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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
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.
dark
Wasn't the biggest fan of this book, but it had a good beginning and at least brought up interesting topics to discuss among my friends.