The Magicians by Lev Grossman

This book was awesome to read. I haven't heard about Lev Grossman at all before reading this book, but after reading The Magicians, I feel like I am missing out on so much fiction/fantasy novels and authors I have yet to discover. I have heard of The Codex before, but never knew he wrote it. I felt The Magicians had everything I ever wanted in a book: the drama, suspense, romance, mystery, and action. The drama was consistent in the novel. At first Quentin, the main character, really likes his best friends girl friend and when he goes off to Brakebills, an American Magicians Academy, he falls in love with a girl named Alice and forgets about his old friend. After he graduates he unfortunately cheats on Alice with a girl named Janet, who was also a student at Brakebills a year ahead of them. Wow, I did not see that coming in the book and I was pretty upset myself because he was acting so childish and asinine at the time. Then they discover Fillory which isn't what they expected and I thought that was really cool. I like how Lev Grossman took the Fillory Novels written by Christopher Plover and put his own spin on it. I noticed how similar The Fillory Novels are compared to the Chronicles of Narnia, which is a little freaky. I never read the books, but I have watched the movies on the Chronicles of Narnia. The suspense from the random beast that cracks into the school was awesome! It sucks because of the tragedy, but then it makes sense in the end why that happened. The fact that he ends the book with me wondering, “What the heck. Where is the rest of the story?” I forgot that there was a second book to it. Thank goodness because I need an ending of some sort. The characters in the The Magicians were entertaining throughout the story. I especially liked Alice, she was awesome I can really relate to her character. Her level of knowledge is insane amount to have, I only wish to have such an accomplished mind as hers. My second favorite character was Quentin and lovely his mood swings. It always seemed like he had something wrong or that he was complaining about things. Yes, he had his moments of glory, but I still think Alice could kick his butt any day. Overall, I really liked the book, but if I had to comment about one thing in particular, I thought it was a fast paced written book. I would have liked to see more research into the spells, more history about the school. Why Quentin was chosen. Why was he so great? Maybe about some other events that happened at the school. I felt like he moved through the five years at Brakebills a little too fast. I didn't mind the quick transition into the school, I actually liked that part because it captured my attention quickly. I can't wait to read the next one. :)