The Iron Trial (Magisterium Series #1) by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black

Title: The Iron Trial
Authors: Cassandra Clare and Holly Black
Page Count: 304
Rating: B
Keywords: Magic, School, Elementals
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Younger Readers: This is a middle grade book so appropriate for younger readers, unless you have a problem with magic.

Synopsis from Good Reads:

Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.

Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.

All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.

So he tries his best to do his worst - and fails at failing.

Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . .

Review:

   A lot of people have been apprehensive about starting this series. Many claim that the description is nothing more than a rip-off of Harry Potter. I do not think that this story is anything like that of the beloved Harry Potter series. There are certain similarities, but these can be found in many other series as well. They include magic, the description of Callum does conjure an image of Harry, a group of three friends composed of two boys and a girl, and the students all go to a school to learn how to use their magic. Apart from this, the two series are quite different. There are no wands, flying brooms, or talking hats. There are elementals, trials for admission, and animals with swirling eyes.
   I have not read a middle grade novel in quite a while, so I was not sure what to expect. As a whole, I really enjoyed the book. It was fun and fast-paced. The small illustrations at the start of every chapter were a cool touch. Callum is difficult to connect with at first but he is easier to like as the story progresses. His friendship with Tamara and Aaron is fun to watch because he does not necessarily expect it and has never had real friends before. As with most middle grade books this one showed the importance of friendship and trust, focusing on morals important for children to learn.
   Honestly, the first quarter or so of the book was not my favorite. There was something missing and I felt like I was reading a draft rather than a completed novel. I wanted more from the story, more descriptions, more feelings, more substance. The pacing also felt somewhat stunted and awkward. By the middle of the book though this all faded away and I was engrossed in the story. I could have never guessed the ending in a thousand years. Holy plot twist! It was this ending that saved the whole book for me and make me excited to see where the rest of the series goes.
   I recommend this for both younger readers and the young at heart.