The Last Magician (The Last Magician #1) by Lisa Maxwell - Restarting July 15th 2021

[Ashleigh]

26% - (view spoiler)[Esta needs to watch herself. She's in dangerous times now! I'm looking forward to seeing how she mixes with Dolph's group... (hide spoiler)]

[~Sophia~]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[What?! That was possibly the most abrupt ending ever. Just when you think Nibs couldn't do any more, that twist hit hard. Overall, this book was pretty good. Some things were expected, like the not-so-enjoyable romance between Harte and Esta. Other things were not, like everything that has to do with Nibs. I actually enjoyed the time-traveling aspect a lot. I'd really like to continue this series to see where it goes. 3.5 star rating. (hide spoiler)]

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

I am about to pick this book back up

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

This book isn't holding my focus anymore. I will have to put this down for awhile and then pick up later.

[Tiera]

I just picked this up off audible! I'm going to tag along with you guys if thats ok!

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos)]

@Tiera the more the merrier

[Dannii]

I've been making such slow progress with this one. I still think audio wasn't the best format for me personally to consume it in, but I also haven't really been in the mood for an audiobook either, which hasn't helped. I'm currently half way through.

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[My feelings for this one are still quite middle of the road. I thought the time transportation and the prevalent magic would have made this more of an atmospheric read, but it's lacking that for me so far.

I really love Esta's character, though, especially when she shows us how bad ass she is by biting boys tongues, when they try to kiss her, and booting older gentlemen, who try to restrain her, in the face. This means she managed to fulfil her goal of getting closer to the ones she seeks, but also that she is now even more of a wanted woman.

Her thieving also really interests me. I love it when she takes items from the wealthy and powerful, right in front of them, just like she did when proving her worth to Dolf (listening on audio so not sure if that's the correct spelling). (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

31% - (view spoiler)[I feel like I've been reading this forever and not getting any further through the story.

That being said, the story does interest me and I want to keep reading. It's just not gripping me the way I hoped. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Ashleigh wrote: "31% - I feel like I've been reading this forever and not getting any further through the story.

That being said, the story does interest me and I want to keep reading. It's just not gripping me th..."

Exactly my thoughts!

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[My favourite part of this book was the magician visiting his drug addled mother. It was such a sadly sweet scene and really held my interest and made me emotionally invested in the story, when I hadn't been for a little while. But after this it just failed to engage me again. I don't know what exactly it is about this book but I just really didn't enjoy reading it. Maybe it was the audio, the length of the book, how long-winded events were, or that the characters never felt fully fleshed for me. Not feeling the romance, either. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[The Nibs reveal! I can't say I guessed it but can't also say I'm too surprised. Same with Dolf's death. (not sure of any of these spellings because of my audio listening.) My thoughts throughout have kinda stayed the same. Maybe one day I'll try this again physically but for now it's a sad two stars. (hide spoiler)]

[Tiera]

Chapter 21: (view spoiler)[ Ok so for some reason this audio was super hard to get into. Honestly I don't really feel its the fault of the narrator more just a really long drawn out world building that made it a little harder to sink into the audio sense it kind of feels like no matter how much info we are given I still don't grasp the world build quite as thoroughly as I would have liked. I feel like I'm finally sinking in though. Love how Esta impresses the gang. I like how each "magician" has their own cool unique powers.. more like x-men kindof. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 35: (view spoiler)[ You know, we have had this heist feel the whole time but I find myself constantly waiting for that to pass to really get to the root of the problems... The order.. the Brink. Saving Magic. But the heist continues. I'm hoping this ends up being some epic heist like in Crooked Kingdom. That was one of the better heist situations and displays of cleverness.. I'm a little scared this is going to fall short as it doesn't seem like any of them really have a grasp on the situation well enough, nor do they have enough information to pull this off without some hitches. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 69: (view spoiler)[ While I am actually quite interested in the story and plot line I kind of wish I knew which MC to get behind. though we kind of know what each person wants to do with the book we, as the reader, don't know much about the book, we don't know which person is the right one to get behind so I'm finding myself noncommittal when it comes to who I want to end up with the book. I guess as long as its not Jack? I hope Hart doesn't end up skipping out with the book after all. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[ Well dang.. surprise ending there. Wasn't expecting Nibs to be the professor, nor did I realize that was even a possibility because the parameters of the world building weren't clearly defined adding that onto the scene. Some foreshadowing would have come in handy to let us know that it was a possibility I think would have made that whole twist a little more cohesive. I'm not a huge fan of plot twists that come because of some loop hole that I as a reader didn't even know was a possibility. Maybe the author did mention it and I missed that part of the audio? I'm a little disappointed with the fact that Nibs has been the puppet master here the whole time, more like that they have allowed it to get this far. I don't see how they didn't take into consideration that Nibs was a murderer and that keeping the book from him wouldn't stop his plans of being in control. Esta kind of left the group leaderless with him at the helm knowing he needed to be stopped? I think in all it was an interesting listen but Im not super dying to move on to the next book right this second. I am however glad to see this off my TBR list lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting July 15th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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[Book_Fairy]

I would love to join on this one

[Bayan]

Welcome!

[Katie]

Just started this one! I'll update later tonight!

[Danique]

I hope to start soon :)

[Katie]

Part 1 - (view spoiler)[ I'm very interested in the start of this!! However, I don't really like anything with time travel, so we'll see if this can change my mind.

I like Esta's character already, so that helps! And Dolph losing his wife/partner? was pretty high stakes for early on in the book!

So far, this seems pretty promising!! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Part 2- (view spoiler)[ This section was so much longer and parts of it were slower for me than the first section, but towards the end of part 2, it really picked up! I'm totally invested now!

It seems like Jack’s machine had something to do with Tilly. Maybe it acts like the Brink and sucks the magic and life out of people with magic?

I actually really like Harte’s character. I can’t wait to learn more about him. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Part 3- (view spoiler)[ I'm LOVING the connection between Harte and Esta! And there has to be more to Harte than him being the magician. I know he's not being completely honest, but I'm waiting for a big plot twist or something!! I can feel it coming on!

I love that Esta is starting to get close to the gang! I wonder if she'll choose to stay in the 1900's instead of going back?

(hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Part 4- (view spoiler)[ Whoa.... There were parts about this ending I enjoyed, and there were parts that kinda fell flat for me.

I liked that Nibs ended up being the master mind behind EVERYTHING, but at the same time, I'm kind of wondering how Esta didn't recognize him earlier or how NONE of them even questioned him after Dolph's death. There seemed to be a ton of loopholes, but overall, I enjoyed this enough to continue to the next book. It wasn't my favorite, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would for it having time travel. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Okay I'm starting this in the next month because I have to finish up some other buddy reads first, I'll respond to your comments then Katie! :)

[Katie]

No problem!! :) :)

[Danique]

I'm hopefully starting in a few days, since I'll be leaving on vacation then and will have a lot of time to read :D

[Danique]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ Wow intense beginning! This seems so promising already, I can’t wait to see where it goes. I already know this is going to be a good book, just because I feel heartbroken about Leena dying; while we barely knew her. I do wonder how all of these characters are going to come together, can’t wait. Esta’s affinity sounds really cool, she can alter time?

Hot damn she changed the future. Oh crap. I wonder if Dolph is the magician we saw in the first chapter, the one who jumped with the book? He’ll definitely meet Esta at some point, I feel like they’ll work together. Aaaaah she has to stop the magician!! I’m loving this so much, the world building is so good and I want to know so much more about the old magic, but I have a feeling we’ll learn more about that once Esta is back in time. The crew that the professor was talking about, that has to be Dolph right?? But who’s the one who double crossed the crew? I actually feel like that’s Dolph himself, if not, then it’s either Nibsy or Jianyu I think. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Katie wrote: "Part 1 - I'm very interested in the start of this!! However, I don't really like anything with time travel, so we'll see if this can change my mind.

I like Esta's character already, so that helps..."

Same here! I normally don’t enjoy time travel that much, but this seems promising :)

[Danique]

Part 3
Sorry for my many random thoughts XD
(view spoiler)[ Harte is friends with Jack Grew, is that the guy who saw Este??? He was called Jack as well? Poor Dakari oh my!! I liked him :( I wonder where Esta will end up.. Man these chapters all end so good and then change perspective dammit😂 Aaaah I knew she’d lose the stone, but it’s so stupid that she lost her bag as well -.-

AHAHAHA Harte kissed her? Damn I like him. I thought he was way older lol but I still like them together already. It’s cute how he protected Esta, even though she doesn’t know it yet 😂 Aaaah it was indeed the same Jack! Esta sure is stupid for someone who is used to time travel, she seriously makes mistake after mistake after mistake 🙄 I wonder what Jack’s machine will be. From the part where he saw Esta it didn’t seem like he was a big part of the Order, but maybe I’m mistaken.

Aaaaaaah wait Esta will work in Dolph’s crew at some point & so will Harte so they’ll see each other again hehe. Also why does Dolph wear that patch? He can see right..? Aaaah wait of course Harte is going to be the magician, he’s literally acting like a magician in the theater right?? I love her and Harte tho aaaaaag!!

I actually feel bad for Jack after the heist lol. Harte should’ve just immediately let go of her arm, I don’t get why he kept holding on to her arm while he knew she was stealing shit and needed to get away. I still love them together though lol.

Jacks machine is intense, it’s like the brink! Damn, that’s going to be trouble. I hope Esta can change back the future.. woah Viola is Paul Kelly’s sister??? So Dolph’s mark is indeed the mark on the front cover. Aaah Esta and Harte will have to work together, that’s going to be great😂😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Katie wrote: "Part 3- [spoilers removed]"

Yes I love their connection too! (view spoiler)[ Harte and Esta would be great together 🥺 I hope she’ll stay, but I have a feeling she won’t have a choice - I don’t think everything will go to plan & she won’t get the stone.. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Up until part 4
(view spoiler)[ Okay at least Jack’s machine is broken, I still feel kinda bad for him though. Damn Jack is freaking crazy never mind, his plans can NOT come to pass. And Esta has been taken, she really is stupid isn’t she? Going back into a bar place crawling with police????

I love Viola’s protectiveness over Esta, she’s so cute!! I still feel bad about Tilly dying :( Okay I don’t like Nibs anymore. Like at all. He doesn’t give one shit about Esta, jerk!!! Ugh! His plans are terrible and I hate how he’s blackmailing Harte!! Poor thing ugh, I can already see it all going wrong. Dammit :(

They have an in to Khafre Hall now, can’t wait to see how it’ll all play out! (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ DOLPH IS DEAD. I REPEAT, DOLPH IS DEAD!! Dammit I hate his end, it was like bam over. Fucking Nibs, backstabber!!! Can’t believe I liked him at first. I hate that Harte is making all these changes to the act, the cuffs he got from Evelyn must be affinity suppressing or something - Evelyn is DEFINITELY planning something. I’m not freaking ready. Why is he being stupid dammit, Esta could’ve done everything really quick and he freaking can’t because he doesn’t have an affinity like that. At least Harte finally knows her affinity and they kinda exposed both of their plans. Wish he’d told her about Nibs though. But doesn’t the Order feel his magic if he uses it..? Wait WAIT what if Nibs is actually the professor? I think he can predict the future, and so could the prof right? Wait no that doesn’t make sense never mind.

Why did they use those bodies for the stones, like Bridget? Why them? I think Nibs is the last magician at least, not gonna lie. I don’t think it’s Harte. Shit I hope Nibs dies soon. I don’t remember what exactly was said about the last magician, they were mentioned but idk why anymore.

Aaah Harte pulled through 🥺 He gave her the book and cuff. But he just disappeared - is it so weird for me to think that she goes back in time and takes him anyway? I don’t believe he’s dead - I don’t want to believe it, I kinda feel like Jianyu made some deal with him and saved him? Idk. I’m glad Viola helped her out, I really like her and Esta.

I was right. I can’t freaking believe I was right. THE PROFESSOR IS INDEED NIBS!!! HOT DAMN DOLPH AND LEENA WERE HER PARENTS?? MIND. BLOWN. *Insert mind blown meme* Hot damn I didn’t expect this, I’m seriously blown away by this reveal.

What an ending argh!!! I love that they will try and get the stones, I feel like she should just travel back in time even more or something, so they have more time to find them 😂 I’m a bit scared of this new power in Harte, and I hope all will be well, especially now that they’re going through the Brink.. I do love that Jianyu will help, and hopefully Viola as well! I really liked those two but I liked Nibs as well sooooo (hide spoiler)] I’d love to read the next book somewhere in the next weeks as well, if you want?

[Danique]

Katie wrote: "Part 4- Whoa.... There were parts about this ending I enjoyed, and there were parts that kinda fell flat for me.

I liked that Nibs ended up being the master mind behind EVERYTHING, but at the sa..."

(view spoiler)[ I completely agree! I loved that Nibs was the master mind, but it was definitely weird that she didn’t recognize him. Dolph’s comments about her resembling Leena at least made sense now lol. I’ve never really liked time travel books, but the surprising twists made this really likable to me! :) (hide spoiler)]