Book Review: Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch

Release Date: October 1, 2012
Author: Jeff Hirsch
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Length: 320 pages
Source: From Publisher for Review

"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.

With MAGISTERIUM, Jeff Hirsch brings us the story of a complex, captivating world that will leave readers breathless until the very last page."

Review:

Characters: Glenn Morgan is a the daughter of a brilliant inventor, because of this she is too smart for her grade level and wishes to be free of her school so that one day soon she can join the Deep Space Service. I am usually deterred by genius protagonists ever since reading a book where because the protagonist was a genius there was no room for character development, however in this book that in no way effects Glenn's development. I was excited to see how Glenn would adjust to The Magisterium, a world where technology cannot work, so instead they use Affinity or magic. Glenn has to grow used to the idea of The Magisterium before she could even contemplate the use of Affinity. I couldn't believe how well crafted not only the characters were but the challenges each had to face to grow and change.

Romance: The main love story in this book is between Glenn and her best friend Kevin, and even though it appears that from the first few chapters that romance may play a larger role in this book than some other elements, that isn't the case. I do have to admit though that when the romance is mentioned there are parts where is helps further the story. 

Predictability: This book has a very blunt tone to it a lot of the time. When I would start to suspect something I would have the answer in a few pages, which I find very interesting. It doesn't really leave time for the reader to either, agonize over their theory or read ahead to find out if they're right. I'm still not sure if I like the blunt tone or not, because there are times when it's fun to agonize over theories or calling twists farther away than a few pages. Nonetheless it was an interesting approach and I have to commend Mr. Hirsch on his writing style.

Ending: Since this is (hopefully) the first in a series the ending didn't have a huge cliff hanger of an ending. That being said there were a plethora of twists that I didn't really see coming. I knew that there were some important aspects of the book that were repeated over in the book and in the end their true meaning comes through brilliantly. I couldn't have wished for a better ending for this book, it ended nicely with just enough of an opening to hopefully continue a series.

Overall, I have to give this book 5 out of 5 stars, it's a hard book to put down, it beautifully blends Sci-Fi, Paranormal, and Dystopian genres into a compelling and amazing book.

P.S. Again, I'm sorry for this going up so late today, however after this review everything should be back on track. Also, after this month I'm going to be short on ARCs since there isn't very much coming out until December, so if you guys could go to my Book Review Index and request some books that you want me to review that'd be great. Don't forget to follow me by E-mail using the form in the sidebar or on Twitter @FlyeZachary93 to stay up to date on all my posts as well as my upcoming "super secret" giveaway!

Up Next: Amber House by Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed, and Larkin Reed