Lori

Most sequels that follow a really fantastic first book usually fall flat and lack the magic, the imagination, and the originality of the first; this is not the case with The Magician King. Grossman succeeds in pulling the reader even further into the magical side of the world, and the other worlds, that he created in The Magicians. This expertly crafted tale explores the growth and changing world views of the characters in a breathtakingly realistic way through both internal and external dialogue. In short, the story is captivating, enthralling, and perfectly paced. The only two problems were a result of the reader, Mark Bramhall, who, although a wonderfully gifted and talented reader, consistently mispronounces the word sloth (as 'sloath') and a poorly done Australian accent that is reminiscent of Steve Irwin mocking (which is easily forgiven, as performing accents is incredibly challenging for even the most seasoned actors). The rest of the reading is the consummate Bramhall - perfection. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed The Magicians - if you liked the Magicians, you will love The Magician King.