I know the description of the first book makes it sound like a bad HP ripoff, what with the special orphan boy who goes to a magic school and meets a girl and a boy he becomes best friends with; however, once you get past that, it’s ACTUALLY a good Pokemon ripoff! I usually think this kind of “I obviously played too many video games in my youth” story is lame, but the great character development and legitimately interesting story convinced me otherwise! The first book is by far the weakest, so give it at least 2 books before you decide. :)