"I Don't Need Magic" Review

I Don't Need Magic is a story written by Undome Tinwe that finished earlier this year. I've been reading it over the past few weeks and here are my thoughts now that the story is finished.

What attracted me to this story is the rather unique premise. Instead of having it take place in high school, I don't need magic takes place fifteen years after the girls graduate, telling the story of the rift created between Twilight and Sunset. Oh and if you haven't read the story: spoilers ahead.

The characterization of this story is brilliant in that it feels organic. Sunset I think is spot on, and there is no flaws in how well the author can execute it. The same goes for grammar and writing. Any "criticism" I have at the story is not because of the writing ability of the author, because shy of a typo here and there, the story is solid.

The middle of the story is really where things get interesting, and I'd say right before the end too. The development of the relationship between Twilight and Sunset is both unique and interesting even if a lot of it is just the two of them working on a method to stop Adagio. Honestly, the beginning and middle of the story will leave you with nothing to dislike for sure.

The ending, however... Is a bit shaky. To be fair, there were things I enjoyed about the ending such as epilogue, but in all honesty... The ending feels a bit odd. Adagio is built up to be this big bad guy, but in the end, she's defeated off screen and Starlight is crowned the final boss at the last minute with very little warning. It doesn't really give us a lot of time to become invested in the villain, and frankly, we weren't given a lot of time to become invested in Adagio either given that she comes off as generic "The world is mine" cat petting villain with no motivation. Not to mention I sort of feel that Twilight and Sunset's relationship in its current state... Wouldn't work. There simply are too many trust issues, and brushing them under the rug I don't feel would work.

A lot of these issues, however, could be mitigated by a sequel that goes deeper into the problems, but honestly, a weak ending often hurts stories far more. FORTUNATELY, the story is great enough outside of that that I wouldn't say it makes it a bad story, quite the opposite actually. I would say that it's worth a read regardless.

I give I Don't Need Magic a B+ which ain't too shabby.