adamfirth146 t1_iu2xvsf wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:57 AM

I felt the same as you in a lot of ways.

I thought the book was well written, which has to count for something with so many rubbish books about nowadays but I agree with you about the ending. It seemed like the author had an idea for the main part of the story but didn't know how to end it so they came up with a very contrived way to finish the book.

I didn't mind the magic part although I agree with you on the idea of a benevolent master even though he'd possibly sentenced his protégé to death being a bit daft.

On the whole though I quite liked the book, it's just a shame they couldn't come up with a better ending.

ThuliumNice OP t1_iu2zs8i wrote on October 28, 2022 at 4:15 AM

Do you think the book would have made more sense if the magician masters weren't there? It was just too rival magicians who competed to make the most wondrous things they could to prove they were better and the other was a hack, but the conclusion is that they come to some begrudging sense of respect for each other, with maybe a hint or two of strong mutual attraction?

Imo it would give the main characters a lot more agency, and make the book a good bit less arbitrary.

adamfirth146 t1_iu30iem wrote on October 28, 2022 at 4:22 AM

That might be better. No need for anyone to take it over, sounds like a plus to me.

cokakatta t1_iu4t202 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:34 PM

I think the 2 main characters being manipulated by their respective adults is their character. They are almost abandoned but wanting to please or not please their father figure. They basically have nothing then find eachother. Anyone who would have enough self agency to become a rival wouldn't be able to become so helplessly attached to their rival. They are basically nothing except what they were made to be, or they can be something else together.

I liked the descriptions more than the characters but I still liked it. I don't know if I really got it because I guess I was rushing at the end. I wish it was a movie though not sure if it would be as pretty as it was in my head.

skybluepink77 t1_iu5xwcj wrote on October 28, 2022 at 8:08 PM

They wouldn't need to have an attraction - that might complicate it too much - but it would be good if they had some sort of relationship...there didn't seem to be any reason, apart from a mix of ego and boredom, as to why they were 'duelling' anyway.

Morgenstern can't 'do' character, the only character who had a slight bit of personality was Friedrich, and she killed him off!