The Magicians meets One Last Stop is what the blurb tells us to expect in this book. Well, I know better than to expect much of blurbs, but can I just say that I haven't been this disappointed by the marketing for a book in a long time?

Remedial Magic isn’t just a subpar book–it’s a subpar book with poor plotting, average writing, creepy and unlikeable characters, an underexplored magic system, poor worldbuilding, and random spice scenes that are just plopped in like quotes in a bad college essay (that is to say, suddenly and with no warm up).

This book just doesn’t make sense to me. It started off well enough. It was witty, even engaging. Everything started to fall to pieces as soon as the “new students” started arriving in Crenshaw, in my opinion. Then it all started unraveling quickly and never regained any ground. I don’t even know why I finished the book, save that I hoped at some point it might redeem itself, considering this is a series and there are more books after this.

I think I’ll be stopping here, though. I don’t need to know more.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All opinions, thoughts, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. As this review has a rating of three stars or less it will only appear on review sites and not on social media. Thank you.

File Under: Book Series/Fantasy/Fantasy Series/LGBTQ Fantasy/Spice Level 1

I very much enjoyed this read! Melissa Marr has created a unique and intriguing magical world within the real world with an interesting dynamic between the two. The characters are delightfully queer and their interactions are full of witty banter. I was also happy with the cliffhanger ending that left me excited to see where Marr takes the story next.

- First in a series (A Course in Magic)
- Multiple character POV
- LGBTQ+ representation
- Will they of won't they
- Morally gray witches
- Mixture of open door and fade to black spice

There was a LOT packed into this book, which did make the pacing feel a bit rushed at times. But that did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. It just left me wishing I knew a little more, which I assume will be provided in future books.

DNFed around page 100.
I sadly could not get into this book. When I read the summary of this book, I was super excited as I love paranormal romance books. Though sadly I was not getting what was promised to the 100 page mark and didn’t want to keep on going. There were too many povs and it was a struggle to keep track of the characters, especially in a new world. I most likely would have kept on going if there were less. For a new world, I have to say it was hard figuring out what was going on, what everything was, and the purpose of certain things. (Not being specific just in case of spoilers).

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

Thank you to NetGalley and the Tor Publishing Group. I did DNF this book at 46% and want to explain a little more about why I did not finish this book.

The writing style is a little old fashioned and reads closer to a classic novel. It may be due to the third person perspective but I felt like each character was very detached. There were also a LOT of characters to introduce at the beginning and it felt too messy. Each chapter seemed to switch to another character and nearly halfway through the book, I could not connect to a single character. Maybe focusing on only a few characters instead of every character that is introduced. Now it may have been relevant towards the end of the book to have a POV for everyone but I just didn’t make it that far.

Additionally, it felt weak that every single character instantly has attractions to other characters. No build up, no intrigue or mystery? For a romance book, I just didn’t feel like the romance was there. It was some kissing/hooking up here and there but the romance was flat and forced.

I loved the diversity of the characters. I thought that the setting was well described and interesting. I liked the idea of the town having issues that the new characters needed to resolve. I thought that this book had a lot of potential but it just wasn’t for me.

I’m a sucker for sapphic cozy romances and witchy settings, but I cannot with magical cures because that is some ableism that needs to be unpacked and we need books to interrogate their white supremacy, not uphold it.

I really wanted to like this. The concept was there - magic, witch school, sapphic love story… but it just fell flat. The story felt disjointed with too many character POV chapters. The contemporary references to Harry Potter also rubbed me the wrong way, especially in a story that has prominent LGBTQ characters and storylines.

Overall the story really didn’t grab me. It took me awhile to get through the book because I didn’t really find any of the particularly compelling. I feel like if the author had really focused on the Ellie/Prospero story primarily and added more details to their budding relationship it would have been a better choice.

A lighthearted, romantic tale of self-discovery and magic. Full of delight and emotional warmth, along with an interesting magic system.

Somewhere between the cover and the synopsis, I fully thought this was a rom com. It is not — though there was a bit of “romance” here and there.

The concept of a magical witchy Brigadoon (the book’s reference, not mine) plagued by a mysterious poison was fairly interesting, but it felt like the concept didn’t quite get fully fleshed out.

The way the town functioned didn’t feel rational. The superficial chemistry between Ellie and Prospero wasn’t enough to account for Ellie’s indecision. Maggie and Dan were interesting enough, though their relationships were also surface level.

I kind of love the way it ended though. Especially if it were a standalone.

Thanks to Bramble for providing me with an advanced digital copy to review!

The book was okay. I enjoyed the first half of the book. I found the different POV interesting for a story like this. In the description of the book it’s doesn’t really talk about the others. Only Ellie and Prospero.. Which I did find odd in the story. I would have appreciated if they were already in college and then had a back story of each character.

I try to finish books I've been given for review, but I just couldn't do it with this book. The description doesn't match up with what's inside. Instead of just Ellie and Prospero, which are the only ones mentioned in the blurb, there are several more POV characters whose stories are equally divided. Why focus the attention on just these two characters when the book contains so much more?

The Harry Potter reference early on gave me the ick and almost made me stop reading right there. But the ableism (cancer is gone when you're a witch but not if you go back to the human world--so the witch world is "free" of illness and disability) was just too much. I can't push forward in a book that has the elements, but especially not for a book that I just wasn't enjoying even without that.

Read if you like:
✨ Magical Systems
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ character rep
♥️ Insta-Love
#️⃣ Multiple POV

I have watched most of the seasons of The Magicians so when this was compared to that I was so excited to read it! Unfortunately, it didn’t give me the vibes of that show other than the fact that there were lots of characters and multiple storylines, but I just don’t think that worked for this book unfortunately the way it was done.

Additionally, I am really confused by all of the HP references that we are still getting in books and find it unnecessary.

I also really disliked the ableist aspect of the magical cure for chronic illness- like yes, we wish we could remove that from the world, but it felt like erasing lived experiences of so many in such a trivial way.

Thank you to the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

I enjoyed the story, but I think the blurb/cover is a bit off for the content. I felt like I was pitched a two-character romance, but that ended up being only about 1/3 of the story.

– non-witches are called barbarians (a very unfortunate word choice baked into every world-building bit)
– a lot of ‘hot person equals ripped/tight/lean’ and ‘insecure person equals pudgy/chubby/etc’
– so many POVs that aren’t fleshed out enough to mean anything
– bonus: my personal gripe, a librarian that doesn’t do any job duties

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble/Tor Trade for providing me with an egalley of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This was my first Melissa Marr book. I have heard really great things about this author but have not had a chance to read anything by her before now. I was excited to read this for the magical aspect as well as the LBGTQ+ representation I was promised as I'm trying hard to expand my reading palette. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with either of these in this book.
My first issue is the blurb versus what you actually get in the book. I thought I was getting Ellie and Prospero's story, which you do to an extent. But we also see several other points of view in the book, which was not evident in the blurb at all. So now, rather than having to focus on two POVs and their romance blooming, I was forced to watch multiples POVs and romances. Normally, I'd be ok with several POVS, but six? It was just too much for my brain to be happy with. The marketing of this one needs to be tweaked. Maybe give a hint there are other POVs when showing what it is to the public. On top of that, all the characters suddenly have romantic interests and it just all seemed so impossible to believe, even for a fantasy.
From the beginning, I could tell what would happen to Ellie. It was very obvious to me and I would have liked a bit more mystery there. She's a normal functioning human then POOF she's a witch. And after trying her hardest to figure out what happened to all these people who disappeared, now it was her turn? It was just to contrite for me.
The world building for this one isn't bad. I enjoyed the magical aspect. And I love a good magical academia book. But I didn't see as much of that as I would have liked. Even at half way through, I was still trying to figure out when the characters would take part in classes that would help them with their magic. It took way too long to get going.
In all honestly, I was bored with this book. I tried to be invested in the characters but since they were barely developed it was hard to really care about them in any deep way. I didn't connect with them or want to know how their stories would turn out. The author gave me no reason to want to know.
There was nothing drawing me to pick this book up and read. I read it only because I knew I'd have to review it, so I pushed myself through chapters. But I also had the hope things might pick up later on in the book and they didn't. I ended up skimming many of the chapters.
I will admit, I was initially drawn in by the cover art (I can't pass up a beautiful cover) and then the blurb drew me in further. But even with those, I was disappointed in what was presented.
I am doubtful I would move on to the rest of this series, even with the cliffhanger ending.

I hate to do this, but I made it to 30% and had to DNF. The characters were not developed enough for my taste. Very abrupt start to the story, we are thrown into this magical world, there are many POVs, and everyone is immediately pairing up and trying (or actually sleeping together).

I love the librarian aspect of it and I was initially highlight quotes I loved, but this story wasn’t strong enough to keep my attention. The lack of character development kept me detached from the overall story and I never felt an emotional connection. By the time the 30% mark hit it truly didn’t excite me or keep my attention. I could have pushed forward since the audiobook is narrated flawlessly, but I just didn’t enjoy the writing style of this story.

Thank you NetGalley and Bramble for this ARC and Macmillan audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion!

3.5 stars rounded up. This book is told in SIX pov's which usually seems to be too much. But the witchiness helped save it. This is a LGBTQia fantasy book. So it's probably not going to be politically correct. Seriously the infirmary sounds nice. I wish it could cure my chronic illnesses. 😝 The premise of the book is fun but there are definite flaws along the way.

Ellie is a librarian, she likes to research missing people. Her Aunt Hestia disappeared for a while. Ellie tries to be boring to help prevent her own disappearance. One day at work a mysterious woman comes into the library and kisses Ellie. A magical kiss. Later on, Ellie and Hestia are driving and there are cows on the road. Ellie tries to save the cows by crashing her car. She wakes up in a strange hospital with the mysterious woman in a strange town with a strange smell.

Crenshaw is a magical community with a lot of dark issues. The new witches have to go to college (classes we hardly see) and if they have enough magical power. They stay in Crenshaw if not they are siphoned and memories altered and back to the real world.

There is a lot to unpack with this book. So much is going on and then it ends in a dark, weird way. In a Cliffhanger. So book two. I'll probably read to tie up loose ends. I'm still thinking 🤔 what did I just read. I liked it but I'm confused.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the ARC. Remedial Magic is a queer, witchy fantasy in which barbarians (aka non-witchy people) suddenly show their magical abilities through traumatic events like car crashes and falling down a hillside while hiking alone. When their magic happens, the other witches, living in a secret, hidden town, are alerted and bring them to a castle where they are told they will learn to use their magic, but in reality, they are assessed as to whether or not their magic is useful enough and strong enough to stay in the hidden witch town. If it is not, their magic is siphoned from them, a process which may kill them, so the other witches can take their magic for themselves.

To say that I found the story, which is meant to be the first in a new series, problematic, is frankly sugar-coating it. I kept asking myself "whose story is this?" as there were so many voices, so many characters, jumping between all of them, repetition about how they got there, whether or not they were considered dead or missing in the Barbarian lands - just muddled and messy the whole way through. Then when two main characters escape in a Thelma and Louise style run, including a random cousin who can get them new identities in a matter of hours, it really lost me. I pushed through because, frankly, I was hoping there was some sort of pay off or resolution in the end to make it somewhat worthwhile. There was not. The ending was actually worse than I could have imagined. Again, I know this is supposedly the first in a series but even individual books in a series are meant to have some sort of meaningful resolution. Oof! You can skip this one.

It's hard to write a review for this book since everything is okay. But just okay. The characters, the plot, the magic system were fine but I don't think this is a memorable book.

Remedial Magic is the first in the A Course in Magic series. In this story Ellie is a librarian and she is taken to Crenshaw, a magical land that is dying, by a witch named Prospero, where she learns about magic. There are elements of Harry Potter with the main character finding out that they are a witch followed by attendance at a magical school, a community college in this case. Initially, based on the blurb, this story seems to include only their POVs, but there seemed to be about six included. In addition to Ellie being taken, Maggie, a lawyer who wants to save her son by escaping her abusive ex, and Dan, a man dying of cancer and wants a second chance at life, are also in Crenshaw.

As there are multiple POVs and each takes place in a short number of pages, there is not a lot of time to develop each character. I have read a ton of novels where not all the characters were mentioned in the blurb, but I feel that this one was a little misleading. It makes it seem it is a two-character focused tale that will develop a relationship over time. The novel itself did not deliver this as there are multiple focuses and the relationship did not quite develop as advertised. When you add in the consent issues for the world of Crenshaw, the outline of the story may have been good, but it didn’t seem to translate to the product presented to a reader. I think a lot of the choices in this novel will not work for a lot of readers, but as reading is subjective, there may be a reader (or set of readers) where this will work as-is. For me, it did not quite work as I read the entire novel, but the ending did not make me want to read for the potential sequel. Overall, the author has a talent for world-building, but I think the characters need some work. I may not read the next novel or re-read this one, but I think other readers should read it for themselves.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Bramble, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

This was just really not for me. The way this is marketed just doesn't match up with what we are given. It's strange to compare this story to The Magicians--it was apt in theory, but the tone and themes of the story felt really different. If the reason for the comparison was only the magical school, I probably would have picked a more thematically relevant read-a-like. It also doesn't really resemble One Last Stop, at least what I remember of that book.
The characters and actual story were a bit of a mess. It felt like nobody had really gone through and edited this. The confusing and underdeveloped characters combined with the at-times problematic content, and too many POVs, made this a not-so-enjoyable ride.
I think that if this was a little tightened up (the characters and plot were fleshed out and edited a lot more) this could find its stride, but as it stands this is not something I would recommend to others.
TLDR; really confusing world, too many underdeveloped characters/POVs, etc.--I just don't want to recommend this to anyone.