This sequel to The Magicians was even better than the first book. I loved how Julia's back story (a minor character from the first book) was interspersed through the main narrative. I loved how Josh came into his own and how Quentin continued to grow -- still whiny & self-centered, but somewhat less so. Grossman has nailed the fantasy-novels-for-adults-who-enjoy[ed]-juvenile-fantasy-novels genre. What I didn't totally love was the ending, but hopefully Grossman will remedy that with a third installment.
I will start by saying that I absolutely loved the first book, The Magiciansso of course, the greater the fall. I considered giving The Magician King three stars just for the handful of times it literally made me laugh out loud, but I finally decided that wasnt enough to offset the storys flaws, and I settled on 2.5 stars.
I agree with other reviewers who found the background story on Julia intriguing and engaging. To me, that was the best part of the book. However, I also thought those sections were overwritten at times.
The present time (Quentin -- or Quentin/Julia) story really lacked complexity and sophistication. Those sections were like reading an adventure in a childrens book. It seemed like the author just threw in whatever struck his fancy at the time. The plot felt random and unplanned, almost as if Grossman had never intended to write a sequel and had to hurriedly come up with something at the behest of his publishers.
I probably still will read the third installment in hopes of experiencing something akin to the captivation I felt with The Magicians, but Im definitely not waiting on the edge of my seat anymore for its publication.
I agree with other reviewers who found the background story on Julia intriguing and engaging. To me, that was the best part of the book. However, I also thought those sections were overwritten at times.
The present time (Quentin -- or Quentin/Julia) story really lacked complexity and sophistication. Those sections were like reading an adventure in a childrens book. It seemed like the author just threw in whatever struck his fancy at the time. The plot felt random and unplanned, almost as if Grossman had never intended to write a sequel and had to hurriedly come up with something at the behest of his publishers.
I probably still will read the third installment in hopes of experiencing something akin to the captivation I felt with The Magicians, but Im definitely not waiting on the edge of my seat anymore for its publication.
