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A review by montigneyrules
The Magicians' Guild by Trudi Canavan
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
#readingchallenge2025 (my book with a Magician character)
After several attempts at starting other fantasy series that just didn’t click, The Magicians' Guild was a breath of fresh air. From the very first page, I was completely immersed in the world-building. The way it blended magic with a complex political system, offered more than just the usual fantasy tropes and the setting felt rich and vivid, drawing me in with every detail.
I found myself staying up late, unable to resist reading "just one more chapter," and before I knew it, I was deeply invested in not only the main characters but also the minor ones, who were surprisingly well-developed for their roles. The relationships, particularly Sonea’s interactions with the Guild and her mentor, were nuanced, and I felt her internal struggle between loyalty to her roots and adapting to a new world of power. The motivations and backgrounds felt real.
What really impressed me about this book was how it balanced everything—action, character development, and world-building—without feeling overloaded. It was a steady, satisfying read from start to finish. The pacing is another thing I appreciated. It's a slow burn that builds up the tension without feeling like it’s dragging, and even the quieter moments are full of character development. The political intrigue and the stakes surrounding the Guild's power also kept the narrative engaging, making it harder to put the book down. It was a well-rounded story that doesn't rely solely on action but also delved into themes of class, power, and identity.
By the middle, I as ordering books 2&3, and by the end, I found myself recommending it to friends and even selecting it for my book club. It had all the elements of a great fantasy novel: a compelling world, complex characters, and a plot that kept me hooked.
After several attempts at starting other fantasy series that just didn’t click, The Magicians' Guild was a breath of fresh air. From the very first page, I was completely immersed in the world-building. The way it blended magic with a complex political system, offered more than just the usual fantasy tropes and the setting felt rich and vivid, drawing me in with every detail.
I found myself staying up late, unable to resist reading "just one more chapter," and before I knew it, I was deeply invested in not only the main characters but also the minor ones, who were surprisingly well-developed for their roles. The relationships, particularly Sonea’s interactions with the Guild and her mentor, were nuanced, and I felt her internal struggle between loyalty to her roots and adapting to a new world of power. The motivations and backgrounds felt real.
What really impressed me about this book was how it balanced everything—action, character development, and world-building—without feeling overloaded. It was a steady, satisfying read from start to finish. The pacing is another thing I appreciated. It's a slow burn that builds up the tension without feeling like it’s dragging, and even the quieter moments are full of character development. The political intrigue and the stakes surrounding the Guild's power also kept the narrative engaging, making it harder to put the book down. It was a well-rounded story that doesn't rely solely on action but also delved into themes of class, power, and identity.
By the middle, I as ordering books 2&3, and by the end, I found myself recommending it to friends and even selecting it for my book club. It had all the elements of a great fantasy novel: a compelling world, complex characters, and a plot that kept me hooked.