I enjoyed this book. It has the perfect formula for a book that I would love: time travel, magic, secret societies, and a heist? Count me in! The Last Magician is well written, diverse, and has a vibrant setting. But I just couldn't shake the feeling that it could have been more than what it was. It could have pushed more boundaries, provided more insight, and built up a deeper world. While it was a special book, I don't think that it was especially fantastic.
the good and the bad
I honestly wish this book could have been longer. There were a lot of cool twists, a solid if slightly predictable plot structure, and a large cast of characters, so it was filled with adventure and a wealth of suspense. But the little in-betweens that make books great rather than just good wasn't always there for me. The characters were all very different and intriguing, and yet a lot of them and their relationships were underdeveloped, save for the main two characters. I just wanted more, and I could see the potential for it, but it wasn't quite there.
the characters
Speaking of characters, Esta and Harte are the protagonists. While their goals don't always align, you find yourself rooting for both of them. Esta is the kind of fiery, stubborn, and skilled main character that I honestly adore but am finding to be quite common. Nothing about her surprised me, as much as I appreciated her cleverness. Harte, on the other hand, impressed me the most. He's different than a lot of other male protagonists with his flash and show, but he has a heart of gold under his facade. To me, he had the most complex characterization and motivations and I'm a sucker for a morally gray character. As for the rest of the characters, they weren't given a lot of time on page in comparison, but I enjoyed them all the same.
the world and the plot
The magical world was possibly my favorite aspect of this book. The magical folk in this world are called Mageus and they possess a host of different abilities depending on the person. The various powers and magical objects were spectacular and I loved reading about them! The Mageus’ nemesis is a human organization called the Order. The members despise the Mageus and want to gain power over the elements using alchemy and some creepy rituals. They’re a “big” villain, but well thought out and the political/social implications are presented beautifully.
comparison
So I am not typically someone who compares books or even draws similarities between them very often. My philosophy is that each book is individual and unique, even if the concepts are similar. However, for some reason I could not stop drawing parallels to Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. The plots and ideas are similar, although I think that Bardugo did it better. They are not the same book at all, yet The Last Magician did remind me of Six of Crows. However, considering how amazing Six of Crows is, that is not a bad comparison by any means.
Publication Date: July 18, 2017
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 512
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: In modern-day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives. Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future. But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past.
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 512
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: In modern-day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives. Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future. But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past.
Have you read The Last Magician? What did you think?
Great review! I've been wondering whether or not to read this one, so I enjoyed hearing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteEleanor | On the Other Side of Reality
Thanks, Eleanor! It is definitely an enjoyable read, albeit a bit predictable, but I recommend checking it out!
Delete