Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Scholastic Inc.
Pages
295
Description
Warned away from magic all of his life, Callum endeavors to fail the trials that would admit him to the Magisterium only to be drawn into its ranks against his will and forced to confront dark elements from his past.
Description
From New York Times bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a riveting new series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.
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 . . . From the remarkable imaginations of bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a heart-stopping, mind-blowing, pulse-pounding plunge into the magical unknown.
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 . . . From the remarkable imaginations of bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a heart-stopping, mind-blowing, pulse-pounding plunge into the magical unknown.
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2014
Physical description
295 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
0545522269 / 9780545522267
UPC
884233265302
Similar in this library
Media reviews
... This is an incredible book. There are so many moments that will leave you surprised, shocked and even a little scared! The range of characters is great: some you love, some you despise, and there are so many unexpected plot-twists its hard to keep count! The book draws you in, once you've
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started reading it's hard to put down. Friendship, trust and sacrifice are tested in this amazing book of discovery, adventure and magic. Show Less
[Starred Review] Set in a magic-inflected version of the present-day U.S., this first title in the Magisterium series... [is] a thrilling coming-of-age story that embraces fantasy tropes while keeping readers guessing. Twelve-year-old Callum Hunt has been raised to distrust magic. Mages killed his
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mother, and his father has warned him that the Magisterium, a school where young mages are trained, is a deathtrap. Callum’s attempts to fail the entrance exam go awry, and he is chosen to apprentice under Master Rufus.... The strange, subterranean Magisterium is vividly rendered, and a string of ominous revelations will leave readers eager for future installments. ... Ages 8–12. Show Less
Lexile
830L
User reviews
LibraryThing member crashmyparty
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my review in any way.
The Iron Trial is the first in a new five book series for middle grade readers. It is the story of a boy named Callum Hunt, or Call, who knows he
The Iron Trial is nothing I, or you, haven’t read before. Its Harry Potter comparisons are glaringly obvious, and while I don’t believe every book about magic that involves kids or young teenagers should be compared to Harry Potter, that doesn’t mean authors should stop being original. This book has a young male protagonist whose father figure opposes the use of magic much like Mr. Dursley, who does not fit in and is bullied in the normal world, has little knowledge about how his mother died while everyone else knows, makes an enemy within his first moments at the school, makes two friends (a boy and girl, of course), sneaks around the passages at night, has an odd little companion (much like Dobby) and a faithful one (like Hedwig). There is the evil former student and also talk about the sharing of a soul into another body. There are five books in this series for five years at the Magisterium, just as there were seven books for seven years at Hogwarts.
I acknowledge that Harry Potter has set the bar and there are likely to be similarities between it and other books about magic. But this one was too similar and when you consider the fact that Cassandra Clare is famous for her obsession with Harry Potter and her whole writing career stems from her Harry Potter fanfiction, its just all a bit much.
But wait! There is a twist at the end that’s going to make this book not like any other magic or fantasy books! Unfortunately I felt it wasn’t worth reading through a poor copy of Harry Potter just to be told “it’s okay that we mostly copied another book because we made the end different. It’s not what you would think!” And as much as I enjoyed that twist, I thought this book could have been original in so many other ways than just that. I was bored about three quarters of the way through, so I went and started another book while the tablet I was reading on was charging. I finished The Iron Trial out of a sense of obligation. While it may be interesting to see how the twist is handled in subsequent books, I’m not sure I care enough to find out. While I liked how tough Tamara was and how sweet Aaron was, Call just didn’t do it for me and I probably couldn’t read another four books about him. He was just very uninteresting and only happened to have an interesting thing about him revealed but by then I think it was too late to save my interest. Not for me! Others may enjoy it, though.
My rating hovers somewhere between 2 and 2.5 stars.
The Iron Trial is the first in a new five book series for middle grade readers. It is the story of a boy named Callum Hunt, or Call, who knows he
Show More
has the potential for magic but his father has told him that he should want none of it. The Magisterium, the school for young mages, is the reason Callum’s mother is dead and his father has never recovered. But all potential mages must attend The Iron Trial, whether they want to or not, to test their abilities for acceptance into the Magisterium. While trying to throw his chances, Call, despite his father’s protests, is chosen to attend the Magisterium and is taken under the wing of Master Rufus, along with two others, Aaron and Tamara. Call enters a world where he is finally accepted, makes friends and uncovers the secrets of his past and that of the Enemy of Death, the cause for unrest in the magic world.The Iron Trial is nothing I, or you, haven’t read before. Its Harry Potter comparisons are glaringly obvious, and while I don’t believe every book about magic that involves kids or young teenagers should be compared to Harry Potter, that doesn’t mean authors should stop being original. This book has a young male protagonist whose father figure opposes the use of magic much like Mr. Dursley, who does not fit in and is bullied in the normal world, has little knowledge about how his mother died while everyone else knows, makes an enemy within his first moments at the school, makes two friends (a boy and girl, of course), sneaks around the passages at night, has an odd little companion (much like Dobby) and a faithful one (like Hedwig). There is the evil former student and also talk about the sharing of a soul into another body. There are five books in this series for five years at the Magisterium, just as there were seven books for seven years at Hogwarts.
I acknowledge that Harry Potter has set the bar and there are likely to be similarities between it and other books about magic. But this one was too similar and when you consider the fact that Cassandra Clare is famous for her obsession with Harry Potter and her whole writing career stems from her Harry Potter fanfiction, its just all a bit much.
But wait! There is a twist at the end that’s going to make this book not like any other magic or fantasy books! Unfortunately I felt it wasn’t worth reading through a poor copy of Harry Potter just to be told “it’s okay that we mostly copied another book because we made the end different. It’s not what you would think!” And as much as I enjoyed that twist, I thought this book could have been original in so many other ways than just that. I was bored about three quarters of the way through, so I went and started another book while the tablet I was reading on was charging. I finished The Iron Trial out of a sense of obligation. While it may be interesting to see how the twist is handled in subsequent books, I’m not sure I care enough to find out. While I liked how tough Tamara was and how sweet Aaron was, Call just didn’t do it for me and I probably couldn’t read another four books about him. He was just very uninteresting and only happened to have an interesting thing about him revealed but by then I think it was too late to save my interest. Not for me! Others may enjoy it, though.
My rating hovers somewhere between 2 and 2.5 stars.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
I very much enjoyed this story of a young reluctant mage. Callum Hunt was raised by his father to hate magic. His father lost his wife and almost lost Callum in the last magical war. But Callum is called test to become a member of the next class at the Magisterium and neither he nor his father can
Despite spectacular, and messy, failures at all of the tests, Call is chosen anyway by Master Rufus and set on the path to be a mage. Master Rufus also chooses Aaron Stewart and Tamara Rajavi which throws the three of them together. Aaron is an orphan who has grown up in foster care. Tamara is the daughter of two mage council members. Then there is Call - angry, sarcastic, crippled in one leg. The three forge a friendship as they work together to learn what Master Rufus teaches them. Aaron and Tamara are Call's first friends, the first one to ever stand up for him.
The problem in this story is that, while there is a signed Peace Treaty ending the most recent mage war, no one believes that the Enemy of Death has really decided to accept peace. The Enemy of Death is a mage skilled in chaos magic. Those mages are called makars. Most mages work with earth, air, fire and water. The mages at the Magisterium have been searching for another makar for years so that they would have something to counter the Enemy of Death. Meanwhile, they are fighting off chaos-ridden animals and fearing chaos-ridden humans.
What I enjoyed about the story most was Call's journey from angry misfit to apprentice mage. I liked the setting in a rather magical cave system. I liked the weird foods that were served for meals. I enjoyed watching Call make friends. I liked that he stood up for himself against school rivals like Jasper who was jealous that Call was chosen as Master Rufus's apprentice instead of himself.
I didn't see that surprise at the end coming and I completely understand the decision that Call made regarding it. I'll be eager to talk to other readers to find out what they think of Call's decision. And I will be especially eager to read more in this series to see how the decision plays out. I can't wait to share this book with my middle grade readers.
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refuse the testing. His father is coaching him to fail.Despite spectacular, and messy, failures at all of the tests, Call is chosen anyway by Master Rufus and set on the path to be a mage. Master Rufus also chooses Aaron Stewart and Tamara Rajavi which throws the three of them together. Aaron is an orphan who has grown up in foster care. Tamara is the daughter of two mage council members. Then there is Call - angry, sarcastic, crippled in one leg. The three forge a friendship as they work together to learn what Master Rufus teaches them. Aaron and Tamara are Call's first friends, the first one to ever stand up for him.
The problem in this story is that, while there is a signed Peace Treaty ending the most recent mage war, no one believes that the Enemy of Death has really decided to accept peace. The Enemy of Death is a mage skilled in chaos magic. Those mages are called makars. Most mages work with earth, air, fire and water. The mages at the Magisterium have been searching for another makar for years so that they would have something to counter the Enemy of Death. Meanwhile, they are fighting off chaos-ridden animals and fearing chaos-ridden humans.
What I enjoyed about the story most was Call's journey from angry misfit to apprentice mage. I liked the setting in a rather magical cave system. I liked the weird foods that were served for meals. I enjoyed watching Call make friends. I liked that he stood up for himself against school rivals like Jasper who was jealous that Call was chosen as Master Rufus's apprentice instead of himself.
I didn't see that surprise at the end coming and I completely understand the decision that Call made regarding it. I'll be eager to talk to other readers to find out what they think of Call's decision. And I will be especially eager to read more in this series to see how the decision plays out. I can't wait to share this book with my middle grade readers.
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LibraryThing member sdramsey
A highly engaging book with interesting and believable characters, a plot that's just complex enough, and lots of imaginative storytelling. (And no, it's not a clone of Harry Potter. That was not the first book to be written about children learning magic, and there's no reason it should be the
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last.) Despite the age of the main character (12), I would suggest the book can be read and enjoyed by readers of any age who enjoy YA. There is no romantic subplot (which is good, because it would be completely unnecessary) and the level of writing/language is complex enough to be very enjoyable as an adult reader. Highly recommended to all lovers of YA! Show Less
LibraryThing member LongDogMom
I know that a lot of people are disappointed in this book because they feel like it's too similar to Harry Potter. I get that. I felt like that at first as well... boy whose mother dies fighting a magical evil, ends up in a Mage school where he finds friends and acceptance for the first time. His
I think people are giving this book too rough of a time without considering that the way it plays out changes it dramatically from Harry Potter and the types of things Harry had to struggle with compared to Cal. Give it a chance with an open mind. I enjoyed it very much and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
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two best friends are a boy and a girl. The first third to half of the book started to feel like it was really predictable, but then things started to change when Cal doesn't turn out to the "Chosen One" (like Harry) but his roommate Aaron. Plus there are mysteries surrounding Cal that don't seem to make sense until more of the story unfolds. We see Cal's loyalty to his friends, the beginnings of trust and true caring between them, his kindness with Havoc and his determination to the right thing and stand by his friends and his Master and the Magisterium itself. But then, the last little bit of the book really changed everything about it being similar to Harry Potter for me because Harry never had to face the kind of dilemma that Cal has to face, a dilemma that threatens everything he cares about in his life and questions whether people are born good or evil or destined to be, and how much does ones experiences in life change the core of who they are.I think people are giving this book too rough of a time without considering that the way it plays out changes it dramatically from Harry Potter and the types of things Harry had to struggle with compared to Cal. Give it a chance with an open mind. I enjoyed it very much and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member AltheaAnn
Recommended for kids jonesing for another long, entertaining book about a boy who finds out that he has to go to wizard school...
Generally, I cannot stand reviews of random fantasy novels that insist, "It's just like Harry Potter!" Usually, it's not the case. However, although I'm not going to
Callum has always known that his parents were mages. His father has raised him with a great fear of them, insisting that magic and mages were to blame for his mother's death. However, at the age of 12, it's mandatory for children with any trace of magic to be tested for entry to the mages' school - the Magisterium. Call's father coaches his son to try to fail the tests. However, though he tries his best to please his dad, he ends up getting apprenticed to a mage anyway, and whisked off to wizard school.
There, he very quickly gets over most of his lifelong prejudices, and encounters a great amount of typical school-type-stuff. Bullies, friends, crushes, stress about exams, getting into minor trouble etc. And of course, the larger conflict of the threatened Great Evil Wizard, creatively called, "The Enemy," and the need to find a young apprentice who has the necessary innate talent to eventually face him (of course, nothing of the sort is going to happen till a sequel.)
It's light reading and moves quickly. It's also definitely aimed at a younger audience than other books I've read by Holly Black - I'd say 7-12 would be the ideal range. I had a few logical quibbles and questions about how some of this was all set up... mostly to do with the place of magic and mages in this world. Nothing too serious.
I just have to say - the bar has been set very high, for books about kids at wizard school, and this tale doesn't vault over it...
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. As always, my opinions are my own.
Generally, I cannot stand reviews of random fantasy novels that insist, "It's just like Harry Potter!" Usually, it's not the case. However, although I'm not going to
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enumerate them, this book really does have a great number of similarities to Rowling's series. Callum has always known that his parents were mages. His father has raised him with a great fear of them, insisting that magic and mages were to blame for his mother's death. However, at the age of 12, it's mandatory for children with any trace of magic to be tested for entry to the mages' school - the Magisterium. Call's father coaches his son to try to fail the tests. However, though he tries his best to please his dad, he ends up getting apprenticed to a mage anyway, and whisked off to wizard school.
There, he very quickly gets over most of his lifelong prejudices, and encounters a great amount of typical school-type-stuff. Bullies, friends, crushes, stress about exams, getting into minor trouble etc. And of course, the larger conflict of the threatened Great Evil Wizard, creatively called, "The Enemy," and the need to find a young apprentice who has the necessary innate talent to eventually face him (of course, nothing of the sort is going to happen till a sequel.)
It's light reading and moves quickly. It's also definitely aimed at a younger audience than other books I've read by Holly Black - I'd say 7-12 would be the ideal range. I had a few logical quibbles and questions about how some of this was all set up... mostly to do with the place of magic and mages in this world. Nothing too serious.
I just have to say - the bar has been set very high, for books about kids at wizard school, and this tale doesn't vault over it...
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. As always, my opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member HeidiSV
Welcome to the world of the Iron Trial where the magic system makes about as much sense as putting metal into a microwave to see what will happen. I felt this was a mash-up of various other ideas. Karate kid, Harry Potter, Howl's Moving Castle. I really felt like this novel could have been much
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better but I did enjoy it. Show Less
LibraryThing member anaesteves
Two amazing authors created an amazing story with an amazing background story and a spectacular world!
Black and Clare are geniuses!!! I loved this story! Callum Hunt is amazing and I think everyone can connect with him!
So please continue with the amazing story telling.
Black and Clare are geniuses!!! I loved this story! Callum Hunt is amazing and I think everyone can connect with him!
So please continue with the amazing story telling.
LibraryThing member loveofreading
Calling all Potterheads!
Clear off the books stacked on your bedside table. The next book you NEED to read is The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare, published by Scholastic Inc. While the book is targeted for readers ages 8-12, much like the Harry Potter series, it is one that people of
Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and sometimes I had to repress my ridiculous loyalty to Potter whenever I found plot comparisons. And there are many. But I also appreciate the book for its differences, and for the world that Black and Clare have created. This is a well-written story, especially due to the fact that it's impossible to tell it was written by two people. Clare and Black are powerhouse YA authors in their own right. Together, they have given young readers an extraordinary fantasy novel to be enjoyed again and again.
Magic. Danger. Secrets. A shocking twist. Murder. There's nothing NOT to love about this book. You can revisit your love of Potter and magic with this book. It's exciting, action-packed, and quite addictive. It's certainly one of the best YA novels out there right now.
Check out Scholastic' The Iron Trial series page for games, extras, and more content!
4 Stars
Clear off the books stacked on your bedside table. The next book you NEED to read is The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare, published by Scholastic Inc. While the book is targeted for readers ages 8-12, much like the Harry Potter series, it is one that people of
Show More
all ages can enjoy. It's a timeless story of strength, growing up, identity, and of course, magic, fantasy, danger, and darkness. Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and sometimes I had to repress my ridiculous loyalty to Potter whenever I found plot comparisons. And there are many. But I also appreciate the book for its differences, and for the world that Black and Clare have created. This is a well-written story, especially due to the fact that it's impossible to tell it was written by two people. Clare and Black are powerhouse YA authors in their own right. Together, they have given young readers an extraordinary fantasy novel to be enjoyed again and again.
Magic. Danger. Secrets. A shocking twist. Murder. There's nothing NOT to love about this book. You can revisit your love of Potter and magic with this book. It's exciting, action-packed, and quite addictive. It's certainly one of the best YA novels out there right now.
Check out Scholastic' The Iron Trial series page for games, extras, and more content!
4 Stars
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LibraryThing member BookaholicBanter
A fun story full of magic. This is the first book in a series of five. While this book is for a younger age group- if you are a fantasy lover, enjoyed the immortal instruments series, or anything with magic-pick up this book. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
LibraryThing member jmoncton
This was a fun children's book -- middle grade fantasy. The basic premise is that children who show some magical ability are tested and enrolled in a special school called the Magisterium. Yes, this does seem a little bit like the Harry Potter plot, but the world that has been created for this book
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is very different. What was refreshing about this book is that it has a boy hero who is very flawed, and doesn't have that teenage romance that is so common for fantasy novels these days. Could be a good series! Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryGirl11
Rough--not the best writing from either of these authors. But the story has potential, if they can avoid the HP copycat trap. I'll give Callum, Aaron and Tamara one more book to win me over.
LibraryThing member AngelaCinVA
Ah, I had such high hopes for this one. But the more I read, the more it felt like Harry Potter. There are differences. The big surprise at the end about the main character is the biggest difference and has potential to take this series in a different direction. But many scenes felt as if they
My biggest complaint actually makes this an excellent book for its target audience. I can see myself recommending it for reluctant readers who read Harry Potter over and over again. I may choose to book talk it in the Spring for exactly that reason. It's close enough to appeal to die-hard Harry Potter fans while being different enough to feel like they're branching out a bit.
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could have come directly from a Harry Potter book. As for the big reveal, I had it figured out from the beginning, so it wasn't really a surprise for me. It was a quick read, so I will probably read future installments in the series.My biggest complaint actually makes this an excellent book for its target audience. I can see myself recommending it for reluctant readers who read Harry Potter over and over again. I may choose to book talk it in the Spring for exactly that reason. It's close enough to appeal to die-hard Harry Potter fans while being different enough to feel like they're branching out a bit.
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LibraryThing member olegalCA
I couldn't help but get sucked into the world Black and Clare created. It may not be Harry Potter but it's pretty darn close. The only part that bothered me was how Cull could have gotten away with so much in a school where magic is everywhere - hiding a talking lizard and a wolf pup is not exactly
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easy! I can't wait for the next installment and hopefully we'll learn that the masters are not as clueless as they seemed in book one. Show Less
LibraryThing member craig22
This book was a great cliff hanger for a first book of a series. It was full of action and excitement. Its about a boy who is a mage (somebody who can control the elements). He goes to school called the Magisterium where he learns to control his powers. Little does he know who he really is. Read
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this book to find out the unbelievable ending! Warning - the last 2 chapters are a bit scary. Read at your peril. Show Less
LibraryThing member anaesteves
Two amazing authors created an amazing story with an amazing background story and a spectacular world!
Black and Clare are geniuses!!! I loved this story! Callum Hunt is amazing and I think everyone can connect with him!
So please continue with the amazing story telling.
Black and Clare are geniuses!!! I loved this story! Callum Hunt is amazing and I think everyone can connect with him!
So please continue with the amazing story telling.
LibraryThing member elenchus
A fun read, clearly the Magisterium offers another multi-volume fantasy story and the authors take their opportunity both to tell the tale and share the alternate world with readers. A coming of age story, a family drama, and given the secondary school setting, a running test of friendship and peer
Comparisons to Harry Potter are unavoidable: indeed, they are almost telegraphed and I suspect the authors were recruited by a publisher to write something broadly like Hogwarts in premise and setting. The parallels are there while avoiding paint-by-numbers, with signs of a deliberate effort to flip the script: a school for mages, yes, but here the boy is trying not to get into wizarding school, and he knows all about it beforehand; his dad coaches him to fail, he believes in that goal, their shared motivation the death of his mother in mage warfare. Still, despite being set in the US rather than the UK, there are two boys and a girl, the Enemy is a former Magisterium student, and there are classes and teams and common rooms.
To continue the series, I'll need some extrinsic motivation: a family read. R is likely to finish on her own, though, so probably unnecessary.
//
Recently read that co-author Clare (also spelled Clair) started as an HP fanfic author (Draco Trilogy), so the HP element may not have been requested so much as in her wheelhouse.
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dynamics. I was reminded a bit of Master Of The Five Magics, with the deliberate worked out rules of magic -- some familiar from folklore and myth, some made up. I would have read this in grade school, certainly.Comparisons to Harry Potter are unavoidable: indeed, they are almost telegraphed and I suspect the authors were recruited by a publisher to write something broadly like Hogwarts in premise and setting. The parallels are there while avoiding paint-by-numbers, with signs of a deliberate effort to flip the script: a school for mages, yes, but here the boy is trying not to get into wizarding school, and he knows all about it beforehand; his dad coaches him to fail, he believes in that goal, their shared motivation the death of his mother in mage warfare. Still, despite being set in the US rather than the UK, there are two boys and a girl, the Enemy is a former Magisterium student, and there are classes and teams and common rooms.
To continue the series, I'll need some extrinsic motivation: a family read. R is likely to finish on her own, though, so probably unnecessary.
//
Recently read that co-author Clare (also spelled Clair) started as an HP fanfic author (Draco Trilogy), so the HP element may not have been requested so much as in her wheelhouse.
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LibraryThing member anaesteves
Two amazing authors created an amazing story with an amazing background story and a spectacular world!
Black and Clare are geniuses!!! I loved this story! Callum Hunt is amazing and I think everyone can connect with him!
So please continue with the amazing story telling.
Black and Clare are geniuses!!! I loved this story! Callum Hunt is amazing and I think everyone can connect with him!
So please continue with the amazing story telling.
LibraryThing member terriko
I've really enjoyed both Holly Black and Cassandra Clare's books, so I was really excited to hear about this one. It's a pretty standard magical-high-school setup in a lot of ways, but plays with the tropes and tosses in red herrings to keep it interesting.
Unfortunately, I got this as an audiobook
I'm curious enough to still be anticipating the next volume in this series, but I think I'll get a hardcover instead of an audiobook.
Unfortunately, I got this as an audiobook
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and the reader didn't exemplify what the voice in my head said Callum should feel like. I've never had this problem with an audiobook before! It was *really* distracting to deal with this constant dissonance, and I think I enjoyed the book less as a result. I'm curious enough to still be anticipating the next volume in this series, but I think I'll get a hardcover instead of an audiobook.
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LibraryThing member dne2004
Great book! If you enjoyed Harry Potter and the Mortal Instruments then you will enjoy this book! This book is aimed at the pre-teens but is awesome regardless! Now to wait for the next book to be released!
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Extremely entertaining start to what I’m sure is going to be a great series. It is set in a dark world and brimming with magic, adventure, and fun characters!
Opening Sentence: From a distance, the man struggling up the white face of the glacier
The Review:
Callum Hunt has been told his entire life that mages are evil and that if he is ever to attend the Magisterium he will be tortured. Growing up his father taught that magic is bad and that it’s the reason his mother is dead. But at the age of 12 anyone that possesses magic has to attend the Iron Trials. Most kids would do anything to pass and get into the Magisterium, but Callum wants nothing more than to fail. He does his best to do just that, but unfortunately for him he ends up getting into the Magisterium anyways.
Callum soon discovers that not everything his father taught him was true. Sure there are some interesting things that take place at the Magisterium, but for the most part Callum is really enjoying his time there. For the first time in his life he has true friends and learning magic has been a lot more fun than he expected. But the more Callum learns the more he comes to realize that there is a lot about his past that he doesn’t know and some that he wishes he would have never discovered!
Callum is a really great character that was easy to like. He is a little goofy and totally awkward at times, but I loved that about him. One of the things I liked best is that for the most part he is fairly average so you don’t expect him to do anything extraordinary, but you find yourself rooting for him when he does. The fact that he is just a normal teenager also makes it easier to relate with him. He has the same insecurities that all of us have had at one point or another, and it made him feel so much more realistic. While he definitely grew in the story he still has a lot of growing up to do, and I am excited to see where his story goes next!
Aaron and Tamara become Callum’s closest friends while at school. Aaron is the nicest person and he is one of those people that everyone likes. He is very talented at pretty much everything, but he isn’t cocky about it in anyway. As his story unfolds you learn to admire him even more because his past isn’t a happy one. Then there is Tamara, she grew up with extremely strict parents that expected a lot. She is very intelligent and driven, but she is also very uptight and snotty at times. At first I didn’t particularly like her, but as the story progresses I came to understand and respect her. The friendship that these three developed was really great and a huge part of the book. They make a wonderful team together, and I can’t wait to go on more adventures with them in the future books.
The Iron Trials is a fun story full of adventure, action, and magic. It has a fantastic dark setting that is unique and very intriguing. The whole cast of characters were fun and interesting to get to know. The pacing was done perfectly and the plot had some great twists that I wasn’t expecting at all. There was great humor laced throughout the book, and there was also tons of suspenseful moments. I did listen to the audio version of this book and I thought that the narrator did a wonderful job. I would highly recommend listening to this if you are a fan of audio books. I personally think that fans of Harry Potter will enjoy this series. The story is completely different, but it has a similar feel to it that just reminded me of HP. I am personally a big fan of both Clare and Black so I was excited when I heard that they were writing a middle grade series together and suffice to say I was not disappointed. I can’t wait to get my hand on the next book to see where they take the story. I would highly recommend this to anyone that is looking for a fun middle grade book!
Notable Scene:
“You are about to enter the halls of the Magisterium,” he said. “For some of you, this may be the fulfillment of a dream. For others, we hope it may be the beginning of one. To all of you, I say, the Magisterium exists here for your own safety. You have a great power, and without training, that power is dangerous. Here, we will help you to learn control and teach you about the great history of mages like yourself, dating back through time. Each of you has a unique destiny, one outside the normal path you might have walked, one you will find here. You may have guessed this when you saw the first stirrings of your power. But as you stand at the entrance to the mountain, I imagine at least a few of you are wondering just what you’ve gotten yourselves into.”
Some of the kids laughed self-consciously.
“Long ago, in the very beginning, the first mages wondered much the same thing. Intrigued by the teachings of the alchemists, particularly Paracelsus, they sought to explore elemental magic. They had limited success, until one alchemist realized that his young son was able to easily do the same exercises with which he struggled. The mages discovered that magic could be performed by those with an inborn power and was performed best by the young. After that, the mages found new students to teach and to learn from, seeking all over Europe for children with power. Very few have it, perhaps one in twenty-five thousand, but the mages gathered up those they could and began the first school of magic. Along the way, they heard stories of untrained boys and girls who had set fire to houses and burned in the flames, who had drowned in rainstorms, or had been drawn up into tornados or pulled down into sinkholes. With teaching, the mages learned to walk through lava unscathed, to explore the deepest parts of the sea without an oxygen tank, even to fly.”
FTC Advisory: Scholastic provided me with a copy of The Iron Trial. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Extremely entertaining start to what I’m sure is going to be a great series. It is set in a dark world and brimming with magic, adventure, and fun characters!
Opening Sentence: From a distance, the man struggling up the white face of the glacier
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might have looked like an ant crawling slowly up the side of a dinner plate.The Review:
Callum Hunt has been told his entire life that mages are evil and that if he is ever to attend the Magisterium he will be tortured. Growing up his father taught that magic is bad and that it’s the reason his mother is dead. But at the age of 12 anyone that possesses magic has to attend the Iron Trials. Most kids would do anything to pass and get into the Magisterium, but Callum wants nothing more than to fail. He does his best to do just that, but unfortunately for him he ends up getting into the Magisterium anyways.
Callum soon discovers that not everything his father taught him was true. Sure there are some interesting things that take place at the Magisterium, but for the most part Callum is really enjoying his time there. For the first time in his life he has true friends and learning magic has been a lot more fun than he expected. But the more Callum learns the more he comes to realize that there is a lot about his past that he doesn’t know and some that he wishes he would have never discovered!
Callum is a really great character that was easy to like. He is a little goofy and totally awkward at times, but I loved that about him. One of the things I liked best is that for the most part he is fairly average so you don’t expect him to do anything extraordinary, but you find yourself rooting for him when he does. The fact that he is just a normal teenager also makes it easier to relate with him. He has the same insecurities that all of us have had at one point or another, and it made him feel so much more realistic. While he definitely grew in the story he still has a lot of growing up to do, and I am excited to see where his story goes next!
Aaron and Tamara become Callum’s closest friends while at school. Aaron is the nicest person and he is one of those people that everyone likes. He is very talented at pretty much everything, but he isn’t cocky about it in anyway. As his story unfolds you learn to admire him even more because his past isn’t a happy one. Then there is Tamara, she grew up with extremely strict parents that expected a lot. She is very intelligent and driven, but she is also very uptight and snotty at times. At first I didn’t particularly like her, but as the story progresses I came to understand and respect her. The friendship that these three developed was really great and a huge part of the book. They make a wonderful team together, and I can’t wait to go on more adventures with them in the future books.
The Iron Trials is a fun story full of adventure, action, and magic. It has a fantastic dark setting that is unique and very intriguing. The whole cast of characters were fun and interesting to get to know. The pacing was done perfectly and the plot had some great twists that I wasn’t expecting at all. There was great humor laced throughout the book, and there was also tons of suspenseful moments. I did listen to the audio version of this book and I thought that the narrator did a wonderful job. I would highly recommend listening to this if you are a fan of audio books. I personally think that fans of Harry Potter will enjoy this series. The story is completely different, but it has a similar feel to it that just reminded me of HP. I am personally a big fan of both Clare and Black so I was excited when I heard that they were writing a middle grade series together and suffice to say I was not disappointed. I can’t wait to get my hand on the next book to see where they take the story. I would highly recommend this to anyone that is looking for a fun middle grade book!
Notable Scene:
“You are about to enter the halls of the Magisterium,” he said. “For some of you, this may be the fulfillment of a dream. For others, we hope it may be the beginning of one. To all of you, I say, the Magisterium exists here for your own safety. You have a great power, and without training, that power is dangerous. Here, we will help you to learn control and teach you about the great history of mages like yourself, dating back through time. Each of you has a unique destiny, one outside the normal path you might have walked, one you will find here. You may have guessed this when you saw the first stirrings of your power. But as you stand at the entrance to the mountain, I imagine at least a few of you are wondering just what you’ve gotten yourselves into.”
Some of the kids laughed self-consciously.
“Long ago, in the very beginning, the first mages wondered much the same thing. Intrigued by the teachings of the alchemists, particularly Paracelsus, they sought to explore elemental magic. They had limited success, until one alchemist realized that his young son was able to easily do the same exercises with which he struggled. The mages discovered that magic could be performed by those with an inborn power and was performed best by the young. After that, the mages found new students to teach and to learn from, seeking all over Europe for children with power. Very few have it, perhaps one in twenty-five thousand, but the mages gathered up those they could and began the first school of magic. Along the way, they heard stories of untrained boys and girls who had set fire to houses and burned in the flames, who had drowned in rainstorms, or had been drawn up into tornados or pulled down into sinkholes. With teaching, the mages learned to walk through lava unscathed, to explore the deepest parts of the sea without an oxygen tank, even to fly.”
FTC Advisory: Scholastic provided me with a copy of The Iron Trial. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Callum Hunt has been warned by his father that succeeding at the Iron Trial and being accepted to the Magisterium would be the worst thing that could possibly happen to him. Despite Callum's best intentions to NOT succeed, he does and he is welcomed into the school even though he doesn't want to be
Some have suggested that this is just a Harry Potter clone. While there are some similarities (such as a perfectionist friend, Tamara, and a second male friend, Aaron), it definitely stands on it's own. The Magisterium, with its caves and tunnels and creatures such as Havoc, the Chaos-ridden wolf and Warren the lizard is a wonderfully enchanting place. Can't wait to read book two! Definitely recommend this for Harry Potter fans.
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there. There's a great twist near the end of the book which would spoil things if you knew, so I'm not mentioning it, but does it EVER make you want to read book two! Some have suggested that this is just a Harry Potter clone. While there are some similarities (such as a perfectionist friend, Tamara, and a second male friend, Aaron), it definitely stands on it's own. The Magisterium, with its caves and tunnels and creatures such as Havoc, the Chaos-ridden wolf and Warren the lizard is a wonderfully enchanting place. Can't wait to read book two! Definitely recommend this for Harry Potter fans.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Callum Hunt has been warned by his father that succeeding at the Iron Trial and being accepted to the Magisterium would be the worst thing that could possibly happen to him. Despite Callum's best intentions to NOT succeed, he does and he is welcomed into the school even though he doesn't want to be
Some have suggested that this is just a Harry Potter clone. While there are some similarities (such as a perfectionist friend, Tamara, and a second male friend, Aaron), it definitely stands on it's own. The Magisterium, with its caves and tunnels and creatures such as Havoc, the Chaos-ridden wolf and Warren the lizard is a wonderfully enchanting place. Can't wait to read book two! Definitely recommend this for Harry Potter fans.
Show More
there. There's a great twist near the end of the book which would spoil things if you knew, so I'm not mentioning it, but does it EVER make you want to read book two! Some have suggested that this is just a Harry Potter clone. While there are some similarities (such as a perfectionist friend, Tamara, and a second male friend, Aaron), it definitely stands on it's own. The Magisterium, with its caves and tunnels and creatures such as Havoc, the Chaos-ridden wolf and Warren the lizard is a wonderfully enchanting place. Can't wait to read book two! Definitely recommend this for Harry Potter fans.
Show Less
LibraryThing member anyaejo
3.5 stars. This one felt pretty bland for most of it but there are some cool twists towards the end that made me pretty excited for book two!
LibraryThing member lkmuir
From New York Times bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a riveting new five book series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.
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
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 . . .
From the remarkable imaginations of bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a heart-stopping, mind-blowing, pulse-pounding plunge into the magical unknown.
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
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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 . . .
From the remarkable imaginations of bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a heart-stopping, mind-blowing, pulse-pounding plunge into the magical unknown.
Show Less
LibraryThing member acargile
The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare is the first book of the Magisterium series.
Callum Hunt has been told by his father that the Magisterium is not a place where they teach magic, but a place that is willing to sacrifice all others for their wars. He does not want his son to attend.
The mages have fought the "Enemy of Death" among other wars. Callum's father turned his back on the mages when his wife was killed during a heinous attack by the Enemy, leaving only Callum alive. The consequences of this act resulted in a Treaty--neither would attack the other. Things seem to be heating up, and the mages feel that the Enemy is about to attack. Callum finds himself in the midst of this struggle with his two roommates, Tamara and Aaron. They learn to trust each other and work as a team in an effort to do what is right.
The Iron Trial is a page-turner even though Callum does seem a little dim-witted and not much of a hero. Both authors wanted to go against the fantasy conventions, so the story doesn't follow as the reader expects. There are several problems with plot, but I don't think many will notice because of the action that takes place. The ending was quite abrupt as well as if the authors ran out of time to write a balanced ending incorporating all of the characters and conflicts. Even with one-dimensional, stereotypical characters, this is a fun book to read. It's purely entertainment with little thought required.
Callum Hunt has been told by his father that the Magisterium is not a place where they teach magic, but a place that is willing to sacrifice all others for their wars. He does not want his son to attend.
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One does not choose to attend or not attend. One must go through tests. Callum is determined to fail, which he does brilliantly, earning one of the lowest scores ever. He is recruited regardless. For the first time he has friends and finds that he may be a pretty decent mage. He feels torn between what his father has taught him and what he is experiencing at the school under the most prestigious of masters.The mages have fought the "Enemy of Death" among other wars. Callum's father turned his back on the mages when his wife was killed during a heinous attack by the Enemy, leaving only Callum alive. The consequences of this act resulted in a Treaty--neither would attack the other. Things seem to be heating up, and the mages feel that the Enemy is about to attack. Callum finds himself in the midst of this struggle with his two roommates, Tamara and Aaron. They learn to trust each other and work as a team in an effort to do what is right.
The Iron Trial is a page-turner even though Callum does seem a little dim-witted and not much of a hero. Both authors wanted to go against the fantasy conventions, so the story doesn't follow as the reader expects. There are several problems with plot, but I don't think many will notice because of the action that takes place. The ending was quite abrupt as well as if the authors ran out of time to write a balanced ending incorporating all of the characters and conflicts. Even with one-dimensional, stereotypical characters, this is a fun book to read. It's purely entertainment with little thought required.
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Awards
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award (Nominee — 2016)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2017)
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Nominee — 2019)
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (Winner — 2014)
Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist — Grades 6-8 — 2017)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2016)
Sasquatch Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2017)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee — Teen — 2017)
Iowa Teen Award (Nominee — 2017)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — 2017)
Land Of Enchantment Book Award (Winner — 2019)
NCSLMA Battle of the Books (Middle School — 2018)
Redbridge Children's Book Award (Winner — Children's Book — 2015)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2018)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Top Ten — Fiction — 2016)
Young Adult Favorites Award (2015)
Tome Society It List (2016)
Montana Battle of the Books (2024)
Call number
J4A.Bla