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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
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
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
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
lauralintunen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Mental illness
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide attempt and Vomit
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