Thursday, March 14, 2013

MAGISTERIUM by Jeff Hirsch

Okay, I'm back with another great book recommendation! MAGISTERIUM by Jeff Hirsch. Now, I don't like to read the back cover copy before I open a book, so I honestly didn't know what this book was about. All I knew was that I loved THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE, and Jeff used to blog for The League, and I'd purchased MAGISTERIUM way back when it came out last fall.

I just hadn't read it yet. If I had known what a treat it would be, I would've devoured it right away!

About MAGISTERIUM: On one side of the Rift is a technological paradise without famine or want. On the other side is a mystery.

Sixteen-year-old Glenn Morgan has lived next to the Rift her entire life and has no idea of what might be on the other side of it. Glenn's only friend, Kevin, insists the fence holds back a world of monsters and witchcraft, but magic isn't for Glenn. She has enough problems with reality: Glenn's mother disappeared when she was six, and soon after, she lost her scientist father to his all-consuming work on the mysterious Project. Glenn buries herself in her studies and dreams about the day she can escape. But when her father's work leads to his arrest, he gives Glenn a simple metal bracelet that will send Glenn and Kevin on the run---with only one place to go.

First, the cover is mysterious and beautiful. Much like the story inside. There's basically two worlds in the book: One filled with science and space travel and technology. The other filled with magic. I loved that. I loved that the book was a blend of science fiction and fantasy--my two favorite things!

Glenn is a great main character. She's complex, with hopes and dreams--and disappointments. She's scared, but she acts. As she navigates her way through a new, strange world, she changes into a character the reader can really cheer for.

Oh, and there's just the right amount of romance. ;)

So if you're looking for something different, something unique, something with excellent world-building and supreme imagination, read MAGISTERIUM.

Find out what the other Bookanistas are recommending today!

15 comments:

Summer Ross said...

That cover is great- very mysterious. LOL Thank you for posting about this!

ilima said...

Oh, wow. This sounds so good.

Julie Daines said...

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the review!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I hadn't read Jeff's first book. But I really liked the two contrasting worlds in Magisterium. Thanks for spotlighting it.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Sounds like a great book.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

This book has tremendous "curb appeal" to use a real estate term (I've been shopping for houses). The title "Magisterium" utterly grips me.

Then the illustration on the cover is like an optical illusion with all the black birds on the green that might look like leaves but really aren't. WOW!

And then the mysterious character in the middle, wild hair, all black splayed out as if some power were making the hair extend outward against a blue background of woods.

I'M SOLD, even if you're review weren't completely fabulous.

This is the best cover I've seen on a book in months.

Nikki said...

I read this book and loved it!

Jemi Fraser said...

I have my copy ... well, actually one of my students has my copy. I'll get it back before summer so I can read it too!

Jessie Humphries said...

Sci-fi on one side and Fantasy on the other?!! Wow, why didn't I think of that? Oh, wait...I don't write either. Shnikes. But this wonderful.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Glad you enjoyed the book.

Angela Brown said...

I've been eyeing this book for a while, mostly because I was taken with the cover. But I also loved the dualistic sci-fi and fantasy worlds the concept presented.

Nicole said...

This review makes me want to give it a try! Love the idea of magic and sci-fi side-by-side.

Liesel K. Hill said...

Definitely sounds like my kind of thing. I'll TBR this one. Thanks for sharing it, Elana! :D

June G said...

That cover is a real head-turner. Have you looked up the definition of Magisterium? It's crazy! I have no idea what that has to to with the story, but it just adds to the mystery. Totally loved this book.

Unknown said...

Love the cover. Sounds right up my alley. Thanks!

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