in the story was Esta. Her love for everyone and the internal fight she had when just trying to go about her mission was something that I related to (not that I've ever traveled time) and I found myself rooting for her at every turn. I also really liked Dolph. He, in my mind, was like a cool mix of a father and uncle figure with the way he cared for those in his crew and those under his protection.

My rating: 5 stars

I recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and strong female characters too. I think, besides the villains who we all love to hate, there wasn't ONE character that I disliked, they were all well-rounded individuals with their own lives and helped move the story along.

Let me know if you feel the same way if you've read this book. I need to find more people who have read it to talk about it more now that I've finished!

À bientôt!

Photo/GIF creds: my photo of book and stones, Sam from iCarly,

Goodreads Book Tag

I am stealing this tag from Amber at The Literary Phoenix because I really liked it and I thought it would be fun to look more towards my Goodreads besides the system I put books into.

Now, some of these answers may be different from when you read this to when I have written this, but that's because I go one a lot and update everything at least once a week.

What was the last book you marked as read?

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

What are you currently reading?

I have four books in my currently reading at the moment haha, but three of them are school related. I am reading:

1. Maria Chapdelaine by Louis Hémon
2. A Distinct Alien Race by David Vermette
3. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
4. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.

What was the last book you marked as TBR?

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

What book do you plan to read next?

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa. I plan what books I read next with the whiteboard in my room back home and write down like ten books I plan to read and in what order I plan to read them.

Do you use the star rating system?

Yes I do! And like many of us, I wish there was the option to use half stars, or even more stars than five, but I work with what I have!

Are you doing a 2019 reading challenge?

Yes I am. I normally don't set too high a goal for myself because I'm not that fast of a reader like I used to be. My goal this year is 15 books, I have only read 1 so far, and Goodreads is telling me I am 2 books behind schedule. But I currently two of my school books have to be done soon so that will change within the month.

Do you have a Wishlist?

I loved Amber's idea of having a 'To Buy' shelf on her Goodreads (and then added said shelf to my account after). I do have a wishlist on Amazon of the books that I want, but it's also a list mixed with movies and TV show seasons that I would like to own as well.

What book do you plan to buy next?

Song of the Dead by Sarah Glenn Marsh. Other than that I never know what books I plan to buy next. There are always so many choices and I'm bad at making those choices haha. I usually pick what book is next while standing in the bookstore or staring at my wishlist.

Favorite quotes?

This is one of the functions that I don't use that often on Goodreads, but I do have a few here, and you can see that there are a lot of Edgar Allan Poe ones.

Favorite authors?

My favorite authors are Edgar Allan Poe, J.R.R. Tolkien, Julie Kagawa (who is the only one featured on my profile), and I think the last time I checked, my most read author was Cassandra Clare (because I do each novella individually) so I guess I should include her here as well. Also, I can't find where that list is again to double check who is second but oh well!

Have you joined any groups?

I am currently in one group, which I joined like...actual years ago. I think I was a sophomore in high school so about seven years ago, and the group hasn't been active in five. It's a Witch and Wizard group called "Witches and Wizards" and it was a roleplaying group. I might look for different groups in the future, any suggestions?

Do you use Goodreads? Have any tips or anything that you think I'd like for it? Just want to be friends? I love friends!

À bientôt!

Photo/GIF creds: my photo of Shadow of the Fox, covers from Goodreads, writing,