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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Ok. Ok. So... I thought this was gonna suck so bad, but I've never been more wrong.
I would've finished this the very same day (because I got glued to it) I started it, yesterday, but I had to stop only 'cause I had adulting to do.
First of all, I can count with one hand how many times I've been genuinely surprised - no, not just surprised - SHOCKED about a plot twist. This book managed to do that. Twice. And a third one that was surprising, but not shocking, but still... IMAGINE THAT?!
Secondly, the plot is great, the world building is great, the characters are great, everything's great.
I just appreciate SO much how the book is for kids, but it doesn't talk down to them like so many others. It doesn't take you by the hand and treats you like you're gonna break, or you're not going to comprehend what you're reading 'cause you're a kid. It was better than many other things for adults... It was a glimpse of the magic caused by Harry Potter.
This is my new favorite series. Thank you.
I would've finished this the very same day (because I got glued to it) I started it, yesterday, but I had to stop only 'cause I had adulting to do.
First of all, I can count with one hand how many times I've been genuinely surprised - no, not just surprised - SHOCKED about a plot twist. This book managed to do that. Twice. And a third one that was surprising, but not shocking, but still... IMAGINE THAT?!
Secondly, the plot is great, the world building is great, the characters are great, everything's great.
I just appreciate SO much how the book is for kids, but it doesn't talk down to them like so many others. It doesn't take you by the hand and treats you like you're gonna break, or you're not going to comprehend what you're reading 'cause you're a kid. It was better than many other things for adults... It was a glimpse of the magic caused by Harry Potter.
This is my new favorite series. Thank you.
Mini-Review:
Yup. I am totally the wrong age group for this book. Regardless of that fact, the story progressed in a manner that made the main character less annoying and finally moved the plot beyond world building. I would totally recommend this for grade school kids to read. It's a nice start to a tale about magic, friendship and making choices.
Yup. I am totally the wrong age group for this book. Regardless of that fact, the story progressed in a manner that made the main character less annoying and finally moved the plot beyond world building. I would totally recommend this for grade school kids to read. It's a nice start to a tale about magic, friendship and making choices.
The "kids in a magic school" trope is pretty well established at this point, and it's basically impossible to not compare them all to Harry Potter anyway. This one, when I first heard of it, piqued my interest regardless, however. Besides the fact that Cassandra Clare and Holly Black were involved, this seemed like a bit of a darker take on the idea, and I can get on board with that.
The basics are that kids are tested for their magical ability and affinity and, if they're of a certain level, are chosen by one of the masters of the school and begin their training. The wrinkle is that Callum's father has put a fear of magic and the Magisterium in him, and there's plenty going on that makes him think his father might be right.
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would, and that was with me already being excited about it. It's not too long and, while it's pretty derivative on a whole, it has enough different twists and turns to make it feel like a different and often unpredictable experience.
Overall, a solid read both for the age group and for fans of this sort of book. Looking forward to seeing where this one goes.
The basics are that kids are tested for their magical ability and affinity and, if they're of a certain level, are chosen by one of the masters of the school and begin their training. The wrinkle is that Callum's father has put a fear of magic and the Magisterium in him, and there's plenty going on that makes him think his father might be right.
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would, and that was with me already being excited about it. It's not too long and, while it's pretty derivative on a whole, it has enough different twists and turns to make it feel like a different and often unpredictable experience.
Overall, a solid read both for the age group and for fans of this sort of book. Looking forward to seeing where this one goes.
The comparisons to Harry Potter aren't nessiary. People will like this book for their own reasons. It was a more middle grade story yet somehow I still really liked it even though I'm a bit older. And who saw that twist coming??!! I didn't but I thought maybe instead of Aaron being the M- it would be Call. Can i just say that was such a Cassandra Clare cliff hanger lol? Tamera is totally awesome! Like a Hermione Annabeth, I would read just a story with her in it.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I haven't read anything from Holly Black before and I really don't like Cassandra Clare. I only picked this book up because the description sounded interesting (and because i loved the cover of the german edition, to be fair).
You have to review this book for what it is: a middle grade fiction. You cannot complain about the very simple writing style or the fact that people keep laughing out loud about things that are hardly funny or about the many, many long, explanatory speeches given and the array of logic problems, because that's what middle grade books do. (I find the writing style quite similar to Legend of the Guardians, if anybody has read that.)
The plottwist was kind of foreseeable, but fun; and the "distribution of roles" (those who read the book will probably know what i mean) was refreshing. The main character drives you crazy sometimes, but he is consistent in his character which i really appreciated. The magisterium was full of funny new ideas and not too lengthy descriptions of the beautiful inside.
HOWEVER: The similarity to Harry Potter in the first book (i haven't read the others yet) is very striking. And since Harry Potter has way better writing style, more realistic conversations and a humor that resonates a lot better with me, that rather harmed than improved the reading experience for me. I hope they will get that out of the way in the following books.
Anyways, it was a nice, light read, especially nice for stressfull times, and will continue the series. Recommended, but don't have too high expectations.
You have to review this book for what it is: a middle grade fiction. You cannot complain about the very simple writing style or the fact that people keep laughing out loud about things that are hardly funny or about the many, many long, explanatory speeches given and the array of logic problems, because that's what middle grade books do. (I find the writing style quite similar to Legend of the Guardians, if anybody has read that.)
The plottwist was kind of foreseeable, but fun; and the "distribution of roles" (those who read the book will probably know what i mean) was refreshing. The main character drives you crazy sometimes, but he is consistent in his character which i really appreciated. The magisterium was full of funny new ideas and not too lengthy descriptions of the beautiful inside.
HOWEVER: The similarity to Harry Potter in the first book (i haven't read the others yet) is very striking. And since Harry Potter has way better writing style, more realistic conversations and a humor that resonates a lot better with me, that rather harmed than improved the reading experience for me. I hope they will get that out of the way in the following books.
Anyways, it was a nice, light read, especially nice for stressfull times, and will continue the series. Recommended, but don't have too high expectations.
First Read- July 2018
- Original Rating- 5 Stars
Second Read- March 2020
- Rating- 4 Stars
I still adored this story but I've become a more critical reader and this is just doesn't give me that 5
Star feeling anymore but it is a high 4 stars.
- Original Rating- 5 Stars
Second Read- March 2020
- Rating- 4 Stars
I still adored this story but I've become a more critical reader and this is just doesn't give me that 5
Star feeling anymore but it is a high 4 stars.
Ok so at first I liked it but thought of it too similar to Harry Potter, but that ending... Hoo boy! Haven't read something like that in a long time if ever. So refreshing and unexpected. My god! Can't wait to read the rest! *Giddy*
Holly Black hits on another winner. Col lives with his father but is due to be tested by the Magisterium to learn magic. Follow his path as he struggles with his disabled leg trying to find what he is supposed to do as well as who to believe. Everyone is telling him something different.
A well written story with very different take on magic. Elemental and power of self as well as the soul with laws that make far more sense than those in Harry Potter. A beautiful tale that can be a little slow at times, with a lot of character development. It is highly descriptive spanning over a year with many different forms of mayhem. Occasionally the leg can be over used but nowhere near bad enough to make it a problem. It is nice to see disability placed in well and the discrimination that can occur or not occur.
I am highly looking forward to reading more of the series.
A well written story with very different take on magic. Elemental and power of self as well as the soul with laws that make far more sense than those in Harry Potter. A beautiful tale that can be a little slow at times, with a lot of character development. It is highly descriptive spanning over a year with many different forms of mayhem. Occasionally the leg can be over used but nowhere near bad enough to make it a problem. It is nice to see disability placed in well and the discrimination that can occur or not occur.
I am highly looking forward to reading more of the series.
Though much simpler than the titles I'm used to from Holly Black (and I haven't read Clare's works aside from the Infernal Devices trilogy many years ago, so it's not fresh enough in my mind to make a fair comparison) The Iron Trial was a fun, fairly engaging magic story.
I enjoyed the magic system as well as the set up for the main conflict, though characterization left much to be desired from everyone aside from Callum. His journey and conflict with his relationship with magic were refreshing and new, and I see lots of potential for his growth as the series continues.
I enjoyed the magic system as well as the set up for the main conflict, though characterization left much to be desired from everyone aside from Callum. His journey and conflict with his relationship with magic were refreshing and new, and I see lots of potential for his growth as the series continues.