The Magicians

For those of you who loved the whimsical and wish-it-was-darker Harry Potter series, or those of you who grew up on the stuff and are ready to move into more adult territory, Lev Grossman's The Magicians may be just what the doctor ordered.

The book moves at a comfortable pace.  Instead of wading through an entire book to finish one year of school (ahem - Harry Potter, we are glaring in your direction), The Magicians spends only half the book on schooling, allowing the lead character to descend to a surprisingly dreary and self-involved adulthood.  But seriously, if you could wave your hand and create cash, fly, etc... what would you have left to get excited about?

The final third of the story gives shocking resolution to that question.  We won't give away any more than the back cover here, btw.  The cast finds themselves between worlds, staring out at an infinite number of dimensions and realities.  One in particular turns out to be Fillroy, the author's playful stab at the Narnia Chronicles.  The trip to this magical land turns out to be a dark one and leads the characters down a path much different than their affected self-obsessed post graduation years has prepared them for. 

All in all, The Magicians was a fascinating read.  The characters are complex and real.  You get a feel of what modern day magicians would actually behave and process as.  There is enough magic to be interesting, but not quite enough to get played out.  We are looking forward to the follow up novel due out Summer 2011.