The Sword and Laser discussion

I kind of want to read the magician king, because i want to hear more about Julias journey, but i don't know if i can take much more of Quentins (sorry if i spelled that wrong) whining. Should I or shouldn't I read The Magician King?

There's more Quentin being Quentin in MK. Not the same kind of douchebaggery, but the same level.

I'd recommend it. I liked The Magician King much more than The Magicians. Of course ultimately the choice is yours to make.

It's really 50/50. Literally, once he sets up the 'story', Grossman alternates chapters: Q, J, Q, J...
Sadly, for me the effect was to take away all I initially liked about Julia, slowly flensing the character of her humanity, chapter by chapter.

I loved the Magician King, and I loved Julia's character development throughout the book. I loved the Magicians, too, but I agree that the story about the brilliant kid who couldn't learn from his mistakes was pretty much done. Honestly, Quentin doesn't do much whining in the Magician King, although whether that's really an improvement is up to you.

Julia's story makes the book, though. It's a story about obsession and the price of obsession. But if you've read The Magicians, you know not to ask Lev for pat, uncomplicated endings.

In the Magician King, Quentin actually grows slightly.

He also finally shows a little (tiny spark) of his potential as a magician...

I rated the Magician King at a 4 whereas I rated The Magicians at a 3; it's a much less disjointed story, with far fewer things left un-finished, although one huge glaring omission still galls me...

Give it a go. I'm thoroughly enjoying the next book, more than the first, however, I'm also practicing the art of "detachment" with Quentin.

I'd recommend reading it, but word of warning Julias story is really depressing, although Quentin is much more bearable now. He's actually pretty selfless at the end.

Another warning, there's still some threads left loose at the end, that I'm guessing will be tied up in the third book, the 'Magician's Land'.

I have to agree, Julia's story really does make the book. The Magician King is definitely a lot easier to read than The Magicians

Thanks for all of the help. Will definitely read it.

I look forward to The Magician King. I have enjoyed Lev Grossman on every outing. The maturation of his craft is evident, leaping and bounding from Codex to The Magicians (I choose to not comment on Warp)... Here's hoping The Magician King maintains.

Just the thread I needed. I wasn't all that much into The Magicians but now I think I'm sufficiently intrigued to try The Magician's King.

I wonder the same thing, mostly because I'm already one book late for the book club.

I think another reason to read The Magician King is it just came out in paperback.

Finished the book yesterday. Without spoiling, NOT HAPPY WITH THE ENDING.

Craig wrote: "Finished the book yesterday. Without spoiling, NOT HAPPY WITH THE ENDING."

In that case the answer to the original post must be a resounding no!

What didn't you like about the ending ? Start a new topic to avoid spoilers)

I thought The Magicians was so-so, but I enjoyed The Magician King much more. So I would say give it a go, but as I type this I see this thread is over 3 years old, so...yeah.