Arwen Undómiel

I’ve loved this series for so many years and I think it’s time for me to step up and explain it thoroughly - WITHOUT adding in all the snide comments about it being a Harry Potter ripoff. This is a great start to an immaculate series! *no spoilers* Sure, Clare is famous for her HP fanfics and some similarities are very obvious. That doesn’t mean this isn’t a completely unique and special book with amazing characters and hilarious and heartwarming plots. Where to begin? The book starts out with a description of Callum Hunt, a very antisocial and snappy 12-year old boy. He’s been raised by his dad that mages (magicians) are horrible people that run terrifying cavern magic schools and they’re the reason he never grew up with his mother. So when it’s his turn to go to the Iron Trial, the test to get into the Magesterium, he tries to fail, because that’s what he normally does best. Well, turns out Master Rufus has his finger on Call because he believes he has some serious potential. Much to Call and his father’s annoyance, Call starts his Iron year at the Magesterium with fellow apprentices Tamara (his roommate, a stiff girl who doesn’t seem to like him at all), Aaron (his second roommate, seems super nice on the outside which makes him suspicious), Celia (a girl who Call doesn’t quite understand why she wants to be his friend), and Jasper (a snarky bully who blames Call for “taking his spot with Master Rufus”). As time goes on, Call begins to actually enjoy mage school - for the first time in his life, he’s learning something he likes. He has friends who stand up for him. He can trust someone other than his father - who he is beginning to doubt. And the entire time Call is wondering whether he is doing the right thing to enjoy the Magesterium, an old secret from his past haunts him and he will soon realize something that will make all his decisions that have come this far to turn back upon him. I’m rereading this series currently in order to write reviews - believe me, the Magesterium is a must-read with everything - hilarious comic relief from nearly every character, small and big plot twists no one saw coming, character development that makes you really think about yourself, and most certainly no HP fanfic vibes, so don’t listen to those people. Enjoy reading!

Personally, this series is a long-time favorite of mine. It hooks you in with fast-paced adventures and humor in every chapter. The Copper Gauntlet, the second book of the Magisterium series, follows 13-year-old Call, Tamara, Aaron, and Jasper on their first adventure outside the Magisterium. *no spoilers* From the discoveries made and secrets kept from the last book, Call is torn between what is right and exactly who is on his side. Can he even trust his own father anymore, after everything he’s kept from him? He’s met with much more than self-doubt, including possible betrayals and some serious friendship pains and even in-group conflicts. We learn a lot more about each character, especially the different sides of Jasper and Aaron. Call narrates the story in an amusing but relatable way, showing his own character development. Another groundbreaking discovery rocks Call and his friends, but their adventures and enemies are far from over. The near ending of this book is significantly darker than The Iron Trial - it has some seriously creepy obstacles and a very dark tone that might make an elementary reader uncomfortable. There isn’t anything too graphic, though, and overall it’s a funny and gripping book to read.