Not what you think it's going to be

This has often been dubbed as a grown up Harry Potter, which I think is utter bull. This is a fantasy book with a magical school however the part that makes it unique has nothing to do with learning magic at all.

I hated the main protagonist as a person but loved him as a character (if that makes any sense). He starts out completely self absorbed but I think the books' strength lies in telling you why he's such an ass. It explores some really important things about most people's dissatisfaction with the world, no matter what they gain or achieve. If anything it uses fantasy as a setting for some really awesome character development and exploration.

I do hope audible adds the second and third books.

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3 people found this helpful

Outstanding

The story by Lev is brilliant and the narration is perfect. I’ve listened through several times myself and I’m sure there will be many more. Im not surprised the series was picked up for a TV adaption which is equally as good. Magical.

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Where are the rest?

I enjoyed this book, it's a bit Narnia/Harry Potter but where are the others from the series? I feel like I've been left hanging.

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1 person found this helpful

A rather disappointing, derivative fantasy

I’ll be honest. I couldn’t bring myself to finish this book. I suspect an oft mentioned missing character is the main ‘villain’, but I don’t care enough to find out. I made it three quarters of the way, hoping that the author would move beyond a self-indulgent post-modern pastiche of CS Lewis and JK Rowling. He didn’t. The concept was interesting, the execution dull. The characters were flat and made inconsistent decisions, that served only to move the plot on, not develop them as characters. Overall, it could have been much better and I wanted to enjoy it , but it wasn’t and I didn’t. The Rotherweird books are much more interesting modern fantasy.

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Good first half, rest feels rushed

I wanted to read this book series as I read it was ‘Harry Potter for adults’. I did’t find it as compelling as Harry Potter though. The first half of the book had a nice slow pace were you and the characters come to learn how the magic works, after which the final on the magic school were rushed to finish in a couple of chapters.

Then the adventure begins, but there’s a bit too much happening for my liking, including many subsequent fights and somewhat random adventures.

Nevertheless, Mark Bramhall had a nice voice and tried to make the characters sounds distinguishable.

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Sooooooo GOOOOD!!

Amazing! brilliantly narrated and keeps you hooked to the very end. a must read/listen :)
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the TV series is also brilliant.. different, but brilliant.

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great book. give it a chance

if you love sex, scandal with a twist of harry potter and lord of the rings jokes then this book is for you

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Its not the tv show its better

Don't think this is the tv show its amazing in its own right. Its great.

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When Harry met Lucy

Imagine Potter in college, finding his way into Narnia. original with borrowed concepts, if that's possible. enjoyed it, but not rushing for the next installment just yet. very well performed.

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Is there a point?

What is the point to this story? I found there was no depth, little development of characters. Interesting idea but what is the author after rather than a main character you want to put out his misery!

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