For all of you that are complaining that this book is too much like Harry Potter. First of all if you're going to say that all of Cassie's books are rip offs of Harry Potter you can leave now. I can see the similarities between both The Mortal Instruments, Harry Potter and the Iron Trial but seriously, every author takes a little bit of ideas from other authors, it's how life works, and if you're just going to say that Cassie is ripping off J.K. Rowling then you can..... I wrote something but I took it off. Anyway just shut up and keep it to yourself, okay? I don't want to hear it. Cassie is a great respectable writer and if you think just because there are a few similarities between her books and the Harry Potter series that she's 'plagiarizing' it, seriously just shut up. First off, if it was plagiarism then she wouldn't have been able to get the books published and second, there are a few similarities, they're not EXACTLY the same then third Holly wrote this book too. I really hate it when people accuse my favorite authors of plagiarism, it just irks me, so sorry.
I also wasn't sure whether or not I'd like this book because 1. it's co-written and I usually don't like co-written books with authors that I've liked their books that they wrote (did that make any sense?) 2. It's middle school age, I'm really into YA right now so this book did seem a little young to me.
This story follows this boy name Callum Hunt. He's a mage, well, kind of. His father hates the mages and everything they stand for, so when Callum is called in to take a test to see whether he can go into the mages, he fails at what he was supposed to do, which was failing. Now Callum is stuck doing exactly what his father warned him against his entire life and when he starts getting wrapped up in the mysteries of the Magisterium, what will happen?
Here's the official synopsis:
From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a riveting new series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.
From two bestselling superstars, a dazzling and magical middle-grade collaboration centering on the students of the Magisterium, an academy for those with a propensity toward magic. In this first book, a new student comes to the Magisterium against his will -- is it because he is destined to be a powerful magician, or is the truth more twisted than that? It's a journey that will thrill you, surprise you, and make you wonder about the clear-cut distinction usually made between good and evil
Anyway once you read this book come back and we can discuss ;)
SPOILERS BELOW FOR THE IRON TRIAL
The prologue was really depressing, don't you think? And kind of confusing, but it makes more sense as you get farther into the book, so that was okay.
I didn't believe Drew when he said he was just scared of his Master, because of that thing he said to Call when he was talking to him. So I guess Call is the one who's already dead, and who will die? Aaron or Tamara? And what will the third fail at???
Did anyone else think that the chaos ridden sounded a lot like the Forsaken?? (TMI or TID fans???) Comment below if you did or just you know, think to yourself about it.
I felt so bad for Aaron when he said he had no family to return to, that just made me like him ten times more than I already did- because I did like Tamar and Aaron before, though, honestly Call kinda annoyed me. And it wasn't even the fact that his name was Call.
I felt a lot of deja vu at the part where Tamara was climbing the rafters, was that in an excerpt Cassie posted? I don't remember.
I did have several Harry Potter flashbacks while reading this book, especially when Constant or whatever his name is was living inside Callum. That was a huge monumental plot twist. Did any of you expect that? Because I didn't.
Sorry for the short reviews recently! I just didn't have too many notes. Friend me on goodreads to keep up with what I'm reading ;).