The Magicians

Harry Potter, Narnia and college students, is really what the plot of this book feels like. The classicaal character of a teenager is portrayed here. Some of the characteristics of Quentin could be, he is dissatisfied with his life, feels insecure and is cocky at times. Despite it's similarities to Harry Potter and Narnia, this book has a larger plot. Quentin never stopped caring for his love for what at the time seems to be the fictional series of "Five young adult" fantasy novels set in Fillory. And off course the pursuance of the six book is what attracts Quentine towards Brakebills. We later of course find out that Fillory is actually of existence. Despite what the critics think about this book, I think it follows simple story common-sense which has been the working engine of many master stories.

It is a book for the young fantasy fan. Our audience have then suddenly been confronted with the existence of actual real magic, all of which he, any individual sci-fi reader, finds to be actually real! And very intelligently Lev Grossman takes all his knowledge, being a Sci-Fi critic for New York Times, and gives a twist to the story by making Fillory a place with all sorts of problems, discussed and ugliness. 

Just like all other Sci-Fis, this book is also about escapism. It’s about what it means to be comfortable with  a dream, a book, a movie—and forgetting the existence of a possible "reality" behind this fantasy. Maybe a metaphor for what we humans wish for and really our lives our, the mask that society puts on us everyday when we get out of the doors.

In conclusion, I think this book has not only shown us a new way in writing a book, but also a new way of looking at fantasy.

One of the main questions I think Grossman asked him self:

Which period/world should I put my story in for my audience to relate to my character's lives (conflicts) the most? The contemporary period/our contemporary lives 

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

“The Hobbit” follows the story of Biblo, our hero, set on a quest by Gandalf, his master (a wizard) to rob dragon Smaug for the prize of a treasure. Written on 1936, John Tolkien crafted the perfect classic hero’s journey. The theme and core of the story is about the growth of Biblo as a hero/a human being. 

He is called on an adventure and despite refusing to go he ends up going. Though Act 2 he learns and grows by over coming obstacles. In Act 3, with the help of his allies, he overcomes challenge and returns home now being a “better” person than he originally was - what a perfect recipe! 

The role of the “Master”, in this case Gandolf, in StarWars Obi-Wan Kenobi, plays its part very beautifully. The story combines trades of Magic as well as human characteristics such as jealousy, racism and maturity through experience. 

I was introduced to a lot of new creatures such as Dwarfs, Wizards, Hobbits and so on. I think such creatures, seen in other gigantic stories, are created based on the collection of a few and specific human characteristics. This is assuming that humans have multiple characteristic. This in turn allows our storyteller to evoke specific emotions and thoughts as demanded by the story structure and the era’s social norms at different times throughout the story.

I think nature is used very well in this book. This can be seen specially at the end when the Eagles decide to help out. James Cameron in “Avatar” tried pulling off a similar story element but failed! - It felt contrived. We also see that the people who are the heros 'friends' are all in peace with nature and vise versa with the enemies.