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m4ferglez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tw for somewhat explicit rape scene near the end (p. 375)
You can probably skip most of it and not miss much of the plot progression.
Writing a good sequel can be hard, but Grossman absolutely stuck the landing on this one.
A lot of my issues with the first in the series were solved here, namely Quentin is a lot less annoying and seems a lot mor proactive on this one. I found Julia to sometimes fall into the same overly melodramatic depression Quentin seems to keep falling into in The Magicians, but her storyline is interesting enough to put up with her.
Really good stuff, if you liked the first in the series you’ll love this one.
You can probably skip most of it and not miss much of the plot progression.
Writing a good sequel can be hard, but Grossman absolutely stuck the landing on this one.
A lot of my issues with the first in the series were solved here, namely Quentin is a lot less annoying and seems a lot mor proactive on this one. I found Julia to sometimes fall into the same overly melodramatic depression Quentin seems to keep falling into in The Magicians, but her storyline is interesting enough to put up with her.
Really good stuff, if you liked the first in the series you’ll love this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Rape
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
starsnotshadows's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
the ending is a huge let down, but not in a terrible way. I suppose the series doesn't promise to have a happy ending, so I can't be mad at that. But I am sad for how it ends for Quentin. I think because I know there is a 3rd book, I am comforted that there will be more to the overall story. I was pleased with the character growth that I saw compared to the first book. While the ending was unexpected, I think it came with a good/realistic subtextual message.
Also, in the edition I read, chapter 25 is where most of the graphic action happens. editing to add that I agree with the main criticism that the rape scene was unnecessary
Also, in the edition I read, chapter 25 is where most of the graphic action happens. editing to add that I agree with the main criticism that the rape scene was unnecessary
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
archaicgambit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Please read my review of book one! It'll clarify some points I make here.
I would say all the same issues-- some slight improvements due to Quentin having worked on himself a bit. I was really looking forward to reading Julia's POV but the male gaze makes it hard and at times painful to read her.
The back and forth between julia in the past and quentin in the present is pretty cool, so I really enjoyed the structure. Lev Grossman's prose is honestly pretty solid and readable. I thought the challenging of the heroic cycle/heroism was sort of there, and the exploration of mental health was a lot stronger this time.
Julia's ending is intolerable and traumatic. As much as the show is criticized for how they handled julia's reynard/goddess arc... i think they did a pretty solid job fixing what was there in the books. I would not recommend this book for assault survivors or for people who are uncomfortable with rape scenes.
I would say all the same issues-- some slight improvements due to Quentin having worked on himself a bit. I was really looking forward to reading Julia's POV but the male gaze makes it hard and at times painful to read her.
The back and forth between julia in the past and quentin in the present is pretty cool, so I really enjoyed the structure. Lev Grossman's prose is honestly pretty solid and readable. I thought the challenging of the heroic cycle/heroism was sort of there, and the exploration of mental health was a lot stronger this time.
Julia's ending is intolerable and traumatic. As much as the show is criticized for how they handled julia's reynard/goddess arc... i think they did a pretty solid job fixing what was there in the books. I would not recommend this book for assault survivors or for people who are uncomfortable with rape scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Gore
Moderate: Racism and Ableism
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