Because of the narrator, Mark Bramhall, I have recommended listening to the book and NOT reading it. Mr. Bramhall gives the book extra dimension and allows the subtlety to shine through.

There are so many memorable moments it will just have to suffice when I say...read the book or rather LISTEN to this book. Can't say I have enjoyed a series like this as much since The Golden Compass.

This series is full of surprises. I really enjoyed this book, and I am hoping for there to be a next one.

Lev Grossman has a lot of amazing ideas that he brings to his magician stories. I am much more happy with this sequel and my biggest criticism is it wasn't long enough! In this installment Lev explores many new aspects of this magical world such as dragons, gods, and the underground magical community. We get a better look at the characters from his last novel such as Alice. In fact, for about half this story Lev switches off chapters between Alice's and Quentin's point of view. This story was a little bit of a mess going between different worlds and perspectives and I really hope this is the end of that Narnia world. However, I can't wait for his next master piece. Lev has some great ideas but it would be nice to see him write about a new character/s who are not depressed all the time. Give us a real hero and maybe send them through another magic school.

After being completely enamored by The Magician I was looking forward to another great work but was instead totally disappointed from the start. I kept listening thinking the story line would improve, the thought process would start reaching out but it never happened. My time is too important to me to waste it on dribble such as this.

A twisted up journey to Narnia, er Fillory, er... Well, just find out for yourself. I do think having read C.S. Lewis should be a prerequisite, though.

The Magician King is in some ways superior to The Magicians--the main character has his sh*t together a little more, leading to a more fun atmosphere, as with the first book, the Narnia references are splendid and everywhere. The narration is great, each character has a distinct voice, female characters are done well, and accents--especially the Australian, are done with skill.

I loved The Magicians, so I guess I was set up for a let down. The let down was just a little more than I thought it would be. Whereas in The Magicians i could not wait to get back to the book, The Magician King was making me wish it would just end. I think the novelty was gone. The character development was not there. The book seemed heavy on the fantasy with a sort of flight of ideas. The sarcastic tone, which I typically like in a lead character, just fell flat.

I also now realize that the author has a plan for probably several books in this series. I would not be surprised if it turned out to be seven given the Narnia like aspect of the book. When you start a book and realize that the end will only be the beginning of another book, the steam seems to come out of the climatic scenes.

Will I get the next book in the series when it comes out, probably. But if the trend in quality that this book started continues, the third will be my last.

I was somewhat surprised to realize how much I was enjoying this return to the adventures of the Brakebills grads. Though still young, Quentin and his cohorts have grown. They are no longer so self-absorbed and have shed some of the angst and arty cynicism of their student days. Quentin seems even to have developed empathy, compassion and a certain sense of responsibility.

Filori still resonates of Narnia, which I took as a deliberate homage, down to the Talking Animals--but Narnia was never like this. Quentin, Julia and some Filorians (including a Talking Sloth named Abigail) set off on a voyage reminiscent of "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," thinking they are sailing to a remote Filorian island to enforce taxation. Instead, Quentin finds himself on a quest to save magic itself from destruction at the hands of the old gods.

Some of the scenes are horrific, and in the tradition of this series, quite disturbing if you are more used to the gentle adventures of the Pevensey children. But the Filori stories are not for children; Grossman is unrelenting in his insistence that if magic is real and people can do magic, then magic is also going to be violent and terrifying at times, just as people sometimes are.

I found "The Magicians" an even better read than the first book in the series. The more mature characters were more sympathetic than their teenage selves. Because there was a clear purpose to Quentin's actions (he wasn't just thrashing around in self-destructive teenage misery), the story was more engaging and interesting. I'm looking forward to reading the next Filori book from Mr. Grossman (and hoping there IS one!).

Great if you like the magicians.

The book wasn't as much about the King as it was one of the Queens...I thought that was the only disconnect.

Of course! I'm addicted, this novel is a sequel to a magnificent masterpiece (and more than a worthy one at that).
I'ts a real shame I can't be a magician...

So many, and I hate spoilers...

Love the author, love the characters, love the store, waiting for more...