Things I Bought #2

The Magicians – Alice’s Story

I have been wanting to write about this for a while. Especially as I had trouble getting this book in the first place.

I originally pre-ordered this from Amazon. But I was let down as it was destroyed during delivery so I never received it. I got my money back and then decided not to buy from them again, as the price went up. A couple of months later I found it on E bay a few quid cheaper and decided to buy it then.

If you don’t know this graphic novel is from the book series The Magicians by Lev Grossman. I suppose the best way to describe the series would be to imagine an adult world of Harry Potter going to college or university and mix in the world of Narnia, with a dash of mental health issues. Originally a series of three books that was later adapted into a TV show that lasted five seasons (Here’s hoping that someone picks it up to continue the show!). I started with the TV series and then found out it was a series of books and managed to find first print hardbacks and rushed to read them all. I really enjoyed the books even though the series follows the books in theory. I am happy the end of season four didn’t happen.

Anyway the graphic novel is a single person point of view from the character Alice Quinn. Following her path through the first book of The Magicians. Her downs, slight ups and downs again. Trying to work out if she is strong enough to do what needs to be done. She is highly intelligent and very determined. A loner but later realising that she doesn’t need to be. I think that’s one the things I liked about the books and the show. Each character is screwed up in there own little way.

The book itself is really well made. The cover feels a bit spongy but strong. As you open the book you first see the internal wallpaper with bits of the Brakebills logo mixed with cogs and keys that leads into the actual story. It’s also copied on the back pages. I really like this. I am surprised that they haven’t used this for other things like stationary and the such. Maybe they have. I don’t know.

The art work is really nice and actually seeing what Lev Grossman saw in his head when he created his characters is cool.

This book is a great addition to fans of the series. And brings you back to a world that you really didn’t want to leave. The story and the characters are all a delight to follow. I would maybe like to see another perspective. Maybe Janet or Josh. Or even maybe a character from Fillory. Maybe the Beasts.

But where to get my next fix? Lucky for me there is a five issue comic series that I haven’t read yet. But after that… Lev Grossman the ball’s in your court. Please don’t let us down.