20. The Magicians

The Magicians. Lev Grossman. 2009.

The Magicians (Quinn): This book is all plot & no character development. The plot goes at lightening speed, zipping through years without giving me any sense of caring for the characters. In fact, they were almost universally unlikable, doing things to hurt each other that seemed incongruous with who I thought they were up to that point. It made it hard to actually care about them.

The world the author creates (a magical fantasy world within a magical realistic world) is interesting & clever. A grown up version of Harry Potter where people use magic in their sexual relationships & just casually to hurt each other. But without an emotional connection to anyone living in either of those worlds it was tough to really get into the story.

There are two more books in the series, which I may come back to sometime, but usually after the first book of a trilogy, I can’t wait to get started on the next one. This time, not so much.

Next book is Whipping Girl, which is one of those books I somehow missed when it came out & then it was outdated so I skipped it, but with the new addition now in audio format finally, I’m looking forward to it.

Suggested by Quinn, although I later learned he had only seen the show and not read the book before recommending it.
***
Theresa: Totally agreed with that assessment, which is why I totally prefer the SyFy series, which is so much better at character development.
Me: I am quite enjoying that series, which seems smarter, too. That scene where Elliot and Margo/Janet talk all in code was amazing. "Best Buffy episode ever?" "Musical?" "No, the other one." And they put in the "English subtitles," that was delightful. But, it is still light on character, heavy on plot, which makes for a guilty pleasure tv show. And the characters are definitely more likable and act consistent with their developed character in the show.

Michele: Did Quinn enjoy the Magicians?
Me: He didn't read it. He just told me I should read it. He does like the tv show, though.​
***
My kid recommended I read this, although I am not even sure that he actually read it before he suggested it.  

---