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The Magician King
The Magician King: A Novel | Lev Grossman
Return to Fillory in the riveting sequel to the New York Times bestseller and literary phenomenon, The Magicians,now an original series on Syfy,from the author of the #1 bestselling The Magicians Land. Quentin Coldwater should be happy. He escaped a miserable Brooklyn childhood, matriculated at a secret college for magic, and graduated to discover that Fillorya fictional utopiawas actually real. But even as a Fillorian king, Quentin finds little peace. His old restlessness returns, and he longs for the thrills a heroic quest can bring. Accompanied by his oldest friend, Julia, Quentin sets offonly to somehow wind up back in the real world and not in Fillory, as theyd hoped. As the pair struggle to find their way back to their lost kingdom, Quentin is forced to rely on Julias illicitly learned sorcery as they face a sinister threat in a world very far from the beloved fantasy novels of their youth.From the Trade Paperback edition.
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LibraryCin
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Panpan

This is book 2 in what I believe is a trilogy. I‘m not a big fantasy fan… it sounds like the first book was more urban fantasy (than this 2nd book is), which is more my “thing” except toward the end of the book. I shouldn‘t have bothered continuing the series. The second book seemed to lose the urban part of the fantasy, likely the part that made the first book likable for me.

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Tera66
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Pickpick

When I reas first book of this trilogy in 2015, I don't remember enjoying it as much as this one and don't remember it being funny. This one had some literal laugh out loud moments for me. It could be because this book is funnier or because my sense of humor has gotten darker (Also 2015 was a really rough year for me, didn't read much) 👇

Tera66 This is the rare case of loving a second book more than the first. Can't wait to pick up the third book soon, its going on my #Bookspinbingo card for June. 4y
23 likes1 comment
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BarbaraJean
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Pickpick

I am increasingly not a fan of Grossman‘s treatment of his female characters, but I still enjoyed this 2nd book in the Magicians series. I like the realistic/urban fantasy take on Fillory (aka thinly-veiled Narnia), and the Dawn Treader vibes in this one were on point. Looking forward to finishing the series. My husband LOVES the SyFy series & hates the 3rd book, and I didn‘t like the SyFy series...so I‘m curious how I‘ll feel about the last book.

Ruthiella I‘ll be interested to hear your take on your he trilogy. I found it compelling enough to finish but the more I read from CS Lewis, the more I see what Grossman “borrowed” and the less impressed I am with the trilogy. 4y
BarbaraJean I'm trying to catch up on reviews today, figuring out what I've reviewed and what I haven't, and realized I didn't tag this as my completed April #BookSpin! 🤦🏻‍♀️ I did mark it as finished on my bingo post, but here's my review! @TheAromaofBooks (edited) 4y
BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks I missed tagging you on this the first time, and I'm not sure if you got the belated tag, so here's another tag for good measure. 😊 4y
See All 6 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Apparently I need all the tags I can get 😂 On my computer, if I click on the “Comments“ tab, the new comments are highlighted so I just scroll to the bottom of the highlights and start working my way up - but I realized yesterday that actually NOT all the new comments are highlighted. Like this morning, the bottom 2 new ones weren't highlighted & I would have missed them if I wasn't looking for them. Who knows how many people I've missed! 😅 4y
BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks 😂I hope it sorts itself out and starts working properly soon! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Thank you!! Technology isn't always as helpful as I want it to be! 😂 4y
43 likes6 comments
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BarbaraJean
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Here‘s my #BookSpinBingo board for April, with The Magician King as my #BookSpin and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo as my #DoubleSpin. I‘m eyeing a bingo down the left hand side, with two book club picks + two free spots in that line! But those four books across the middle are really enticing, so...🤷🏻‍♀️

37 likes1 comment
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Branwen
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Pickpick

Just finished the second book and absolutely adored it! Waaaaaaay better than the first, which is saying something since I loved The Magicians as well! 😀 This one felt even more magical! Looking forward to starting the third one next! 📚💕 @monalyisha

monalyisha Yes! Glad we‘re of the same mind! 5y
Branwen @monalyisha Me too! 😁 5y
cariashley I love these books - the third is one of my favorites ever! 5y
Branwen @cariashley I just started it this evening and so far it's off to a promising start! 😀 5y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Branwen
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I just love lazy Sundays! 😍📚💕 #catsoflitsy #littenkitten #roxas

Meaw_catlady I just finished watching season 4 of the magicians and it broke me. I didn‘t get into the books. I might try again tho 5y
Branwen @Meaw_catlady I just recently started the second season! I'm trying to hype myself up about watching it again...that one reynard scene at the end of the first season really traumatized me and has made it hard for me to pick it back up again. 😖 5y
Meaw_catlady @Branwen it‘s crazy how hard core and brutal the show is while trying to be funny as well... it‘s a different kind of dark 5y
Bette 🐱❤️ That 🐱 looks totally relaxed. 😊 5y
64 likes4 comments
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emz711
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Pickpick

You know, I wasn't thrilled with the first one but I audiobooked the second and it's pretty good. More fun adventuring!
#audiobook #fillory
My library doesn't have the 3rd one on audio. Now where do I get it!

Scochrane26 This series was just ok for me until halfway through the 2nd book. Then I really liked the rest. 5y
31 likes1 comment
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xicanti
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Day 2 of #7Days7Covers.

This is one of my favourite covers ever (it‘s a photograph of a model! How cool is that!) and I‘m DEEPLY UNIMPRESSED that my very own digital copy of the book now sports the show tie-in cover instead. Retailers need to offer consumers the option to either update to the latest cover if they like it or stick to the older version if that‘s their jam.

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Rambo_Reads
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Loved The Magicians trilogy especially the middle book because let's face it Julia is sooo much better than Quentin...

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Andrea4
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Pickpick

Well finishing this #audiobook fit in perfectly with #MayMadness @Clwojick @TheReadingMermaid @RadicalReader
Just started watching TV adaptation & i hate it. Well, hate's a strong word but it's def a slog. Books however are great! I think I enjoyed this one more than the 1st & love the features of an epic/ hero story #classicistsoflitsy
TW: rape scene- guess it seemed "fitting" given general story line but hard to listen to/ unexpected for me

Derf I‘ve not read any of the books but love the TV Series 🤦🏻‍♂️😂😂 6y
Andrea4 @DannyHattan Haha sorry! Maybe if I didn't know the books, I'd like the series...or maybe it will get better??? Lots of people have the reverse opinion of mine so, you know, to each their own! 6y
26 likes2 comments
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Andrea4
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Fuck reality, baby! Let's go save the universe!

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Andrea4
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Starting an early and somewhat anxious feeling wake up with my #audiobook to bake bread and put away laundry.
Besides the weird anxiety I woke up with, a wonderful, quiet, sort of meditative morning. The kind where you don't realise you have flour all over your shirt or face until you look in the mirror hahaha.

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Andrea4
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Started this #audiobook yesterday walking and in the first 2 min had to hold back a peal of laughter as the difference between a bunny and hare was explained; oh back to first year of the PhD and Xenophon's treatise on hunting 🤦‍♀️🤣
At least I can be certain of identifying a hare should I ever come across one!
#classicistsofLitsy

GrilledCheeseSamurai Fun books! I love the tv series too. 🤗 6y
Andrea4 @GrilledCheeseSamurai I'm excited to be able to watch the series after this! 6y
GrilledCheeseSamurai @Andrea4 it strays from the books a bit at times...but enough of the source material is still there that it's okay by me. It's also a little 'teeny' feeling but matures as the series goes. I mean...i guess the books are like that as well. 🤷‍♂️ 6y
Andrea4 @GrilledCheeseSamurai yea, I figured as much but the books are a bit teeny too and sometimes, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!! 6y
17 likes4 comments
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DebbieGrillo
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Pickpick

As some of you would know, I typically don't read sequels. With this one, I couldn't help it. I had to. In fact, in a nearly unprecedented move I have obtained book number three and have full plans to read it very soon. The only other Trilogy I can remember doing this with is Deborah Harkness' has A Discovery of Witches. The world of Fillory and the inner world of Quentin Coldwater has me fascinated. I can't wait to find out what is next for him.

Karkar Awesome 👏🏻 I have this trilogy but have not read it yet. I may have to move it up now based on this. 📚❤️ 6y
cariashley Good decision. The third book was the best in my opinion, and one of my favorite reads ever. 6y
BibliOphelia I agree with @cariashley! 6y
JanuarieTimewalker13 I only finished books 1&2 of Discovery if Witches. Couldn‘t get into book 3. It‘s so satisfying to complete series, but I hardly do. I have completed 4 trilogies...all YA. Glad to hear you‘re liking this one! I had it on my TBR for years and then took it off. Maybe one day! 6y
110 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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RealLifeReading
Magician King | Lev Grossman
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Pickpick

A reread, six years after the first read, and after becoming a fan of the TV series. I reread The Magicians but wasn‘t enamoured with the younger Quentin, the focus on Q. The TV show worked so much better with, well, let‘s face it, more women and a bit more diversity. So this second book, with Julia playing a bigger part, was far better than the first. It‘s fun comparing the differences in plotlines (TV vs book). The best change is Margo!

122 likes4 stack adds
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RealLifeReading
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A very windy rainy Wednesday meant corn and crab chowder and a good book

mrsmarch YUM! 6y
LA_Mead Yummy! Recipe? 6y
RealLifeReading @LA_Mead something along the lines of this one https://www.thetastesf.com/crab-and-corn-chowder/ except I added some carrots and celery and didn‘t have cream 6y
119 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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xicanti
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#friyayintro time!

1. The moment I saw this one, I fell hard and knew I had to read the series. (NB: I'm the wrong audience for your Magicians-hate.)

2. Opening my #cupidgoespostal parcel from @BookishTrish !

3. Pastel orange. It used to be all orange because I loathed my orange & brown elementary school, but I eventually got over that. Pastels, though... *shudder*

4. They changed their story on me and now I don't even know.

TobeyTheScavengerMonk Support for cover choice and Magicians-love! 6y
DebbieGrillo I'm 🎧 reading right now! 6y
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AlaMich I can go you one better on the color hatred. My high school job was at a movie theater, and our uniform was an orange zip-up top and brown pants, all in delightful 100% polyester. Now picture that with popcorn grease stains. 🤢 6y
xicanti @AlaMich that's horrifying. 6y
CouronneDhiver Ha! Like A&W 6y
xicanti @CouronneDhiver it was so much worse than A&W. The carpets were mottled orange and brown with specks of white and yellow mixed in. 6y
37 likes8 comments
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Deborah42
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Pickpick

Quentin, now a king of Fillory, is living his dream life in a magical fantasyland, but all he can do is whine and pine for a new adventure. He gets his wish, with Julia along for the ride.

They go on a big adventure—high stakes, lots of action, and some difficult choices. When things don‘t work out how Quentin wants them to, he actually demonstrates some personal growth and refrains from complaining (much).

Better than the first.

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bluetheatregirl
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Confession: I actually finished this a while back, but got so busy I forgot to update Litsy. 😬
I honestly enjoyed the 2nd installment of The Magicians trilogy. The only reason I gave this 4 1/2 stars instead of 5 was because there was just something about the first novel I enjoyed more.
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#TheMagicianKing #TheMagiciansTrilogy #LevGrossman

3 likes1 stack add
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the-flashley
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Pickpick

Well... that‘s number two down. And I though I read the first one fast! This series is addicting and I highly recommend it to anyone who has not yet read these. Especially if you‘re a giant fantasy nerd like myself, or looking for a story that feels like Narnia or Harry Potter while being something entirely more grown up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

64 likes4 stack adds
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Dempsey
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Pickpick

So many emotions!!!!!! I don‘t even know where to start. Trigger warning: sexual assault.

AMVP I remember The Magician's Land is a lot less intense. 6y
12 likes1 comment
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bluetheatregirl
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I. Am. So. Ready. 😍😍😍
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#TheMagicianKing #LevGrossman #MarkBramhall

5 likes1 stack add
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Lkardos12
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Just passing hour 7 of reading for my first #24in48! Feeling low energy so forcing myself to do chores while audiobook-ing 😬📚✨

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Lova
Magician King | Lev Grossman
Pickpick

This book was so much better than the first one! I can‘t wait to start the third one now!

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ellenaim83
Magician King | Lev Grossman
Pickpick

Slow in the middle but great development in the series by the end.

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mab-solenne
Magician King | Lev Grossman
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Pickpick

I think this book changed my life. At first i vetoed it, after the way 1 ended. But then i fell for it, hard. The whole series is so solid and smart, the magic less fantastic and more mathematical. And this book 2, with Julia, it's perfect. I can't abide the show tho.

RaimeyGallant Nice review! And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 7y
Chelleo Welcome🤗 7y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 😊🌈 7y
asiriusreader Welcome to Litsy! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉💕🎊 7y
10 likes5 comments
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Lova
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🐰I‘m still stuck on The Magician King
🐰General fiction or pedagogy books
🐰Cadbury
@TLCinrow @peaknit @TK-421
#HappyEaster
@Syndelle777

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alanacristin
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The toddler found the one book loose enough to extract from the fiction shelf which i guess makes him a kind of magician ✨ or just very determined. he then "read" it at the top of the slide and slid it down when finished ? now i remember i still need a copy of the last book to finish up the trilogy! #babyreads #urbanfantasy #magic

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Lexeegee
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Laid up with a bad ankle. Great reason to start a new audiobook

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Lova
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My #profilepic #litsyavatar is a fisher price little person Belle holding a book. Beauty and the Beast has been my favorite Disney movie since 1992, and I‘ve always had a bit of an obsession with little people. Her holding a book was icing on the cake. I have a hard time finding a picture of myself I‘m comfortable enough with to use as an avatar so this was the next best thing.

Chelleo So cool!! 7y
21 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Lova
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1. #tricksytails #letsmaketricksysmile
2. iPhone 3. No nuts 4. The Magician King- just started it. Feels like an older mashup of The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter goes to college. 5. Cycling and soccer #humpdaypost

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Lova
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So my first #readingchallenge is the #beatthebacklist2018 challenge. My team is the #deweydragons http://novelknight.com/2018-beat-backlist/ My goal is 50 books. And while I know there aren‘t 50 on here it‘s my preliminary #tbr list. Starting with the Magician King tonight.

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GidgetsTreasures75
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12-29-17: #decktheshelves Best Sequel of the Year. I've read a few sequels, mainly kids books, but this one was my favorite. #️⃣2️⃣9️⃣📖👍🏼 @JoeStalksBeck @Tiffy_Reads

4 likes2 stack adds
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underground_bks
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1. The Magician King—I liked The Magicians but it didn‘t blow my mind so I wasn‘t expecting to be so so thrilled with the sequel.😍
2. I‘d rather read someone‘s review than watch.
3. When I was 11, Tor from Robin McKinley‘s Damar series. I even wrote to Robin McKinley about it. Now mortified to think of it lol.
4. The Storied Life of AJ Fikry, so heartwarming and heart wrenching.
5. ❄️❄️❄️ (Georgia!)

My first #friyayintro, thanks @jesshowbooks 😊

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GidgetsTreasures75
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Pickpick

12-3-17: 31st finished book of 2017! 📚👍🏼

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GidgetsTreasures75
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11-16-17: Reading with Mika 📖😻

Tanzy13 🐱 7y
6 likes1 comment
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GidgetsTreasures75
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11-13-17: For the Stranger Things fans out there!! I loved this scene! 📚😂

BilboBookends Love this quote AND series👏🏻 7y
7 likes2 comments
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GidgetsTreasures75
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11-13-17: I figure I'll post this once a week in case anyone misses it. Feel free to ask me any questions you might have. I price everything very reasonably and can make any cover you want!

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GidgetsTreasures75
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11-11-17: Starting the next one! #themagicianking

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PirateJenny
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I'm torn between Julia throughout the trilogy or Plum in The Magician King as my #fictionalbestfriend Maybe I'll take them both. #uncannyOctober @RealLifeReading

RealLifeReading Ooh nice set 7y
MCYmermaid Nice box! 7y
TricksyTails Cool editions! 7y
PirateJenny It's the hardcover box set, which my former boss was nice enough to give me. She knew how much I loved these books. 7y
18 likes4 comments
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amvs1111
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this second round in The Magicians trilogy much more than the first book. The characters grew to understand their worlds and themselves, and they grew on me, particularly Julia. The deepened backdrop of this fantastic world is intriguing and thought provoking. I'm off to swim through book 3.

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Pruzy
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Pickpick

Going to take part in this #LetsTalkAboutBooksBaby challenge and am filing it under my review of The Magician King, which I never got around to reviewing this year. Let me just say it was amazing.

I'm also putting Homeland by R.A. Salvatore as my favourite childhood read as it was the first "adult length" novel I read in elementary school.

vivastory The adaptation of "Silence" was incredible. 7y
Pruzy @vivastory Absolutely amazing 7y
vivastory It says a lot about Endo's book that it is one of the most moving books I've ever read & I'm an atheist. Scorsese did a masterful job with it. 7y
Pruzy @vivastory Definitely, each worldview in the movie was complex and nuanced. Neither side was completely praised or vilified 7y
87 likes4 comments
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parttimedomestic
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Whew! Almost made my 14 hour goal, but it is time for bed! #24in48 Halfway through The Magician King, over halfway through the #readathon !

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parttimedomestic
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I am about to pass into hour 12 of reading for #24in48 #readathon ! I'm still feeling pretty good, I have my TBR stack and my TBE snacks (wine, cornbread and m&ms.). Hoping to get to 14 hours before bed tonight, but we will see!

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Booksnob
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On the airplane to Minnesota. Goodbye Grenada.

15 likes1 stack add
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parttimedomestic
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Alright, I think that's a good place to stop for the night! #24in48

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Books_Wine_Repeat
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Pickpick

Quentin is the king of Fillory but he has gotten bored and fat with complacency. He wants adventure and he gets more than he bargained for. Julia's backstory is traumatic and her evolution is well deserved. I think I loved this more than the first book. I'm dying to read book 3 but I don't want this series to end!

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Jamesfahyauthor
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"That was the thing about the world: it wasn't that things were harder than you thought they were going to be, it was that they were hard in ways that you didn't expect."

I love this series. Like an angry, grown up mashup of Potter and Narnia, where none of the lead characters are likeable, but the author makes you care about them anyway