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" 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
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" 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
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" Much better then the first one but still way too long and oh so deriviative of so many better books. "
- Mairzi, 1/29/2014
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" So much better then the first. "
- Drew, 1/25/2014
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" 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
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" 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
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" "The magicians" was superior. But Julia's story was fascinating "
- Elizabeth, 1/15/2014
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" 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
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" 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
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" 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
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" 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
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" So much better than the first one, but still too much of a rip-off of other series "
- Taryn, 9/12/2013
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" So much better than the first one, is all I can say. "
- Efrat, 9/9/2013
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" 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
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" 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
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" 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
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" I cannot see where this series is going. "
- Brigid, 1/24/2013
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" 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
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" 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
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" 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
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" I will definitely be re-reading this series. Very "out-there" and great because of it. "
- Martin, 1/14/2012
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" 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!
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- Thomas, 11/7/2011
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" Better, and less sad in many ways, than the very good previous book.
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- Mike, 11/6/2011
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" 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.
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- Curt, 11/4/2011
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" I read this when it was first released in August, but I'm reading it again already because it's just that incredible.
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- Karen, 11/4/2011
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" This book is even better than 'The Magicians'. The narrative structure is fantastic.
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- Sean, 11/4/2011
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" 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!
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- Anne, 11/3/2011
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" I liked it better than the magicians. i kind of hate the Quentin character, but I really like the books.
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- Errin, 11/3/2011
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" 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.
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- Sarah, 11/3/2011
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" I'm not sure if a agree with the ending.
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- James, 11/2/2011
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" 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.
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- Martha, 11/2/2011
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