The Magicians Trilogy Boxed Set: The Magicians; The Magician King; The Magician's Land

A dark fantasy series, like when Harry Potter meets Narnia, but with dark vibes. A real adult's fantasy series (and a really good one). The story is relatively fast-paced (but not in a bad, forced way), in a way that makes it a real page-turner. You will hate and like the protagonist(s), who are well-written and have character. The world and magic of this series feel real and alive, and you want to know more about them. The story is vast in scope and landscape with unexpected turns and twists. A minor drawback is that in the first book, the characters sometimes feel like big babies when they whine all the time. I guess it does reflect reality for some people at some points in their lifetime, but I found those parts a little annoying. Overall all this is a very well-written series of dark fantasy books, with intriguing characters, interesting world and magic system, and a good pace. Moreover, the books are not like the TV show (which does not cover the entire series anyway), so I would recommend reading them even for those who watched the show.

So I bought these books after falling in love with the TV series on Sci-Fi channel (no, I'm not going to call it "Sy-Fy" because that name is lame). My first thought was that the books are very different from the TV series, much the way the movie adaptions of comic books are very different from the original medium. The shows are loosely based on the books, and there's a clear relationship, but there are wild differences in plots and characters and events. Honestly, though, the differences are just enough that I kind of respect both as separate works rather than pick at one or the other for the slight deviations. Nor are they sooo far off that it ticks me off (I'm looking at you X-men movies). Plus, as a bonus, I haven't felt like I knew the end of the book based on what I've seen in the show like I usually do with other book/movie/show duos. Now, I've only read the first book and gotten a few chapters into the second (a little farther than we've gotten in the show). But my impressions of the series so far is: Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and Hunger Games had a really sarcastic love child and lo! it was named The Magicians Trilogy. The Narnia and Harry Potter similarities are obvious, and I can't imagine that they're not intentional nods from the author. The reason I throw the Hunger Games in there is because Quentin and the other characters are a lot like the rather dark and brooding characters in Hunger Games. At least in the first book. Except more real, and less annoying. And on the bright side, I'm seeing just a little ways into the second book that Quentin is growing and lightening up a bit. So I'm optimistic that by somewhere in the third book, he might become a fully-realized person (not to say that he's not a fully-realized character, because he is) rather than the same hopeless victim that Katniss was by book three--seriously, didn't you want to grab her by the shoulders and shake the hell out of her?? Anyhow, I guess I'm trying to say that so far I'm impressed. The characters are hopelessly flawed and real. But they slowly evolve and grow like people do. And despite them being aimless, spoiled, chemical-dependant bastards, I actually like them! The dialogue is interesting and often funny and snide. The writing is insightful and drops neat details that are memorable and compelling. And I can even forgive the sesquipedalian (see I can do it too) word choices that sometimes seem unnecessary and often stymie my Kindle dictionary (seriously, I need a way to upgrade that thing). So if you liked the show and are wondering if it's worth picking up the books, the answer is yes. Seriously, why haven't you bought these books yet?

After watching the Television version, I discovered this was a trilogy of books! I could not be more thrilled. What was so great was that with the books you get so many more mind pictures than any TV show could ever offer. Also, each book stands solidly on it's own, even though you need to understand the characters and how they came to be who they are... So I guess that I am suggesting the trilogy because not only do you get the full 3 stories, you also get to see how the characters grow and change. These are much richer and more complex characters than the Television has time to develop. I love the show, but these books deliver the real story.

The Magicians Trilogy isn't your typical original Fantasy, it's more like a Harry Potter meets Narnia. The similarities between the author's fictional land and the Narnia novels are too contrived. I kept thinking give me the Narnia children, at least they were likeable characters. And that's what the major problem I had with these books; none of the main characters were in the least likeable. Quentin, the key protagonist was a jerk, all through the first, second, and most of the third. Only near the end, did he sort of become more mature. Eliot, his Gay friend, whom seemed like an interesting character, we never got to know his full backstory, nor what really, really went on in his mind; that is besides the usual Gay cliches the author wrote about him. Julia we met in book one, then she was gone. We didn't learn what happened to her until book two. She was not really a nice person either. It was still an interesting story, filled with complex magic, sometimes too complex though. Some of the imagery is new, but again, a lot is taken from the Narnia series. Do I recommend these books? Yes, they are interesting in there own way, well written (though there are a few inconsistencies - in book three one character talks about elephants using magic to resurrect one of their own. But later on the author has another character talk about magic and things it cannot do, and he lists resurrection as one of them. Also in book three, when Quentin is in the other house, he states that Alice is herding to the front door. He goes to open it, but never, ever does. So it's a plot hole left wide open - something I detest). Just know that there aren't any characters that you can relate to in the least. Most are so flawed, they're irredeemable.

Let me begin by addressing some of the statements in other reviews- 1. You will not like Quentin Coldwater. He is a coward, a fool, and makes poor choices. In other words, he's very human and relatable. He shows some characteristics of which I was uncomfortably aware that I could see mirrored in myself, and they weren't happy comparisons. You'll be relieved to discover, as you work your way through the books, that Quentin, like most of us, gains wisdom and confidence and evolves into the hero we all want to become. 2. The pacing of the story is erratic. So what? Ever read A Song of Fire and Ice? Yea, their pacing is supposed to be simultaneous, but good grief, it's hard to stay on track and not skip forward. Big deal if Grossman skates through a few years in a chapter. Even Tolkien did that. Get over it, it's really not that critical. 3. This isn't a traditional fantasy fiction. Nope, not by a long shot. Quentin is way too much of a screw-up to be a "real" fantasy hero like Aragorn. There is far too much "reality" squished in close with the fantastic elements for it to be "real" fantasy. But it is fantastic! It really does transport you to another world and another life, and if that doesn't light your fire, the magic is dead inside you. Look, I had my doubts about it when I purchased it and read the reviews, but I promised myself to keep an open mind and enjoy myself. That's what it's all about, right? I was richly rewarded, and I now have a new favorite to place amongst my other obsessions- the aforementioned Game of Thrones series, Tolkiens, Harry Potters, Narnia, etc. The only thing I'll say is that I wish more of Fillory had been described, in more detail. However, the characters themselves are *very* well developed, and that is immersive enough by itself. The Magicians Trilogy was an exceedingly entertaining read; it was mature, dark, and decadent fun. Enjoy ;)

It's potentially my favorite series. Young adult fiction is my favorite genre, but as I'm getting older it's frustrating to see the same plots and themes throughout anything "new" that I read. This isn't quite "young adult" as a lot of its themes would be inappropriate for a younger crowd. It's unlikely to ever reach the popularity of something like Harry Potter or Narnia, because those can be read to your toddlers and preteens. Unfortunately, that's also what makes it great. It's very authentic and "realistic" (yes, realistic in the realm of fantasy). They swear, they drink, they have sex, people get hurt. All of this makes it feel like real life. There's good and bad (the real kind that we mere mortals experience). The characters develop, you love and hate them for what they are and aren't doing. There's moral "grey area"- it's not just black and white, bad versus evil. The author doesn't rush through anything, which allows you to get involved in the story and feel like you truly know the people, places, and events. I hope you enjoy The Magicians.

Interesting so far. The dour, socially awkward, self-doubting 'hero' is appeals, because he's also rather proud of his mental prowess. The tv character walked around hunched shouldered and somehow tongue-tied in most conversations. The books explains that. I've started the 1st book of the trilogy, which is apparently the first season of the Sy Fi TV series "The Magicians". I notice that there are many references to Harry Potter in reviews, however, I find the story to more parallel the first book of the Narnia series, "The Magician's Nephew" by C. S. Lewis, which was my favorite of the set as a child. In fact, the going through the place of the Neitherworld where the portals to many worlds are through fountains echoes the multitude of pools in the woods in the "Magician's Nephew". I noted the Dean manipulates our dreary hero Quentin's fingers to make magical gestures in the "exam". I thought that was a great visual feature of the tv show. Sometimes we see diagrams of mudras, etc. but I am glad there is no explanation. It seems that magic is really delicately balanced upon many ephemeral factors, and that it has its cost. I like the psychological study as a socially inept person finds some talent and strengths to finally out grow childish hopes. It's written with common English as dialog, and the tv show has several sexual encounters, so this is not a kiddie's night time story book. It's a philosophical study, that fascinates me. What if? And then what? Life doesn't get easier, it seems, with magic, it gets way more complicated, and deadly serious. I'm still reading!

My favourite series.

I loved this series and especially the box set!

I saw the show in the first place, which lead me to the books and wow, I really love them. Pure Dark Urban Fantasy, sometimes cynical, a nerd world, full of geek references, most of these unfortunately quite beyond understanding of French people.... But not impossible to find and understand. I read the English version because the translated French version is really awful. A good book with dreams and nightmares, a mix of Harry Potter and Narnia's books for adults, with no innocence but the crude stark reality of what Magic really is. A wonderful reading. Thanks Mr Grossman for these great moments

I found this story by watching the T.V Adaptation, after watching i almost immediately bought the books. the story is slightly different to the show but it is to be expected. overall i found the books to be amazing i finished all three books in three weeks i was struggling to put them down. the book quality is superb and they're all decorated in a attractive way. in conclusion these books are 10/10 and will make you laugh and make you cry and trust me you will be begging for more by the end....

È una trilogia fantastica ! Da leggere !!

Wasn't overly expensive like most other places, came as described, brand new, wrapped in plastic. Arrived fairly quickly. Overall pretty happy with everything.