Helpful Score: 2
I had a harder time getting through this book, the back and forth with Julia's story and Quentin's story was a little choppy. I do have to admit that everything came together very well in the end. Not the way I would have liked it to have, but it was a very "appropriate" end to the book. It was all very fitting. I'm a happier to happy ending kind of girl, what can I say. A fantastical adventure was had by all. I enjoyed the back story for Julia, and I am very interested to see where she goes next. I hope that Quentin does alright! He's a likable enough guy, but Julia is so much darker and more intriguing! Can't wait for the next book!
Helpful Score: 1
"The Magician King" picks up where the first installment ended: with Quentin and crew ruling Fillory as Kings and Queens. This novel employs two main storylines, one involving Quentin on a heroic quest and the other filling in the back story of Julia.
Julia's story revealed her journey through the world of magic after having been rejected by Brakebills. She embodies the depressed, angry angst that Quentin exhibited in the first novel. Her story is an interesting one but is often tedious and weighed down by too many details. It lacks the spark and energy of Quentin's tale until the storylines come together. There is one violent (and wholly unnecessary) scene that I would have preferred had been edited out of the book.
Quentin's story was much lighter and action-packed and served as the engine that drove the book. Quirky and fun, it was really an adult fairy tale that brought forth the Narnia-like magic the first book only hinted at. I thought Grossman was very inventive and excelled at creating the many events Quentin endured on his quest, like his meeting at Venice's Grand Canal as just one example.
I thought this book was much better than the first and I would have rated it higher had Julia's story been a little less of a drag on the pace of the story. This novel did have a great ending and I'm eagerly awaiting book 3.
Julia's story revealed her journey through the world of magic after having been rejected by Brakebills. She embodies the depressed, angry angst that Quentin exhibited in the first novel. Her story is an interesting one but is often tedious and weighed down by too many details. It lacks the spark and energy of Quentin's tale until the storylines come together. There is one violent (and wholly unnecessary) scene that I would have preferred had been edited out of the book.
Quentin's story was much lighter and action-packed and served as the engine that drove the book. Quirky and fun, it was really an adult fairy tale that brought forth the Narnia-like magic the first book only hinted at. I thought Grossman was very inventive and excelled at creating the many events Quentin endured on his quest, like his meeting at Venice's Grand Canal as just one example.
I thought this book was much better than the first and I would have rated it higher had Julia's story been a little less of a drag on the pace of the story. This novel did have a great ending and I'm eagerly awaiting book 3.
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
Helpful Score: 1
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.
