You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
I'm left feeling a bit conflicted about this book. In some ways, it was really good; there was plot development that broke away from formula and predictability, there were rich characters and an imaginative world, and there were smart and subtle references to other literature.
On the other hand, it was really several stories within one book. There were plot twists that were completely unexpected and sometimes hard to follow. And there were parts that just didn't sit well with me, for no clearly explainable reason.
In the end, I would like to recommend this book to others in part to see if they enjoy it as well.
On the other hand, it was really several stories within one book. There were plot twists that were completely unexpected and sometimes hard to follow. And there were parts that just didn't sit well with me, for no clearly explainable reason.
In the end, I would like to recommend this book to others in part to see if they enjoy it as well.
While reading this book, it became very obvious to me that I was not the target audience of this series. Usually this is no problem, but I found these characters to be wholly unrelatable and incredibly frustrating.
The pacing was consistent but way too fast. Grossman glazes over crucial moments in a paragraph or two - if they even happen onscreen at all - mechanically moving on to the next hit of action as if he's working his way through a checklist.
I did really enjoy the theme of Quentin struggling with coming to terms with the fact that it isn't a place that makes you happy, but consistent effort and mindset. However, the speed at which the plot progresses didn't really leave a lot of room to explore those themes which I found frustrating.
This book could have been 1,000 pages long and I probably would have enjoyed it more. Grossman speeds through the world building to focus on the action, leaving the world just developed enough to move onto the next thing even though he teases the reader with lore at every twist and turn, he never delivers on actually giving it to us.
Great concept in theory, but I really feel like the delivery was botched. I probably won't bother reading the 2nd and 3rd books.
The pacing was consistent but way too fast. Grossman glazes over crucial moments in a paragraph or two - if they even happen onscreen at all - mechanically moving on to the next hit of action as if he's working his way through a checklist.
I did really enjoy the theme of Quentin struggling with coming to terms with the fact that it isn't a place that makes you happy, but consistent effort and mindset. However, the speed at which the plot progresses didn't really leave a lot of room to explore those themes which I found frustrating.
This book could have been 1,000 pages long and I probably would have enjoyed it more. Grossman speeds through the world building to focus on the action, leaving the world just developed enough to move onto the next thing even though he teases the reader with lore at every twist and turn, he never delivers on actually giving it to us.
Great concept in theory, but I really feel like the delivery was botched. I probably won't bother reading the 2nd and 3rd books.
Happy to admit that, when I first read this upon its publication, a lot of this was over my head. A strict sword and sorcery dweeb no more, this was really enjoyable and refreshing. Harry Potter, riddled with ennui, on a quest for Narnia—but for a more refined, adult palette.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I’ve already watched the series so it was really fun to read this and be able to picture the scenes from the show. Aside from some height disparity for Quentin the characters were all really well cast. I absolutely loved the show so reading the book was a great adventure. Lev Grossman created such a fantastic world between Brakebills and Fillory. All the elements of a great dark academia and a hidden fantasy world melded together. Can’t wait to finish the rest of the series.
What a great read! I really enjoyed this book...it's like a cross between Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia, except for adults. Imaginative, wonderful and it had me turning pages until far too late into the night.
slow-paced
Literally 80% of this book is everyone in the school getting high, drunk, and/or having sex (but none of it in an interesting way). The interesting stuff happens at the end, which I guess did keep me interested (but also only because I watched the show and know what kinda happens). To which end, all the characters in the book are terrible people, and nobody should be rooting for any of them. Quentin is a hypocrite, Janet is self-absorbed, and everyone else is forgettable. The only decent one is Eliot.
adventurous
fast-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Entertaining fantasy read, although held back by some issues. The pacing was off imo - a lot of setup and then a very rushed finale. And I really didn’t like the main character / narrator, who was a pretty awful guy
I didn't really like it. Like, at all. I love the show. I wouldn't have watched the show had I read the book first.
I loved the world of this book--contrasting magic with gritty reality--and the theme that happiness isn't something you can seek through adventure. I liked the characters and their complicated relationships. But ultimately, I felt that the story got bogged down in too many momentum-less moments, where nothing was really happening to move the plot in any particular direction. Which I suppose echoes the way the protagonist was feeling, but it doesn't make for the most fun reading experience.