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A review by bittersweet_symphony
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
2.0
I discovered The Magicians from a list which recommended books for adults based on young adult fiction: "If you loved such and such...then you won't want to miss out on..." This book sells itself as a blend of Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia, laced with drug use, sexual encounters, vulgarities, and a heavy dose of nihilism. Grossman really forces these elements down the reader's throat.
After two hundred pages of languishing in early adult ennui and libertine living--intentional on Grossman's part, but far over-done--a reason for the story begins to reveal itself. Only then did I start to care, albeit very little, for the characters. Grossman's attempt at turning the young adult fantasy genre into something more relatable to the grittier, cynical parts of adulthood stripped the book of what readers likely long for in the fantasy genre--magic and wonder. Reminders of our higher ideals or deeper mythological truths.
The homages to classic fantasy tropes or themes felt cheap. Grossman spends more time telling the reader what happened rather than showing it. It was like reading Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey fan fiction (or so I imagine).
I wouldn't recommend this to fantasy fans, adult or otherwise. My unrelenting desire to finish the books that I start (including books series') nags at me to continue on to book #2. I'm sure I'll better off watching the SyFy channel's version of the trilogy instead.
After two hundred pages of languishing in early adult ennui and libertine living--intentional on Grossman's part, but far over-done--a reason for the story begins to reveal itself. Only then did I start to care, albeit very little, for the characters. Grossman's attempt at turning the young adult fantasy genre into something more relatable to the grittier, cynical parts of adulthood stripped the book of what readers likely long for in the fantasy genre--magic and wonder. Reminders of our higher ideals or deeper mythological truths.
The homages to classic fantasy tropes or themes felt cheap. Grossman spends more time telling the reader what happened rather than showing it. It was like reading Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey fan fiction (or so I imagine).
I wouldn't recommend this to fantasy fans, adult or otherwise. My unrelenting desire to finish the books that I start (including books series') nags at me to continue on to book #2. I'm sure I'll better off watching the SyFy channel's version of the trilogy instead.