Rating: 3.5 STARS Genre: YA/Fantasy Series/Standalone: The Language of Magic #1 How I got this book: eARC via NetGalley & HarperVoyager Within the boroughs of London, nestled among its streets, hides another city, filled with magic. Magic is the first sin. It must be bound. Ever since Anna can remember, her aunt has warned her of the dangers of magic. She has taught her to fear how it twists and knots and turns into something dark and deadly. It was, after all, magic that killed her parents and left her in her aunt’s care. It’s why she has been protected from the magical world and, in one year’s time, what little magic she has will be bound. She will join her aunt alongside the other Binders who believe magic is a sin not to be used, but denied. Only one more year and she will be free of the curse of magic, her aunt’s teachings and the disappointment of the little she is capable of. Nothing – and no one – could change her mind before then. Could it? TW: Child abuse (physical, mental, emotional), murder, suicide, enslavement (using magic), teacher/student (age 16) relationship, underage drinking, death, estrangement, fat phobia (body shaming)
Looking for a book to fill the void left by Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina? Threadneedle perfectly combines the dark, twisted magic and teen drama that will satisfy fans of Sabrina and Gossip Girl. Anna is sixteen years old, living with her aunt in London and training to become a Binder. Since her father murdered her mother, and then killed himself when she was just a baby, Anna has been raised by her aunt. She's a cruel woman who teaches Anna that magic and love are the greatest sins that must be stamped out at all costs. Through daily punishments and pain, Anna is taught to fear magic and love, suppressing herself until she is nobody. Anna's only ray of light is the infrequent visits from her mother's best friend, Selene, who calls every few years to see Anna and to leave magical gifts in secret. This year, Selene is back for good, it seems, bringing her daughter Effie, and a mysterious boy, Attis to stay, and changing Anna's life completely. Anna is a complex character. She's suffered through years of abuse at the hands of the woman who raised her. She's controlled, manipulated, and ridiculed, and simply going through the motions until the binding ceremony set to lock away her magic. Despite the years of misery, Anna has a quiet resilience, determination, and a strong curiosity that causes her to ask questions and seek truths, even as she fights with what's right and wrong. She's an easy character to root for as she's morally good and after suffering for so long, she deserves to be free. The cast of characters soon builds and makes for a fun, diverse cast that adds drama and tension to the plot, which definitely helps to keep things moving. I had no problems staying gripped from start to finish. In Anna's Aunt, the author has created a disturbing villain, one who is vindictive and cruel whilst believing her actions are just and necessary to protect Anna from all that she fears. I loved the magic system the author has created. The different languages of magic, and how the magical world entwines with the 'real' London, make for a really compelling, fantastical story that holds threads of danger and threat. I also loved that the characters acted their age and were, for much of the time, focused on somewhat typical troubles like bullies and crushes which, when dealt with through magic, deliver interesting consequences. There were so many things I loved about this book; the magic, the characters (and their relationships to each other), the pacing, the library, and the twists and shocks at the end, which were not at all what I expected. The only thing I felt a little disappointed by was the ending, which I just wanted more from but which has now left me waiting, hanging on for book two so I can find out what on earth will happen next! Overall, Threadneedle is a really gripping, darkly magical read filled with interesting, realistic characters, that's perfect for fans of Sabrina and Gossip Girl. Comments are closed.
|
Never miss a post!
About Kay (She/Her)
Book addict, film mad, music lover, business owner, writer and mum (not necessarily in that order), living in the UK. About Sophie (She/Her)
Sophie loves books (obviously). She has a passion for photography and spotting wildlife, and is interested in anything made with passion and creativity. THIS BLOG IS SPOILER FREE!
Rating system: 5 Stars - AMAZING!! 4.5 Stars - Almost perfect! 4 Stars - I really loved it 3.5 Stars - I liked it alot 3 Stars - I liked it (I don't typically review books that I rate below 3 stars)
Archives
March 2023
Categories
All
Recently Read:
#Bookstagram:Upcoming Blog Tours:
|