Scan barcode
deathmetalheron's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Magician King starts off much slower than its predecessor. It splits the narrative between POVs of Julia and Quentin. Julia's parts are all very interesting and worth reading, and in the first quarter of the book are the real incentive to continue going. Quentin's sections in the first 100 pages are quite dull and seem to be very repetitive in regards to his stasis at the beginning of the first book--it feels very retread, and there isn't enough world-building and (necessary) characterization of Julia to continue going.
However, once Julia and Quentin and thrown back to Earth the stakes are immediately raised and they continue going farther and farther, and The Magician King ramps up the same level of introspection and satire that made the first Magicians so lovely. Gone are the Harry Potter analogues, as the group is firmly in Narnia territory. Grossman's sardonic and sarcastic prose sits very well and his consistent references make it truly powerful.
About three-quarters in this book becomes near impossible to put down--Julia joining the Free Trader Beowulf culminates in the reader's realization that just as much as Brakebills, the underground magic scene is just as conceited and loopy and will guarantee Julia nothing. The climax--while unbelievably tragic and graphic--sends home the fact of Dean Fogg's assessment that magic pretty much ruins everyone.
The ending of this book is actually chef's kiss. In a complete send-up of fantasy endings, Quentin achieves all and loses everything. It is so beautifully funny and ironic that I was literally busting up laughing.
If this book were a duology or simply an 800 page story, this ending would be succinct. I know the trilogy will continue but if it ended here--I truly think it would've been a powerful story.
However, once Julia and Quentin and thrown back to Earth the stakes are immediately raised and they continue going farther and farther, and The Magician King ramps up the same level of introspection and satire that made the first Magicians so lovely. Gone are the Harry Potter analogues, as the group is firmly in Narnia territory. Grossman's sardonic and sarcastic prose sits very well and his consistent references make it truly powerful.
About three-quarters in this book becomes near impossible to put down--Julia joining the Free Trader Beowulf culminates in the reader's realization that just as much as Brakebills, the underground magic scene is just as conceited and loopy and will guarantee Julia nothing. The climax--while unbelievably tragic and graphic--sends home the fact of Dean Fogg's assessment that magic pretty much ruins everyone.
The ending of this book is actually chef's kiss. In a complete send-up of fantasy endings, Quentin achieves all and loses everything. It is so beautifully funny and ironic that I was literally busting up laughing.
If this book were a duology or simply an 800 page story, this ending would be succinct. I know the trilogy will continue but if it ended here--I truly think it would've been a powerful story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gore and Death
Minor: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Vomit
beefygordito's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
3ofclubs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
The Magicians King takes a character who's admittedly bored and sets him up on an adventure for adventure's sake, but it manages to feel completely believable in that and not pointless, even while we the readers can feel that the journey seems to be taking Quentin further from happiness. I read this for the second time and I could still remember most of what happened, but still quite enjoyable and worth the read. Love to see Q growing up finally and I liked that we got to learn more of Julia's character arc as well, though the interwoven flashbacks didn't hold up quite as well on reread. Can't believe that Quentin didn't get to say goodbye to Janet, smh . Looking forward to the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Death
Moderate: Self harm
zmikhael's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
laurenbowman323's review against another edition
Trigger warnings!!! SA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
jlink17's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
medini_l's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, Murder, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Vomit
lemontree49's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
haleyrayreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed this book slightly more than the first one. The plot definitely moved at a more steady pace than its predecessor and the focus was more on the plot than being forced to live in our main character’s head. I appreciate the swifter pace and the more plot driven aspect of the story rather than it being character driven.
I still really don’t like the characters as a whole. They still tend to be on the selfish side and it makes it hard to care about their fates as a whole. The only characters I really felt anything for are Eliot and Julia, who, while being important, aren’t our main character.
I’m surprised there was no trigger warning for sexual violence and I would have been very upset readingJulia’s rape at the hands of the trickster god and the graphic depiction of violence in the scene if I hadn’t had prior knowledge from my husband.
All in all this is an entertaining read and I’m glad I didn’t let my feelings about the first book keep me from reading this one, even though this will likely not be high on the ‘reread’ list.
I still really don’t like the characters as a whole. They still tend to be on the selfish side and it makes it hard to care about their fates as a whole. The only characters I really felt anything for are Eliot and Julia, who, while being important, aren’t our main character.
I’m surprised there was no trigger warning for sexual violence and I would have been very upset reading
All in all this is an entertaining read and I’m glad I didn’t let my feelings about the first book keep me from reading this one, even though this will likely not be high on the ‘reread’ list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
Minor: Homophobia
refan13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
While a MAJOR improvement from the first book, a lot of the same issues still exist. The main character is still the worst person to follow. He is just flaws without any redeeming qualities. There's nothing about him to like and no reason to root for him.
Adding a second POV character was the best decision. That half of the story was engaging and had me invested.
The writing overall was improved from the first book. There was an actual narrative to follow rather than a mishmash of events Crammed into a book.
Adding a second POV character was the best decision. That half of the story was engaging and had me invested.
The writing overall was improved from the first book. There was an actual narrative to follow rather than a mishmash of events Crammed into a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide attempt and Addiction