Most of the action in The Magicians, which was originally published in 2009, is set at Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, a Hogwarts analog for the drinking-age set, and the magical realm of Fillory, a decidedly darker and more violent take on Narnia. Alice’s Story centers on the untold secrets of The Magician’s lead Alice Quinn, a brilliant magician who adventures to Fillory alongside Quentin Coldwater and finds that the idyllic land of their favorite children’s books isn’t quite so sublime.
The Magicians also inspired a hit Syfy TV series, which will kick off its fourth season in 2019 (see “DVD Round-Up: 'A Quiet Place,' 'Lean on Pete,' 'Last Man on Earth,' 'The Magicians,' & 'Mosaic”).