The Iron Trial (Magisterium, #1)

by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

[lizarodz]

3.5 Stars

*Sigh* The truth is that I read The Iron Trial before its publication, but since then I have been trying to figure out how I felt about it and how to start this review. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t as good as I expected it to be. I mean, we’re talking about Holly Black and Cassandra Clare so obviously I expected something grand, instead it was just okay.

I will just mention this right of the bat and get it over with: The Iron Trial does share many traits in common with the Harry Potter series. There’s no sugarcoating this fact that there are many similarities, so I won’t bother listing them here, instead let’s try to keep this review short and sweet.

Before someone tries to take my head off: I am in no way saying that the concept of a magic school is property of J.K. Rowling, so let me see if I can explain it better. The Burning Sky is about magic, there are even magic schools mentioned, there are magic wands, spells and potions, but that is something most books about magic may share. However, while I was immersed in the amazing world and story that Sherry Thomas created I didn’t think about Harry Potter. While I was reading The Iron Trial, I was comparing the book ALL the time. Well, that’s that.

The characterization in the Iron Trial is one of the things that it’s very different and original. Cal had been raised by his father to understand two things: magic is bad (it killed his mom), and he must fail the Iron Trial (entrance test for magic school.) The problem is that he’s wrong on both accounts. The person to blame for Cal’s confusion, unpreparedness, distrust, and loneliness is his dad. I cannot understand that man! I don’t want to give too much away, but I didn’t like him. Cal is very bitter and prone to jealously and deep mistrust. He’s had a difficult life (he’s only 12!) and it didn’t get any easier.

Aaron and Tamara are the other part of this trio of students that are under the same “master”. They study, train, eat and sleep together, and although there are a few misunderstandings at the beginning, they end up getting along and sticking together. I did like them (better than I liked Cal to be honest.)

The main setting is the Magisterium, the magical school that is in an underground cave. It sound really cool, for me personally would be kind of a nightmare, but that’s just me. There are interesting and unique things in these caves, such as the weird food, the “bracelet” system, the tests and things they do for fun. The writing is awesome, again, we’re talking about Claire and Black! The plot has one MAJOR twist that I didn’t see coming at all. It was sad and awesome at the same time. The concept of magic in The Iron Trial is different, it has more to do with the elements and with chaos.

Overall, The Iron Trial is a good beginning to the Magisterium series. I sure hope that Clare and Black manage to infuse more originality into the series and that the plot is enough hook the readers in. I will read the next book and see.

About the cover: It’s gorgeous! It has Cal, Aaron and Tamara inside the Magisterium (stalactites on the ceiling) and the Enemy of Death, wearing his mask.