The best thing about this book is it is never what you expect. I was expecting it to be predictable and a copy of previous books on magic we have had before. But I was totally wrong.
By using the split writing you never know what may happen next, what twist and turn they will throw into the story. From the first page (or more truthfully the blurb) I thought I had worked the book out and it would fall into all the stereotypes you expect in a young adult fiction, but they went against the gravel and produced an outstanding book which paves the way to an exciting new series.
The main characters are delightful to read about. Callum is insecure and guided by his father's pressures and so throughout the book we see him change into his own person, who is beginning to see the magisterium in his own way not the way his father does. Tamara develops from being a typical Hermione to becoming a rebel (compared to her family) and trying to make everyone else happy she decides to do what makes her happy.
It is one of the best fantasy books I have read in a long time, it captured me and I never wanted to put it down and read it in less than 3 hours. It is well written and has a new take on the idea of magic. It will engross you and make you feel like the magisterium is a real place, you'll be wishing you could take part in the iron trial.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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