Erin S. (nantuckerin) reviewed on 11/5/2009 + 158 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 9

I have such mixed feelings about this book, it's actually hard to write a review. The Magicians has a great hook: imagine the premise of Harry Potter, but played out among college-aged characters, with all the angst and sex and confusion that accompanies that life stage. Only, to complicated matters even further, add magic to the mix in the midst of the real-world and all its mundane struggles and disappointments.

The story follows Quentin (Q), a fairly typical young man that has never quite fit in. The one place he finds contentment and peace is in Fillory -- a magical land (very reminiscent of Narnia) that exists only between the covers of his favorite childhood book series. Or so it seems. As readers, we learn that there's a very good reason that Q has been unable to let go of the tales of Fillory. Magic is in his blood.

But just because he's bright and has knowledge of magic doesn't mean things come easy to Q. The magic in Grossman's book is hard won after years of work, study and mastery -- there's no simple incantation and flip of a wand. Instead of an admittance letter delivered by owl, Q has to endure grueling admissions exams to study at Brakebills. Over his course of study, he makes friends, falls in love, figures out his area of study in magic, and makes a fantastic pilgrimage that, for me, was the high point of the story.

I think my biggest problem with The Magicians was that I just didn't like Q. He is moody, immature and self-pitying through the entire book -- and somehow, he doesn't do any growing in the novel, despite his fantastic circumstances. You could argue that most of us are moody, immature and self-pitying while we're in college, but Q still really grated on me. It took me much longer than usual to get through this book, and I think my lack of enthusiasm for the main character was the main cause. I just didn't feel called to check in on him and see what he was up to.

Grossman's writing is one thing in this book that is truly magical. I loved the way he spun his sentences, and his descriptions are top-notch without being wordy for the sake of wordiness. I am not familiar with his blog or his work as a book reviewer, but I hope he plans to write more novels in the future. His writing style and ability to create a fantastic world in line with our everyday one are definitely worth a second look.

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