What a sad but beautiful novel about a group of young people looking for themselves. This book really is the natural continuation for those of us who grew up reading C.S. Lewis, Brian Jacques, and J.K. Rowling. It takes the concept of young sorcerers and asks, what next? What happens when aimless teenagers become aimless adults, but with powerful magic at their disposal? The Magicians is a very well-written, gritty story, and is perfect for fantasy lovers who want to see the genre all grown up.

I have always been a Jasper Fforde fan, but this is my new favorite of his. It is a clever blend of humor and social commentary that defied even my rather high expectations. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys having their mind taken out, turned sideways, and replaced. I am disappointed that one of the reviews used on the cover of the book makes reference to its "goofiness," because this is not a goofy book. It is fun, but not frivolous.

This was a very entertaining book. The imagery was beautiful, and the plot was engaging. Ultimately, I found the characters slightly shallow, especially the lead character. Still, I would recommend it to my friends, and I found the overall value of the book to be high. Good read!