This first novel in the Magicians Trilogy follows the character of Quentin Coldwater, a young man who prefers the fantasy of his own beloved childhood stories of the land of Fillory, as well as mastering magic tricks, to the dullness of his daily life. Quentin's entire perception of the world is shattered, however, when he suddenly finds himself as a student in the very secret Brakebills Academy where Quentin faces the trials of love, friendship, and - of course - mastering unearthly spells. Quentin and his friends soon find out that the world of magic is much more complex and dangerous than could ever be imagined, and find themselves in an adventure beyond expectation.
Haboring secret preoccupations with a magical land he read about in a childhood fantasy series, Quentin Coldwater is unexpectedly admitted into an exclusive college of magic and rigorously educated in modern sorcery.