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The Magician King: A Novel Audiobook, by Lev Grossman Play Audiobook Sample

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3.00036587596805 out of 53.00036587596805 out of 53.00036587596805 out of 53.00036587596805 out of 53.00036587596805 out of 5 (3.00) - 16,399 customer ratings
The Magician King: A Novel Audiobook, by Lev Grossman Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Lev Grossman Narrator: Mark Bramhall Publisher: Penguin Audio Audio Length: Series:The Magicians Trilogy Release Date: August 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781101523674
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Publisher Description

Return to Fillory in the riveting sequel to the New York Times bestseller and literary phenomenon, The Magicians, now an original series on Syfy, from the author of the #1 bestselling The Magician’s Land. Quentin Coldwater should be happy. He escaped a miserable Brooklyn childhood, matriculated at a secret college for magic, and graduated to discover that Fillory—a fictional utopia—was actually real. But even as a Fillorian king, Quentin finds little peace. His old restlessness returns, and he longs for the thrills a heroic quest can bring. Accompanied by his oldest friend, Julia, Quentin sets off—only to somehow wind up back in the real world and not in Fillory, as they’d hoped. As the pair struggle to find their way back to their lost kingdom, Quentin is forced to rely on Julia’s illicitly learned sorcery as they face a sinister threat in a world very far from the beloved fantasy novels of their youth.

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Quotes

  • “In this page-turning follow-up to…The Magicians, Grossman takes another dark, sarcastically sinister stab at fantasy, set in the Narnia-esque realm of Fillory.”

    - Entertainment Weekly

  • “Grossman expands his magical world into a boundless enchanted universe, and his lively characters navigate it with aplomb.”

    - New Yorker

  • “A serious, heartfelt novel [that] turns the machinery of fantasy inside out.”

    - New York Times

  • “Quentin is no Harry Potter. The other humans in Fillory are not the Pevensie children. This isn’t a book for the kids. It’s not your father’s Narnia or your older sister’s Hogwarts. Something sadder and more sinister has entered this fantasy: the modern world.”

    - Washington Post

  • “The Catcher in the Rye for devotees of alternative universes. It’s dazzling and devil-may-care…Grossman has created a rare, strange, and scintillating novel.”

    - Chicago Tribune

  • “The Magician King is a rare achievement, a book that simultaneously criticizes and celebrates our deep desire for fantasy.”

    - Boston Globe

  • “Grossman has devised an enchanted milieu brimming with possibility, and his sly authorial voice gives it a literary life that positions The Magician King well above the standard fantasy fare.”

    - San Francisco Chronicle

  • “The Magician King, the immensely entertaining novel by Lev Grossman, manages to be both deep and deeply enjoyable.”

    - Chicago Sun-Times

  • “Readers who have already enjoyed The Magicians should lose no time in picking up The Magician King. For those who haven’t, read both books: Grossman’s work is solid, smart, and engaging adult fantasy.”

    - Miami Herald

  • “A funny and innovative follow-up.”

    - Barnes & Noble, editorial review

  • “A spellbinding stereograph, a literary adventure novel that is also about privilege, power, and the limits of being human. The Magician King is a triumphant sequel.”

    - NPR

  • “Lev Grossman’s The Magician King is a fresh take on the fantasy-quest novel—dark, austere, featuring characters with considerable psychological complexity, a collection of idiosyncratic talking animals, and splendid set pieces in Venice, Provence, Cornwall, and Brooklyn.”

    - Daily Beast

  • “Grossman’s stylish sequel to The Magicians smoothly fuses adventure fantasy, magic realism, and mythic fiction…Grossman effortlessly injects innumerable pop culture and literary references into the fantastical storyline. Mainstream fiction and fantasy fans alike will find this fairy tale for adults rewarding.”

    - Publishers Weekly

  • “Fabulous fantasy spiked with bitter adult wisdom—not to be missed.”

    - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

  • “Mark Bramhall—who read the previous installment—is back, picking up where he left off with breathy, sonorous narration that will delight listeners.”

    - Publishers Weekly (audio review)

  • “Mark Bramhall’s gruff narration suits this fantasy, the sequel to The Magicians…Bramhall’s characterizations animate both the light and dark sides of the characters. His judicious use of accents and his empathy for the characters enhance their relationships and intensify their adventures.. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award.”

    - AudioFile

Awards

  • A 2011 Kirkus Reviews Top 25 Book for Fiction
  • Selected for the August 2011 Indie Next List
  • A New York Times bestseller
  • An Amazon Best Book of the Month, August 2011
  • Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
  • A 2011 New York Times Editor’s Choice
  • A Publishers Weekly bestseller
  • A 2011 Washington Post Notable Book for Fiction

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I read this back to back with The Magician, and I was a little sad with the ending of this one - after the first book takes such care to wrap up the story and show you Quentin's next steps, the ending here feels abrupt. Still a fun read and a great successor to a (hopefully growing) fantasy series. "

    - Kyle, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I wasn't sure what to expect from this second book, and it definitely went in some unexpected directions. I enjoyed it very much. Again, I'm left with the feeling that, if I say anything, it'll be too much and spoil things for other readers. "

    - Jen, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Much better then the first one but still way too long and oh so deriviative of so many better books. "

    - Mairzi, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " So much better then the first. "

    - Drew, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Much like book 1, shit goes down at the end. Quentin is still central, but this book really digs into Julia's story which is just awesome and tragic. Recommended, and very good. "

    - Justin, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoyed it but can't really recommend it because of some very questionable content (I don't want to spoil anything for those of you who will read it anyway). "

    - Greg, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " "The magicians" was superior. But Julia's story was fascinating "

    - Elizabeth, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " At least as good as the first one. I could see this one as being the end but I think he's writing a third. "

    - Jason, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " On par with the first book, but there's too much complaining. The characters are all emo and can be annoying at times. "

    - Andrew, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Second book to The Magicians! I had a hard time with this one. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I started it, restarted it, and read it in small chunks over a long period of time. I think that's probably a sign that this book, while well written, was not as engaging as I thought it would be. "

    - Shana, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interestingly enough, Quentin was much more likable the second time around! Huge surprise (since I couldn't stand him in the first book). I also liked Julia's story arc...what a tragic story. "

    - Francine, 11/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " So much better than the first one, but still too much of a rip-off of other series "

    - Taryn, 9/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " So much better than the first one, is all I can say. "

    - Efrat, 9/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Bit of a bummer, this. Growing up is painful, and Grossman spares nothing in showing us just how painful it is for Quentin. Next book please. "

    - Alison, 6/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This, the second installment to Lev Grossman's Magicians novels, was even more enthralling than the first. The only downside is that now we must wait or the next book. "

    - Ryan, 2/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " So much better than the first in the series. Quentin has finally matured, and his quest to be a hero has some insightful moments as well as adventure. A few sections lacked the magic of the others, but overall it was a wonderful ride. "

    - Karine, 2/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I cannot see where this series is going. "

    - Brigid, 1/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a much more adult book than The Magicians (which was already quite adult in themes!). I liked it, but the ending left me disquieted. It's serious yet fantastical. I think I'll have to read something very frothy after this book as a palate cleanser. "

    - Heather, 7/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Didn't like this book as much as The Magicians. Heavy on the exposition and some sections felt as if the author was trying too hard, like he didn't completely buy into the world or characters he created. "

    - Corinne, 7/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This one is hard to rate. Compared to most books, I would give it 5 stars. But it still wasn't as good as the first in the series, so 4.5 stars. Excited to see what the third and final book will hold! "

    - Sarah, 6/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I will definitely be re-reading this series. Very "out-there" and great because of it. "

    - Martin, 1/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another installment of Grossman's self-aware fantasy saga, set in a world that's like Harry Potter meets Brideshead Revisited meets hipsters. Amazingly fun! "

    - Thomas, 11/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Better, and less sad in many ways, than the very good previous book. "

    - Mike, 11/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is how fantasy should read. The "real world" of urban fantasy and the loveliness of C.S. Lewis and the tragedy of Tolkien. Didn't think there'd be a second in this series (which started with "The Magicians") but now I hope there's a third. "

    - Curt, 11/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I read this when it was first released in August, but I'm reading it again already because it's just that incredible. "

    - Karen, 11/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book is even better than 'The Magicians'. The narrative structure is fantastic. "

    - Sean, 11/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Again, you just want to smack these characters because sometimes they're just mean and bitchy. I could've used more backstory on Julia and the ending was unfair...but leaves room for sequels! "

    - Anne, 11/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked it better than the magicians. i kind of hate the Quentin character, but I really like the books. "

    - Errin, 11/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I basically hated this book. Maybe I'm stupid, maybe there's some grand analogy I haven't figured out and I'm too lazy to Google, but honestly, I'm sick of all the whining. Why can't they all just shut up and get on with it, especially Quentin, the ungrateful man-child. Blah. "

    - Sarah, 11/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I'm not sure if a agree with the ending. "

    - James, 11/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The Magicians was better but Lev Grossman is THE man when it comes to cutting edge fantasy. This is an enchanted epic journey, rich in imagery with characters that we love who continue to grow and seek when they have reason and opportunity to rest on their laurels. "

    - Martha, 11/2/2011

About the Author

Lev Grossman is a senior writer and book critic for Time magazine. His books have been New York Times bestsellers, and in 2011, he was awarded the John W. Campbell Award from the World Science Fiction Society. A graduate of Harvard and Yale, he lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two daughters.

About the Narrator

Mark Bramhall has won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration, more than thirty AudioFile Earphones Awards, and has repeatedly been named by AudioFile magazine and Publishers Weekly among their “Best Voices of the Year.” He is also an award-winning actor whose acting credits include off-Broadway, regional, and many Los Angeles venues as well as television, animation, and feature films. He has taught and directed at the American Academy of Dramatic Art.