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joshbrown's Reviews (431)
The most depressing volume yet. We see a lot of characters at their lowest points, and say goodbye to some as well. The art on the other hand, may be the most vibrant and beautiful it's ever been. Years later and I still can't get enough of this story.
Really a 3.5
This book, at almost every opportunity, goes out of its way to scream into your ear that it isn't Harry Potter or Narnia. The story actually becomes a bit predictable in its constant aversion to a typical hero's journey or magical school narrative. Our "hero" really is quite a dick, and it is sometimes overwhelming how much of a self made downer he is. But still, the world building in this is pretty creative, and there are some side characters that are really compelling. The parts of the book that aren't predictable are actually quite astonishing, and I couldn't help but keep turning the page. I have a feeling this trilogy will be more one big story than most, so I am sure my opinion of the first entry will be colored by my impression of the series over all. Only time, probably from a clock tree, will tell.
This book, at almost every opportunity, goes out of its way to scream into your ear that it isn't Harry Potter or Narnia. The story actually becomes a bit predictable in its constant aversion to a typical hero's journey or magical school narrative. Our "hero" really is quite a dick, and it is sometimes overwhelming how much of a self made downer he is. But still, the world building in this is pretty creative, and there are some side characters that are really compelling. The parts of the book that aren't predictable are actually quite astonishing, and I couldn't help but keep turning the page. I have a feeling this trilogy will be more one big story than most, so I am sure my opinion of the first entry will be colored by my impression of the series over all. Only time, probably from a clock tree, will tell.
Another 3.5 in reality. Such a perplexing series. Our "hero" Quentin pretty much loses all of his perspective and immense power that he had at the end of the first book when we catch up with him here, but throughout this book makes some observations about life and death and all that that is actually incredibly gripping. And the series continues to pull the rug out from under you whenever you think you've got a hold on what type of adventure this story is going to be.
The real change from the first book is the story of Julia, which we get in parallel to what is going on with Quentin. A new world of magic is created once again by Grossman, and though the geniuses in this part seem to get a little too successful by "crunching numbers" or whatever, it was still just as interesting, if not more, than the Fillory side of things. However, things are revealed at the end of the book that are best problematic, if not entirely unforgivable. I'll be reading the third and final part of this series, but I won't be surprised if the ending is purposely unsatisfying.
The real change from the first book is the story of Julia, which we get in parallel to what is going on with Quentin. A new world of magic is created once again by Grossman, and though the geniuses in this part seem to get a little too successful by "crunching numbers" or whatever, it was still just as interesting, if not more, than the Fillory side of things. However, things are revealed at the end of the book that are best problematic, if not entirely unforgivable. I'll be reading the third and final part of this series, but I won't be surprised if the ending is purposely unsatisfying.
Quentin grows up, and Lev Grossman sticks the landing.
Quentin Coldwater started out as someone who was never satisfied with his current surroundings, always looking for his sense of purpose and assuming it was in the next place, the next adventure. But after the events of the second book, Quentin is forced to look internally and find that purpose where he is standing. Maturing the main character over the course of a series is definitely not a new thing. Harry Potter does a lot of growing up between the ages of 11 and 17. But the learning and growing up that Quentin does in this series is so incredibly naturalistic and fascinating to read. He's not maturing because he's a kid going through puberty and that's what all kids too, he's actually becoming an adult who is trying to fix his mistakes and create something that is truly good.
This newfound maturity also presents itself in Quentin's female companion for the book. Where usually he is with a peer, and someone he has at least some romantic affection for, he is put into more of a mentor role in The Magician's Land, and being able to help guide a lost magician allows us to see how much the character has truly grown. The loss Quentin has suffered, instead of turning him cold and cynical, has allowed him a perspective that turns him into a good teacher and someone striving to be a good man.
On the other side of the dimensional divide we have Eliot and Janet, two characters that have gone through interesting journeys in their own right. It was great being in both of their heads for a time, and the quick story we get of what Janet was up to in Book 2 is amazing and has a much better theme than the story of Julia's ascendence we got last time. These characters finally having the ability of internal inspection does wonders for the story, and Grossman is able to bounce around the different nooks and crannies of the plot better than he ever has before. Throw in some haunting Chatwin history and a ghost of the series' past and you have a book that not only is the best of the trilogy, but may actually make the previous two books better upon reflection. Not at all what I expected going into this final chapter, but very much appreciated.
Quentin Coldwater started out as someone who was never satisfied with his current surroundings, always looking for his sense of purpose and assuming it was in the next place, the next adventure. But after the events of the second book, Quentin is forced to look internally and find that purpose where he is standing. Maturing the main character over the course of a series is definitely not a new thing. Harry Potter does a lot of growing up between the ages of 11 and 17. But the learning and growing up that Quentin does in this series is so incredibly naturalistic and fascinating to read. He's not maturing because he's a kid going through puberty and that's what all kids too, he's actually becoming an adult who is trying to fix his mistakes and create something that is truly good.
This newfound maturity also presents itself in Quentin's female companion for the book. Where usually he is with a peer, and someone he has at least some romantic affection for, he is put into more of a mentor role in The Magician's Land, and being able to help guide a lost magician allows us to see how much the character has truly grown. The loss Quentin has suffered, instead of turning him cold and cynical, has allowed him a perspective that turns him into a good teacher and someone striving to be a good man.
On the other side of the dimensional divide we have Eliot and Janet, two characters that have gone through interesting journeys in their own right. It was great being in both of their heads for a time, and the quick story we get of what Janet was up to in Book 2 is amazing and has a much better theme than the story of Julia's ascendence we got last time. These characters finally having the ability of internal inspection does wonders for the story, and Grossman is able to bounce around the different nooks and crannies of the plot better than he ever has before. Throw in some haunting Chatwin history and a ghost of the series' past and you have a book that not only is the best of the trilogy, but may actually make the previous two books better upon reflection. Not at all what I expected going into this final chapter, but very much appreciated.
This is very tangential to the X-Men but I thought I'd browse through it due to the MCU and all that. Ended up not being able to put it down. I had never read anything with Thanos or Adam Warlock in it and both are really fascinating characters.
Not terrible but a significant step down from Snyder/Capullo.
A fun read that boldly tries to mix different genres into one story, but also rather forgettable.