Scan barcode
manwithanagenda's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
'The Magician's Ring' was one of the books that was lying around the house growing up. Had it been bought for my older siblings? Had I begged for it at a yard sale? I don't know, but it struck a cord with me. Being your basic pleasure-delaying freak I had to take my own sweet time and read the three other books in the series before I read the one I wanted to read all along.
And, while it was a lot of fun to revisit, it fails to live up to my memory. Of course! The process of reading it was startling. Each illustration, murky charcoal sketches, brought back vivid memories. A witch cupping a ladle of stew, a wizard with twisted bird beak and rams horns, a staring unicorn and a man-size puppet reminded me of reading the book again and again when I was younger.
The story, of a traveling minstrel enlisted by an enchanted kingdom to break a spell, was not as engrossing as an adult as it could have been, but the different possibilities of what the magician's sinister ring was was fascinating. I appreciated the princess on the cover doing things for herself, too. She doesn't have time for a hero, she's got shit to do. A good way to end my reading of the series, but 'Master of Mazes' remains the most innovative and deserving book of the series.
And, while it was a lot of fun to revisit, it fails to live up to my memory. Of course! The process of reading it was startling. Each illustration, murky charcoal sketches, brought back vivid memories. A witch cupping a ladle of stew, a wizard with twisted bird beak and rams horns, a staring unicorn and a man-size puppet reminded me of reading the book again and again when I was younger.
The story, of a traveling minstrel enlisted by an enchanted kingdom to break a spell, was not as engrossing as an adult as it could have been, but the different possibilities of what the magician's sinister ring was was fascinating. I appreciated the princess on the cover doing things for herself, too. She doesn't have time for a hero, she's got shit to do. A good way to end my reading of the series, but 'Master of Mazes' remains the most innovative and deserving book of the series.
More...