This book does many things well -- most of the Fillory sequences were great, and there was plenty of the inventiveness that characterized the first enThis book does many things well -- most of the Fillory sequences were great, and there was plenty of the inventiveness that characterized the first entry in the series. However, the parts of the first book I liked the most were harder to find here. At times, I got a hint of Terry Pratchett, occasionally a hint of Douglas Adams (bumming around between island/planets with the leader of the universe/world), but that was only ever for too-brief flashes.
(view spoiler)[Quentin's emotional state seemed more stuck -- and less interesting -- than before. The whole Julia storyline, a huge portion of the book, seemed both too intense and too separated from the other story to be as meaningful as the author intended. The character remained so distant that I'm not sure she had any value in the story at all. The other characters were actually often more interesting than those two, and the tiny flashes of Benedict screamed for far more backstory. What we got could have happened on Earth. (hide spoiler)]
It seemed like this sequel was not meant to be written; that it was artificially adding to an already complete story. We really didn't need to know what happened after that story ended. In any case, I wonder if I'll feel the same way about the next entry in the series (well, there will probably be one, right?) I still feel like there's so much potential here, we're just not seeing it. It was enjoyable, but not what it could have been....more
My 2005 was largely occupied with the reading of Stephen King's Dark Tower series. While it weakened near the end, the series is still one of my favorMy 2005 was largely occupied with the reading of Stephen King's Dark Tower series. While it weakened near the end, the series is still one of my favorite fantasy epics. It stands out as being one of the most original and creative fantasy works I've ever read.
This latest volume of the series, essentially a pair of stories from that world, told by Roland to his group at a point between books 4 and 5, captures much of the magic of the world that King created, and gives it new life. Books 3-5 were, to me, King's strongest, as he blends the thematic threads and settings to best serve his incredibly developed world. This book fits right in with those surrounding stories, as it emphasizes the backstory and mythology that had been developed. The stories told were excellent in tone and pacing, and fit in so well, that it was like I had discovered another book in the original series.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the original series, especially the strong middle books. It doesn't necessarily do much to advance the main line of the story, but there are still lots of strengths here, and still lots to enjoy. ...more
I had been waiting for this ever since the indeterminate ending of book 2 -- could that volume have really been the eAt long last, the saga concludes.
I had been waiting for this ever since the indeterminate ending of book 2 -- could that volume have really been the end? Lucky for us all, the third book has emerged, and was incredibly fun.
The steampunk focus of the previous novels remains present, but there is a slightly more political and personal bent to this story; the stakes have gone up, the number of characters has dropped, and the mysteries of the characters are being revealed. The incredible depth of the world has grown, and so the outside world has become ever more important. The sheer imagination and coordination needed to complete this series on a high note is incredible, and Gordon Dahlquist has pulled it off.
This isn't to say there aren't some flaws here. Certainly, there is some repetition, as every action scene seems like one before; some locations and enemies are back yet again. Not to mention that the characters continue to escape from inescapable scenarios, sometimes through contrived plots. There are even a few nods to some previous unconvincing behaviors, though this helps me to accept it. In the end, none of this ever gets in the way; it never detracts from the intriguing main plot line.
Once you get to a certain point in long series, you start thinking about its ending. Will it be worth my time? Will it be sufficient for the magnitude of story that has come before it? In this case, I had those thoughts long before I normally would, due to the long and uncertain wait for volume 3. There's no worries, though, as Dahlquist completes the series very convincingly, with a nicely tied-up ending. I was very happy, even if some subtle points were left out (though I find those are often unsatisfying).
A suitable and rewarding end to the series, which comes across as a major steampunk opus, well worth the time of any fans of the genre....more
I enjoyed this, but I'm still waiting for the real story to begin.
Like I mentioned in my review of the first book in the series, I am, for whatever reI enjoyed this, but I'm still waiting for the real story to begin.
Like I mentioned in my review of the first book in the series, I am, for whatever reason, much more invested in the framing story than the story that the main character is telling. So, the book itself earned sort of a "meh". It was a good epic fantasy, certainly, and I have no problem with that. There were just times when I felt like there was just a lot of plot for no real reason.
That said, the story never dragged, and I very much enjoyed reading it, mostly due to the author's writing style. It's one of the most engrossing books I have read recently, because it just sucks me in and keeps me there. I don't wonder "why are we still in this part of the story?" until I stop reading, realize another hundred pages have passed, and we're still off on some side quest....more
I was pretty hesitant going into The Magicians; the main selling point. "It's a grittier Harry Potter!" falls flat with me. That premise alone was theI was pretty hesitant going into The Magicians; the main selling point. "It's a grittier Harry Potter!" falls flat with me. That premise alone was the source of much of its popularity, and that worried me. Sadly, the first part of the book never did more than live up to the sales pitch. A secret school, classmates, a perfunctory mention of Quidditch, just a wink and a nod, and that's it.
The later parts, however, redeem the storytelling, and the book starts to stand on its own. This is especially apparent when it starts to explore the nature of depression and the poignant sadness of living in a world where the extraordinary only happens in the books you read. (view spoiler)[For much of the story, Quentin is given everything he could want, just for him to take and discard. Nothing ever is quite enough. The narrative doesn't provide resolution for Quentin's condition -- certainly doesn't put Quentin through the therapy that everyone acknowledges would help -- but leaves us with a lot of questions. (hide spoiler)]
Since we are stuck with Quentin's attitude and depression, at least the questions around it are raised, acknowledged, and discussed. Here is where the book is truly at its heart, and it also exposes a not-yet-tired metaphor for the post-college doldrums that have recently become such a popular topic. What do you do when the world can't match your expectations? What if college really was as good as it was going to get? How do you reclaim the happiness that's always been just out of reach?...more
I looked forward to finishing the series, but unfortunately was disappointed with how everything came together in the end. Far too much of the importaI looked forward to finishing the series, but unfortunately was disappointed with how everything came together in the end. Far too much of the important action occurred off-screen, the love triangle remained a mess, and the main character was far too oblivious... still. I did enjoy a lot of it, especially the first 2/3rds, but many parts were frustrating....more
Definitely enjoying the series now that we are in book two - the love triangle part seems a bit forced ("we can't have a YA series without a love triaDefinitely enjoying the series now that we are in book two - the love triangle part seems a bit forced ("we can't have a YA series without a love triangle in it!") but I felt everything else was handled very well. ...more
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