A review by haleyrayreads
The Magician King by Lev Grossman

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 reading
Julia’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. 
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