The Iron Trial is by far one of the most eagerly awaited children's books of Autumn 2014 and it's no surprise, considering its creators are the impressive Cassandra Clare (one of my most favourite authors) and Holly Black. Clare, the writer of The Mortal Instrument series, a global phenomenon and Black, author of the widely popular Spiderwick Chronicle series have collaborated to create a new fantasy series. The Iron Trial is the first of the proposed five in the Magisterium series and is probably suitable for boys and girls aged 10 and up!
The protagonist, Callum Hunt is not an ordinary boy. Unlike many 12 year olds his age Callum doesn't want to go to magic school. All his life, Callum has been told by his father to never trust a magician and to stay away from magic. Callum must face The compulsory Iron Trial, a test to see if he can enter the elusive Magisterium. True to form, Callum doesn't succeed at attempting to fail and is rocketed into a world of magic, underground caves and friendship.
I started the book with exceptionally high expectations and I'm saddened to say, that it failed to meet them. At the beginning, the book started with a fast paced and brilliant opener but slowed quickly, with long paragraphs of unnecessary detail or skipping sections. I found the general plot to be suspiciously similar to Harry Potter. From the whole magic boarding school concept, to the friendship group consisting of two boys and one girl, who had Hermoine-esque traits of being desperate to do well and impress. As well as this, the 'Enemy of Death' appeared to share characteristics similar to Voldermort.
Despite this, The Iron Trial has a few totally unpredictable plot twists that are, in my opinion, it's greatest redeeming factor. I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a Harry Potter style fantasy book, but don't be fooled into thinking it will fill The Mortal Instruments shaped hole that City of Heavenly Fire left.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
Want to tell the world about a book you've read? Join the site and send us your review!
