Finally finished it. The series is really quite good, sort of HP with a twist. Although I feel it doesn't match HP in depth and world building, it is entertaining. And it gets extra points for including plenty of non-white people as well as other-than-straight relationships.

Ok, I thought I was going to leave it there, but I want to say more after all.
I just feel that a lot didn't make sense. That's where the lack of depth and shallowness comes in.

SPOILERS
I mean, really, why did Cal remain Cal? He had 16 years of memory against a hell of a lot more. But bury the memories for a bit, and all of a sudden he's a completely different person, and when the memories come back, he goes mad for a few days and that's it? It would have made more sense if he became his previous self. Or there should have been a lot more struggle. But conveniently, he gets an easy solution for undevouring someone out of the memories and other than that he is unchanged. (Also, what kind of random solution was that?)
It's all just a bit too easy, and it doesn't make sense psychologically. The authors are clearly trying, with the messages about treatment of the devoured, and the characters' personal issues, but it doesn't quite cut it.
Still entertaining though. ( )

I'm glad I stuck with the series. In book 1, The Iron Trial, the feel of the book was more of an angry Harry Potter, but by this last book (#5) I found had grown to really respect the characters for who they are and, I won't lie, I cried with this series. Sad tears, happy tears, angry tears. I am happy i stuck with it. ( )

This started off being a pretty good premise to an alternative for Harry Potter, However it soon turned into a hot ness by the time we got to book 3. Knowing the dark nature of Holly black combined with Cassandra Clarke I would have Expected more so I was a little disappointed. I will say that this book or series is generally good for 4th grade 5th grade even 6 grade. ( )

In this final year at school, Call isn't the only one who doubts his intentions. Most of the other students fear and resent him and his connection to the Enemy of Death. Many of his friends aren't exactly his friends anymore. He feels alone, except for the voice in his head that is (I won't explain this because I don't want to spoil it).

This book is fantastic. My only complaint is that this is the final book in the series. I keep hoping the story might continue when Call and his friends go to the Collegium, but the summary refers to this as "the monumental conclusion to the Magisterium series," so it seems like I'm out of luck.

I highly recommend this book especially to grades 4-8. ( )

Mit dem fünften Band kommt die Magisterium-Reihe nun zum Abschluss. Für Callum, Tamara und Jasper beginnt ein neues Schuljahr im Magisterium. Die vergangenen Ereignisse sind weder an ihnen noch an den Mitschülern spurlos vorbeigegangen, und es macht den Eindruck, dass das Jahr für Callum nicht einfach werden wird. Aber der Sieg über die Chaosmagier am Ende des vierten Bands war wohl ein Trugschluss.

Da ich von der kurzen Geschichte nicht zu viel verraten will - ja,es wird nochmal gekämpft, und dann ist die Geschichte wohl wirklich abgeschlossen.

Ich hätte mir für diesen Band gewünscht, dass der Geschichte mehr Raum gegeben worden wäre und dass die Ereignisse nicht gefühlt schon am zweiten Schultag wieder dramatisch werden. So wirkt es auf mich, dass hier etwas möglich schnell beendet werden sollte - in sich passend, aber insgesamt aus meiner Sicht eher oberflächlich abgehandelt. Irgendwie auch irritierend, dass das Magisterium als Ausbildungsort für Leute wie Callum wohl nicht notwendig ist, sondern "learning by doing" den Unterricht ersetzt. Nun ja - die Reihe als solche hat mich schon gut unterhalten, etwas mehr Charakterentwicklung hätte ich mir aber schon gewünscht. ( )