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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-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:
No
To be fair, it's been many years since I read the fourth book in this series, and didn't remember much, but even then, I can tell you I had more fun reading the other books than I did this one. I keep thinking that this should have just been a four-book series instead of five, but oh well, we have five books. It's not a terrible read, but it's definitely a letdown compared to the other installments. Even though I think everything wrapped up a little too quickly and a little too neatly, every one got their happily ever after and I am done with the series, which is what I call a win.
The Golden Tower is the fifth and final book in the Magisterium series. This is a middle grade series with a lot of elemental magic that often reminded me of the Harry Potter series. The kids attend a magical school called the Magisterium and there is all sorts of drama with a character that turned evil. The major difference is this series stays in the middle grade range and doesn't delve into all of the death and darker elements that crept into the final books in the HP series.
Overall, I enjoyed the Magisterium series, but I felt like it could have been condensed. Five books is a large commitment for younger readers. On several occasions, the content tended to drag on longer than it needed to. In addition, Callum's inner dialog slowed down the pace of reading and would have caused my son to lose interest. When I first started reading the series, I thought it would be something I could get my son to read, but there is no way he would commit to a fantasy series of this length. He is more of a non-fiction or contemporary reader and doesn't get into books with a lot of fantasy, sci-fi, etc. Mysteries, action, and adventure are more his thing as long as it fits into a real life scenario.
In retrospect, I don't think I would invest the time in reading this series if you are beyond middle school. I love some of Holly Black and Cassandra Clare's other books and series and really wanted to see how this collaboration would turn out. Perhaps younger readers will have a more favorable opinion of it, but it wasn't really for older YA readers in my opinion.
Overall, I enjoyed the Magisterium series, but I felt like it could have been condensed. Five books is a large commitment for younger readers. On several occasions, the content tended to drag on longer than it needed to. In addition, Callum's inner dialog slowed down the pace of reading and would have caused my son to lose interest. When I first started reading the series, I thought it would be something I could get my son to read, but there is no way he would commit to a fantasy series of this length. He is more of a non-fiction or contemporary reader and doesn't get into books with a lot of fantasy, sci-fi, etc. Mysteries, action, and adventure are more his thing as long as it fits into a real life scenario.
In retrospect, I don't think I would invest the time in reading this series if you are beyond middle school. I love some of Holly Black and Cassandra Clare's other books and series and really wanted to see how this collaboration would turn out. Perhaps younger readers will have a more favorable opinion of it, but it wasn't really for older YA readers in my opinion.
With Aaron in his head, Callum enters the Magisterium for his final year. When Alex comes back, Call along with Tamara and Jasper come up with a plan to defeat him once and for all.
This was a good ending to the series. Everything wrapped up nicely, but at the same time left open the possibility for following Call and friends to the Collegium. Overall, the series feels like it leans in hard to the success of Harry Potter- golden boy fated to save the magic world has a piece of evil wizard stuck inside him- but it works.
This was a good ending to the series. Everything wrapped up nicely, but at the same time left open the possibility for following Call and friends to the Collegium. Overall, the series feels like it leans in hard to the success of Harry Potter- golden boy fated to save the magic world has a piece of evil wizard stuck inside him- but it works.
You may not want to read this review if you don't want to know how the story will go, I will keep it vague, but it could be spoilery, so you are warned!
If I had to describe the magisterium series in one word it would be: fun. This was just a very fun series, but I think it ends there. That is at least what this conclusion made the series for me, fun but not outstanding.
The conclusion itself was very weird in my opnion, or at least unlike any finale I've ever read. And not in the best way. Call and Tamara go back to the magisterium and the new conflict just felt very forced. But okay we have to save the world so let's go. I didn't dislike the conclusion, but it also was not enthralling to me. It was both a very easy solution (or at least the process seemed very easy) and they made a plan and the executed it. Which made the plot very straightforward. Because these books are very short, it didn't drag, but it was not exciting to me. Although I have to say there was a twist that made me gasp out loud.
It was a fun book to read, just as the entire series. But I think it wasn't as fleshed out enough for me to fully love it. But if you are looking for a fun middlegrade series, I would recommend it.
If I had to describe the magisterium series in one word it would be: fun. This was just a very fun series, but I think it ends there. That is at least what this conclusion made the series for me, fun but not outstanding.
The conclusion itself was very weird in my opnion, or at least unlike any finale I've ever read. And not in the best way. Call and Tamara go back to the magisterium and the new conflict just felt very forced. But okay we have to save the world so let's go. I didn't dislike the conclusion, but it also was not enthralling to me. It was both a very easy solution (or at least the process seemed very easy) and they made a plan and the executed it. Which made the plot very straightforward. Because these books are very short, it didn't drag, but it was not exciting to me. Although I have to say there was a twist that made me gasp out loud
Spoiler
Alastair's sacrifice, for those who were wonderingIt was a fun book to read, just as the entire series. But I think it wasn't as fleshed out enough for me to fully love it. But if you are looking for a fun middlegrade series, I would recommend it.
It's fine, they are all fine, this one is as fine as the others. If you liked them, you will like this, actually if they were all one or two big books with more character development and depth they would be more than just fine.
I have finally reached the end. Overall satisfied but I still wanted a few things different regarding a couple characters. But most things had a nice ending. Although some things I also felt were a bit rushed in the explanations. I feel like Call has really started to grow into a young adult. Jasper though has grown the most. In comparison Alex continues to act more immature in each scene he is in. Ridiculously so. I don't get how it wasn't picked up on sooner. It was nice to see others finally start to trust Call. Alasitair really shocks me the most though and Revan became a character I really like. It was a fast paced tale that is in constant motion. It was a fun read!
Creo que fue el perfecto final para esta saga, aunque cosideron que, por lo menos, Alex hubiese sido un poco más maduro. Eso hubiese sido intresante. Pero muchas cosas conluyeron bastante bien y obvio que como siempre algunas cosas terminaron a medias y no estoy molesta al respecto. De este modo puedo creo un final para ellas a mi manera.
Desde luego que me gustaría vivir en este mundo, obvio siendo una maga.
Lo recomiendo.
Desde luego que me gustaría vivir en este mundo, obvio siendo una maga.
Lo recomiendo.
I really loved this series and enjoyed reading it very much.
3.25
Enjoyed the ending, I still wish more was done with the memory side of things but overall a good finish.
Enjoyed the ending, I still wish more was done with the memory side of things but overall a good finish.
A nice conclusion to the series, connecting many loose threads and wrapping things up satisfyingly.