Summary
Years ago,The Magiciansoffered a dark twist on a beloved fantasy book series, and now, I think this new 2024 novel is doing the same exact thing. Many knowThe Magiciansas a five-season fantasy dramathat aired on Syfy, but I know it as a set of three fantasy books written by Lev Grossman. Whether on-screen or on the page,The Magiciansfollows Quentin Coldwater, a student who is given the chance to study at a magic academy where he learns that his favorite book series, and the magic world inside it, are real.
One of my favorite parts ofThe Magiciansis how it connects to C.S. Lewis’The Chronicles of Narnia.The Magicians’Filloryis exceptionally similar to Narnia, and Quentin, like the Pevensie children, is transported to this magical place in need of protection. What I really love aboutThe Magicians,though, is how it blendsThe Chronicles of Narniawith fandom. Quentin is a fan of Fillory before he even goes there. In this way, he is more like aChronicles of Narniafan than acharacter.
Where To Watch The Magicians Seasons 1-5
The Magicians is a captivating fantasy show that is full of magic and mystery. Here’s where the popular Syfy original series can be streamed.
The Lost Story By Meg Shaffer Promises A Mature Take On The Chronicles Of Narnia
How The Lost Story Connects To Narnia
Now,The Magiciansisn’t the onlypopular fantasy book seriesinspired byThe Chronicles of Narnia.Released in July 2024,The Lost Storytells the story of Jeremy and Rafe. When they were children, the two best friends disappeared into the forest for six months. Once they returned,Jeremy remembered everything, whereas Rafe’s memory had been seemingly wiped. Jeremy vowed to keep the magic they encountered to himself, yet when a woman’s sister goes missing in the same forest, Jeremy and Rafe must finally face what they experienced together.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
1950
The first book in the series, but not in the universe’s timeline.
Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
1951
Set 1,300 Narnia years after the events of the first book.
1952
1953
The Horse and His Boy
1954
Takes place during the events of the last chapter ofThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The Magician’s Nephew
1955
Set long before the events ofThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
1956
Set 200 Narnia years afterThe Silver Chair.
To me, the parallels toThe Chronicles of Narniaare immediately obvious. Like in Lewis' writings, a pair of children get pulled into a world of magic, only to be spit back out again after an unforgettable adventure. What I think is truly great aboutThe Lost Storythough, aside from itsNarniasimilarities, is that Jeremy and Rafe are now adults.The Lost Storyreimagines the classicChronicles of Narniastory with adultsand memory loss. In some ways, it is even more touching as Jeremy and Rafe rediscover themselves and the experience they had together.
Shaffer’s 2024 Fantasy Book Sounds Like The Magicians Replacement I’ve Been Waiting For
The Lost Story Is Similar To The Magicians Too
The Lost Storyis Meg Shaffer’s second book. Her first is 2023’sThe Wishing Game.
Considering itsChronicles of Narniacommonalities and dark framing, I can’t help but think thatThe Lost StoryisThe Magiciansreplacement I’ve long been searching for. ThoughThe Lost Storylacks certain details that are vital toThe Magicians,including the magic school, both books seem to have the same throughline:the main characters enter (or reenter) a magical world that they know and love, but perhaps find something darker than they expected. SinceThe Magiciansended in 2014, I’ve always hoped for another matureNarniaretelling, and now I think I’ve finally found it inThe Lost Story.
The Magicians
Cast
The Magicians follows a group of young adults who enroll at Brakebills University, a secretive institution devoted to teaching magic. As they engage in an unconventional education in spellcasting, they realize that a childhood fantasy world is indeed real and presents a significant threat to humanity.
