ARC, 295 pagesRelease Date: September 9, 2014Published by: Scholastic PressMagisterium, #1Source: Around the World ARC ToursFor fans of: Fantasy, Witches, Wizards, Middle Grade, Sparkly CoversFrom NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a riveting new series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.
From two bestselling superstars, a dazzling and magical middle-grade collaboration centering on the students of the Magisterium, an academy for those with a propensity toward magic. In this first book, a new student comes to the Magisterium against his will -- is it because he is destined to be a powerful magician, or is the truth more twisted than that? It's a journey that will thrill you, surprise you, and make you wonder about the clear-cut distinction usually made between good and evil.
MY THOUGHTS*
When I first heard of this concept, I was thinking it sounded pretty cool. And then I say that it was written by Cassandra Clare (who's work I've read before) and Holly Black (who's work I haven't yet read) and I decided I needed to get my hands on this one. Looking at some of the reviews over it though I kind of got a little worried though.
"If I have to die, I want to die holding my own weapon."
pg. 3
I got worried because all the early reviews I saw said it reminded them so much of Harry Potter. But with me thinking like another blogger, I didn't want HP to make me not like every magical boarding school. And I'm glad I didn't let it. There are some things that I would compare with HP, but there are other things that made this story all it's own. At one time I had to put it down to be able to get past the references, but when I got back to it, I really did like it. If the only thing putting you off is the fact that you think it's an HP re-make, I say give it a shot.
"Fire wants to burn, water wants to flow, air wants to rise, earth wants to bind, chaos wants to devour."
pg. 59
The characters in this one were very different. I liked that there was diversity in them and that the twists and turns in the plot weren't expected at all. Because trust me, what you think will happen does not. It turns out to be something completely different than what you were expecting. But there were sometimes where I was angry at Call. He did some really dumb things. And when shit really hit the fan, his decisions just got worse. But then again, I guess that can only mean that things will get so much moire interesting when the second book comes out.
"Thoughts are free and subject to no rule."
pg. 147
I also liked the magic and the way it was portrayed. I liked that it was done as the elements instead of just all out magic. I also liked that the way their school was set up. The "try-outs" and then getting to the next year just seemed really cool. I can't wait to see what else happens in the rest of the series.
"Knowledge and action are one and the same."
pg. 182
The characters and the magic in this one kept me so into this one. Although I was a little put off by the way it reminded me of one of my favorite books ever, I did really enjoy this book. I can't wait to see what Call, his friends, and his Master come up with in the next book!
Overall, I give this
