The Magicians

The Magicians is the story of Quentin Coldwater, a Brooklyn native who, instead of going to a prestigious Ivy League, finds himself able to attend Brakebills, a college for magicians. There he meets other young magicians, learns how to use his abilities, and searches for a purpose in life. After finishing school he and his classmates look for a purpose in the wider world, and end up going on a fantastical adventure.

I'd often heard The Magicians described as “Harry Potter for adults.” Well, maybe if Harry Potter were emo. And if Harry Potter wasn't quite so focused on what he was learning at school. And if Harry Potter didn't have really awesome friends. Then sure, maybe. Except not really. Because Harry Potter had a purpose in life - to defeat Voldemort. Quentin doesn't really have a purpose. He wants one, but he can't quite figure out what it is. And, as with many talented people who have skills but no way to use them, he looks for distractions. So, no, it's really not at all like Harry Potter. More like a story about a random Slytherin extra who isn't cool enough to hang out with Draco.

It's funny because the book tends to generate very polarizing reviews, but I somehow seem to fall squarely into a middle ground. There are moments when I completely identify with the characters:

The room filled with the collective rustling of paper, like a flock of birds taking off. Heads bowed in unison. Quentin recognized this motion. It was the motion of a bunch of high-powered type-A test killers getting down to their bloody work. That was alright. He was one of them. p.22