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

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.

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?

When I read that SyFy was bringing the Magicians to television, my first reaction was "What's that?". I did my research and read the reviews and decided to buy the entire set. I read the first book during a vacation in the summer of 2015. I liked it for the most part. It really, in my opinion, is a mixture of Harry Potter (there are magicians, but the main character's schooling only makes up a small portion of the series), a bigger dose of Narnia, and a liberal mixing of alcohol, sex, and violence. At the end of book 1, I did not like Quinten, the protagonist, very much. I didn't start the second book until this January 2016, ahead of the premiere of the show. It was much more enjoyable and I realized that Quinten, like all of us, had some growing up to do. By the end of the second book, I was more invested in him and the other characters. I had planned on reading something else after The Magician King, but decided to charge right back into the final book. It is a fairly satisfying conclusion to the entire series. All the characters go through some very realistic arcs. No one in the series is what I would call a "good" person as the story begins. They all carry their own set of flaws and that makes them more interesting throughout as they grow into their own. I recommend it.

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 ;)

I've read the novels long ago and they're espectacular... I bought this to add to my bookshelf planning to re-read them, but I may not, as the pages are not well cut and do not have a decent finish. They will look pretty on my bookshelf, though. (a friend of mine just told me this effect is done on purpose, so I just wished I knew beforehand) Also, included in the set are some cards which I'd love to know if there's more so I can look for them somewhere and collect them.

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.

Was introduced to the story by the TV series and was not sure how I would like the book, but so far (have just started the second book) I am really enjoying it, and in the book, the main character Quentin, is not half as annoying as he is in the TV series! As is the series, it is by turns, funny, sad, thoughtful, full of action, and often dark. For me it was important that the dark did not overwhelm and take over the story. Without looking at anything else, it is a great adventure story with a fantastical twist, and you can read it that way. The story also explores issues of youthful impatience, the need for purpose, the restlessness of the human spirit and the tricky balance between growing a thick-skin and and losing your ability for empathy. It also delves into the too human failing of always looking for the solution to our happiness outside ourselves, and not appreciating what we have now. You could read the first book alone, but it is a trilogy, so it doesn't resolve all the issues at the end of the first book and more like life, it leaves you wanting to know how these young people will eventually develop as they become, and mature as, adults. Am enjoying every moment of it and it hasn't changed my appreciation for the show., although.... and yes, I am going to say it.... I am enjoying the books more!