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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
CC and HB have been friends for a significant while, and they both have very different styles of writing. Holly Black is the absolute queen of what's called the 'Modern Faerie' genre, while Clare created the world of 'Shadowhunters'.
So a part of me was excited yet also somewhat worried, if this book would read seamlessly, or be an obvious patchwork of literary effort by 'writers who are friends with dissimilar writing styles'.
I am glad though, that this book totally allayed my trepidation, for it is well written, and it doesn't read like a collaboration at all, but rather like the work of a single author, and you can't even spot shades of Black or Clare, it's like reading something by a new author.
The premise of the book, Magic, is something that's been previously explored by JK Rowling, and many writers since have fallen prey to showcasing shades of Hogwarts and Harry Potter in their works.
Not here though. Magisterium is more reminiscent of 'Avataar (Airbender)', albeit very slightly. Largely, it is a well rendered, original world, and it has plenty to like and dislike (lichen pizza??? Eh, no.).
I also liked reading a piece of YA literature without the 'sex', that these days seems almost thrust upon the 13 something readers to pander to some weird societal pressure/social reality, which most 13 year olds might not be ready for, and which is only a distraction from a decent plot. This book has no such distractions, and there's plenty of other YA awkwardness, including references to bullying behaviour, friendship, self discovery, learning to think for oneself etc, which actually is what makes up most of the 13-16 year experience for the average Young Adult.
Absolutely recommended for YAs and the young at heart!
So a part of me was excited yet also somewhat worried, if this book would read seamlessly, or be an obvious patchwork of literary effort by 'writers who are friends with dissimilar writing styles'.
I am glad though, that this book totally allayed my trepidation, for it is well written, and it doesn't read like a collaboration at all, but rather like the work of a single author, and you can't even spot shades of Black or Clare, it's like reading something by a new author.
The premise of the book, Magic, is something that's been previously explored by JK Rowling, and many writers since have fallen prey to showcasing shades of Hogwarts and Harry Potter in their works.
Not here though. Magisterium is more reminiscent of 'Avataar (Airbender)', albeit very slightly. Largely, it is a well rendered, original world, and it has plenty to like and dislike (lichen pizza??? Eh, no.).
I also liked reading a piece of YA literature without the 'sex', that these days seems almost thrust upon the 13 something readers to pander to some weird societal pressure/social reality, which most 13 year olds might not be ready for, and which is only a distraction from a decent plot. This book has no such distractions, and there's plenty of other YA awkwardness, including references to bullying behaviour, friendship, self discovery, learning to think for oneself etc, which actually is what makes up most of the 13-16 year experience for the average Young Adult.
Absolutely recommended for YAs and the young at heart!
writing this review at midnight after only getting four hours of sleep so BEAR WITH ME.
me and this book, we have history.
me and this book, we have history.
AMAZING. Loved this book. The story takes you on an amazing ride. When you think you know what is happening, the authors throw in an unexpected plot twist at the end. Cannot wait for the second book in the series.
uhm we STAN a super well-written middlegrade fantasy WITH A SUPRISING ENDING. Cannot wait to continue this series!
Muy interesante y tierno, parecido a Harry Potter (pero sin una autora cancelada). Con personajes entrañables y un mundo mágico nuevo e increíble.
4.5 stars really, there were some bits I didn't quite agree with but that's just me being nitpicky. The twist threw me for the biggest loop I think I've ever encountered as I thought it was going in a different direction entirely. Genuinely loved this book.
This surprised me and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I read this via Audiobook and would highly recommend to give it ago. I put off reading this for awhile as people were comparing this to Harry Potter. But apart from the magic and the chosen three this did not remind me of Harry Potter at all. I like the writing of this book and will continue on with the series. I loved the dynamics of the three roommates. I also liked the twist that came at the end.
I find myself doing this more and more these days, but with all the negativity going on, I feel like I need to say something.
I get that some people might not like the book, and that's fine. But what I don't get is why everyone has to hate on Black and Clare for 'ripping off Harry Potter'. They're not. There are similarities, yes, but then why don't we hate every fictional boarding school that is even remotely tied to magic? Why don't we hate Camp Half-Blood? Why don't we hate Camp Half-Blood for even being called Camp Half-Blood? It's so obviously a Harry Potter rip-off, right? Right?. Uh, no.
And anyway, I am willing to bet anything that if I try, I can find you a dozen books published before Harry Potter that have similar concepts. But that doesn't mean we can't love and enjoy all of them. No piece of writing is 100% original. So I'll just leave this here for everyone's consideration and move on the what the book was actually like.
Personally, I found it very enjoyable. It was easy and simple and a lovely one-day, get-your-mind-off-things read. The writing isn't the best it could be, it's not very elaborate and the wit is very childish (it still made me laugh though). But what would you expect from a children's book? I had no problem overlooking this aspect.
Character development was one of my bigger issues. We see Call's progress because we get his perspective, but the other characters have very weird, unnatural shifts in personality, at least as far as we can see. I mean, how do Call, Tamara and Aaron become friends? Aaron was always nice, but Tamara seemed to dislike Call rather strongly and then they're suddenly best friends? How did that happen?
There are several things, plot-wise, that I'm not sure if I should be disappointed by or excited about. Like Warren and his 'Master'. That was sort of dropped in the middle, but I'm not sure if it will come back in subsequent books or what, so a big question mark there.
I loved, loved, loved the elemental magic. I felt like I was 10 again and playing online fantasy RPGs. And I thought the idea of the hero not wanting to go to magic school (come on, who doesn't want superpowers?) was very interesting, especially that, what could be more tempting for a 12 year old who has been a cripple all his life? Who has always felt incompetent and unimportant. So I thought the book started unexpectedly and ended just as unexpectedly. The plot twist, while it was hinted at, was really a surprise. At least for me. I had my ideas, but I honestly did not think of that.
All in all, I enjoyed The Iron Trial and I'm really looking forward to the next book. I think this series has potential.
I get that some people might not like the book, and that's fine. But what I don't get is why everyone has to hate on Black and Clare for 'ripping off Harry Potter'. They're not. There are similarities, yes, but then why don't we hate every fictional boarding school that is even remotely tied to magic? Why don't we hate Camp Half-Blood? Why don't we hate Camp Half-Blood for even being called Camp Half-Blood? It's so obviously a Harry Potter rip-off, right? Right?. Uh, no.
And anyway, I am willing to bet anything that if I try, I can find you a dozen books published before Harry Potter that have similar concepts. But that doesn't mean we can't love and enjoy all of them. No piece of writing is 100% original. So I'll just leave this here for everyone's consideration and move on the what the book was actually like.
Personally, I found it very enjoyable. It was easy and simple and a lovely one-day, get-your-mind-off-things read. The writing isn't the best it could be, it's not very elaborate and the wit is very childish (it still made me laugh though). But what would you expect from a children's book? I had no problem overlooking this aspect.
Character development was one of my bigger issues. We see Call's progress because we get his perspective, but the other characters have very weird, unnatural shifts in personality, at least as far as we can see. I mean, how do Call, Tamara and Aaron become friends? Aaron was always nice, but Tamara seemed to dislike Call rather strongly and then they're suddenly best friends? How did that happen?
There are several things, plot-wise, that I'm not sure if I should be disappointed by or excited about. Like Warren and his 'Master'. That was sort of dropped in the middle, but I'm not sure if it will come back in subsequent books or what, so a big question mark there.
I loved, loved, loved the elemental magic. I felt like I was 10 again and playing online fantasy RPGs. And I thought the idea of the hero not wanting to go to magic school (come on, who doesn't want superpowers?) was very interesting, especially that, what could be more tempting for a 12 year old who has been a cripple all his life? Who has always felt incompetent and unimportant. So I thought the book started unexpectedly and ended just as unexpectedly. The plot twist, while it was hinted at, was really a surprise. At least for me. I had my ideas, but I honestly did not think of that.
All in all, I enjoyed The Iron Trial and I'm really looking forward to the next book. I think this series has potential.
ooooo i had forgotten abt this book !!!! i remember really liking it though so maybe ill reread