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 What happens when two of the best YA writers unite to write a novel? The result is The Iron Trial, a magical fantasy that introduces a wonderful new world full of intrigue and mystery. In a letter I received with my advanced copy, the authors wrote that they wanted to write something that readers would feel as if they knew what was going to happen, but would quickly be proved wrong. Black and Clare definitely succeeded on their mission because The Iron Trial's plot is filled with surprising twists and turns that will make readers want to read this book from start to finish. 
 Callum Hunt has been taught by his father that the Magisterium is evil, that they are the reason for his mother's death. Cal is told to fail his entrance exam to the Magisterium, but a series of strange events lead to Cal being picked despite his extremely poor score. Now Cal must perserve at his magical school, even though he has a disability that holds him back. 
 Cal is a protagonist that readers will absolutely love and will easily root for. It's extremely important to have characters with disabilities in literature because there are so many disabled people in the world and they aren't properly represented in novels. Though one of Cal's legs doesn't function properly and he can't participate in physical activities alongside his classmates, he doesn't let his leg hinder him. I found it amazing how Cal would find such clever ways to accomplish physical tests using other methods that were strictly logical and that didn't require Cal to physically exert himself. 
 Though there have been complaints that The Iron Trial sounds very "Harry Potter"-esque, this series opener sets it self apart from Rowling's books. The beginning gave off a Potter vibe, but after the first couple of chapters The Iron Trial became its own distinct, wonderful novel. I am confident that readers of all ages will fall in love with Callum Hunt and his friends, in the same way that readers fell in love with Harry Potter. Pretty soon, a legion of readers will want to travel to the Magisterium for themselves! 
 The world of the Magisterium is filled with so much wonder and secrets; I'm so excited to get to further explore this world in the next 4 novels. I really want to know what else lurks inside this world and the authors do a thorough job of setting up this world. The way magic runs in this world is unlike anything readers have seen and the magic system in this book is more Avatar: The Last Airbender (the TV show, not the atrocious film) than the magic in your average fantasy novel. There is a more of a focus on the elements and controlling them than just transforming objects or making potions. 
 The Iron Trial has the same signature humor that is found in Clare's Shadowhunter novels and Black's Curseworkers series. The jokes are extremely on point in this novel and they add a lighter tone to some of the darker moments in Callum's journey. Readers will absolutely love watching Callum and his friends interact because of the special relationship they share and the banter that comes out of their mouths. Readers will feel close to their little group and will embrace them despite their shortcomings and mistakes. 
 Readers will be bewitched by The Iron Trial and will feel compelled to continue this series, no magic necessary. Those who miss the adventure, humor and excitement of Harry Potter will find The Magisterium series to hit the spot and soothe their cravings for more magic. Black and Clare will surprise readers with the ending of book one and there is a cliffhanger that will fill readers with woe if they don't have the sequel on hand. I'm ready to see more of the Magisterium and I just know that this will be an adventure that I won't easily forget.