Monday, September 8, 2014

Review: The Iron Trial by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13608989-the-iron-trial
Release Date: September 9, 2014
Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books 
Pages: 295
Source: eARC for Review
ISBN-10: 0857532502  
Rating: 4 Hearts
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18285437-rites-of-passage

Book Description

"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."

Review

Short and Sweet:

The Iron Trial is dark, magical story with a shocking ending that I did not see coming!

To Elaborate...

This is the story of a boy named Callum, who's father mysteriously doesn't want him to go to magic school, aka the Magisterium. But Call does go and he finds out that the world of magic is a bit more complicated than his father let on. The Iron Trial is a fun, often sweet, occasionally quirky story about friendship, secrets and magic and I really enjoyed it!

This is going to be a pretty short review because it's hard to say much without giving something away. However, I will say that I thought I had the ending all figured out. I really, confidently assumed that I knew exactly what was going to happen. Obviously, this was not the case. The unfortunate part about thinking you know where a story is headed is that it can feel a bit boring waiting for it to happen. So, trust me when I say, that you will not correctly guess this ending so don't let your guard down. You've got to stay on your toes. ;)

4 Hearts!
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15 comments:

  1. nereydaG1003September 8, 2014 at 1:46 AM

    These two characters are so over-hyped that it honestly scares me off from reading their books. (I've read some of the TMI and TID and they were okay). Glad to see you liked this one though :)

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  2. Rebecca @ The Library CanarySeptember 8, 2014 at 7:24 AM

    Is this YA or middle grade? Cover looks middle gradeish. I don't typically read middle grade, but I have such love for Cassie Clare that I might have to give it a chance.

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  3. Sophia RoseSeptember 8, 2014 at 11:01 AM

    Haha! I've done that so many times, thinking I got it figured and then getting knocked off my feet. Sounds like a good one. Thanks for sharing, Sabrina!

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  4. Brittnee BryanSeptember 8, 2014 at 12:25 PM

    @Rebecca @ The Library Canary This is a middle grade!


    I've heard some not so great reviews about this, so I'm happy to read one that is positive!! Can't wait to check this one out.

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  5. OlgiaSeptember 8, 2014 at 12:52 PM

    About to read this one in the near future and you have succeeded in making me more excited!

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  6. Sabrina KSeptember 8, 2014 at 2:25 PM

    I read it because I really enjoyed The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by HB. However, I think for those that don't read MG at all, I would recommend skipping this one.

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  7. Sabrina KSeptember 8, 2014 at 2:26 PM

    The ending was unguessable! They were very sneaky about making you think you had all the pieces to the puzzle. Not the case! Thanks so much, Diamond!

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  8. JoyousreadsSeptember 8, 2014 at 8:26 PM

    My kids will probably enjoy this book more than I will. I'm glad you did, though. :)

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  9. Samantha RandolphSeptember 9, 2014 at 9:03 AM

    It makes me so happy that you liked this one! I was worried about all of the negative Harry Potter comparisons (it being to close to the same thing), but all the details about it you gave make it sound easily distinct enough. I like to break up all the YA with an MG sometimes, so I might have to pick this one up soon. :)

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  10. JoelAndradaJrSeptember 29, 2014 at 9:30 AM

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    ReplyDelete
  11. starryeyedjenOctober 1, 2014 at 9:45 AM

    Hmmm...still not sure if I want to spend the time on this one. I didn't even grab a copy while it was up on NG or EW or wherever it was, lol. I love Holly Black, but I'm a little over Cassie Clare for the time-being. Also, all of the comparisons to HP have me a little worried.

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  12. Sabrina KMay 15, 2015 at 7:21 PM

    MG! I read it because I love Holly Black, so I think your CC love qualifies you as a potential fan of this book. <3

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  13. Sabrina KMay 15, 2015 at 7:21 PM

    I was SO sure! I'm glad I was wrong though. It would have been disappointing for it to be so easy. :)

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  14. Sabrina KMay 15, 2015 at 7:21 PM

    I think people who expect a YA book from a MG one are going to be disappointed, but I thought it was an entertaining, fun read!

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  15. Sabrina KMay 15, 2015 at 7:21 PM

    Yay! I'm so glad, Olgia!

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I love to read your comments! :)