Book Review - The Iron Trial, Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

Here's my review of, The Iron Trial, by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

Insight into the book (from GOODREADS):

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.

    This book is written by two of the most famous YA authors, Holly Black and Cassandra Clare, so my first thought was, "THIS IS GOING TO BE AMAZING!"  I bought the book without thinking about it too much, with high expectations, but figuring that I wouldn't be disappointed at all.  In a way, I was let down . . . and here's a few reasons why:

• This book lacked originality.  
• I know I'm not the only reader that thinks that parts of it was taken from Harry Potter.
• I feel as though there could've been much more creativity to the story-line. 

   Before I go on, I want to say more about how I think the book is taken after Harry Potter.  A boy goes to wizarding school, his mother is killed in a wizarding event, the main character has two best friends, one girl who's very intelligent, and a sweet, sometimes dumb boy.  Doesn't this remind you of something . . . ?  

  Reasons I enjoyed this book:

• I came to really like the characters, and think the character build was great.
• The world Cassandra and Holly created was super imaginative.
• Lots of action packed scenes, and good plot twists.  

  All things considered, I think I enjoyed this book more than most readers.  Above, when I mention the similarities with Harry Potter, it isn't as bad as it sounds.  I really only saw lots of the similarities through the middle, then the book picked up it's pace.

  I seriously love the characters.  I think they're what really made me enjoy this book.  I really want to give it four stars, but the fact that it truly didn't have any originality until the end, makes it hard for me to give it four stars.

  I've obviously got sooo many mixed feelings about the book, but I'm going to give it . . . 

THANKS FOR READING,