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A review by crescentsays
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
3.0
I enjoyed The Magician King more than its predecessor, but it still left me with mixed feelings. Quentin remains a frustrating character at times, but he showed more growth in this book, which made him slightly more bearable. The alternating storyline focusing on Julia was a welcome addition—her backstory and transformation were far more compelling than Quentin’s journey in both books combined.
The plot here is more focused and engaging, with higher stakes and better pacing. I appreciated that the story leaned more into the quest-like narrative, which made the fantasy elements shine. However, the darker and grittier tone persists, and while it added depth to Julia’s arc, it sometimes felt unnecessarily bleak.
Once again, the worldbuilding is a highlight. Fillory remains an intriguing and magical setting, and I loved how this installment expanded on its lore and history. That said, the emotional connection to the characters still fell short for me. While the plot kept me interested, I didn’t feel as invested in their personal stakes as I wanted to.
Overall, The Magician King improves on the first book in terms of plot and pacing, but the series still struggles with creating likable or relatable characters. If you enjoyed the world of The Magicians and want to dive deeper into Fillory, this sequel is worth picking up.
The plot here is more focused and engaging, with higher stakes and better pacing. I appreciated that the story leaned more into the quest-like narrative, which made the fantasy elements shine. However, the darker and grittier tone persists, and while it added depth to Julia’s arc, it sometimes felt unnecessarily bleak.
Once again, the worldbuilding is a highlight. Fillory remains an intriguing and magical setting, and I loved how this installment expanded on its lore and history. That said, the emotional connection to the characters still fell short for me. While the plot kept me interested, I didn’t feel as invested in their personal stakes as I wanted to.
Overall, The Magician King improves on the first book in terms of plot and pacing, but the series still struggles with creating likable or relatable characters. If you enjoyed the world of The Magicians and want to dive deeper into Fillory, this sequel is worth picking up.