A Crystal of Time

The School for Good and Evil: The Camelot Years #2

by Soman Chainani, Iacopo Bruno (Illustrator)

In this fifth instalment in Soman Chainani's New York Times bestselling fantasy series, The School for Good and Evil, Sophie, Agatha, and their friends must find a way to overthrow the sinister evil that twists lies into the truth and seeks to rewrite their story.

A false king has claimed the throne of Camelot, sentenced Tedros to death, and forced Sophie to be his queen. Only Agatha manages to escape.

Now Agatha and the students at the School for Good and Evil must find a way to restore Tedros to his throne and save Camelot . . . before all of their fairy tales come to a lethal end.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Romance, Young Adult, Fiction, Magic, Adventure

624 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2019

About the author

Soman Chainani’s debut series, THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD & EVIL, has sold over 4.5 million copies, been translated into 35 languages across six continents, and has been adapted into a major motion picture from Netflix that debuted at #1 in over 80 countries.

His book of retold fairytales, BEASTS & BEAUTY, also debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List and is slated to be a limited television series from Sony 3000.

EverNever World, his decade-long franchise of fairy tales and fantasy, continues to expand. Together, these books have been on the New York Times Bestseller List for 50 weeks.

In 2026, Soman unveils a brand new universe with YOUNG WORLD, a global political thriller.

In his career, Soman has visited more than 800 schools around the world, where he continues to share his secret with students of all ages: that reading is the path to a better life.

Reviews

[Aggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch out Snake.... the real queen will be back to claim her throne.


🐍🦁👸🗡️



[UPDATE]
*SHEDS ONE TEAR* IT WAS SO GOOD....

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can be the One True King, the immortal Lion, cutting the head off every Snake.

4.98 stars

CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAMING??????? Holy friggin shit I am BUZZIN' right now with the adrenaline because holy hell there were so many plot twists in Part 2 alone. Soman knows how to write a plot, that's for sure.

After THAT CLIFFHANGER in Quests for Glory, we open with Agatha running for her life, Sophie trapped at swordpoint and essentially all the protagonists in jail or otherwise dire straits. Sophie, Hort and Tedros had my favourite POVs in this instalment, and how they react to the new obstacles that get thrown in their very messy paths illustrate just how much they're growing and self-reflecting - and I loved that. Especially Teddy (about goddamn time!). Also shoutout to Beatrix too! All the women in this book were pretty kickass tbh, even the Evil ones. If this isn't the most Sophie gif ever:

I did find that Part 1 wasn't as engrossing as I'd expected, what with the incredibly high stakes, but there were enough shocking reveals and unexpected turns that I had to start noting down my theories - it was just so twisty! Part 2 is where it really kicks off. I was literally fanning myself because I had so much adrenaline from reading. It wasn't just the plot twists, chilling foreshadowing or ridiculously intense scene immediately preceding Part 2, but the thought-provoking questions that are so classic to SGE. The School for Good and Evil was a brilliant take on subversive fairytale tropes, A World Without Princes spotlighted issues of extreme 'feminism' (where it's not even recognisably feminism anymore) and toxic masculinity, The Last Ever After had a central question of what decides a 'happy' ending, and Quests for Glory pondered on the line between Truth and Lies, Good and Evil - if one even exists. A Crystal of Time, through the characterisation of Rhian and POVs of Sophie (both wonderfully complex characters, by the way), asks us if the means justify the end. If The End is the eradication of all Evil, not just that of one fairytale...what would you give up to make it happen?

I spent my life in the shadows, where Good and Evil are never so simple. Every day in my world requires sacrifices. Sacrifices that can be awful and ugly. But I want a better future for people like me... a King of the People must rise. Any Evil I've done, any lie I've told, it's to make that future possible.

I personally think that Rhian is the 100% Good twin, and Japeth is the 100% Evil twin - unfortunately Rhian isn't Japeth's true love the way Agatha is Sophie's. RIP bb, I actually mourned wtf. This book accompanied its plot twists with a hefty dose of SGE-brand hilarity, though for some reason I didn't cry when I expected I would. I also felt like some reveals were a tad info-dumpy, for example about the rings. Others like Reaper's backstory were excusable because they were dramatic monologues and carried the story along. OTHER REVEALS HIT ME IN THE FACE LIKE A TON OF BRICKS...or should I say ton of butterflies???

All in all, I really enjoyed this!! Absolutely hyped for the next book (which is going to be the final one *sob*).

Some predictions/questions for Book 6 (marked spoilers):
- Japeth and Sophie's wedding will not happen as scheduled, Willam and Bogden have never been wrong before (despite it all happening in such a roundabout fashion)
- Japeth was Rhian's Snake instead of Tedros. I don't think Tedros was even part of that story. Sophie/Kei was kind of the Eagle in Rhian's fairytale.
- Why does Evelyn's dress like Sophie?!??
- WHAT DID THE LADY OF THE LAKE SENSE WHEN SHE kissed Japeth like come onnnnnn way to leave us on a cliffhanger!!
- Sophie better be safe, escape scimmy mind control and survive all six books otherwise JAPETH CAN CATCH THESE HANDS
----------------------------------------------------
THE BOOK IS IN MY HAAAAAANDS - three days early!!! Stay away from my updates though I won't post spoilers/will clearly mark if I do!

As far as I know, Book 5 is set for a 2018 release. It is now 2018.

Update: As of March 23 2018 it is now set for a March 2019 release - pleeease be worth it <3

[Elis · Rating 5 out of 5]

SEPTEMBER 2018.
Why? WHY, Soman Chainani, WHY???
I NEEEEEED THIS BOOK. Curse the cliffhangers.

EDIT 30 MARCH 2018:

What do you mean, March 2019?! THE WAIT IS GETTING LONGER, EVERYONE!
I don’t think I’ll make it to March 2019. That’s too much for me.

[Tina➹ lives in Fandoms · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Golden Stars

98%

2022 TOP 5

what the heckkkkkkkkk!?
NO!
DAMN THAT ENDING! (or that damned moment before the literal ending that changed everything!)
*Tears*
I understand why, it only makes sense this way (yet I couldn't guess!) but it HURTSSSSSSSS!
*more tears*

everything was explained!
everything had a reason!
OMG!
How delicately weaving!

why did I take so long to come to this one!!!!?????
(I probably have to re-read some times soon, since I'd forgotten some details from first 3 books)

after my disappointment in the last book (tho the end was surprising & awesome), I didn't have much expectation from this one. but this one was AMAZING! Every page filled with thrills & constant movements & plans, fun & feelz & unexpected surprises (& probably horrors, especially toward the end!)
can't wait for the next book. (should I read it this year???? I might! we'll see!)
every characters were interesting here; from Agatha & Sophie to Tedros (who I found annoying in the last book. here he was better, slowly developing. & his reactions & banter were so funny) & even the villains' side had so many characters I actually liked & sympathized with.
beautiful, funny writing style

& I liked the different vibes I had during reading it; from Disney & Merlin to Hogwarts & even Deltora.
& I liked how the author changed some cliches, while using them. & how the story made me doubtful for choosing which side is telling the truth. the Good & Evil are not simply black & whites. both made valid points!
(the only other book I actually doubted which side is good was Pendragon Complete Collection (nothing to do with Arthur Pendragon!) & I love this kind of uncertainty!)
-
World building: ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★★/5
Plot: ★★★★★/5
Written style: ★★★★(★)/5
General idea: ★★★★★/5

[ℜ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done, Chainani, well done.

A significantly more delightful book than the previous, and much less frustrating; my poor, tired heart is very thankful. It was more-so a rollercoaster that slowed down, picked up, slowed down, picked up, and kept switching that around until the end where it’s like forty loops in one go. And I loved it.

Multiple instances hit me hard with their uncanny resemblance to the current state of the U.S.; it was all very interesting. There were most probably more in the first book, but honestly I didn’t catch them... Maybe because I was too busy tearing out my hair... But never fear, as stated before, I did not go bald like the Lady of the Lake for this lovely page-turner!

Something else that struck me was that, overall, this book resounded as one being about love. Like, this series is packed full of people loving each other, but the importance of love shone especially in this one. If I were to consider A Crystal of Time a love story, which I absolutely do, it’s one of the best, having woven in the concept of love so seamlessly and perfectly.

Before I begin my breakdown of how I feel about all the characters, I wanted to address my thoughts on what is probably the most significant reveal in this book... Although, that significance could be debated on, considering just how many twists and turns were stuffed into these pages.

I’m... pretty “bleh” on the reveal of the parents of Rhian and Japeth (quick side note: I absolutely believe that Japeth’s first name is “Rafal”, because in The Ever Never Handbook, it’s stated that Rafal’s brother was supposedly named “Rhian”, and Evelyn Sader was madly in love with Rafal... so...). I originally had a theory that Arthur had been duped with magic to sire the boys, but Evelyn Sader their mother? It just felt so “But why though?” to me. It’s like... We’ve been so done with this woman for such a long time, and her relevance to this series has been quite slim, so the impact of the reveal was... eh. I honestly barely remembered her, and had to refresh my memory with Wikipedia. So it just felt a tad too forced to me, like she was trying to be shoehorned in and be important again because she already wasn’t very impactful.

Okay. Character time.

Girl power dominated this book, and I was thriving. Agatha and Sophie got their shit together and enacted plan after plan like nobody’s business. I was living for Agatha’s smarts, and honestly, Sophie’s too. In fact, I was anticipating her chapters in Camelot, because they were always packed with the “Game of Thrones”-esque political drama that I adore. What a concept, I know! But, but, I’m still very hesitant to like Sophie... the whole Sophie. The Sophie I like is the one who schemes against wicked foes undoubtedly out of love for her friends. But when she’s with those friends, and the love is filtered through her bratty attitude, I just can’t stand it.

Tedros continues to have the thickest head in the universe. Since when did he frustrate me more than Sophie? Lordy Christmas, his tripe about “I have to do everything by myself because I’m the king blah blah blah” was so infuriating, especially as he deflected the perfectly sound logic from those opposing this stupid-ass mentality. Do I still stand by #KingAgatha or what? King Agatha knows her limits and when to ask for a bit of help... CONSISTENTLY. So, he’s a moron, but I still don’t aggressively hate him, and if I have to root for any king... who isn’t Agatha... I choose Mr. Meat and Sports.

The. Coven. Witches. Are. Absolute. Queens.

Clarissa Dovey is one too. It’s been clear since book one: you do not fuck with this woman. She will rip you to shreds. And then she’ll turn around and open her arms to hug those she loves. Rest in peace, Professor, and never let go of your best friend.

The King Reaper reveal was absolutely iconic. Glad to finally know what was up with that little kitty, and his unyielding love for Agatha is the purest thing.

Hort... is so gross... and delusional... and entitled... and obsessive... I really don’t like him. He even makes me a tad uncomfortable, which is kinda hard... Nicola, I’m still not your biggest fan either, you’re just okay, but please get yourself a better man... please... You don’t deserve his Sophie-obsessed nonsense... or just his regular nonsense.

As for the two big villain boys... The Terrible Twins Two: Electric Boogaloo, as I kept calling them in my status updates... they were fine. They worked. There was nothing especially special or never-before-seen about them, but they had their compelling moments. Like... Rhian kinda having a bit of a point with his ideals, warped as they’d become, their complex family dynamic in general (especially during that intense final confrontation)... aaaaaaand... Japeth-being-super-duper-in-love-with-Aric-like-hell-yes-loving-me-some-villians-who-hate-everything-but-not-each-other.

But yeah. They were fine. *shrug*

Still, R.I.P. Rhian, whose death actually hurt because of the beginnings of a turnaround he was showing, as well as just how fun it was to watch Sophie “Cersei Lannister” his ass, and him whipping back like Tywin. (Sorry to all y’all who have no idea what I’m talking about. It’s another “Game of Thrones” thing, don’t worry about it.) So, rest in peace, you morally gray bastard, unless you’re brought back... somehow...

As a final note, I think it truly hit me in this book just how many times dudes go without shirts in this series. It’s clear that there’s something in the Endless Woods’ water supply that makes guys partially allergic to shirts. So, obviously, what I must do to celebrate the final book (ohpleasedearlordletthisseriesendaftersixbooks) when it comes out presumably next year, is to keep a tally of every time a guy is shirtless in the finale. Maybe I’ll even reread and make a total count for all six.

Stay tuned.

#SnaricEverAfter


Bonus

I was, ahem, waiting for Japeth to be revealed as canonically/explicitly attracted to men so I could post this little number in my status updates... but since it didn’t happen (in this book, ehehehe), I’ll tag it onto here for now:

*to the tune of “Uptown Funk”*

JA. PETH’S. INTO GUYS. JAPETH’S INTO GUYS. C’MON Y’ALL!


My review of Quests for Glory
My review of One True King

[Mina · Rating 5 out of 5]

‌
فقط خدا می‌دونه چقدر دلم برای دنیا و شخصیت‌های این مجموعه تنگ شده بود!
نویسنده‌ی این مجموعه از ایناست که من هربار فکر می‌کنم خب دیگه نمی‌تونی منو شگفت‌زده کنی و هربار منو ضایع می‌کنه!
با خوندنش واقعا شارژ شدم.
الان هم فقط یک جلد دیگه مونده و من موندم بر سر دوراهی که همین الان زرتی‌ برم اونم شروع کنم یا یکم صبر کنم و دیرتر با این دنیای جذاب خداحافظی کنم.

پ.ن. از همون اول هم تورو به خاطر کاور رنگارنگت بیشتر از بقیه دوست داشتم.

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Updated March 21, 2019:
A Crystal of Time is exciting, emotional, gripping, shocking and amazing. A false king has taken over Camelot’s throne, sentencing its true king, Tedros to death while Agatha barely escaping capture. Sophie is trapped to become Rhian’s queen and with her wedding fast approaching, she is forced to play a dangerous game to protect her friends. With King Rhian’s dark plans for Camelot taking shape, Agatha and the students of the School for Good and Evil must find a way to restore Tedros to the throne before their stories and the future of the Endless Woods are rewritten forever. A Crystal of Time is filled with magic, adventure, shock, danger, mystery, discovery, emotion, and twists.

After Rhian takes over Camelot, sentencing Tedros to death and her friends captured, Agatha barely escapes and now flees for her life. After learning a shocking discovery, Agatha with no allies, no friends and hunted by Rhian, Agatha finds hope at the School for Good & Evil. There Agatha must train the students to become her army only to find mystery and discovery about Rhian’s plans for the Woods as the Storian’s power is threaten. With the help of friends Agatha was able to rescue her friends and with the help of a very unlikely ally form a plan in hopes of stopping Rhian’s evil. As the teachers, students, coven and friends go on their quests, Agatha, Tedros and Sophie go into Dovey’s crystal ball to search for answers to how Rhian is king. As Rhian’s hold over the Woods gets stronger, Agatha and friends make one discovery after another into Rhian and the Snake’s past as they try to find a way to stop his plans and take back the Woods for good.

Tedros along with his friends, Professor Dovey, Merlin and his mother are being held prisoner by Rhian who he thought he trusted but has taken his crown and worse has been sentenced Tedros to death. After being rescued, Tedros and friends learns of Rhian’s plans that threaten the Storian and the Woods and while his friends, the school teachers, and other students have quests of their own to stop Rhian’s evil with the help of a very unlikely ally, he, Agatha and Sophie go on a quest of their own to discover one shock after another with the aid of Dovey’s crystal ball. As Rhian’s hold over the Woods gets stronger, Tedros comes to grip over one discovery after another into Rhian and the Snake’s past as he, Agatha and try friends try to take back the throne and stop evil.

Sophie forced to become Rhian’s queen in order to protect her friends and to discover the truth behind Rhian and the Snake revealed to be alive and his twin brother, Japeth plan for Camelot and the Woods, Sophie plays a dangerous game. To keep her friends alive, Sophie is forced to write stories using Rhian’s pen to tell lies to further claim that Rhian is king and Tedros a fake. Sophie continues to learn more about Rhian’s plan for the Woods, leaving her shocked and fearful for her friends as his lies continue to spread throughout the Woods. After escaping Camelot, rejoining her friends, Sophie aides them to stop Rhian evil by helping Agatha and Tedros discover more about Rhian’s past. However, Sophie’s attempt to stop Rhian and the Snake only unleashes a more deadlier evil upon those she cares for.

Held prisoner in Camelot’s dungeon, the trio, Nicola, Hort, Professor Dovey, and other members of the quest team are being held prisoner by Rhian. As they try to find a way to escape, they also try to learn more about Rhian’s history and motives for Camelot and the Endless Woods before it is too late. After being rescued, the quest team learn of Rhian’s evil and his plan for the Woods with help from the school’s teachers, other students and a very unlikely ally break into teams to learn more about Rhian’s past, protect the school, rescue Merlin and ensure that other kingdoms don’t turn against them while Agatha, Sophie and Tedros go on a quest of their own.

Everyone is struggling with Rhian as King of Camelot and it not only breaks my heart to see them like this but it angers me. I hated to see what was happening and the pain he was causing to my beloved characters. One of Anadil’s rats is killed. Professor Dovey dies. Reaper can talk and is a king? . I hate Rhian and the Snake. Both are just twisted, manipulative and more evil than Rafel if that is even possible.

Overall, A Crystal of Time was emotional and amazing. I love this series so much. Soman is amazing. To make me feel so engulfed in this story that I can have such emotion is incredible. The characters remain great, the setting and story is incredible and the pace never gets trying. Be warned that there are deaths in this tale and shock and twist after shock and twist. I need the next book, I have questions that need answers and OMG the wait is already killing me. This is one of my top favorite fairy tale retelling series of all.

Updated May 25, 2018:
OMG! It has a cover!


So beautiful!


I want it! I want it! I want it!

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3.25 stars~
(Dropped 1.75 stars from previous rating)

Re-read (10/27/20)

I honestly didn't think I would be rating this book so low, but I've feel like I've been reading this book for 10 years. I of course enjoyed it, but it felt a bit lackluster from what I expected.

here are my reviews for the previous books in the series:
The School for Good and Evil: ★★★★ .5
A World Without Princes: ★★★★
The Last Ever After: ★★★★
Quest for Glory:★★★★


what I liked:
• I liked Sophie's character in this book. Yes sometimes she was dumb, but she was acually useful. She actually did something ( Tedros can't relate). She didn't spend the entire book screwing everything up or whining which is what she usually does. She acted thoughtfully and things were going so great until the end. Which says a lot coming from me, because I never actually like Sophie.

• Lots of connections to the original trilogy and we get to know more about Japeth and Rhian's past. How they came to be , and how they were able to take power. The part that made the most sense about their part was that Japeth and Aric were best friends (maybe a little bit more than that 👀). Of course the two sociopaths that kill people for sport were once friends.

• it prepared me for the next book. I feel the urge to immediately pick up the next book and breeze through it. I just want to know what happens next! It was an actual hopeful cliffhanger, and not the one that destroys you.

• as much as I think that Tedros is a mindless troll who needs to acaully do something for once, his relationship with Agatha is kinda cute. When they reunited I genuinely got happy.

• the whole thing with Reaper. I genuinely forgot that part from my first read, and when I tell you I wheezed...

what I didn't like:
• this book was too long. And for how long it was we didn't get enough. It dragged. I had to push myself to read it even when I was enjoying it and that's never a good sign. In fact, I might mention, I would have preferred it if this series was a trilogy. I don't know if the last three books were quite necessarily, or really related to the original concept of "the school for good and evil". Again, not that I didn't enjoy it, because I did.

• not enough Hester, Anadil, and Dot. Come on Soman, isn't it obvious by now that they are the best characters? So... Why not give us more awesome trio content.... Please.

• For someone who is supposed to be really cunning and smart, Rhian was kinda acting dumb at times.

• it switched from 3rd to 1st narrative for one chapter?! Why? It was confusing. I get what the point of it was, as it was supposed to help us get more perspective from Dovey, but I still don't like it.



Overall, this is a solid book. I think there was a lot of lost potential and it wasn't my favorite, but I look forward to FINALLY reading the finale. I've been waiting for this. I'm kinda scared to find out how this ends, but also excited.

[fer bañuelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

STOP INMEDIATO A LAS LLAMADAS.

No tengo palabras. This is the best book in the series. ESTE ES EL MEJOR LIBRO DE LA SERIE. ESTE ES EL MEJOR LIBRO DE SOMAN CHAINANI.

De por si me encanta Quests for glory, que es el que inicia esta nueva parte de la trama, pero no mamen con lo que hizo este libro. Subió absolutamente todo lo que ya teniamos en el 100% al 1000%. Así es como se escribe una secuela Dios Mio.

La trama es atrapante a más no poder (como tenemos a los personajes en diferentes lados no puedes parar de leer para saber que pasa con cada uno de ellos), los personajes son INCREIBLES (oficialmente Sophie es mi favorita de toda la serie), y los giros son simplemente increibles. No se como le hará el autor para cerrar esta historia y más, para superar este libro. Dejó la vara muy alta.

Este libro se siente nuevo y moderno al mismo tiempo que clásico y nostálgico. Es una mezcla perfecta de las dos eras de The School for Good and Evil. Me sentía al mismo tiempo tranquilo y emocionado leyendo este, en parte porque a pesar de que la historia ha evolucionado tanto sigue manteniendo ese mismo sentimiento de los primeros tres y en parte porque no podía creer lo mucho que me estaba gustando, algo que no sentía tal vez desde que leí el tercero por primera vez.

Esta de más decir que les recomiendo esta serie. Haganlo ya por favor



23/03/18

2019?!?!
No.
No acepto esto.

[Sara Saif · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was quite something. When you read the 'epic conclusion to the NY times best selling series' you generally expect it to be that, the conclusion (although, readers like myself must have begun to distrust this line and the promise within). And if the author decides to continue the story, it's very likely that the new books are not as good as the originals and they end up distorting your love for them

This series has me conflicted. I'm annoyed at having to read a continuation of the story when it ended okay. On the other hand, this new series is insanely good? And more complex, and twisted, and it didn't have the things that made me mad in the first trilogy? Like, I really, really enjoyed it but feel pissed at myself for that? Gah.

I will say that Camelot Years deals with significantly less LOLs than the first three books. I forgave them for their faults and the incessant back and forth because I was too busy laughing. The new series is more mature, characters are developed and the plot is digging deeper into their pasts.

The focus of the plot veers in dozens of places at one time and I found that distracting. There were literally so many things crammed into the plot, they were hard to keep track of. There is a large set of characters so that could be a potential reason. All I know is, it was super frustrating. Then there is this technique of dangling answers in front of the reader and yanking them back just before they can grab them. I hate that technique. Soman Chainani's plot uses this technique like fuel. The smallest of details are tantalizingly to learn. I do not like being teased.

Crossing my fingers that I don't forget all of this until the last book comes out.

[MoonWyvern · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Wow! This has been quite a ride!

I wasn't planning on buying this book anytime soon. I still have to read a ton of books, but one of my closest friends bought this book for me on my birthday and boy, oh boy, I tackled her in a hug.

Anyway, this book absolutely destroyed me. Then again, a whole bunch of other books have too. What else is new?

We continue to follow Agatha and Sophie in a chaotic ride that made me second-guess who was really good and who was really evil, who I could trust and who I couldn't. By the end, it left me shaking and shivering with the thought that what I just read blew my mind.

The character's relationships strengthen and weaken (but mostly strengthen). I found myself rooting for Sophie and Agatha as they try to overcome these huge obstacles that make them question everything they once knew. Sophie is trying to do what she can to defeat Rhian, even if it means sacrificing herself. Agatha tries to rescue Teddy boy and her friends from Rhian's grasp.

And the shocking, and I mean shocking, truth we've been waiting for has been revealed. When that happened my heart stopped and my eyes widened so much I thought it would pop right out of my head. Soman Chainani was leading us one direction and when the characters finally discover the truth, I was as shocked as the characters.

AND THEN ENDING!! By this time, I was convinced that my head was going to explode.

[Miniikaty · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5

Reseña completa en el blog Letras, Libros y Más próximamente

Quinto y penúltimo libro de la saga “La escuela del bien y del mal”, un libro que sirve de puente porque no se avanza mucho en la trama principal (al contrario todo empeora 😅) pero en cambio da algunas respuestas, abre nuevas puertas, nos regala momentazos llenos de giros y sorpresas que cambian todo, no paran de pasar cosas aunque algunas sean previsibles la mayoría te deja con la boca abierta y asienta las bases para un final que seguro es la releche.

El libro empieza justo donde lo dejamos en el 4, la tensión se palpa en cada página y tienen que engañar, planear y actuar de inmediato si quieren salvarse y salvar al Bosque…

El libro es gordito, pero se lee muy fácil, tiene muy buen ritmo y atrapa enseguida. La pluma del autor y el mundo que ha creado cada vez me gusta más, es que enseguida te metes de lleno en esa atmósfera mágica, opresiva, oscura y llena de peligros. Los personajes han crecido muchísimo y ahora amo a todos y cada uno de ellos, son mis nenes que lo han pasado fatal y merecen su final feliz, hasta Sophie me está gustando mucho 😳. Aunque tiene una trama más pausada porque van poniéndonos en antecedentes, van descubriéndose cosas poco a poco y hay muchos viajes, fallos y explicaciones también tiene ese “algo” que atrapa, te mantiene pegada a sus páginas y deseando saber más y más y de verdad que lo estoy amando muchísimo y no pensé que fuera a ser así, es que lo estoy viviendo, me emociono, sufro con ellos, me enamoro y me deja muerta cada vez que hay un nuevo giro argumental, y os puedo asegurar que el autor se guarda muchos ases bajo la manga. También os digo que tiene todo lo que esperas de un buen cuento, ya le tienes cariño al mundo y a los personajes así que es fácil embarcarse en la historia y encima el autor no se corta un pelo con las muertes o la crueldad, tiene un tono oscurillo que lo hace mucho más juvenil y apasionante porque no tienes ni idea de que puede pasar, todo es posible.

Una saga de cuento llena de aventuras, mentiras y traiciones, magia y fantasía, amistad y amor y mucha tensión.

[Trinity · Rating 2 out of 5]

ngl this book only began getting interesting in the 400 pages mark which is…amazing for me! to basically read abt 400 pages of nothing! and overall it was 600 pages of characters being brain dead!! i stan! it literally ended the same way it began, someone betrothed to Sophie, and the “wrong” king on the throne. bruh so what you are telling me is if i skipped this whole ass novel, i wouldn’t have missed a thing? because that’s what this feels like.

unpopular opinion, i like what Rhian is standing for. not all the death and shit but the uniting of the fractions, good and evil coming together and forgetting their differences and following a pen that could tell anyone’s story , not some mythical pen choosing whoever it wants. i don’t understand the problem with this. yes he is abusing that power for his political gain but if it was done right , this idea is actually very good. if a leader choose to tell anyone’s story and not just people who attended the school for good and evil, it would give everyone a chance at glory.

tbh this whole book is the kids from the school gatekeeping the storian and saying tedros is the one true king, when tedros is nothing but drying paint on a wall. he has less personality than a stale booger on the ground. he whines more than my cat does and at least my cat usually has a good reason, ted never does.

also i love how they are so surprised by Rhian turning out to be a “bad guy”, as if some random person showing up during your journey and devoting themselves with pure love to tedros isn’t one of the most concerning acts of all time. tedros is literally a flee on a cow’s ass. it was suspicious from the beginning, they are just dumbasses.

a side note that irks me: for some reason this book feels like the author just discovered diversity, because apparently every random side character they see is a POC but then the author hasn’t had the balls to make any of the important main characters a POC (besides Nicola who was only introduced in book 4). it seems ingenious, and like he’s only throwing poc into the book for representation because he realized how white his books are. he could have made any of the main characters a poc from the start, but it feels like he’s trying to make up for his lack of diversity by throwing in random people of color through out the story and STILL NOT GIVING THEM IMPORTANT ROLES. like for example, even Valentina who is Hispanic (which may I add her saying Spanish words within the novel doesn’t make sense because we are in a fantasy world where spain/mexico or other Spanish speaking countries don’t exist therefore that language would not exist)but besides that point, the author makes her a random side character to barely shows up. like bruh. can you add diversity genuinely and not wait until book 4 and 5 where apparently you just remember pocs exist.

i love how in books 4 tedros was given the message “unbury me” by his father, over 700 pages ago, and just now is this even being brought up as if it wasn’t the most fucking obvious thing in the world what it meant to dig up his grave. it took agatha telling him, this is what i mean by Tedros is brain dead.

[Rizza✧˖° · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha and Tedros were the wrong heroes for this war.
But Sophie?
Evil was her blood.
She was the hero to slay this dragon.

SGE is one of my most favorite MG series. I loved the first 3 books, books 1 and 3 specifically, but I hated the 4th book. It was like the character development of the main heroes went out of the window (Tedros and Sophie's mostly).

But this 5th book redeemed the series for me. And who's the one that saved the book? You guessed it. None other than SOPHIE!

Yes. Sophie. The Evil Witch of the Woods.

Though I love Agatha and Tedros, Sophie took the crown on this book. Literally. Well, not yet but almost.

I did not like Sophie on the first books. Why? Because she was a selfish bitch. Although Agatha had tried to prove the opposite, she always manages to do something for her own gain; not minding any of her supposed friends. But on the other hand, she tried and tried to do what is good but in the end she ultimately betrays her friends to do what is good for her. Her and her only.

But why do I like her in this book? Because I was waiting for the scenes wherein she betrays her friends again and again but there was none! Instead she's doing her best to help Agatha and Tedros; for Tedros to get his crown back even though she do not like him one bit. She's doing it for her friend, her one true love. And she's doing it for the best if the Woods. This is what I call character development.

Agatha and Tedros were like chicken without heads on this book but Sophie? She has an agenda of her own. An agenda to save the Woods in the clutches of Evil. Namely, Rhian and Japeth.

Speaking of this two, I hate them but I loathe Japeth more. They paraded as the Lion and the Snake of this book. Rhian, or the Lion, I can somehow relate to. It's like a twisted Thanos story. Ugghh. Good reasons but wrong ways to do it. But Japeth? He is a psycho. An evil Psycho. An evil psycho who killed his brother in order to bring back his another psycho friend from which his brother tried to protect him from.

This book made me question a lot of things and I can't wait for the 6th one. Hopefully it will be published next year unlike this book in which I waited 2 years to read it.

But, I think I already know the ending of it. Because..

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of the smartest series for young readers and the second trilogy really hits its stride in A Crystal of Time. It's emotionally compelling, funny, juicy, and has some big underlying themes that feel very relevant. The content definitely feels a little older than the first trilogy with some crossover appeal into younger YA. This book is really getting into the truth vs. lies, including some real life parallels to things like manipulative political leaders and fake news, but in a fairy tale world. I continue to love the nuanced characters and relationships, with the deep friendship between Sophie and Agatha at the heart of everything. There are twists and turns, perilous moments, high stakes (especially for middle grade) but also humor and a lot of heart. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this installment.

As always, there is also tons of casual diversity and upending of expected gender roles. There are definitely things in this book that I would be hesitant to give to a 10 year old, hence the suggestion that this is a bit more mature, maybe more like 12-14? Also, do be aware of content warnings for cheating, death, previous loss of loved one, and a scene where someone uses dark magic to become non-consensually pregnant (note that there is no sex involved, but still...).

[Dorian Jandreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I‘ve been waiting for this book since the moment I finished reading 4th book. And now when I finished this book, I cannot wait for the 6th book to come out!!!

Soman Chainani books are my meaning of life: I finish one, I wait for another. He has an extraordinary talent to finish every chapter like an episode of a TV show making you lust to read more and MORE AND MORE because you MUST know what happens next. When I read his books- I lose the track of time, with this book I couldn’t notice when the morning sun started rising, because this book truly worked for me as a Crystal of Time: there was Present and no Past for me, there was only a second that lasted forever in his magical world. Only good books can do such things.

So… I cannot tell anything more without spoilers. :D So I better stay here like this: GIMME 6TH BOOK RIGHT NOW! xD

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

@ Soman Chainani WHEN IS THE NEXT RELEASE DATE HELLO???

Ahhh. These kids are so grown now and I love Japeth and I can't stand Nicola. My love for Sophie and Hort has been IGNITED. I have so many theories running through my head and this series is taking me on so many twists and turns. I need a release date for the next book!!

[Reyhaneh.r · Rating 5 out of 5]

به نظرم این جلد خیلی پخته‌تر از جلدهای قبل بود.
دیگه خیر و شر، حقیقت و دروغ به واضحی جلدهای قبل نبود. گاهی شک می‌کردم که آیا فلان شخصیت واقعا منفیه؟
انسان‌ها پیچیده‌تر از این حرف‌ها هستند که بشه به دو بخش سیاه و سفید تقسیم‌شون کرد‌. شخصیت منفی زندگی یک نفر می‌تونه شخصیت مثبت زندگی شخص دیگه باشه. حقایق و اتفاقات هم پیچیده‌تر از این حرف‌ها هستند و به راحتی نمیشه تشخیص داد که آیا کاری که می‌کنیم درسته؟ و نویسنده به خوبی تونست این موضوع رو به تصویر بکشه.
همچنین پیچیدگی این جلد خیلی بیشتر شده بود و وقتی که فکر می‌کردم الان همه‌ی حقایق رو می‌دونم، نویسنده با حقایق جدیدی روبه‌روم می‌کرد و به کامل کردن داستان‌های جلد قبل ادامه می‌داد. باعث شد فکر کنم که یه قصه می‌تونه چقدر بُعد‌های مختلفی داشته باشه.
خوندنش ماجراجویی‌ِ خوبی بود و از جلدهای قبل بیشتر دوستش داشتم چون دیگه شخصیت‌ها حرصم نمی‌دادن و ریزه‌کاری‌هایی که نویسنده اضافه کرده بود باعث شده بود برام قابل درک بشن. (:

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anothe Love - Book Couples

The School for Good and Evil - Trailer

I really missed this characters a lot, and to think that there is only a volume and the series is finished makes me sad 😥

The Lion stole the throne and all of our favorite Evil and Good characters are his prisoners well Sophie is forced to become his queen while Agatha succeeded in running away. I love how real the characters seem , I mean nobody is full good or full evil even the twins. Loved also the development and that Sophie and Agatha's friendship is strong as well as the supporting between Agatha and Tedros and how they developed as a couple by having a more understanding of each other and facing all together.

I cannot wait to read the ending of this beautiful adventure especially that Sophie and Hort are end game

[Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHHHHH! SOMAN CHAINANI DID IT TO ME AGAIN! A cliff hanger???Whyyyyyyy?

Anyways... this book was incredible. I read it so fast for the brick that it is. I totally recommend this series to everyone, despite your age!

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

of course this shitty series had to be my first book of 2023

[writtenbyshana · Rating 4 out of 5]

*احساس میکنم سال هاست ریویو ننوشتم
خب دلم برای دنیای این کتاب تنگ بود به شدتتت حدود ۳ سال منتظر این جلد بودم و خب وقتی رسید دستم نشستم به خوندن
اولای جلد رو خیلی دوست نداشتم کند پیش میرفت و خب از طرف دیگه ام سه سال پیش جلد قبلشو خونده بودم پس قطعا یه سری چیزا یادم نبود که این خودش باعث میشد یکم برام سخت باشه خوندنش
ترجمه که خب مثل همیشه عالی بود
*از اینجا یه جورایی اسپویلره پس نخونیدددد*
اول از همه به خدا اگه اگوست سیدر زنده بود من شاد ترین انسان دنیا میشدم. دلم براش تنگ شده. یه انسان به درد بخور توی کتاب بود🦥
وای وقتی دووی مرد به شدت دلم گرفت ولی سر چند فصل اخر که درباره جیپس و ریان بود بیشتر قلبم دردش اومد
میتونم بگم جیپس از شخصیتایی بود که خیلی جذبش شدم به ادم شرور با بک استوری دردناک که هیچ کس درکش نمیکنه و اونی که درک میکنه هم به دست برادرش ازش دور میشه.
میتونم بگم ریان خود شره
جیپس شریه که به وجود اومده🦥😂
البته هنوز نمیتونم کامل طرفش باشم.
از همه بیشتر از سوفی لجم گرفت تا یه جایی داشت مثل ادم رفتار میکرد ولی وقتی گویو به جیپس داد میخواستم تیکه تیکه اش کنم.
بعد اون وقت چرا نزدی بکشی این بشرو
ارامش خودمو نگه میدارم🦕
برسیم به تدروس و باباش نظری ندارم یکم زیادی یه حالی بود👁👄👁
در کل بسیار جلد قوی و دل انگیزی بود و میتونم بگم تقریبا اندازه دو ملکه دوسش داشتم🦦

[Bailey Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

—5 ✰ stars
𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: castle by Halsey and I did something bad by Taylor swift

”𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐞.”

Ok so first of all, WOW, and second of all, WOW.
I mean and I thought in the last book everyone was maturing, but in THIS book, everyone made me entirely shocked. I’ll rant more about that in the spoilers section though.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭? (Spoiler free) well this book starts off where the last book left. A lion serving to defeat his snake (iykyk), but is the lion really the lion and is the snake really the snake? Is all we thought wrong? Personally, the plot twists in this book were absolutely insane, I was utterly shocked. Let’s just say the plot was plotting (the real ones know who I stole that from 🤭)

𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬? Agatha was very slay in this book for the times she was in there, she acted like a true queen, and I felt like a proud mother. Sophie was absolutely a GIRLBOSS in this book, and I was absolutely adoring every second of it (this is coming from an ex-Sophie hater). Every single character matured so much and weren’t selfish and actually realized the value and importance of stuff. I really appreciated the growth and the build up of every character.

It’s kinda hard to say anything about this book without spoilers for the other books, so I’ll just say this for the people who can’t read the spoiler section: this book is your classic fairytale book but with a twist, this series is chaotic and a little childish at times, but it all makes up for the growth and plot. Personally I would 10/10 recommend for ANY ages.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬:
-love at first sight to enemies to rivals with tension to rivals to lovers
-rivals to friends to lovers to frenemies to lovers
-rivals to friends to frenemies to friends w benefits
-she fell first but he fell harder
-he fell first + harder
-fake dating and accidentally falling in love
-friends to lovers who realized their love for each other whilst they were separated
-rivals to best friends to lovers

⚠️ 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 ⚠️:
Ok let’s start this off strong with what was that ending?! I am still kinda shook from the fact Japheth killed Rihan like HUH

𝐓𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐬: I loved how Tedros took power and gained confidence in who he was and matured in his kingly acts. He really showed he owned that place as king and he would do whatever it takes to earn it back

𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚: pookie was barely in the book until the second half tbh, and even then I was just not feeling the connection w her anymore tbh. I mean she ate and I loved her scenes I just don’t really have much new to say abt her haha

𝐒𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐞: ngl Sophie slayed hard in this one. She was so freaking determined and I loved every second of it. I loved how no matter what she fought for her friends and stayed loyal the whole book even if that meant giving up love. And idc what you say, Sophie had turned good and has a big heart okay? Like take Rihan for example.

𝐑𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧: speaking of himmm, ngl he ate. I never really disliked him tbh, he just seemed cliche. But ma’am he DIED, was not expecting that. I mean he genuanly seemed to want to have a goood relationship w Sophie and Do what’s right. I honestly think they’d be a perfect couple, iffff Hort wasn’t there for her.

𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐭: speaking of his relationship w Sophie… I HAVE SHIPPED THEM FROM THE FIRST BOOK AND HER PICKING HIM TO BE SAVED MADE MY HEART SO HAPPY. I have always been and forever will be a Hophie Stan (they need a better ship name smh)

𝐃𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐲: WHY DID THEY KILL HER OFF, WHAT WAS EVEN THE POINT? IT WAS UNNECESSARY AND MADE MY HEART HURT SO MUCH OMG? LIKE THERE WAS SO MANY OTHER THINGS THEY COUODVE DONE AND SAVED SO MANY OF MY TEARS

Istg there is so much more I could rant about this book but I think this will be all for now 🙈

⚠️ 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐄𝐍𝐃 ⚠️

Ok so I loved this book so much, it was so fast paced and I was VERY invested (like more than the past books) and as every other book is, this book series is so Taylor swift coded istg. Anyways I think that’s all my bb’s, tysm for reading my review, sorry it’s kinda choppy, I didn’t really have much to say in this one, I promise the next one will be 10x better.

𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬-
(If I’m being 100% honest with you I didn’t get many quotes at all because I literally ate this book up and didn’t look back…so apologies)
“ I know you know Sophie. the real you. Petals and thorns. and I love you for them both” // Rihan omg marry me right here and now
“I spent my life in the shadows, where good and evil were never so simple. Everyday in my world requires sacrifices. Sacrifices that can be awful and ugly. But I want a better future for people like me…a king of the people must rise. Any evil I’ve done, any lie I’ve told, it’s to make that future possible.” // istg the speeches in this book were wild
“That’s the problem with wishes, they need to be specific.” // wishes are tricky in a world like this

𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬:
𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐖𝐚𝐚𝐥 // tbh this reminds me so much of Sophie

𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭 // NICOLA + HORT + SOPHIES SONG OMG, it’s definitely whatever is going on w them

𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 // THIS IS SOPHIES AND RIHANS SONG IDC

𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭 // Agatha + Tedros, naturally 💁‍♀️

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 // do I even have to tell you who this is about? (It’s abt Sophie 😉)

𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭 // literally Agatha + Tedros almost 1/2 of the time lol

𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 // Hort + Sophie???

𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐳 // Sophie 100% istg she always ends up in the same relationship issues

𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬:
Only love can hurt like this by Paloma Faith
Impossible by James Arthur
The archer by Taylor Swift
I fell in love with the devil by Avril Lavigne
Circus by Britney Spears
Pacify her by Marlene Martinez
Boyfriend by Selena Gomez
Two worlds collide by Demi Lavato
Devil doesn’t bargain by Alec Benjamin

Love,
Baileyyy <3

[desara · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT JUST HAPPENED KDUSBUCKNSU2JXH2K HD IEVZIEDUH2HSURYUDBDUJDHQUZREUNXISBYSIFJDHAIDHU I NEEDDDDD THE SEQUEL RIGHT NOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!

[Lauren Kiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edit June 2020: ended up changing my rating from a 5 star to a 4 star!



✨
✨
“Past is Present and Present is Past”
✨
✨

Y’all omg thIS BOOK AHHH!!!

This book was definitely my favourite one out of the series, Chainani reallyyyy outdid himself! I loved new characters we met, how we got to explore more from our already beloved characters, and also how we got to dive deeper into characters from the past...!

I really have nothing bad to say about this book. My major problems with the last book were fixed in this one, and I didn’t spot anything new I didn’t like.

Something I’ve noticed is that there is always foreshadowing in the first chapter of these books, so as I was reading the first chapter, I was looking for potential foreshadowing, but I wasn’t sure if it was actually was there. No spoilers but!! The first chapter is actually intense omg, read it well!

I also loved how the lines were blurred between who is good and who is evil, as sometimes it isn’t always black and white, especially if you change the perspective you’re looking at. SO GOOD!

Overall, I believe this book to be a full 5/5✨, just due to everything. I loved the plot twists we see throughout the novel (and one in particular with a certain furry friend), and just all the development we see and everything! I would recommend you read it if you’ve read the rest of the series!

[Erica Pinkham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is frustrating for many reasons. Most of it boils down to when the book is good, it’s GOOD and when the book is bad, it’s BAD and sadly Crystal of Time swings back and forth between the two violently for all 624 pages.

To start things off, the first half of the book is incredibly slow. It lays down a strong foundation for the last third of the book, but it is done so slowly and painfully to the point that the pay offs at the end of the book felt less satisfying because of how long it took to get there.

A perfect example would be the “Unbury Me” message from Arthur to Tedros. This message was given in the middle of Quests for Glory and then was brought up periodically throughout that novel and this one. We then, as readers, must wait over 700 combined pages until Tedros and Agatha even make it to Arthur’s grave. For a pay off that is only two pages long. And while it is a sweet moment and I appreciate what it does plot and character wise, I found myself more exasperated that this was all we got in the end.

Another thing that felt unsatisfying were the characters, again. While Chainani takes a step away from characters that he introduced or focused on in Quests of Glory, such as Nicola, Hort, and the Coven, it still did not feel like the time he gained to put towards main characters was put to good use. Agatha was the same character throughout the entire story, her only struggles focusing around Tedros and getting him to the throne, rather than anything deeper and more complex that questions or challenges her. Sophie grows, but in a subtle way, and there are many times in which it feels that Chainani wants her to be badass, but also insecure, and while those two can work very well for characters, it for some reason just feels like Sophie is constantly taking one step forward and three steps back the entire novel.

This then leaves the most unsatisfying character development in the entire novel. Tedros. Tedros who has been through grief and obstacles, who has been humbled and supported by friends and family, who has been shown what Good and Evil can be and STILL does not grow a single bit throughout the novel. He is still posturing, still taking people for granted, still acting like he’s the weakest link while also having the biggest head. It seems that him and Sophie have the same problem of Chainani wanting them to be badass and insecure and only creating a confusing turmoil for the character and the reader. Based on how the book ends, I imagine Tedros will get greater development in the last book, but if I’m being honest, Chainani has disappointed me for four going on five books now with this character’s development so my hopes are reasonably low.

Another issue that aggravated me, especially near the last third of the story, was the ridiculous deus ex machina and heavy handed solutions that plagued the story. A minor inconvenience that could probably be solved in a logical way using the world that had already been laid out for us? Nah, here’s a fairy we haven’t mentioned the entire book back to save you, or here’s a convenient character that is the king of the place you need to hide out in. It got to the point that the writing began to feel lazy, as though Chainani created these problems to fill space and then didn’t know how to fix them, so he just opened one of his other books randomly, picked out a character or mechanic, and somehow shoehorned them into the book to save the day.

I will say that there were things I did enjoy in this book. Despite my grievances with Sophie’s character development and growth, who she was throughout the novel, though the writer’s obvious favorite, was less detestable and I go could understand her motives just a bit more. Not every decision she made was perfect, but there were several that aligned with her character and I enjoyed that. I also go like the fact that Chainani stepped away from Hort and Nicola, though Nicola and Hort have almost no chemistry at all. They didn’t need to be the focus and they were always outshining the cast when the time came.

I also enjoyed the writing Chainani did with the crystal. It’s difficult to play into the Past and Present and Future ideas throughout the novel and not make it feel phony or forced. The use of subtle hints, with Bogden and William’s tarot readings and flashes of the future from the crystal, were well done and Chainani did well not to focus on every single one but allow the reader’s who were paying attention some actual GOOD pay-off when they remembered a scene from earlier in the book that played out later. Never let it be said that Chainani can’t write subtle and do it well.

I will continue onto the sixth book in hopes that it resolves well for both the plot and the characters. I have high hopes for the plot and low expectations for the characters but we shall see. Chainani did a great job wrapping up book three so I at least know he’s done it once and can easily do it again.

[Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me, Soman Chainani, 624 pages is not enough because now I have to wait who knows how long until the last book... THE LAST BOOK IN THE SERIES. THE LAST BOOK



Honestly, Chainani can give me a 1000 page book on just Tagatha cuddling or Sophie changing bath mats into dresses and I WOULD STILL READ IT. Just reading this book, this series, these characters are my children and my family and I am going to be so sad to not continue reading their stories. I am hoping that it will be an Ever After ending (I don't wish that for the Snake though, he can go die!) but I am going to cry and--oh, yup, not going to think about it.



A Crystal of Time starts off running--literally! It picks off with Agatha on the run from Rhian after he takes over as king and imprisons all her friends. It goes from there with nonstop action and so much crap just thrown at these characters and the world!

I think at some points the humor was jarring and ruined the mood, but, other than that, this book was SUCH a delight! It felt like I was reunited (with old friends and world) and IT FEELS SO GOOD...except NOW I HAVE TO WAIT.



I just love all the little Tagatha moments, Sophie being a badass enigma, Hort is soft, Tedros gets jealous of SophieAgatha friendship/homance, taking baths to enter a crystal ball, SheriffRobin team-up, the Coven, Evelyn Sader still causing mayhem after death...oh yeah, the fuckery that is named Arthur and his relationships with women just can not be contained within his pants!

I think this book is more of a set-up to the last book but I still enjoyed it. I especially loved reading from Dovey's POV...that chapter really tore me up it was so beautiful, I loved it. This book in general was SO GOOD. (Look at that hella gorgeous cover I might add.) The only thing I hated was the fact that I didn't have more time in a day to read it and had to read chapters here and there!

Tedros levels-up, as in he's growing just as much as Sophie is! I feel that this arc really lets us see his growth in character, something we got to see in Agatha and something we continually see in Sophie. So it was so refreshing for him to admit and realize he is selfish and isn't fit to be king but realizing that, yes, that is his throne and he's supposed to be king.



Also, we get jealousTedros™ that I have been waiting for. I mean he's jealous of Sophie but still hilarious that he wants to be part of their sisterly bond. And besides, Agatha is just too Good for BOTH Sophie and Tedros!

Tedros: this is my princess Agatha and this is Sophie, Agatha's princess. (shoutout to Parks and Rec!)

Sophie is still so complex and slaying! She pretends and loves and stays loyal. But above all, she cares so much for Agatha and that is so great to see, none of that Sophie causing drama and more Sophie helping fight drama in that dramatic flair.

And my daughter Agatha using her animal abilities, saving her prince in distress, and looking killer in black. She's just perfect, what else can I say? We all know she deserves to be queen but how about king? King Agatha?


The spoils:
-REAPER IS KING. A cat is king of gnomeland! Go Reaper--also go Reaper thinking Tedros wasn't good enough for Agatha! We all know that!
-The first years are so adorable! This isn't really spoilery but I mean they are just adorable!--brings back that first year Agatha, Sophie, Tedros nostalgia!
-Japeth and Aric...more than friendship? Possibly adorable?
-Dovey dying and seeing Lesso again X( can you not? That is the best ship there is!
-The dresss that Sophie wears um wow, stunning!
-Tedros thinking about meat and sport
-Tedros putting a locket into his mouth to find the last ring
-Tedros being so in love with Agatha it's so cute it is giving me cavities
-Like literally, the first chapter in his POV he is thinking about how awesome Agatha is

[Shmakhlooq · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is the first “The School for Good and Evil” book that isn’t getting five stars from me and it makes me so upset.

I just couldn’t connect with this book and I found myself dragging myself through it.

- First off, I felt like there was a lot of talking and storytelling, it got tiresome quite quickly for me. Even though this book was in no means slow paced, I did feel like I wanted certain parts to move along more quickly. Even through the dramatic and action scenes I found myself disconnected like it wasn’t entertaining enough for me. There was maybe one scene where I was really excited and felt like THAT’S what I needed, but everything else was just kinda meh ..

•••• Warning, this might be considered a spoiler for some, I personally don’t think it is, I’m just expressing my thoughts on a strong character turned weak and why I think he turned weak, but if you’d rather skip it just jump to number 3•••••
-Second, and this is the first reason I knocked a star from my rating, Rhian went from being a smart and strong villain to a complete IDIOT! I was not happy with the way he seemed to fall for all of Sophie’s tricks even though it was quite OBVIOUS she was tricking him. Then he completely believed that she was on his side when it was quite obvious she wasn’t. He could’ve at least been skeptical and more cautious but he just turned naive and stupid. I know this book is Middle Grade and maybe Soman Chainani didn’t expect kids to have a problem with this, but adults also read this series and I certainly had an issue with it. It was a weak segment of the story.

-Third, second half of the book could’ve been incorporated quite nicely with the first. I felt it was unnecessary to have them separated and make a big fat book out of it. I also felt at one point that there were too many elements in the story and we were being dragged in so many different directions.

-My final issue is with Tedros and Sophie. Can Tedros actually start doing SOMETHING and stop lagging about like a useless sidekick? His presence is completely useless!
And Sophie who’s supposed to be this great witch does no magic worth mentioning, we just read about awesome stuff witches can do but don’t see her doing any amazing spells or anything.

I don’t know if it’s me growing out of this series .. Which I hope is not the case. But I didn’t enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the previous books in the series.

Having said that, I will be reading the next book hoping for redemption.

[kazhin_rasoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

مرد آروم تر حداقل بذار یکی از این حقیقت ها رو هضم کنم بعد یه ماجرای دیگه سر هم کن:))
این جلد به حدی نفس‌گیر بود که تا میخواستی برای یکی از راز هایی که بر ملا شده، عر بزنی سومان میگفت نه بذار این رو هم نشونت بدم بعدا هرکار، خواستی بکن🤌🏻
باور کردن خیلی از حقایق واقعا سخت بود برام!!
به قول آگاتا آدم همیشه در تشخیص خوب از بد،گذشته از حال،دروغ از حقیقت مشکل داره:))
خیلی خیلی خیلی قشنگگ بود و این جلد باعث شد بیشتر از قبل هم عاشق این مجموعه بشم🥺💘
با همه ی این قشنگی ها هنوز کلی سوال بی جواب دارم که نمیدونم چی کارشون کنم(تنها چاره ش اینه که برم سراغ جلد آخر)که حقیقتا جرئتش رو ندارم🙂🙌
واقعا مغزم توانايي تحلیل کردن این همه اتفاق رو با هم نداشت!!
من:تموم شد چینانی خیلی تاثیر گذار بود(مثلا میخوام بهش بفهمونم که اصلا شکه نشدم یا هرچی)🤞🏻🦾
سومان:شروع نشده بود تا بخواد تموم بشه، تازه شروعشه!!!
واقعااااااا میدونید همه دارن همینو میگن (تازه شروعشه)از شخصیت ها ‌گرفته تا نویسنده و خواننده:)))
پ.ن:دوستان همانگونه که در چند خط بالا مشاهده می‌کنید بنده عقل و هوشم را دو دستی تقدیم سرنوشت کردم😂🙂
پس آگاه باشید این جلد با وجود اینکه تازه شروعشه چه غوغایی به پا کرده؛چرا حس میکنم این *تازه شروعشه*آرامش قبل از طوفانع؟!:))

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow—just wow. there was a LOT that happened in this book considering it’s 600+ pages but it was one hell of a ride. i was on the edge of my seat for the whole journey and by the end of it i was left wanting more. i enjoyed this very much and i can’t wait for the next one!