I unfortunately didn't really enjoy this book. It felt long winded and drawn out. i couldnt connect with the characters. Total miss for me

Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
There were just one too many times where I felt like there was not enough character development or relationship development between characters for them to do the things they did— there felt like a lot of forced romantic and sexual tension with a pacing that didn’t flow with the story. As well, there were some comments didn’t quite sit right with me i.e; one character made a comment to another that attempting suicide made them weak. I just don’t think this book was for me, maybe with more earlier development between characters for these interactions to make sense and would have made them more impactful. Unfortunately, when these story lines are introduced they feel rushed because we still barely know the characters, and what we do know is surface level.

I didn't realize this was part of a series, and now I'm anxiously awaiting the next one in order to find out what happens! (It is published now, I'm simply waiting for my copy.) I have slightly mixed feelings about this book in that it wasn't quite what I expected. However, the premise feels unique and I'm interested in finding out what happens next, so I would absolutely recommend it. Just know that it's not a standalone witchy romance novel. It's more of an urban fantasy with romance novel vibes. (The next book may determine if it's truly a romance series or simply fantasy with romance elements.)

I’m sorry, but this was really not for me. It was marketed as one thing then turned out to be a completely different thing. It was way too insta love and the characters had no chemistry.

Dnf. Too many problematic issues in this book for me. HP should never be mentioned in a LGBTQ book in 2024.

Thank you for the earc.

I love the idea of coming into magic late in life and being sent away to a magical land with a school in a castle that will teach you how to use your new magical powers. I'm excited for the second book in the series to see whether or not the rift is healed or if the community will lose their safe space, as well as see how the romantic entanglements work out.

while the characters shine, the plot sometimes stumbles. Marr’s worldbuilding is promising, but the magical mechanics feel a bit underexplored, like a spell cast before it’s fully learned. The climax, though dramatic, left some threads feeling rushed or unresolved.
Still, Remedial Magic is enchanting enough for fans of romantic fantasy who don’t mind a few narrative hiccups. With humor, heart, and a sprinkle of chaos, it’s an imperfect but endearing magical journey.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended

DNF

I could tell I was going to struggle with this one during the prologue - I wasn't engaged, couldn't keep my mind from wandering after one page - so decided to check some reviews and found this is rife with ableism. As a disabled reader, I don't have the time for that and am not risking reading anything harmful or upsetting, especially after seeing the reports about the already small number of disability rep books HALVING this year... so thanks, but no thanks.

Remedial Magic felt different from Melissa Marr's other books, but not in a negative way. I enjoyed the experience of reading the book, and I felt like I could connect with the characters.

Beautiful cover and fun concept, just couldn't connect. Writing felt a touch juvenile and I didn't connect to the characters. Wasn't not drawn in immediately from the opening chapters - looking for inciting incident earlier.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Digital Advanced Readers Copy! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I didn’t get to Remedial Magic before it’s publishing date. However now that I have read it I gave it two stars. Wasn’t a fan.

To be honest, I toyed with DNFing this one, but it held my attention enough to keep going.

I did like the main and that she was a librarian and a mom.

But overall the story was a bit of a mess and it was just okay for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this one, but it just wasn't for me. I think others will like it, but I just couldn't get into it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This book suffers from not quite knowing what it's trying to be. In trying to fit into several genres and be part of a series (duology? I don't remember), it struggles to contain a full story within this book and really just ends up feeling half finished. I think part of that comes from trying to include SO many perspectives and not really getting a chance to know any of the characters all that well - which contributes to the fact that I didn't really believe any of the romances because we saw so little development. Add in the Harry Potter reference (in a queer book in 2024?!), and the valid concerns others have brought up about some elements feeling ableist, I don't know that I'm willing to give the next book a read without knowing that the ableism is addressed and that it really wraps up strong enough to make the weirdness (and weakness) of this book worth it.

Dnf at 31% (chapter 17)

Even after reframing expectations that this would be more of an ensemble cast sort of situation, and not the cozy sapphic fantasy expected, there was still too much that didn’t sit well with me.

A would-have-been-fatal drug overdose casually dropped into conversation, and magically cured cancer that only stays cured if you do as you’re told because you’re just a host for magic gave me the double ick

The big one I couldn’t get past was when Maggie went from desperate to get to her son and ensure his safety to being totally chill with someone else checking in on him later and banging it out with the headmaster. Like, that was … a choice.

I’m disappointed because I had been very excited for this book, but I feel like it barely resembles how it was described.


Initial thoughts -

Crenshaw is a safe haven for witches, until one of them causes a rift.
It’s also the home to the College of Remedial Magic - headmaster Sondre bringing people there after any emergence of latent magical traits. A panel will decide if they are allowed to stay and learn or if they’ll have their magic siphoned away and be returned to the normal world.

There’s Ellie - a librarian, carrying for her aunt Hestia who she worries will disappear on her again. Her main hobby seems to be researching missing people - interesting people, like her aunt, are the ones who go missing so she’s made it a life’s goal to be aggressively average.
At least until a mysterious woman named Prospero visits her at the library, leaving her stunned on the floor after a single kiss.

Then there’s Maggie, who is scared her ex is going to take their son Craig away. When her sabotaged car is in a wreck, she pushes a protective bubble of magic over her son leading to her being brought her to Crenshaw.

Daniel has also been brought to Crenshaw, but after using magic to slow his fall during a hiking accident. He wakes in the school’s infirmary, cancer cured (but not so much progress on his gambling problem)


Thanks for the arc opportunity Bramble

I feel a little bad because I didn't actually finish the book. I got to around 60% and just stopped. I didn't care enough to finish. The characters were just a bit everywhere for me. The world was messy which seemed to be purposeful but I couldn't get behind it. It was kinda a letdown for me.