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Book View Café
Description
Fantasy. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and prophecy. Kim thought majoring in divination would prepare her for the future. But even with her foresight warning her of trouble, she's taken by surprise when an unknown force attacks Julian, her enigmatic classmate and friend. Her gifts can't protect him against further attacks and an inexplicable string of disappearances . . . and if she's reading the omens right, Julian isn't the only one in danger. Kim knows she isn't ready for this. But if she wants to save Julian - and herself - she'll have to prove her own prophecies wrong..
User reviews
LibraryThing member cheez246890
Good. I like the way the author wrote it as if the school is actually a very normal college rather than making it a particularly huge deal. Also, the characters were sweet. Maybe a bit generic, but I liked them just the same. Only thing I had a slight problem with was the changing perspectives
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where it wasn't exactly clear whose head we were in. I didn't see the story unravelling the way it did, and the amount of abnormal information came in at a reasonable pace. :) anyway, notwithstanding the technical language of this review, I did very much enjoy this read. Show Less
LibraryThing member sheryll
The book takes place at Welton College where the curriculum includes Psychic Sciences, Ceremonial Magic and multitude of other disciplines. The world building is wonderful and perfectly sets things for other possible novels. The characters are interesting and story draws you in easily. A fast paced
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story that kept me turning pages. If she writes more in this world, I'll gladly keep reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member Landwaster
A pleasant read by an author I like, but some flaws left me somewhat disappointed.
Exposition and character background information dribbles out slowly enough to be elegant and subtle, but also slowly (and in the end, sparse) enough to leave the feeling that I'd accidentally picked up a later book in
At some point fairly well into the book we switch from first person to limited third person from another character's perspective. This seems like it was done primarily to deal with a really jarring and poorly handled plot development late in the book. Unfortunately, in the meantime every switch left me wishing the scenes described in the third person had stuck with the main character's perspective. In the end this switch disrupts the story and leaves the major plot event disconnected and almost meaningless.
I think if the author had stuck with the first person narration through out the book, the story would have been more engaging and interesting. It might also have left me eager for a sequel, instead of satisfied to leave the story here.
Still, it's a decent story by a good author, polished and quite readable.
Exposition and character background information dribbles out slowly enough to be elegant and subtle, but also slowly (and in the end, sparse) enough to leave the feeling that I'd accidentally picked up a later book in
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the series rather than the first. Forgivable though.At some point fairly well into the book we switch from first person to limited third person from another character's perspective. This seems like it was done primarily to deal with a really jarring and poorly handled plot development late in the book. Unfortunately, in the meantime every switch left me wishing the scenes described in the third person had stuck with the main character's perspective. In the end this switch disrupts the story and leaves the major plot event disconnected and almost meaningless.
I think if the author had stuck with the first person narration through out the book, the story would have been more engaging and interesting. It might also have left me eager for a sequel, instead of satisfied to leave the story here.
Still, it's a decent story by a good author, polished and quite readable.
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LibraryThing member AnVel
Perhaps I set my expectations too high - I was hoping for something along the lines of Harry Potter Goes to College. Unfortunately, this book doesn't come close. While it is reasonably well-written, I found myself reading on not to find out what happens in the storyline (which is fairly
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simplistic), but in search of all the magical details about the classes, about the professors, about living in a world in which the use of magic is accepted. What I found instead was constantly repeated themes, such as what an empath Liesel, one of the main characters, is, and how Julian makes Kim's skin crawl (which is apparently the basis for Kim falling in love with him, since there is no other reasoning put forth). This is the first book in a series; I might read the second if it's free, but with significantly lowered expectations. Show Less
LibraryThing member svfreeman
"Lies, damn lies, and...." Prophecy. We are introduced to Kim, a Junior at Welton, "the best psychic sciences university in North America." She has been avoiding two of the three departments from which take classes during the earlier sessions but, now, she finds herself compelled to take course in
From this introduction, Marie Brennar craftily introduces us to a new world viewed through a typical college meme and four students sharing rooms and friendship at the college. The revelations detailing the world are dropped like pearls leading us on. From the Manifestation where DNA in the world population that comes from the Fairie who have disappeared from our world has become activated, with bloods who suddently developed talents and wilders with even more talent but are something more than human, to an event that will threaten the world, we get very little full explanation but just suggestions that entice the interest. But the development seems short, with minor details which are expected, delayed or not given. Marie has actually written more of this store in "Welcome to Welton", a set of vignettes where the four roommates at Welton meet each other. "Welcome to Welton" is not part of this book but is available on her web site. If she wrote the vignettes as part of an earlier version, taking them out has improved the development and tension but left irritating shortages in the character development.
This book suffers slightly, does not seem as polished because of the patchy character/background but still builds interest in seeing the further development. The later part of the book seems almoost rushed and not as finely developed in comparison as we discover where the prophecy of Kim's fate starts to lead and the story seems to start to revolve to emphasis Julian.
I don't think this initial beginning is up to the quality of some of Marie's earlier work but I am looking forward to see how she takes the rest of the story. She may have a surprise for me.
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Pyrokinetics and Ceremonial Magic--to defend herself. She had been concentrating in Telephathic science of divination, but her favorite quote from her favorite text book about "Lies, damn lies, and prophecy" is haunting her. All the divinations she and others try are coming back with readings that she faces change, in the form of death.From this introduction, Marie Brennar craftily introduces us to a new world viewed through a typical college meme and four students sharing rooms and friendship at the college. The revelations detailing the world are dropped like pearls leading us on. From the Manifestation where DNA in the world population that comes from the Fairie who have disappeared from our world has become activated, with bloods who suddently developed talents and wilders with even more talent but are something more than human, to an event that will threaten the world, we get very little full explanation but just suggestions that entice the interest. But the development seems short, with minor details which are expected, delayed or not given. Marie has actually written more of this store in "Welcome to Welton", a set of vignettes where the four roommates at Welton meet each other. "Welcome to Welton" is not part of this book but is available on her web site. If she wrote the vignettes as part of an earlier version, taking them out has improved the development and tension but left irritating shortages in the character development.
This book suffers slightly, does not seem as polished because of the patchy character/background but still builds interest in seeing the further development. The later part of the book seems almoost rushed and not as finely developed in comparison as we discover where the prophecy of Kim's fate starts to lead and the story seems to start to revolve to emphasis Julian.
I don't think this initial beginning is up to the quality of some of Marie's earlier work but I am looking forward to see how she takes the rest of the story. She may have a surprise for me.
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LibraryThing member NorthernStar
The title comes from a misquotation (by a character) of the quotation attributed to Mark Twain "lies, damned lies and statistics". I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but found myself sucked into the world of Kim, a student at Welton, the best psychic sciences university in North America.
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I really enjoyed the way the reader's picture of the background and characters was gradually built up. The university and characters feel very real and I found it easy to like the characters and be interested and involved in what happened to them. About two-thirds of the way through, though, I started finding things that grated with me a bit. The sidhe characters and their motivation never felt very real to me. The viewpoint started to change - from Kim's first-person point of view to Julian's, or third person, sometimes changing randomly, within a paragraph. The scientific background used to explain this world's psychic gifts didn't seem consistent at the end. The whole ending of the story felt very rushed and had a deus ex machina/rabbit out of a hat feel to it. It left me thinking "What just happened here? Really?" and I found myself unable to really believe in Kim's transformation and rescue, or the reason she was taken in the first place. I liked the beginning and the world-building enough I would definitely be interested in reading a sequel or another book by this author, but this book feels unfinished, as if the ending should have had more work. I received this book as an ebook through the LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. Show Less
LibraryThing member KMT01
I received Lies and Prophesy for an early review from Library Thing. Although I liked the book, this is definitely not the type book I generally read. The book definitely reminded me of the Harry Potter series, a series in which I never could get past the first book. The book is set in Minnesota,
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at a school where students study a wide range of subjects from sorcery to divining. Kim, the main character, in whose voice most of the story is told, is a student there. Her life revolves around her studies and her friends. In the story she and they are pitted against something that could easily destroy them and us all. Though written well enough, I found the story slow moving and waited eagerly to see where the plot was taking me. Meanwhile, the author presented the daily school lives of the Kim and her friends, as they matriculate through their studies at the school. As time passes, we learn that Kim and her friends, especially Julian, are in possible trouble and must work to stop and avoid the terrible end that awaits them. I found the characters believable and realistic. The plot, as I said, initially moved rather slowly yet still held my interest. I don't generally enjoy books of this genre, but I did enjoy this one a lot. If the next book in the series is as interesting, I may just become a convert to this genre. Show Less
LibraryThing member omnia_mutantur
Loved this for exactly what it is. Charming world-building, based around a magic university with college-age true love, and improbably powered students, and good elves and bad elves and rituals and divination club and circles and costume parties. A gleeful grab-bag of awesome fantasy tropes,
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dropped like pebbles through conversations that never felt too expository, but also never too cryptic. Show Less
LibraryThing member slagolas
An interesting, alternative reality piece where magic is a subject of study. The novel was entertaining enough. The limited scope of the story, particularly in terms of place, seemed to hinder the impact of the story.
My biggest complaint was that there were times where I felt like descriptions of
Also, the swift pace, while good, I felt prevented the author from setting the stage better for the twists and turns. For example, the word "seelie" was used several times early on without explanation. It was only eventually explained when the Seelie became important to the plot, but lacking an understanding before their appearance made it hard to feel the gravity of the situation.
Also, the majority of the novel was in first person, but suddenly, at least half-way through, there was a section here or there in third person from another character's point of view. This was very jarring, though integral to the ending that we get other characters' viewpoints. Because of the ending and the somewhat awkward shift between first and third person narrators, I think the book would have been better in third person entirely, even if it primarily followed the main character around. This would also help with the fact that I couldn't remember the main character's name until near the end because it was used so infrequently.
There were hints at a very rich, deep, alternate reality, which, given more space, might have made the story have a greater emotional resonance. However, lacking that depth, and the main character's blossoming romance with a mysterious "other" man, I couldn't help but think of it as a slightly better Twilight.
My biggest complaint was that there were times where I felt like descriptions of
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details were skipped. That is, in conversations for example, the characters sometimes leaped to conclusions or said things and I was unable to understand the why; in these instances I think the author wasn't trying to be vague, but just jumped ahead a bit. The problem came when these instances weren't followed up with an explanation. Sometimes they were, which lead me to believe it would be explained a paragraph or two later, which wasn't always the case. Also, the swift pace, while good, I felt prevented the author from setting the stage better for the twists and turns. For example, the word "seelie" was used several times early on without explanation. It was only eventually explained when the Seelie became important to the plot, but lacking an understanding before their appearance made it hard to feel the gravity of the situation.
Also, the majority of the novel was in first person, but suddenly, at least half-way through, there was a section here or there in third person from another character's point of view. This was very jarring, though integral to the ending that we get other characters' viewpoints. Because of the ending and the somewhat awkward shift between first and third person narrators, I think the book would have been better in third person entirely, even if it primarily followed the main character around. This would also help with the fact that I couldn't remember the main character's name until near the end because it was used so infrequently.
There were hints at a very rich, deep, alternate reality, which, given more space, might have made the story have a greater emotional resonance. However, lacking that depth, and the main character's blossoming romance with a mysterious "other" man, I couldn't help but think of it as a slightly better Twilight.
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LibraryThing member Antares1
Lies and Prophecy starts out with a very good basis in world building. The scene starts on a College campus. This particular campus teaches magic. It was explained that there had been a manifestation where people suddenly developed magical powers. This was a good jumping off point for the story. I
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really, really wanted to like this book, but...further into the book it kept changing perspectives going from first to third person. That was jarring to me, and caused some confussion as I tried to figure out what was going in. Aside from that the author was doing a good job of story telling. The ending was something else that really bothered me. It was like the author had all this lead up and just stopped. I don't know if this was intentional and maybe a sequel is planned to finish out the confrontation that was alluded to in the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member debdebtig
Welton Isn't Your Average College (Lies and Prophecy)
Lies and Prophecy by Marie Brennan takes place on the college campus of Welton University in chilly Minnesota. Welton isn't your everyday college, it's one of the top schools in magic. Kim and her friends take us through the journey of your not
The magic is not just part of the book but part of Marie Brennan's writing, she does an extraordinary job weaving the characters into your heart. I cannot wait to hear if there will be another book in this series. This book is highly recommended as I give it 4 1/2 stars.
Disclaimer: This book was received a member giveaway at LibraryThing.
Lies and Prophecy by Marie Brennan takes place on the college campus of Welton University in chilly Minnesota. Welton isn't your everyday college, it's one of the top schools in magic. Kim and her friends take us through the journey of your not
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so average third year college student studying Divination, Psychic Sciences, and a number of other tough courses. Kim's story pulls you in further each page until you feel you are sitting in the dining hall with them as they discuss their classes. When things stake a major unexpected turn you are hard pressed to put the book down. The magic is not just part of the book but part of Marie Brennan's writing, she does an extraordinary job weaving the characters into your heart. I cannot wait to hear if there will be another book in this series. This book is highly recommended as I give it 4 1/2 stars.
Disclaimer: This book was received a member giveaway at LibraryThing.
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LibraryThing member carod
Marie Brennan's "Lies and Prophecy" is a YA fantasy novel. It takes place in an alternate world where some humans have manifested psychic and magic gifts. The story takes place at Welton Academy a college where gifted young people learn to master such skills as divination, telepathy and ritual
I enjoyed this book very much. It was fast paced and very hard to put down. I liked the way that the author introduced her alternate world. The background information about the world and the advent of magic and psychic powers was imparted gradually but naturally without a lot of exposition. Kim was a likable character and Julian was as suitably mysterious, dark and brooding as a hero in a YA romantic fantasy should be. All the other characters were well-developed and interesting. The setting of the book was beautifully described: a cross between Hogwarts and a modern American college. The ending was somewhat abrupt but hopefully indicates that sequels are planned. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys YA fantasy or urban fantasy.
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magic. Kim is a student with a gift of prophecy. One of her best friends, Julian, is a "wilder": one of the strange gifted people with more power than even the most powerful human. Kim begins to have strange prophetic dreams, and all all her divinations begin to foretell great danger. She knows instinctively that Julian is somehow at the centre of what is to come. When he is attacked, and then mysteriously disappears, she realizes that her world is about to change and that her friends and she will need all their gifts to battle what is to come.I enjoyed this book very much. It was fast paced and very hard to put down. I liked the way that the author introduced her alternate world. The background information about the world and the advent of magic and psychic powers was imparted gradually but naturally without a lot of exposition. Kim was a likable character and Julian was as suitably mysterious, dark and brooding as a hero in a YA romantic fantasy should be. All the other characters were well-developed and interesting. The setting of the book was beautifully described: a cross between Hogwarts and a modern American college. The ending was somewhat abrupt but hopefully indicates that sequels are planned. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys YA fantasy or urban fantasy.
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LibraryThing member craso
Kim is a student at Welton, a college for students who want to train in the magical arts. Her gifts lie in divination but she wants to be a guardian which requires her to learn ceremonial magic; a discipline she has been shying away from since her failure years ago. Her college life seems normal;
The author does a good job of world building by explaining how and why people now display magical gifts. Humans have a gene inherited from the sidhe that gives them a certain percentage of ability. When these powers were first manifested they caused mass destruction. Since then, the world has changed to use and control these talents. Young people are trained in whatever discipline they show the most aptitude in.
This novel starts off as a well written story about life as a college student, all-be-it at a magical institution. Then it becomes an adventure story and love story. The ending of the novel leads me to believe this will become an ongoing series. If this is true I will be on the lookout for more installments.
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worries about passing classes, hanging out with friends, and having a crush on a boy. Only the boy she likes is the resident wilder, a person with such strong magical powers they almost seem inhuman. Then the prophecies start, first with tarot cards then with dreams and all the omens point in the same direction, a major change in her life.The author does a good job of world building by explaining how and why people now display magical gifts. Humans have a gene inherited from the sidhe that gives them a certain percentage of ability. When these powers were first manifested they caused mass destruction. Since then, the world has changed to use and control these talents. Young people are trained in whatever discipline they show the most aptitude in.
This novel starts off as a well written story about life as a college student, all-be-it at a magical institution. Then it becomes an adventure story and love story. The ending of the novel leads me to believe this will become an ongoing series. If this is true I will be on the lookout for more installments.
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LibraryThing member Rutherford8
I enjoyed this book once I got into it. At first it seemed a little slow for the plot to develop and really grab the reader's attention, but once that was accomplished the pace of the story seemed appropriate. I thought it was an interesting blend of typical college life and the nontraditional
I would have liked to see more background about all of the different aspects of this world- namely how and why it is different than the real world. These parts were interesting but it would have been more informative had it provided a bit more detail somehow (be it through character flashbacks, more lengthy internal dialogues, etc.).
I thought the final resolution was a bit cliche, and that the book seemed to end abruptly, but perhaps this works for a book at the beginning of a series. Thanks!
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coursework these students had. Once major events began occurring, the world-building seemed more real for the characters. I liked the main love interest as it played an important role within the plot development and never detracted from it. I would have liked to see more background about all of the different aspects of this world- namely how and why it is different than the real world. These parts were interesting but it would have been more informative had it provided a bit more detail somehow (be it through character flashbacks, more lengthy internal dialogues, etc.).
I thought the final resolution was a bit cliche, and that the book seemed to end abruptly, but perhaps this works for a book at the beginning of a series. Thanks!
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LibraryThing member needtoreadgottowatch
Set in Minnesota, in a world containing magic of many varieties- from sorcerers and wiccans to diviners and wilders. Wilders being one of the main themes of the story.
We read the story from the point of view of Kim, a student studying at Welton Academy. At the start, I was reminded of the basic
The writing style is fast-paced and captivating and the characters are believable and individual. Towards the second half of the book we begin to get brief flashes of events from Julian's point of view. Never for very long and used sparingly. At first, they felt a little shoehorned in perhaps, with no real point to them. Until I began to realise the cleverness of them. Julian as a person is naturally reserved by nature and due to his existence as a wilder. Showing us his side of the story is letting us into his mind and allowing us to briefly see his thoughts and emotions that he rarely ever shows otherwise. Not only does this make him more relatable, but also more human.
The story and writing style remind me of a mix of the Harry Potter series and the Morganville Vampire series, both of which I enjoyed. While similar to both, this story has it's own essence and makes a great read. The ending was fantastic and left me craving more.
I look forward to the next instalment in the Wilders series and would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of magic, fantasy or adventure.
We read the story from the point of view of Kim, a student studying at Welton Academy. At the start, I was reminded of the basic
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premise of Harry Potter. Some people are normal and some have magic. As in Harry Potter, it can appear suddenly, only in this series it can be lethal too, with a chance of developing psi-sickness.The writing style is fast-paced and captivating and the characters are believable and individual. Towards the second half of the book we begin to get brief flashes of events from Julian's point of view. Never for very long and used sparingly. At first, they felt a little shoehorned in perhaps, with no real point to them. Until I began to realise the cleverness of them. Julian as a person is naturally reserved by nature and due to his existence as a wilder. Showing us his side of the story is letting us into his mind and allowing us to briefly see his thoughts and emotions that he rarely ever shows otherwise. Not only does this make him more relatable, but also more human.
The story and writing style remind me of a mix of the Harry Potter series and the Morganville Vampire series, both of which I enjoyed. While similar to both, this story has it's own essence and makes a great read. The ending was fantastic and left me craving more.
I look forward to the next instalment in the Wilders series and would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of magic, fantasy or adventure.
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LibraryThing member Ethaisa
With the vast selection of titles in contemporary fantasy, it's difficult to find one that stands out. Set in a university that gives serious shift to magical studies, this story is both fast paced and well rooted in thoughtful world-building. The characters are interesting and captivating without
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being collections of overused personality tropes (and when you begin to suspect you might be headed into overworked territory, Brennan turns and goes someplace else). I found myself intrigued by the subtext present in the relationships and I want to read more stories set in this world so I can figure it all out. I'll definitely be on the look-out for the sequel. Show Less
LibraryThing member tas666
Lies and Prophecy follows the story of Kim, a student at a college of magical and paranormal sciences. Her strength is divination, but she decides to spend a year learning the other types of magic needed to pursue her chosen career. The story dives right in, a backplot emerging as you read the book
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that draws you in to wanting to know what has happened previously. Although the story is decent, the pacing is a bit off, with some parts of the book spending too much time on seemingly random things and others racing through things that could have had a little more explanation. I understand that the writer is trying to build a love story subplot, but I didn't really feel involved with that until close to the end, at which point it was pretty obvious what was going to happen. The ending is designed to allow for a sequel. Show Less
LibraryThing member SullyTJ
This book was okay, just a genre I particularly like. At first, it was a bit slow, but picked up a bit towards the middle. Like I said, this is not the type of book I am usually drawn to, but I did not mind reading it.
LibraryThing member realalondra45
rEALLY INTERESTING IDEA IN THE PLOT.BOTH PARALLEL UNIVERSES, THE NORMAL HUMAN AND THE GIFTED HUMAN, SOMEHOW FACING EACH OTHER AND TRYING TO EVADE CONFRONTATION BECAUSE OF FEAR.
fEAR...IS THE WORD THAT MASKS THE UNKNOWN, THAT THING WE DO NOT GOT, THAT THING WHICH WE ARE NOT SURE ABOUT IT, SO...FEAR
FEAR.. SOMETHING TO BE AVOIDED AND OPPOSED WITH LOVE AND FAITH.
aND THAT IS THE INTENTION OF THE BOOK.
wELL WRITTEN, INTERESTING, NICE PLOT THEME, DEEP IN THE DESCRIPTION OF FEELINGS AND CHARACTERS.eASY TO READ AND REALLY FUN
aNY OF US CAN SEE HIM-HERSELF PICTURED IN ONE OF THEM.
fEAR...IS THE WORD THAT MASKS THE UNKNOWN, THAT THING WE DO NOT GOT, THAT THING WHICH WE ARE NOT SURE ABOUT IT, SO...FEAR
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APPEARS AND PROVOQUES DEFFENSIVE ATTITUDES,AND AFTERWARDS FIGHT.FEAR.. SOMETHING TO BE AVOIDED AND OPPOSED WITH LOVE AND FAITH.
aND THAT IS THE INTENTION OF THE BOOK.
wELL WRITTEN, INTERESTING, NICE PLOT THEME, DEEP IN THE DESCRIPTION OF FEELINGS AND CHARACTERS.eASY TO READ AND REALLY FUN
aNY OF US CAN SEE HIM-HERSELF PICTURED IN ONE OF THEM.
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LibraryThing member Liviania
I love Marie Brennan. She's the author of the duology WARRIOR and WITCH, two of the first books I ever mentioned on In Bed With Books. She's also the author of the Onyx Court series, which has both Queen Elizabeth and magic. LIES AND PROPHECY is the first book in a series that may never have any
Kim is a student specializing in divination at Welton University. But this year she's decided to focus more on Ceremonial Magic and other subjects she's neglected. Much of what she's been divining lately focuses on Julian, the only wilder at the university. He's definitely in danger, and Kim might be too. She doesn't have long to prepare. Soon enough, they're attacked and Samhain and shortly after Julian disappears.
LIES AND PROPHECY successfully combines college hijinks with magical intrigue and battles for autonomy. I liked how important Kim and Julian's roommates, Liesel and Robert, were to their lives and the story. A good roommate is the best friend. I also liked how detailed the world was. There are theories about why some humans have magic, and a medical test to determine magical aptitude. While little narrative time is spent in classes, there's a sense of the curriculum. I love when authors use a practical, scientific approach to magic. And, though there are twists, none of the twists violate what the reader has been told of how magic functions in the world.
There's also a love story. I liked how it developed in a slow burn, though some readers might be disappointed by the fact it remains fairly chaste. (Hey, they've got a world in danger to worry about.) At first, it's just lingering looks and small tells, like who Kim always runs to first. It's complicated, given that Julian is so full of magic that just looking at him is hard, but she wants to make it work because it's what she feels. Kate is terrifically emotional and stubborn, and those qualities prove to be a saving grace.
The only thing I didn't like about LIES AND PROPHECY was that it switched between first and third person. Much of the book is through Kim's point of view, but other times it's told in third person even if she's present. There's not a good structural or plot reason for the book to be written this way, so I wish Brennan had picked one. I'm not one of those people who hates first or third, but they so rarely belong in the same book.
I would recommend LIES AND PROPHECY to Harry Potter fans who are looking for something more grown up as well as to fans of THE MAGICIANS who want something less grimdark. It's a little YA, a little New Adult, and a lot of having your friends at your side as you face down things you don't understand but know you have to fight anyway.
You can read a prequel novella for free on Brennan's site.
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more books, but it's quite satisfying on its own. I still want more, but I'm not crushed by a terrible cliffhanger of evil doom. And here's why you should read it and convince Brennan to write more: magic college.Kim is a student specializing in divination at Welton University. But this year she's decided to focus more on Ceremonial Magic and other subjects she's neglected. Much of what she's been divining lately focuses on Julian, the only wilder at the university. He's definitely in danger, and Kim might be too. She doesn't have long to prepare. Soon enough, they're attacked and Samhain and shortly after Julian disappears.
LIES AND PROPHECY successfully combines college hijinks with magical intrigue and battles for autonomy. I liked how important Kim and Julian's roommates, Liesel and Robert, were to their lives and the story. A good roommate is the best friend. I also liked how detailed the world was. There are theories about why some humans have magic, and a medical test to determine magical aptitude. While little narrative time is spent in classes, there's a sense of the curriculum. I love when authors use a practical, scientific approach to magic. And, though there are twists, none of the twists violate what the reader has been told of how magic functions in the world.
There's also a love story. I liked how it developed in a slow burn, though some readers might be disappointed by the fact it remains fairly chaste. (Hey, they've got a world in danger to worry about.) At first, it's just lingering looks and small tells, like who Kim always runs to first. It's complicated, given that Julian is so full of magic that just looking at him is hard, but she wants to make it work because it's what she feels. Kate is terrifically emotional and stubborn, and those qualities prove to be a saving grace.
The only thing I didn't like about LIES AND PROPHECY was that it switched between first and third person. Much of the book is through Kim's point of view, but other times it's told in third person even if she's present. There's not a good structural or plot reason for the book to be written this way, so I wish Brennan had picked one. I'm not one of those people who hates first or third, but they so rarely belong in the same book.
I would recommend LIES AND PROPHECY to Harry Potter fans who are looking for something more grown up as well as to fans of THE MAGICIANS who want something less grimdark. It's a little YA, a little New Adult, and a lot of having your friends at your side as you face down things you don't understand but know you have to fight anyway.
You can read a prequel novella for free on Brennan's site.
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LibraryThing member rhian_of_oz
I was a little worried that this was going to be like The Magicians (which I loathed) but my fears turned out to be groundless. I liked the premise, the world created, the characters and the pacing. I also liked that some of the action was unexpected. I found the switch between first and third
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person jarring, mostly because it was so uneven (most of the novel is in the first person). I thought the resolution was little cheesy and the ending quite abrupt. The real litmus test for me overall is that I would read a sequel (if there is one) and I will be reading the prequel. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosemarie.Herbert
Kim is majoring in divination, but it doesn't mean her life is clear cut. There's signs that things aren't going smoothly, but with no way to turn, and piles of college work, Kim doesn't really have enough time to devote to her budding romance as well
I really liked the beginning pages and opening
As always, the fact that this novel is set in a university for fascinating for me, and held my interest in the same way that the early Harry Potter books did. I just love learning things! I dabbled in some tarot and runes when I was younger (as well as wicca) and I think that this novel is quite accurate in its portrayal. Of course there is not enough there for a whole training in it though.
Although the majority of the text is told for Kim's point of view, some is from Julien's, which becomes more important as the text progresses. I would have found the final scenes very jarring had I not had any insight into him before. However his narration is more of a limited kind as you feel less feelings from him.
The ending was less inspiring than I had hoped. I kept checking, going "Uh oh, only 20 pages left and I don't think they're going to solve the problem in that time and I don't think this is a series" and indeed it wasn't, and I wasn't satisfied! Yes, the hurdles they overcame made sense and made things work out well though, but there wasn't any real resolution of conflict.
I did finish this novel, and think that I wished something had been different, but it wasn't a bad book by any means. I wonder whether there will be more in the series, and I'll totally read them if I can get my hands on a free copy. I probably wouldn't opt to buy this for myself. Recommended for teenagers.
I received this novel as a free copy from somewhere (no idea where any more), but that has in no way altered my review.
I really liked the beginning pages and opening
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chapters of this novel. They drew me in, and kept my interest up. This hints and things were exactly as you should set up a novel. However The middle of the text felt like it was dragging somewhat, which I found annoying.As always, the fact that this novel is set in a university for fascinating for me, and held my interest in the same way that the early Harry Potter books did. I just love learning things! I dabbled in some tarot and runes when I was younger (as well as wicca) and I think that this novel is quite accurate in its portrayal. Of course there is not enough there for a whole training in it though.
Although the majority of the text is told for Kim's point of view, some is from Julien's, which becomes more important as the text progresses. I would have found the final scenes very jarring had I not had any insight into him before. However his narration is more of a limited kind as you feel less feelings from him.
The ending was less inspiring than I had hoped. I kept checking, going "Uh oh, only 20 pages left and I don't think they're going to solve the problem in that time and I don't think this is a series" and indeed it wasn't, and I wasn't satisfied! Yes, the hurdles they overcame made sense and made things work out well though, but there wasn't any real resolution of conflict.
I did finish this novel, and think that I wished something had been different, but it wasn't a bad book by any means. I wonder whether there will be more in the series, and I'll totally read them if I can get my hands on a free copy. I probably wouldn't opt to buy this for myself. Recommended for teenagers.
I received this novel as a free copy from somewhere (no idea where any more), but that has in no way altered my review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member zurika
This is not a genre I have read much of in the past, and I was curious to see if this book would draw me in. After wavering a bit at the start, my interest picked up. By the end I was really enjoying the magical world Brennan had created.
LibraryThing member moniqueleigh
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
This is quite a lovely New Adult contemporary fantasy. Ms. Brennan has built a world that is intriguing and well thought-out. Possibly my only complaint is that I sometimes felt that I was reading a later book rather than the first in a
This is quite a lovely New Adult contemporary fantasy. Ms. Brennan has built a world that is intriguing and well thought-out. Possibly my only complaint is that I sometimes felt that I was reading a later book rather than the first in a
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series. Show Less
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Quite fun. Enjoyable light hearted, but still serious offering of the urban fantasy genre.
Kim is a student at magic school for the gifted but not native magically talented. She's not a 'wilder', one of those born with great magical potential, but she has more than average. Divination is her
My only light gripe is that about two thirds of the way through the POV switches from being exclusively Kim's to Julian's. Julian is one of her closest friends and a natural born wilder, but it still doesn't quite hang right as a protagonist. We never really learn much about him or his background. The school is good though, without all the boring details of lessons. The world-building coherent, always a plus - with a full and reasonable explanation as to why some teenagers have to save the world.
Generally it works very well, and I already have the next in the series so I can dive right in.
Kim is a student at magic school for the gifted but not native magically talented. She's not a 'wilder', one of those born with great magical potential, but she has more than average. Divination is her
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speciality, and despite all the warnings about interpreting your own future she knows something odd is going to happen when a series of divinations all come up with the same answer. My only light gripe is that about two thirds of the way through the POV switches from being exclusively Kim's to Julian's. Julian is one of her closest friends and a natural born wilder, but it still doesn't quite hang right as a protagonist. We never really learn much about him or his background. The school is good though, without all the boring details of lessons. The world-building coherent, always a plus - with a full and reasonable explanation as to why some teenagers have to save the world.
Generally it works very well, and I already have the next in the series so I can dive right in.
Show Less
Local notes
Wilders, 1
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Brennan |