Mith's Bookshelf

3.5 stars

YAYs -

* Cath - a slash fanfic writing hermit with zero social skills, who just wants to be left alone in her room with her laptop and her Simon Snow memorabilia (I can relate to that, more than I'd like to admit)

* The thinly-veiled nod to Harry Potter in the form of Simon Snow and his magical world

Simon Snow is an 11-year-old orphan from Lancashire who is recruited to attend the Watford School of Magicks to become a magician. As he grows older, Simon joins a group of magicians — the Mages — who are fighting the Insidious Humdrum, an evil being trying to rid the world of magic

(The "spells" made me laugh out loud! Observe - "Up, up and away!", "Presto chango!", "Olly olly oxen free!" and a seventh-year spell that requires you to click your heels and say "There's no place like home!")

* The (slightly unbelievable) character of Levi.

* THE COVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3<br/>
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NAYs -

* The utter lack of exploration of any relationship apart from Cath's and Levi's. Seriously, even that of Cath's and Wren's (her twin sister!) left much to be desired. Her absentee mom? Nada. She came in abruptly and left just as abruptly. Nothing beyond that.

* Abrupt dismissal of Cath's Fanfic Magnum Opus. Where the hell is the story she was desperately trying to meet the deadline for? Whatever happened to it?!

* Extracts of Simon Snow books added in between chapters. While entertaining, they were unnecesary and jarring.

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One line review - A cute, charming, frothy, fluffy read that could have been better but is quite fun nonetheless.