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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
So I'm going to have to read the rest of the series now.
Rating: 2/5 (On Goodreads 2 is labelled as ‘Okay’ which is what this book was for me. Don’t be put off, or offended! It just wasn’t my cup of tea unfortunately)
Cassandra Clare is probably best known for her Shadowhunter series’ and I’m a big fan of The Mortal Instruments series and an even bigger fan of The Infernal Devices. The world is vivid and brilliant and Cassandra Clare’s characters, dialogue and storytelling are close to perfect. This is her latest offering, set externally to the Shadowhunter world and it was co-written with her friend and fellow author, Holly Black. I haven’t read any Holly Black but her books have been glaring at me from my to read list for a while.
All his life, Callum Hunt’s father has told him of all the dangers that are within the Magisterium. So, unlike all other children, Callum is determined to fail at the Iron Trials that determine admittance to the Magisterium. But he doesn’t fail, not exactly. When he makes it into the school, Callum is torn between his duty to his father and the realisation that he finally has friends and has finally found a place where he belongs.
Callum has a broken leg and having a protagonist with a glaring physical weakness that didn’t make him any less strong was great. I liked the growing friendship between Callum, Tamara and Aaron, especially since Callum had always been an outsider before he was accepted into their cohort. The ending was fairly enjoyable and I liked the reveal that will definitely be an exciting premise for the next books.
I was excited at the prospect of a series outside the Shadowhunter world but it’s safe to say that I was disappointed. My main criticism would be that I didn’t find the world enjoyable and wasn’t able to immerse myself in it. It wasn’t built out enough and it lacked magic, which is one thing it should have had. The story wasn’t compelling for me and I found myself having to trudge through the book so I could mark it off as read. Secondary characters can make or break a book but the side characters weren’t memorable enough.
I’m conscious that this book is categorised as middle-grade fiction and perhaps that hindered my enjoyment. I would still recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of either Cassandra Clare or Holly Black or enjoys books that deal with magic and boarding schools.
Cassandra Clare is probably best known for her Shadowhunter series’ and I’m a big fan of The Mortal Instruments series and an even bigger fan of The Infernal Devices. The world is vivid and brilliant and Cassandra Clare’s characters, dialogue and storytelling are close to perfect. This is her latest offering, set externally to the Shadowhunter world and it was co-written with her friend and fellow author, Holly Black. I haven’t read any Holly Black but her books have been glaring at me from my to read list for a while.
All his life, Callum Hunt’s father has told him of all the dangers that are within the Magisterium. So, unlike all other children, Callum is determined to fail at the Iron Trials that determine admittance to the Magisterium. But he doesn’t fail, not exactly. When he makes it into the school, Callum is torn between his duty to his father and the realisation that he finally has friends and has finally found a place where he belongs.
Callum has a broken leg and having a protagonist with a glaring physical weakness that didn’t make him any less strong was great. I liked the growing friendship between Callum, Tamara and Aaron, especially since Callum had always been an outsider before he was accepted into their cohort. The ending was fairly enjoyable and I liked the reveal that will definitely be an exciting premise for the next books.
I was excited at the prospect of a series outside the Shadowhunter world but it’s safe to say that I was disappointed. My main criticism would be that I didn’t find the world enjoyable and wasn’t able to immerse myself in it. It wasn’t built out enough and it lacked magic, which is one thing it should have had. The story wasn’t compelling for me and I found myself having to trudge through the book so I could mark it off as read. Secondary characters can make or break a book but the side characters weren’t memorable enough.
I’m conscious that this book is categorised as middle-grade fiction and perhaps that hindered my enjoyment. I would still recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of either Cassandra Clare or Holly Black or enjoys books that deal with magic and boarding schools.
I really enjoyed this book! I thought the World was very cool and I couldn't get over how awesome I thought the food situation was! I really liked Call, Aaron and Tamara. I thought their relationship was sweet. :) And Havoc! Can I have him? Please, oh pretty please? Also that plot twist!! :O
I'm excited for the next book! I think this one opened the series very nicely!
I'm excited for the next book! I think this one opened the series very nicely!
Definitely one I'll recommend to the book group - interesting characters, good pace, absorbing story.
So, I skimmed through some reviews and am rolling my eyes at all the people who are annoyed with similarities to Harry Potter. As if the magic + school combo begins and ends there? This did NOT feel like a rip off, and if anything it reminded me of Duey's Skin Hunger - only much lighter and more suitable for a middle grade audience.
So, I skimmed through some reviews and am rolling my eyes at all the people who are annoyed with similarities to Harry Potter. As if the magic + school combo begins and ends there? This did NOT feel like a rip off, and if anything it reminded me of Duey's Skin Hunger - only much lighter and more suitable for a middle grade audience.
Check out my four star review at: The Iron Trial http://mrsthomas715.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-iron-trial.html
Overall a fantastic read. It copied a few elements from Harry Potter that weren’t necessary, but loved the plot line.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Das Buch war gut! Die Geschichte solide.
Es gab viele Parallelen zu Harry Potter, 12 Jahre alt, Dreiergespann, schwarze Haare, Mutter tot, was nicht unbedingt schlecht ist. Gut kompliziert ist das Verhältnis zwischen Vater und Sohn, dass sich erst am Ende des Buches klärt und auch mit der Prophezeiung lag ich teilweise richtig, der Rest wird sich in den nächsten Büchern zeigen.
Es gab viele Parallelen zu Harry Potter, 12 Jahre alt, Dreiergespann, schwarze Haare, Mutter tot, was nicht unbedingt schlecht ist. Gut kompliziert ist das Verhältnis zwischen Vater und Sohn, dass sich erst am Ende des Buches klärt und auch mit der Prophezeiung lag ich teilweise richtig, der Rest wird sich in den nächsten Büchern zeigen.
In a riveting tale of Callum Hunt and his journey to become a mage, this story is a combonation of Harry Potter, the Huger Games, and the Maze Runner. Once I started this book, I could barely put it down.
Call is supposed to flunk the trials. He isn't supposed to go to the Magisterium. His father had told him for years that mages are evil and the masters are the reason his mother is dead. Despite his best efforts to fail, Master Rufus sees something in Call and invites him to the Magisterium as on of his apprentices. For the first time in his life, Call makes friends and isn't the gimpy kid with the bum leg who everyone makes fun of. He has two best friends who stick up for him and who protect him.
When he discovers who he really is, he knows he should do the right thing and tell Master Rufus and his friends. He knows he should let him bind his magic and not walk through the gate of control that passes him from Iron level to to Copper. But he wants to prove that he isn't who they say. That he is still just the kid he always thought he was. He doesn't want to give up the school, and his friends, and his new chaos ridden wolf.
When I finished this book, I immediatley bought the next in the series. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Call is supposed to flunk the trials. He isn't supposed to go to the Magisterium. His father had told him for years that mages are evil and the masters are the reason his mother is dead. Despite his best efforts to fail, Master Rufus sees something in Call and invites him to the Magisterium as on of his apprentices. For the first time in his life, Call makes friends and isn't the gimpy kid with the bum leg who everyone makes fun of. He has two best friends who stick up for him and who protect him.
When he discovers who he really is, he knows he should do the right thing and tell Master Rufus and his friends. He knows he should let him bind his magic and not walk through the gate of control that passes him from Iron level to to Copper. But he wants to prove that he isn't who they say. That he is still just the kid he always thought he was. He doesn't want to give up the school, and his friends, and his new chaos ridden wolf.
When I finished this book, I immediatley bought the next in the series. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated