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Magisterium #3
The Bronze Key
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2016)Magic can save you.
Magic can kill you.
Students at the Magisterium are supposed to be safe. Under the watchful eyes of the mages, they are taught to use magic to bring order to a chaotic world.
But now the chaos is fighting back. Call, Tamara, and Aaron should be worrying about things like pop quizzes and magic contests. Instead, after the shocking death of one of their classmates, they must track down a sinister killer… and risk their own lives in the process.
As Call, Tamara, and Aaron disocver, magic can only be as good as the person who wields it. In evil hands, it has the capacity to do immesasurable harm, unless it is stopped in time.
In this striking third book of Magisterium, bestelling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare present us with a school where anything, good or evil, can happen, and the only way to unlock the truth is to risk everything to find it.
Magic can kill you.
Students at the Magisterium are supposed to be safe. Under the watchful eyes of the mages, they are taught to use magic to bring order to a chaotic world.
But now the chaos is fighting back. Call, Tamara, and Aaron should be worrying about things like pop quizzes and magic contests. Instead, after the shocking death of one of their classmates, they must track down a sinister killer… and risk their own lives in the process.
As Call, Tamara, and Aaron disocver, magic can only be as good as the person who wields it. In evil hands, it has the capacity to do immesasurable harm, unless it is stopped in time.
In this striking third book of Magisterium, bestelling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare present us with a school where anything, good or evil, can happen, and the only way to unlock the truth is to risk everything to find it.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2016
1259 people are currently reading
25231 people want to read
About the author
Holly Black
216 books126k followersHolly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over thirty fantasy novels for kids and teens. She has been a finalist for an Eisner Award and the Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into 32 languages worldwide and adapted for film. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,553 reviews
September 14, 2018
To be honest, I really did not love this installment! I struggled with book one, greatly enjoyed book two, and book three did not hold up for me.
What I love about this series is the characters. I find the dynamics between Cal, Tamara, Aaron, and Jasper to be very unique and authentic. Each book showcases their development as individuals and a team and I always enjoy the chance to watch them grow further.
What I struggled with the most in this particular novel was the plot. I did not find this storyline all that interesting compared to the previous book. The pacing was slow, the twists were predictable, and I overall found myself somewhat bored while reading. It wasn't particularly engaging which creates a non-memorable reading experience.
That being said, I loved the ending. Cassandra Clare and Holly Black have truly pushed the boundaries with middle grade and managed to truly surprise me. The conclusion to this story perfectly sets up the following book and left me immediately wanting more. I've been dragging out my completion of this series, opting to read one book in the series per year, but I could not resist picking up The Silver Mask the second I finished it. The ending was not the saving grace of this story, but it definitely renewed the interest I lost while in the midst of the book.
Overall, The Bronze Key is probably my least favorite of this series so far. I believe it's not terrible, yet not spectacular. That said, I have and will be continuing with this series as I love the characters and world that has been created.
What I love about this series is the characters. I find the dynamics between Cal, Tamara, Aaron, and Jasper to be very unique and authentic. Each book showcases their development as individuals and a team and I always enjoy the chance to watch them grow further.
What I struggled with the most in this particular novel was the plot. I did not find this storyline all that interesting compared to the previous book. The pacing was slow, the twists were predictable, and I overall found myself somewhat bored while reading. It wasn't particularly engaging which creates a non-memorable reading experience.
That being said, I loved the ending. Cassandra Clare and Holly Black have truly pushed the boundaries with middle grade and managed to truly surprise me. The conclusion to this story perfectly sets up the following book and left me immediately wanting more. I've been dragging out my completion of this series, opting to read one book in the series per year, but I could not resist picking up The Silver Mask the second I finished it. The ending was not the saving grace of this story, but it definitely renewed the interest I lost while in the midst of the book.
Overall, The Bronze Key is probably my least favorite of this series so far. I believe it's not terrible, yet not spectacular. That said, I have and will be continuing with this series as I love the characters and world that has been created.
August 28, 2016
my heart is broken into a thousand pieces and I don't know what to do
February 10, 2017
WTF JUST HAPPEND!!!!!
October 31, 2017
4.5 Stars!
*** SPOILERS ***
I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS KIND OF PAIN COMING FROM A DAMN MIDDLE GRADE! I DID NOT!
GO BACK! GO BACK! I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE HAPPENING!
I spent the whole book wishing this were not a Middle Grade. Wishing this to be a a New Adult, for things to be darker and more intense, FOR AARON AND CALLUM TO FINALLY BECOME CANON! and now I don't know what to say because I'm broken.
THIS IS NOT OKAY!
"He's my best friend. He's my counterweight."
I want to scream how much I want Aaron and Call together. I ship them since the 1st book but this book SCREAMED it to me. CALL AND AARON NEED TO BE TOGETHER! In all ways. This can't be true. Aaron has to come back, he can't be really dead, he can't. Call will bring him back.
They have to be together. I won't accept anything else. Don't do this to me.
This was without doubt my favorite book so far. The potential I've been babbling about is finally being shown. For a Middle Grade.
(Middle Grades and some Young Adults, no longer satisfy me completely, I always crave and imagine more.)
But I do love how thing are finally getting interesting. I love Constantine's story. I love when they speak about the past. And my masochist side loves the pain that Constanine and Jericho's story bring. And I also hate it - a lot - because THIS ISN'T FAIR! This kind of pain isn't fair!
I want to KILL Alex! I can't stand the thought of him being alive and having Aaron's powers. I HATE IT!
I can't stand the thought of Aaron being dead. He can't be. I can't stand the thought of Call losing his best friend; his counterweight; a part of his soul.
This is too much. Too much. I can't take the image of Aaron saying "At least we're going to die together" and smiling to Call. Of them holding hands...
CAN'T STAND THIS! CALL HAS TO BRING AARON BACK SOMEHOW! (The real Aaron.) THIS CAN'T BE REALLY HAPPING.
I can't even be objective anymore. I had this mental list of things I wanted to comment; how funny it was, how basic I still find some things; how I love the familiar feeling that imagining the Magisterium gives me; how at peace I felt and how much I was enjoying it; I wanted to scream and enumerate all the thousands of reason why Call and Aaron are meant to be with each other; all their little big moments;... but now all I can think about is how broken I am with this.
Call and Aaron NEED to be together. None of this can be real.
I can't believe I'm saying this over a Magisterium book but: I NEED THE NEXT ONE NOW!
*** SPOILERS ***
I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS KIND OF PAIN COMING FROM A DAMN MIDDLE GRADE! I DID NOT!
GO BACK! GO BACK! I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE HAPPENING!
I spent the whole book wishing this were not a Middle Grade. Wishing this to be a a New Adult, for things to be darker and more intense, FOR AARON AND CALLUM TO FINALLY BECOME CANON! and now I don't know what to say because I'm broken.
THIS IS NOT OKAY!
"He's my best friend. He's my counterweight."
I want to scream how much I want Aaron and Call together. I ship them since the 1st book but this book SCREAMED it to me. CALL AND AARON NEED TO BE TOGETHER! In all ways. This can't be true. Aaron has to come back, he can't be really dead, he can't. Call will bring him back.
They have to be together. I won't accept anything else. Don't do this to me.
This was without doubt my favorite book so far. The potential I've been babbling about is finally being shown. For a Middle Grade.
(Middle Grades and some Young Adults, no longer satisfy me completely, I always crave and imagine more.)
But I do love how thing are finally getting interesting. I love Constantine's story. I love when they speak about the past. And my masochist side loves the pain that Constanine and Jericho's story bring. And I also hate it - a lot - because THIS ISN'T FAIR! This kind of pain isn't fair!
I want to KILL Alex! I can't stand the thought of him being alive and having Aaron's powers. I HATE IT!
I can't stand the thought of Aaron being dead. He can't be. I can't stand the thought of Call losing his best friend; his counterweight; a part of his soul.
This is too much. Too much. I can't take the image of Aaron saying "At least we're going to die together" and smiling to Call. Of them holding hands...
CAN'T STAND THIS! CALL HAS TO BRING AARON BACK SOMEHOW! (The real Aaron.) THIS CAN'T BE REALLY HAPPING.
I can't even be objective anymore. I had this mental list of things I wanted to comment; how funny it was, how basic I still find some things; how I love the familiar feeling that imagining the Magisterium gives me; how at peace I felt and how much I was enjoying it; I wanted to scream and enumerate all the thousands of reason why Call and Aaron are meant to be with each other; all their little big moments;... but now all I can think about is how broken I am with this.
Call and Aaron NEED to be together. None of this can be real.
I can't believe I'm saying this over a Magisterium book but: I NEED THE NEXT ONE NOW!
January 9, 2017
La tercera entrega de esta saga me ha dejado tenso, sorprendido y sobre todo, con ganas de más. Lamentablemente, hasta finales de este año no tendremos la oportunidad de leer en español la siguiente novela...
La Llave de Bronce ha sido sin duda mi favorito hasta el momento. Todo sucede tan rápido pero de manera tan natural que me pregunto si las verdaderas magas no son las autoras. Lo he leído en menos de un día, en apenas dos sentadas en las que no me he despegado ni un minuto del libro.
Personajes como Jasper se hacen un hueco en el corazón del lector, y otros como Alex o Celia tienen un espacio más importante. Y es más que curioso porque siendo el libro con más acción y personajes, es el más corto. Sin embargo, como ya conocemos a casi todos los personajes secundarios, no se pierde el tiempo en describirlos o presentarlos, y simplemente recordando episodios del pasado en unas pocas líneas Clare y Black consiguen ponernos en situación.
Me ha gustado muchísimo, de verdad. Quizá le haya faltado un poco más de contenido en sí, del día a día en el Magisterium, de las clases y las pruebas. Pero la historia está convirtiéndose en algo increíble, mucho más maduro y lleno de sorpresas. El final es ligeramente precipitado pero hay un giro que sugiere una cuarta entrega de infarto. La cual, por cierto, espero que tenga al menos 300 páginas.
Recomiendo muchísimo esta saga. La disfruto como pocas y siempre me duran nada. Son libros entretenidos con unos personajes que adoro. ¡LEEDLA!
La Llave de Bronce ha sido sin duda mi favorito hasta el momento. Todo sucede tan rápido pero de manera tan natural que me pregunto si las verdaderas magas no son las autoras. Lo he leído en menos de un día, en apenas dos sentadas en las que no me he despegado ni un minuto del libro.
Personajes como Jasper se hacen un hueco en el corazón del lector, y otros como Alex o Celia tienen un espacio más importante. Y es más que curioso porque siendo el libro con más acción y personajes, es el más corto. Sin embargo, como ya conocemos a casi todos los personajes secundarios, no se pierde el tiempo en describirlos o presentarlos, y simplemente recordando episodios del pasado en unas pocas líneas Clare y Black consiguen ponernos en situación.
Me ha gustado muchísimo, de verdad. Quizá le haya faltado un poco más de contenido en sí, del día a día en el Magisterium, de las clases y las pruebas. Pero la historia está convirtiéndose en algo increíble, mucho más maduro y lleno de sorpresas. El final es ligeramente precipitado pero hay un giro que sugiere una cuarta entrega de infarto. La cual, por cierto, espero que tenga al menos 300 páginas.
Recomiendo muchísimo esta saga. La disfruto como pocas y siempre me duran nada. Son libros entretenidos con unos personajes que adoro. ¡LEEDLA!
September 10, 2016
fuQ THAT WAS GOOD
but that ending like can we just not
too many emotional books I'm crying halp pls
but that ending like can we just not
too many emotional books I'm crying halp pls
August 17, 2017
This post can also be found on my blog here: https://ambsreads.wordpress.com/2017/...
R A M B L E
This review will probably be short because I am screaming still from this book. The Bronze Key by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare was dark. The previous two books seemed like child play when compared to this book and I am shocked. I am shocked that these two women are geniuses. I haven’t felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest by a book in a long time, but these two authors manage to do it within 200 pages.
P L O T
Following the same characters we now know and love, The Bronze Key is a story about friendship, crushes and murder.
Wait, one of those seem out of place. Definitely the crushes.
Definitely the crushes.
Romance hasn’t been a big thing in this series, but it slowly starts to be introduced to the series as the characters are now 14 and undergoing puberty, I presume it’s not in the text. It was a bit disorientating to read about Callum’s feelings and I got confused in some aspects, which was the only thing that brought this book down a star because it was a perfect five.
It seems these kids can’t get a break though because this particular year someone wants to murder Callum. I get he’s annoying, but I’m not sure he exactly screams “murder me”. Apparently, he does though. Along the way the trio makes many discoveries they may wish they didn’t and suffer losses that will break them.
C H A R A C T E R S
I haven’t got a lot to say about the characters throughout this book. At least, not enough to make individual parts in this review like I usually do. Callum, Tamara and Aaron go through some series hardships in their Bronze Year at the Magisterium. Hardships no fourteen years should have to face. It is distressing, in a way, at what they do experience and the lack of adults who are willing to help.
The trio takes care of Havoc, while also never letting Callum out of their sight in fear the murderer will strike when they do. The character growth throughout this book was beautiful, but also hilarious in some aspects. Mainly the introduction of romance that I mentioned previously.
I’m beyond excited to see how the trio grows in the future books. I can’t believe I waited so long to pick up this series.
O V E R A L L
Overall, Cassandra Clare and Holly Black did it again. They managed to have me crying late in the night over their unexpected twists and unflinching way to execute a story. I am beyond excited for the release of the fourth book which comes out later in August.
I still highly recommend this series if you’re looking for a fast paces middle-grade series that is in no way similar to Percy Jackson or Harry Potter. Black and Clare completely make this world their own without cliches or themes from those series and it is amazing.
R A M B L E
This review will probably be short because I am screaming still from this book. The Bronze Key by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare was dark. The previous two books seemed like child play when compared to this book and I am shocked. I am shocked that these two women are geniuses. I haven’t felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest by a book in a long time, but these two authors manage to do it within 200 pages.
P L O T
Following the same characters we now know and love, The Bronze Key is a story about friendship, crushes and murder.
Wait, one of those seem out of place. Definitely the crushes.
Definitely the crushes.
Romance hasn’t been a big thing in this series, but it slowly starts to be introduced to the series as the characters are now 14 and undergoing puberty, I presume it’s not in the text. It was a bit disorientating to read about Callum’s feelings and I got confused in some aspects, which was the only thing that brought this book down a star because it was a perfect five.
It seems these kids can’t get a break though because this particular year someone wants to murder Callum. I get he’s annoying, but I’m not sure he exactly screams “murder me”. Apparently, he does though. Along the way the trio makes many discoveries they may wish they didn’t and suffer losses that will break them.
C H A R A C T E R S
I haven’t got a lot to say about the characters throughout this book. At least, not enough to make individual parts in this review like I usually do. Callum, Tamara and Aaron go through some series hardships in their Bronze Year at the Magisterium. Hardships no fourteen years should have to face. It is distressing, in a way, at what they do experience and the lack of adults who are willing to help.
The trio takes care of Havoc, while also never letting Callum out of their sight in fear the murderer will strike when they do. The character growth throughout this book was beautiful, but also hilarious in some aspects. Mainly the introduction of romance that I mentioned previously.
I’m beyond excited to see how the trio grows in the future books. I can’t believe I waited so long to pick up this series.
O V E R A L L
Overall, Cassandra Clare and Holly Black did it again. They managed to have me crying late in the night over their unexpected twists and unflinching way to execute a story. I am beyond excited for the release of the fourth book which comes out later in August.
I still highly recommend this series if you’re looking for a fast paces middle-grade series that is in no way similar to Percy Jackson or Harry Potter. Black and Clare completely make this world their own without cliches or themes from those series and it is amazing.
August 28, 2018
4.5 Stars
I need the next book now what an ending!!
I need the next book now what an ending!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 3, 2016Update: Well, that broke my heart. When's the next?
Update: I like the cover! Can't wait to read it!
I WANT THIS PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME WAIT ANOTHER YEAR
Update: I like the cover! Can't wait to read it!
I WANT THIS PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME WAIT ANOTHER YEAR
September 4, 2016
The Bronze Key is the third book in the Magisterium series by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. The action picks back up in this book shortly after the ending of the second as Call, Aaron and Tamara are beginning their third or bronze year at the Magisterium, a school that teaches a special few magic. This particular book in the series picks up the story with a death among the students and a spy on the loose threatening Call.
The Magisterium series is meant for middle grade readers but as an adult I am still really enjoying the story in these books. The characters always seem a bit older and show more maturity than some young adult characters that you come across too which is nice all the while you do know their age and the actions have been age appropriate as they've grown over the series.
Again as with the second book in this series I felt the authors did a great job in reminding readers of what had happened previously in the series rather quickly. It's been a year since reading the last book in this series so I went in hoping for a refresh and was quite impressed at how quickly within pages I felt they had caught me up enough to know just where it had left off.
Overall, another great action packed installment in the Magisterium series. A few really shocking moments in here that again have me wishing for the next book right away.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
The Magisterium series is meant for middle grade readers but as an adult I am still really enjoying the story in these books. The characters always seem a bit older and show more maturity than some young adult characters that you come across too which is nice all the while you do know their age and the actions have been age appropriate as they've grown over the series.
Again as with the second book in this series I felt the authors did a great job in reminding readers of what had happened previously in the series rather quickly. It's been a year since reading the last book in this series so I went in hoping for a refresh and was quite impressed at how quickly within pages I felt they had caught me up enough to know just where it had left off.
Overall, another great action packed installment in the Magisterium series. A few really shocking moments in here that again have me wishing for the next book right away.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
February 7, 2020
4.25 Golden Stars
(3.75 the whole story- bonus: +0.5: the ending)
OMG! The Ending! made my heart race like crazy.
Such a quick, cute & funny read!
I was about to give it 5 stars because of the last 40 pages! but you know I'm too dubious about giving 5 stars & the whole story was really 4 (I waited for it to be started & it did soon, but the high peaks of Adrenaline came at the end), so I gave 4 stars to be just, & wow, the ending! the ending deserves everything!
I'm crying!
the whole story was funny & interesting. About some rule-breaking characters & friendships & feelings, but not like book 2, which was full of thrills & adventures. it was more like a normal school year. (as normal as it could be for protagonists like Call, Aaron & Tamara; you know what I mean?) Jasper & Cal's thoughts (a.k.a. the writing style was hilarious, I'm dead of laughter.)
I was curious to solve the mystery building in this story, I knew it would be something that was under my nose all the time but also surprising, & heck! I was shocked when it solved! & I cried! ;_; (send help, tissues & the next books)
You idiot! (I yelled many times)
why didn't I see that coming? Whyyyy? *more crying*
-
World building: ★★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★★/5
Writing style: ★★★★★/5
plot: ★★★★/5
Cover: ★★★★/5
General idea: ★★★★★/5
(3.75 the whole story- bonus: +0.5: the ending)
OMG! The Ending! made my heart race like crazy.
Such a quick, cute & funny read!
I was about to give it 5 stars because of the last 40 pages! but you know I'm too dubious about giving 5 stars & the whole story was really 4 (I waited for it to be started & it did soon, but the high peaks of Adrenaline came at the end), so I gave 4 stars to be just, & wow, the ending! the ending deserves everything!
I'm crying!
the whole story was funny & interesting. About some rule-breaking characters & friendships & feelings, but not like book 2, which was full of thrills & adventures. it was more like a normal school year. (as normal as it could be for protagonists like Call, Aaron & Tamara; you know what I mean?) Jasper & Cal's thoughts (a.k.a. the writing style was hilarious, I'm dead of laughter.)
I was curious to solve the mystery building in this story, I knew it would be something that was under my nose all the time but also surprising, & heck! I was shocked when it solved! & I cried! ;_; (send help, tissues & the next books)
You idiot! (I yelled many times)
why didn't I see that coming? Whyyyy? *more crying*
-
World building: ★★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★★/5
Writing style: ★★★★★/5
plot: ★★★★/5
Cover: ★★★★/5
General idea: ★★★★★/5
October 10, 2016
Bulgarian review: https://bookishipster.wordpress.com/2...
How this book ended is not okay. Everything is not okay. I'm not okay. This can't be middle grade, it's too painful. I did not expect any of this coming, to be honest. I don't like where this is going, but i like it at the same time because this series has so much potential. And so much pain. Can't wait to read the fourth one!
How this book ended is not okay. Everything is not okay. I'm not okay. This can't be middle grade, it's too painful. I did not expect any of this coming, to be honest. I don't like where this is going, but i like it at the same time because this series has so much potential. And so much pain. Can't wait to read the fourth one!
February 7, 2017
WELL THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY.
For the majority of this book, I was so ready to write the rest of this series off. It wasn't necessarily bad, I was just bored and felt as if this book didn't have a plot or purpose. And then I got to those last 20 or so pages. And, damn! All hell breaks loose and the dynamic of the series is permanently shifted and I'm back on board to see how the events are going to play out moving forward.
For the majority of this book, I was so ready to write the rest of this series off. It wasn't necessarily bad, I was just bored and felt as if this book didn't have a plot or purpose. And then I got to those last 20 or so pages. And, damn! All hell breaks loose and the dynamic of the series is permanently shifted and I'm back on board to see how the events are going to play out moving forward.
June 14, 2018
Fantastic series. The plot moves on at a clip in this story. We find the spy, events turn tragic, we get a new enemy and a surprise identity.
June 24, 2017
The Bronze Key: check ✅ the third book in Clare's and Blacks Magesterium series really heats up. The beginning had action but was a little slow for me. It could have been cause I was doing a lot and going through a lot these past couple weeks, so my sole focus wasn't always on the story. Throughout the story you are trying to figure out who the schools spy is and who is trying to kill Call. The trio goes off on their own as usual to try to solve things, but this time things really go wrong. I can't wait for The Silver Mask to come out, so I can find out what happens next!!
December 27, 2016
I don't know how, but I neeeeeed this book in my life right now. The Copper Gauntlet ended with Constantine *wink, wink* dead *cough, cough* so . , . this book better prove better.
Oh. My. Gosh. It's taking all my strength not to ramble incoherent words in this review. I nnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeddddddd ttttttthhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiisssss! I rambled just a LITTLE bit.
But seriously. I need it. Cassie, Holly, GET WRITING PLEASE! *gasps for breath*
Oh. My. Gosh. It's taking all my strength not to ramble incoherent words in this review. I nnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeddddddd ttttttthhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiisssss! I rambled just a LITTLE bit.
But seriously. I need it. Cassie, Holly, GET WRITING PLEASE! *gasps for breath*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2017
Wie hat mir der dritte Teil gefallen?
Findet es hier heraus: https://youtu.be/zwnLPLaGRGc
Findet es hier heraus: https://youtu.be/zwnLPLaGRGc
November 1, 2020
#1.) The Iron Trial ★★★★☆
#2.) The Copper Gauntlet ★★★☆☆
#3.) The Bronze Key ★★★☆.5
“That's what heroes did. They ran straight toward danger and didn't ever give up.”
The Bronze Key is the third book in the Magisterium series, and after that ending I am so excited to see what the rest holds in store for us.
After not loving the second instalment, I was a little nervous to continue on with the series in case it continued to go downhill for me. Fortunately, that wasn't the case at all, and I found myself enjoying it more! This series has proved time and again to be perfect for breaking up my heavier and darker reads with its light hearted tone and juvenile. I don't think they are, by any means, objectively perfect. But when read at the right time, these books are charming and loveable.
For this instalment in particular, I enjoyed the plot more. We focused on a spy/mystery type thing, which helped to add a bit of intrigue for me (even though I found quite a few of the plot twists to be predictable.)
I can see the characters growing on me even more, and while they are not my favourite in all of fictional literature- they are fun to read about! I hope they, and their relationship with each other are further developed upon in the next books.
The ending was definitely ambitious and I look forward to seeing the repercussions of it play out. While I have a feeling that the ending is not exactly how it seems, I am excited to see how these authors handle it.
I cannot believe I am over halfway through this series already! Bring on The Silver Mask
#2.) The Copper Gauntlet ★★★☆☆
#3.) The Bronze Key ★★★☆.5
“That's what heroes did. They ran straight toward danger and didn't ever give up.”
The Bronze Key is the third book in the Magisterium series, and after that ending I am so excited to see what the rest holds in store for us.
After not loving the second instalment, I was a little nervous to continue on with the series in case it continued to go downhill for me. Fortunately, that wasn't the case at all, and I found myself enjoying it more! This series has proved time and again to be perfect for breaking up my heavier and darker reads with its light hearted tone and juvenile. I don't think they are, by any means, objectively perfect. But when read at the right time, these books are charming and loveable.
For this instalment in particular, I enjoyed the plot more. We focused on a spy/mystery type thing, which helped to add a bit of intrigue for me (even though I found quite a few of the plot twists to be predictable.)
I can see the characters growing on me even more, and while they are not my favourite in all of fictional literature- they are fun to read about! I hope they, and their relationship with each other are further developed upon in the next books.
The ending was definitely ambitious and I look forward to seeing the repercussions of it play out. While I have a feeling that the ending is not exactly how it seems, I am excited to see how these authors handle it.
I cannot believe I am over halfway through this series already! Bring on The Silver Mask
February 7, 2021
This is my favorite read of the series so far. A lot better than the first and the second books in the series. It was full of even more mysteries and again so much action.
The best thing in the book was the character development. I couldn't believe how much every main character had developed. Call, Aaron, Tamara and Jesper all grew up in this. Even Aaron and Tamara grew on me better than the last one. They are still not my favorite characters but I surely have started to like them now. Jesper has started to become my favorite after Call, Havoc, Warren, Alistair and Master Rufus.
This book did not have much of a plot but the story was very well driven by the character's choices and the action packed occurrences. This also answered a lot of questions from before and now I understand why Call's father tried to take away his magic in the previous book.
And that ending, that ending left me in a shock.
I loved this.
4 stars
The best thing in the book was the character development. I couldn't believe how much every main character had developed. Call, Aaron, Tamara and Jesper all grew up in this. Even Aaron and Tamara grew on me better than the last one. They are still not my favorite characters but I surely have started to like them now. Jesper has started to become my favorite after Call, Havoc, Warren, Alistair and Master Rufus.
This book did not have much of a plot but the story was very well driven by the character's choices and the action packed occurrences. This also answered a lot of questions from before and now I understand why Call's father tried to take away his magic in the previous book.
And that ending, that ending left me in a shock.
I loved this.
4 stars
August 17, 2018
"Fire wants to burn
Water wants to flow
Air wants to rise
Earth wants to bind
Chaos wants to devour"
Woah, I almost forgot this series! It's not quite memorable to me, but i think that's about to change BECAUSE THAT CLIFFHANGER WAS EVERYTHING
Now that I've stopped comparing it to Harry Potter and that it started having a complete story of its own that's not just about mages and a school for magicians, it got interesting enough.
I still expect way more from the writing style tho. Like its written by TWO geniuses! why make it so ordinary like that 💔
Water wants to flow
Air wants to rise
Earth wants to bind
Chaos wants to devour"
Woah, I almost forgot this series! It's not quite memorable to me, but i think that's about to change BECAUSE THAT CLIFFHANGER WAS EVERYTHING
Now that I've stopped comparing it to Harry Potter and that it started having a complete story of its own that's not just about mages and a school for magicians, it got interesting enough.
I still expect way more from the writing style tho. Like its written by TWO geniuses! why make it so ordinary like that 💔
January 15, 2018
Was für ein Ende! Damit hätte ich überhaupt nicht gerechnet. Ich bin gespannt wie es weitergeht.
December 16, 2021
#1) The Iron Trial ★★☆☆☆
#2) The Copper Gauntlet ★★★☆☆
#4) The Silver Mask ★☆☆☆☆
#5) The Golden Tower ★★☆☆☆
even if i'm not enjoying it, something about this series is so addictive
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Cal (mc) physical disability; Tamara (li) Iranian-American & Muslim; Rufus (sc) Black & gay; poc & queer scs.
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October 29, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up.
I listened to this as part of my ongoing audiobook project where I listen with my kids.
This third book in the Magisterium series was filled with deepening intrigue, some truly shocking events and revelations, and a cliffhanger ending! All three of us loved this and my kids are now dying for the next installment, due later this year.
I listened to this as part of my ongoing audiobook project where I listen with my kids.
This third book in the Magisterium series was filled with deepening intrigue, some truly shocking events and revelations, and a cliffhanger ending! All three of us loved this and my kids are now dying for the next installment, due later this year.
April 24, 2017
There will be no spoilers in this review, except at the very end, but they will be under a cut!
Got it yesterday, started this morning and finished this afternoon. It was easy to read and just as the second book, very entertaining.
Sadly, I still think the world building is pretty shoddy. I still have no solid idea of how the school or the magic actually work, except for the chaos magic, for example. I also only have a faint idea of how the adult mage society goes about their daily life (Don't even ask about their politics. No idea.).
I just know that basically everything important happens undergroud, which seems reasonable.
In contrast, I think most of the characters and their relationships work. Call is a really good POV character in my opinion, even if I think Aaron is the more complex character underneath all his niceness. Tamara is probably the weakest of the trio, but she's also a solid addition to the boys.
Jasper was a bit more in the backround in this one, but he proved to be just as entertaining. I still have no real grasp on Celia or Master Rufus, though.
Sadly the evil guys were pretty predictable in a way that it almost made it embarassing for the main characters to not notice (at least the children had an excuse simply by the virtue of being children, but I must conclude that some of the adults are painfully stupid).
To my surprise I'm oddly interested in Jericho, Constantin Madden's dead brother, for some reason. I'd like to know more about him!
I also continue to really like the friendships between the children (or maybe I should say teenagers now) because they all have a different feeling to them.
Call is never sure if his friends actually truly like him, or if they would betray him if someone just offered them a good deal. He's especially afraid that Aaron will one day become his enemy, because he couldn't bear it. It makes him painfully realistic to people who are always afraid that they're no ones favorite person.
He also continues to be convinced, and the book doesn't really contradict him on it most of the time, that Tamara will always choose Aaron over him. He also seems to think that there is a romance going on, which I could actually see at least from Tamara's side. I don't think her feelings for the boys are as black and white as Call seems to think, though. She clearly cares for both of them quite a lot, even if Call seems to be not entirely wrong.
Aaron is actually the ambiguous one in my opinion. He seems to care about everyone, but I got the impression that after Alastair, he might actually be the person caring about Call the most? He always seemed to pay extra attention to him in this book. Tamara was also protective of Call, but Aaron took it up a notch. It was interesting to see.
Jasper was mostly there for the witty one liners, but he always helps to pull the trio out of their gloom.
Not really sure what's going on with Celia to be honest. I always expected some sort of reveal (maybe a spell or potion), but it never happened. Wonder what the future holds for her as a character.
The actual story was the usual "teenagers do what adults should be doing, creating chaos (in this case literally) along the way and in the end there is a fight" plot every reader has seen before. The beginning was actually quite good, the middle part mostly worked (with a lot of handwaving regarding what the heck the adults were even doing all the time), but the end felt pretty rushed. It felt like there were at least five pages of details and reactions missing. And of course there was another cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers usually, but I think this one probably worked fine cause it set the next book up rather well. I for one am looking forward to it.
I do hope the (often obvious) villains will stop ranting about their motives as soon as our heroes ask them why they did the evil thing, cause that's getting a bit old now.
Okay, from here on there will be MAJOR SPOILERS. And I mean MAJOR. I will be talking about the end of the book and something that happened there. Really, please don't click if you don't want to be spoiled!
Got it yesterday, started this morning and finished this afternoon. It was easy to read and just as the second book, very entertaining.
Sadly, I still think the world building is pretty shoddy. I still have no solid idea of how the school or the magic actually work, except for the chaos magic, for example. I also only have a faint idea of how the adult mage society goes about their daily life (Don't even ask about their politics. No idea.).
I just know that basically everything important happens undergroud, which seems reasonable.
In contrast, I think most of the characters and their relationships work. Call is a really good POV character in my opinion, even if I think Aaron is the more complex character underneath all his niceness. Tamara is probably the weakest of the trio, but she's also a solid addition to the boys.
Jasper was a bit more in the backround in this one, but he proved to be just as entertaining. I still have no real grasp on Celia or Master Rufus, though.
Sadly the evil guys were pretty predictable in a way that it almost made it embarassing for the main characters to not notice (at least the children had an excuse simply by the virtue of being children, but I must conclude that some of the adults are painfully stupid).
To my surprise I'm oddly interested in Jericho, Constantin Madden's dead brother, for some reason. I'd like to know more about him!
I also continue to really like the friendships between the children (or maybe I should say teenagers now) because they all have a different feeling to them.
Call is never sure if his friends actually truly like him, or if they would betray him if someone just offered them a good deal. He's especially afraid that Aaron will one day become his enemy, because he couldn't bear it. It makes him painfully realistic to people who are always afraid that they're no ones favorite person.
He also continues to be convinced, and the book doesn't really contradict him on it most of the time, that Tamara will always choose Aaron over him. He also seems to think that there is a romance going on, which I could actually see at least from Tamara's side. I don't think her feelings for the boys are as black and white as Call seems to think, though. She clearly cares for both of them quite a lot, even if Call seems to be not entirely wrong.
Aaron is actually the ambiguous one in my opinion. He seems to care about everyone, but I got the impression that after Alastair, he might actually be the person caring about Call the most? He always seemed to pay extra attention to him in this book. Tamara was also protective of Call, but Aaron took it up a notch. It was interesting to see.
Jasper was mostly there for the witty one liners, but he always helps to pull the trio out of their gloom.
Not really sure what's going on with Celia to be honest. I always expected some sort of reveal (maybe a spell or potion), but it never happened. Wonder what the future holds for her as a character.
The actual story was the usual "teenagers do what adults should be doing, creating chaos (in this case literally) along the way and in the end there is a fight" plot every reader has seen before. The beginning was actually quite good, the middle part mostly worked (with a lot of handwaving regarding what the heck the adults were even doing all the time), but the end felt pretty rushed. It felt like there were at least five pages of details and reactions missing. And of course there was another cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers usually, but I think this one probably worked fine cause it set the next book up rather well. I for one am looking forward to it.
I do hope the (often obvious) villains will stop ranting about their motives as soon as our heroes ask them why they did the evil thing, cause that's getting a bit old now.
Okay, from here on there will be MAJOR SPOILERS. And I mean MAJOR. I will be talking about the end of the book and something that happened there. Really, please don't click if you don't want to be spoiled!
June 1, 2018
Rating: 1.5
This book was extremely boring and I didn't understand what the point of it was for 95% of the book. Last 40 pages where heartbreaking, unexpected, and exciting though. Very disappointing.
This book was extremely boring and I didn't understand what the point of it was for 95% of the book. Last 40 pages where heartbreaking, unexpected, and exciting though. Very disappointing.
April 28, 2018
I’ve gotta read the next one! I’m so glad I have it. 😜
Twists, turns, knots, puzzle pieces in this continuing saga. I’m invested.
Some of the characters annoy me and I just really like others; but that is how they are written.
I’m kinda punched in the stomach by this one.
Twists, turns, knots, puzzle pieces in this continuing saga. I’m invested.
Some of the characters annoy me and I just really like others; but that is how they are written.
I’m kinda punched in the stomach by this one.
October 20, 2017
4.3/5 ~ ITA/ENG (NOW ADDED)
Allora. Mi aggreggo a tutti quelli che dicono che questo libro non è all'altezza dei primi due, perchè è vero.
La prima parte è piuttosto lentina e non succede quasi nulla se non all'inizio dove c'è po' di scompiglio e stop.
I ragazzi poi tornano a scuola e allora da lì le cose iniziano a diventare interessanti.
Continua ad essere lentino però, perchè in definitiva non succede molto in questo capitolo.
E allora come mai la mia valutazione è comunque piuttosto alta?
Perchè AMO questo mondo e quindi il minimo dettaglio che viene aggiunto o il minimo passo che si fa in questa avventura mi entusiasma, mi piace tantissimo immergermi in questa scuola, scoprirne i suoi segreti. Non posso farci nulla.
E a questo si aggiunge il finale che risolleva completamente il libro. Dopo ormai essermi rassegnata che più di tanto non sarebbe successo, BOOM! le ultime trenta (?) pagine neanche ci si accorge di leggerle perchè succede l'inaspettabile.
Il libro lascia tutto in sospeso che resti con: ma che caaaa sta succedendo?!
Quindi non aspettatevi nessuna avventura iper eccitante, ma più un libro "di passaggio" usato per avere -speriamo- un'avventura di quelle con la A maiuscola nei prossimi libri!
____________________________
Ok so, I agree with everyone by saying that this book is not as good as the first two, it's true.
The first part is pretty slow and nothing that relevant actually happens, only at the very beginning there's a little bit of chaos but it stops there.
The kids then go back to school, and is in there -of course- where things start to get interesting.
It's still kinda slow though, it's in this installment in general that nothing too exciting happens.
Then why my rating is still pretty high?
Because I LOVE this world, and every detail that is added or every step that helps the story to go forward excite me, I love immersing myself in this school, finding its secrets. I can't do anything about it.
And to all of this, I have to include that this finale brought this book back to life. Once I told myself that nothing was going to happen, BOOM! the last pages flew by because happens the unespected.
The book leaves everything suspended and you are left like: WTF is going on?!
So don't expect a super crazy adventure here, it's more of a "transition book" used to create - I hope- an incredible adventure in the next chapters!
ultima forsan
"La fine è più vicina di quello che pensi"
Allora. Mi aggreggo a tutti quelli che dicono che questo libro non è all'altezza dei primi due, perchè è vero.
La prima parte è piuttosto lentina e non succede quasi nulla se non all'inizio dove c'è po' di scompiglio e stop.
I ragazzi poi tornano a scuola e allora da lì le cose iniziano a diventare interessanti.
Continua ad essere lentino però, perchè in definitiva non succede molto in questo capitolo.
E allora come mai la mia valutazione è comunque piuttosto alta?
Perchè AMO questo mondo e quindi il minimo dettaglio che viene aggiunto o il minimo passo che si fa in questa avventura mi entusiasma, mi piace tantissimo immergermi in questa scuola, scoprirne i suoi segreti. Non posso farci nulla.
E a questo si aggiunge il finale che risolleva completamente il libro. Dopo ormai essermi rassegnata che più di tanto non sarebbe successo, BOOM! le ultime trenta (?) pagine neanche ci si accorge di leggerle perchè succede l'inaspettabile.
Il libro lascia tutto in sospeso che resti con: ma che caaaa sta succedendo?!
Quindi non aspettatevi nessuna avventura iper eccitante, ma più un libro "di passaggio" usato per avere -speriamo- un'avventura di quelle con la A maiuscola nei prossimi libri!
____________________________
Ok so, I agree with everyone by saying that this book is not as good as the first two, it's true.
The first part is pretty slow and nothing that relevant actually happens, only at the very beginning there's a little bit of chaos but it stops there.
The kids then go back to school, and is in there -of course- where things start to get interesting.
It's still kinda slow though, it's in this installment in general that nothing too exciting happens.
Then why my rating is still pretty high?
Because I LOVE this world, and every detail that is added or every step that helps the story to go forward excite me, I love immersing myself in this school, finding its secrets. I can't do anything about it.
And to all of this, I have to include that this finale brought this book back to life. Once I told myself that nothing was going to happen, BOOM! the last pages flew by because happens the unespected.
The book leaves everything suspended and you are left like: WTF is going on?!
So don't expect a super crazy adventure here, it's more of a "transition book" used to create - I hope- an incredible adventure in the next chapters!
April 4, 2018
"Ich glaube nicht, dass es eine gute Idee ist, andauernd 'Feind des Todes' zu sagen", meinte Aaron. "Wir brauchen einen Codenamen. So was wie Käpt'n Fischfresse."
Dieser Band konnte mich nicht ganz so sehr fesseln wie die beiden Vorgänger, aber er war immer noch super. Ich mag Call und die Welt des Magisterium unheimlich gerne und gut geschrieben sind die Bücher auch. Und jedes Mal, wenn jemand Käpt'n Fischfresse sagt, muss ich lachen. Das Ende... WARUM?! Das muss gut enden für Call! Und...
October 10, 2016
"I'm telling you, you're messing up the story now GET IT RIGHT!"
October 28, 2017
5 stars!!
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