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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
This book gave me somewhat Harry Potter vibes in terms of a bunch of young teens training to learn their skills at a school. I liked how each character had to master a certain element. The plot twist at the end caught me off guard.
Some parts felt stretched though.
However, I will continue to read the book series.
Some parts felt stretched though.
However, I will continue to read the book series.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this one was ok but a bit young for my taste. That said I think it would be a great read for 8 - 14 year olds who like the Percy Jackson and Harry Potter series.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Lots of similarities to Harry Potter, but enough unique elements to make it fun. I think I liked it more than I would have because I read most of it with a group of my students.
Point of View: Third (Call)
Source: Netgalley
Release Date: September 9, 2014
No Spoilers whatsoever in this review.
Why is it harder to write a review for a book that I really loved than one I just liked? I was so excited about this book it was hard to write in complete sentences. Hehe!
I am very conservative with my 10 star ratings, only books that are my absolute favorite that I know I will read again and again get a perfect score. The Iron Trial gets 10 Stars!
Many of the reviews on Goodreads compared this book to Harry Potter. I think fans of Harry Potter will like this book, but this is NOT a Harry Potter copy! The plot, the characters, and the magic are all unique and different.
My short summary: (This only the setup for the beginning of the book.)
Twelve year-old Callum Hunt, called Call, is always getting in trouble at school and being bullied over his bad leg. Call knows about magic, but his father hasn’t used it since Call’s mother died when he was a baby. It’s now time for Call’s Iron Trial to see if he’s to be trained in magic, but Call’s father has told him that the Magisterium is evil and he has to fail his trial.
My Review:
Call’s not your perfect protagonist. He has an abrasive personality, always saying the wrong things. He complains that he doesn’t have friends, but when people try to befriend him, he’s mean to them. I think because he’s never had friends he has trouble trusting people. It takes a little while to warm up to Call, but I liked that he wasn’t the usual narrator.
Aaron is your typical orphan protagonist. Call calls him Captain America, good looks, nice, talented, and makes friends easily. There are numerous other minor characters and if I had a complaint about this book it was that there were so many minor characters that they were hard to keep straight.
The Iron Trials comes out on September 9th and I already pre-ordered it and I suggest you do too. I also plan to read it again once it comes! Yes it’s that good!
Sorry I didn’t say much about the actual book, I wanted to be careful not to give anything away. Just read it!
I only wish it was longer!! I want more!!
Can I have the next one now? Please?
The Iron Trial: 10 Stars!
See the review on my blog: http://mollymortensen.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/the-iron-trial-magisterium-1-by-holly-black-and-cassandra-clare-spoiler-free-review/
Source: Netgalley
Release Date: September 9, 2014
No Spoilers whatsoever in this review.
Why is it harder to write a review for a book that I really loved than one I just liked? I was so excited about this book it was hard to write in complete sentences. Hehe!
I am very conservative with my 10 star ratings, only books that are my absolute favorite that I know I will read again and again get a perfect score. The Iron Trial gets 10 Stars!
Many of the reviews on Goodreads compared this book to Harry Potter. I think fans of Harry Potter will like this book, but this is NOT a Harry Potter copy! The plot, the characters, and the magic are all unique and different.
My short summary: (This only the setup for the beginning of the book.)
Twelve year-old Callum Hunt, called Call, is always getting in trouble at school and being bullied over his bad leg. Call knows about magic, but his father hasn’t used it since Call’s mother died when he was a baby. It’s now time for Call’s Iron Trial to see if he’s to be trained in magic, but Call’s father has told him that the Magisterium is evil and he has to fail his trial.
My Review:
Call’s not your perfect protagonist. He has an abrasive personality, always saying the wrong things. He complains that he doesn’t have friends, but when people try to befriend him, he’s mean to them. I think because he’s never had friends he has trouble trusting people. It takes a little while to warm up to Call, but I liked that he wasn’t the usual narrator.
Aaron is your typical orphan protagonist. Call calls him Captain America, good looks, nice, talented, and makes friends easily. There are numerous other minor characters and if I had a complaint about this book it was that there were so many minor characters that they were hard to keep straight.
The Iron Trials comes out on September 9th and I already pre-ordered it and I suggest you do too. I also plan to read it again once it comes! Yes it’s that good!
Sorry I didn’t say much about the actual book, I wanted to be careful not to give anything away. Just read it!
I only wish it was longer!! I want more!!
Can I have the next one now? Please?
The Iron Trial: 10 Stars!
See the review on my blog: http://mollymortensen.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/the-iron-trial-magisterium-1-by-holly-black-and-cassandra-clare-spoiler-free-review/
Sort of an updated Harry Potter for a new generation -- magic in a boarding school of sorts, with a lingering evil and some chosen, talented few. On the whole I enjoyed it, but I am having a hard time with the big reveal and how Callum deals with it. There are so many stories about not asking for help, not revealing what you know to those you trust and that always ends badly. It's furstrating to see yet another book with that as the central theme.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated