Ruthless Magic by Megan Crewe

The Quick Cut: Girl and guy learn to depend on each other while going through a gauntlet of tests to hold onto their magic. Their bond strengthens as they learn the truth about their magic, the exam they're in, and the society's need for them.

A Real Review:

Thank you to Another World Press for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Finn Lockwood comes from a long line of Mages: people who utilize magic for a number of different purposes. In this society, only mages get to keep their full magic. The way to be a mage is to be accepted by the Confederate after school. If you're rejected, your magic is dampered, or significantly reduced.

The only way to avoid your magic being dampered is to take the exam. The exam is dangerous, mysterious, and if done right - can make you a Champion. If done wrong though: you can have your magic removed at best or die at worst.

Finn's family practically guarantees him a slot as a Mage. However, he was never that great in school and his doubt in believing he's earned his place causes him to opt for the exam.

Rocio is a highly talented student who has no family with Mages (also known as Dull). Although she has all the promise and success in class in the world, she still fails to receive acceptance into the Confederate and chooses to take the exam. How could she give up on magic when it's clear she's so much better than so many others who were accepted? Why is it that the families that have been mages for years are approved no matter their ability?

So when these two characters from totally opposite lives end up in the same group during the exam - you better believe Finn is left enamored and Rocio is looking like a genius to the group. It doesn't take long for the truth to unravel about how the exam isn't about what they were told it is, how those who are Champions don't get the life everyone is lead to believe they are, and the Confederate is keeping the truth from society on a number of items.

This book is absolutely what it appears it is: it's "The Magicians" meets "The Hunger Games". The brutality and survival combined with the magic makes it quite the thrilling read in the beginning. In the beginning being the key term here.

By the time I hit the halfway point, the story started to drag and felt a little repetitive. Rather than driving and feeling vibrant like the start, it didn't excited me anymore and the characters didn't give me a reason to root for them either. Beyond the basic details, you really don't get to know them that well.

Without enough character development and a continuous driving story, this book starts strong and ends slow as a magic meets survival story.

My rating: 3 out of 5