How to Kill a Character

Ever read a book that had a detestable character? Well, after reading about that character, did you then think, "This book would be way better if that character acted meaner, pettier, and more obnoxious... and also if there were like five of them." Never thought that way? Well, this book is a perfect example of why no one should ever think that way. Scott took a great idea, that one of the least like-able characters might actually be a projection of the file, and squashed it by overwhelming the readers with Brit's petty minded vindictiveness. Both of his "strong" female leads come off as patronizing and small-minded to the point of cruelty.

The book had it's enjoyable moments, mostly held aloft by Luke Daniels' impressive performance, but they were few, and far between. It didn't carry over the wit and joviality of the previous entries to the series, it just piled up misery and sadness on the most upbeat and personable characters. Skip this entry and move on to the next, to save peace of mind. By the end of this book, Cludge is more of a like-able person than Brit.

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Genuinely disappointed.

Struggled to finish. Characters weren't likable and it felt incongruous with other books in the series. Strong female characters are not female characters who are obnoxious and irrational but hold strongly to their opinions. Martin and Phillip both got a bum rap in this one, Gwen was bland, and Brit was obnoxious, spiteful, and generally unpleasant. Other books in the series have had rough patches, but this entire book is a rough patch. I'm giving three stars because Luke Daniels gave a great performance, as usual.

If you're a fan of the series, you should consider skipping this one. You'll continue to like the characters, if you do. I'm going to read book six since I'm invested in the characters and there's no way it could be as bad as this one...

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Fun listen, fades in the end.

I really enjoyed this series and this book does not disappoint. It was a better story than the last book. The conept was very interesting a new than the previous novels but lost its shine quickly. Still the characters are their same which makes the book very entertaining and a joy to listen to.

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Making some characters annoying.

Just skip it. The only thing that saved this book is the amazing voice work.

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The File is out there.....

Reality is a simulation run by an unknown program for unknown reasons. So have fun

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Showed potential but was disappointing

Luke Daniels drives how a pretty solid performance again but I had to slow the playback so every sentence didn't as rushed as they were, you could have added nearly an hour to the book if they'd just let the dialog hang in the air more appropriately.

In the end I thought this was much better the fight and flight but only by a close margin. The overall ending left me incredibly unsatisfied and displeased with the characters, it was like watching a car crash in slow motion. I understand that Scott wanted to get to this part of the series at some point but they way he chose to get there seemed unnecessarily cruel to some of the most well meaning of characters.
He attempted to leave the book on a happy ending but with the degree of cruelty that I knew would forever be unresolved I could not in any way feel joy at the end of this book.
He chose to tease another better story idea at the end as a cliffhanger, much like fight and flight. But unlike fight and flight where he did the same thing it at least didn't feel like the whole book was a set up for the idea of a better story.
If you have read the previous books I don't think I'd recommend this, you'd might be better off waiting for the next one and looking up a plot summary of this before reading.

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Wonderful idea pulled down by unlikable characters

This book is a quick trip with well know characters for those of you who have read the rest of the series, the previous two entries are mostly filler and character development whilst this is almost entirely sweeping changes to the standing narrative.
And while I do appreciate the desire to make meaningful changes to the status quo it is done at the expense of the characters like-ability and depth.
Easily the best example of this is Brit, her character is presented to the reader as if she is the best thing to ever happen to Phillip, but in none of the books are we really givin a reason to believe it or even like her very much. She is constantly angry, aloof or bitter. She doesn't solve any of her own problems or add any greater meaning to the story. She is more of an awful harpy than a person for the majority of her story. If you find yourself a fan of Brit before reading this book I would recommend to avoid it if you wish to keep that feeling. I can't imagine why you would be her entire character is a stereotype of the bitter feminist that is desperate to find a man to punish for his transgressions, this was the entire Roy and brit subplot in book 3, while Gwen is every annoying girlfriend trope rolled in to one unpleasant character. To be honest the story feels like a shallow attempt to make strong female characters that just creates two holyer than thou hags who make our two primary characters miserable. Martin and Phillip can do much better for themselves than the loose collection of character flaws that serve as this series' female leads.
Performance is excellent. Daniels is a treat to listen to.

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full of anger!

absolutely horrible! The first four books were great or, at least, very good. They were smart, satirical and funny. This one made me grind my teeth when the romantic relationships "developed" for two pairs of characters. I hope there wouldn't be any young readers taking inspirations from the toxic examples portrayed in this supposed comedy.
Spoiler alert below.
Brit, in any of her variants, is absolutely horrible in manipulating Philip, taking advantage of his feelings for her and completely ruining him as a man because she couldn't handle her anger issues with self identity crisis.
Philip is weak, never takes risks to make his life better and transfers the responsibility for his happiness to the person who does not value him.
Gwen did not, in any of the five books, demonstrate why she would be a good long term relationship partner. Instead she is used to everything being granted to her based on her looks. She keeps demanding things from Martin and snobbishly demonstrates how she is smarter and better than all the male Wizards around her are. Revolting narcissist of a character.
Martin, for some reason, stops being assertive in educational to Gwen (that's how he got her in the first place) and decided it's ok to cater to her every whim.

I have no idea what part of this tragedy is supposed to be comical.

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dues ex machina saves the day, several times

well this was the weakest book so far... and I really wish Scott realized Black people lived in England in the past...

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Another great installment

The band is back together solving problems that can really only arise if you're a time traveling, base-code of the universe altering, wizard that's seen too much sci-if, and is trying to balance all these things into lasting relationships with your peers and partner. It's more of the same really, but in the case of the Magic 2.0 series, that's fantastic! #Audible1

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