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A review by deathmetalheron
The Magician King by Lev Grossman
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