Book review of Magicians by Lev Grossman
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Book Summary

Like everyone else, precocious high school senior Quentin Coldwater assumes that magic isn't real, until he finds himself admitted to a very secretive and exclusive college of magic in upstate New York. There he indulges in joys of college-friendship, love, sex, and booze- and receives a rigorous education in modern sorcery. But magic doesn't bring the happiness and adventure Quentin thought it would. After graduation, he and his friends stumble upon a secret that sets them on a remarkable journey that may just fulfill Quentin's yearning. But their journey turns out to be darker and more dangerous than they'd imagined.

*****

Have you ever felt like something is missing from your life? Do you dream about fantastical worlds in the night? Do you like reading about dark, soul searching fantasy? If yes, this book is meant for you my friend.
Admittedly, when I first started reading the book I was not very sure if I would like it. Had heard lots of negative reviews. But still many websites considered this series to be a landmark in fantasy. This conundrum aroused curiosity in me and I trudged along.  The starting is slow and full of details with lots of retrospection on the part of the protagonist Quentin. But once you are accustomed to the theme and pace of the book, every sentence becomes eye catching. It's not about the world that Grossman weaves but the personality and dreams and aspirations of each character. The first half, though thick and viscous with self remunerations gives a great insight into each of them. The characters are well fleshed out and the reader slowly comes to empathise with the protagonist. We associate with him, want him to be successful but every grain of happiness he finds is met with a gust of sadness which blows away all hope. Even when Quentin finds what he believes he has been looking for his all life, he loses that which matters the most in the end. Twists in the latter half and and explosive climax are more than enough to make up for the lack of pace. 
Grossman writes beautiful prose. IMO he is third only to Patrick Rothfuss and Scott Lynch in terms of sheer style of writing and his ability to capture the readers emotions and bottle them up in the pages of the book, seemingly never to let them go. By the end of the book you will feel as a part of your soul has been torn of. The book explains the reality of emotional attachment and entanglement, with lots of deep symbolic meanings in the way of life.
Not meant for those addicted to the regular fast pace of today's novel. Read this if you like focussed and character driven fantasies. Full 5 stars. Cheers!