The Magicians

Quentin Coldwater is brilliant but miserable. A senior in high school, he's still secretly preoccupied with a series of fantasy novels he read as a child, set in a magical land called Fillory. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself unexpectedly admitted to a very secret, very exclusive college of magic in upstate New York, where he receives a thorough and rigorous education in the craft of modern sorcery.

He also discovers all the other things people learn in college: friendship, love, sex, booze, and boredom. Something is missing, though. Magic doesn't bring Quentin the happiness and adventure he dreamed it would. After graduation he and his friends make a stunning discovery: Fillory is real. But the land of Quentin's fantasies turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than he could have imagined. His childhood dream becomes a nightmare with a shocking truth at its heart.

Let me start by saying that I enjoyed the book. But...

It's basically the story of Quentin, and his growth as a human being and also as a magician. He has to deal with all sorts of emotions and sometimes he gets them right and other times they blow up in his face. Sound familiar?

I found it to be too similar to other books. It's a Harry Potter meets Narnia with a glimpse of The Neverending Story type of story. It definitely is a book for adults, it has sex and addiction and very dark tones to the storyline. I did enjoy the author's style of writing. It was fast paced, entertaining and at times funny and also poignant.

If you're a fan of fantasy, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman (3/5) Fantasy; Published: Viking Adult (8/2009); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (108);