The Copper Gauntlet (Magisterium #2)

I didn’t feel I could properly review the second book in the series without reading the first. That’s how I know that “The Copper Gauntlet” is a great follow-up to “The Iron Trial.” It doesn’t disappoint. This is really a book where things go sideways but the story becomes epic!

At first, you may read the series and wonder if you’re readying Harry Potter fan fiction because the story centers around a tween boy at a magic school. But if you take a deeper look, you’ll find a great story about Callum Hunt, a “special” boy at magical boarding school who just happens to have a female best friend, Tamara, and male best friend, Aaron, who are also part of the story. There’s just more than a bit of role reversal in who represents the bad guys and who represents the good guys.

I would say that the story’s a bit darker than Harry Potter. In fact, it’s almost hard to accept who Callum Hunt really is supposed to be as you read the story. Almost as hard as the character himself finds it to accept. That’s what sucks you in. It’s really unexpected and nothing like Harry Potter at all once you get past the boarding school parts. I actually kept expecting there to be a joke about HP but there wasn’t. Callum Hunt’s wit drives the story a bit and it’s all a bit dark with some twisted humor.

All in all, I think this series is not just darker but for older teens than Harry Potter was initially meant for. I would offer it to older tweens and early high school students. The first book in the series set things up well character-wise and story-wise and “The Copper Gauntlet” is named after the mission all the 2nd year students must survive but you’re really into this second book because you want to know how Callum fares and who he will or WON’T become. And what happens IS surprising and will keep you reading into the third book.

In in way, this is like Harry Potter if Harry Potter hadn’t been the hero but the villain.

Had the first book not been available from the Library, I doubt I would have read it, however it was and I did. Very enjoyable. However second book was a minimum of 5 weeks wait and I was impatient–so I ponied up the $10 to buy it– only to find it was about 40% shorter than first book. This is a wonderful book and Call, the main character, is brave thru his fears, loyal to his friends, and even begins developing a love interest. There is even a Nature versus Nurture dilemma shaping up with Call. Love the way Tamara is also shaping up to be more than just the rich spoiled brat, Aaron’s past saves them in a surprising way. And Jasper May be starting to be a bit more tolerable.

But since the third of the series won’t be released until August 30, 2016, I think I will take the time to arrange with the Library to borrow it as it, too, will be $10+ . Thanks, Scholastic Book Services, for setting prices so high–I’ll remember that fact the next time you send a folder home from school–we will go through it and then try putting books on hold at Library. You’re ripping off young people and their families.

Call has had a miserable summer. his dad hates Havoc and there is so much uncomfortable silence between them. and when some frightening things happen, Call flees. meeting up with the rest of his school mates he cannot wait for the school year to begin. not so fast. he finds that self-knowledge and the shocking news of what his father is really up to will propel he and his friends on a terrifying mission with what could be deadly consequences.

with their magic growing, their personas are growing too. the cast is expanding and the avenues of deception are growing. i think this was an excellent follow-up to the first book.

Call is back for his second year at the Magisterium. After seeing what his dad had in the basement it sent him running to Tamaras house. But being back at the magisterium isn’t as great as he thought. His father is a wanted criminal against the assembly and Call has to warn him from seeing master Joseph. With monsters, masters, and menaces chasing them they might get held up. But what if he can’t get to him in time? What if Aaron the last hope dies? What if jasper tells his secret? Can they make it in time? –
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I gave this a four out of five stars on goodreads. I love this series so far. It’s thrilling and reminds me of a Percy Jackson and a Harry Potter mix. It’s filled with monsters, magic, and adventure!

BOOOOOOORING. SO repetitive and nothing really happens. None of the characters are particularly likeable. I didnt bother finishing it. The first one dragged too, but at least there was some plot. The continual use of a certain capitalized descriptive phrase in this book (will not mention what as its a spoiler) was supposed to be funny but just ended up being annoying due to continual use.
The reason the other magical book series that shall not be named was so successful was that it didnt talk down or try and be ironic or cutesy. This second book was a fail and I wont be back.

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