magic – Page 40 – Cannonball Read 17

“Some people steal to stay alive, and some steal to feel alive. Simple as that.”

A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1) by V.E. Schwab

January 10, 2022 by cheerbrarian 1 Comment

In one word: Even-keeled This book was a gift from Cannonball Gift Exchange this year (thanks Deborah!) so I thought it a fitting first read and review of the year. It was on my to-read list, though I had no recollection of it which makes it a perfect gift! I’ve been getting more into fantasy and magical tales lately so was excited to dive into a new series. Schwab has written a magical tale with interesting world-building but in the end, I think that the […]

Family Drama

The Pinhoe Egg by Diana Wynne Jones

January 10, 2022 by Ale 1 Comment

In my 2022 quest to read Diana Wynne Jones’ full body of work, I’m running down the Chrestomanci books first. After completing The Lives of Christopher Chant and Charmed Life last year, I’ve moved on to The Pinhoe Egg. Picking up about a year after Charmed Life ends, The Pinhoe Egg focuses on a huge family of Dwimmers, or nature-magical mages, who are trying their best to keep their magical abilities away from what they believe is the oppressive oversight of Chrestomanci. Things have gone fine for years, with them […]

Be the Hero

The Mythics #4: Global Chaos by Patrick Sobral and Patricia Lyfoung

January 6, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The Mythics #4: Global Chaos is obviously the fourth graphic novel in the series by Patrick Sobral and Patricia Lyfoung. One should read them in order, but thankfully there is a recap at the start that not only introduces you to the characters, but it also gives a recap of what has previously occurred. The aged (strong) 8 to 13-or-14-year-old might not be able to jump into the middle like this, but I was able to piece together enough to get the idea of things. […]

The Magicless Hero who Muscles His Way Through, and we’ve seen it all before

Mashle: Magic and Muscles, vols. 1-2 by Hajime Komoto

January 1, 2022 by CoffeeShopReader Leave a Comment

I think I saw an excerpt of Mashle: Magic and Muscles somewhere and decided it looked dumb. Then I decided to give it another chance when I was shelf-surfing in the library which turned out to have volumes 1-2. The premise of this manga series and most of the key characters so far are pretty recognizable. The hero Mash is a magicless idiot with only ridiculous strength to get by in a world where magic defines your status and prospects. To get his dad out […]

Welcome to the House of Whispers

House of Whispers Vol 1: Power Divided by Nalo Hopkinson, Neil Gaiman, Dominke Stanton

December 31, 2021 by teresaelectro Leave a Comment

I have a blossoming habit of buying graphic novels, but rarely find the time to read them. I picked up House of Whispers Volume 1: Power Divided from the independent Black-owned bookstore, Sistah Sci-Fi. I wanted to support them on Indie Bookstore Day. I’ve been meaning to start the Sandman novels by Neil Gaiman, but it always felt so daunting! When I came across this volume, it was an instabuy since I’ve been meaning to read something by Nalo Hopkinson. House of Whispers kicked off […]

A fantastical twist on the slave narrative

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

December 30, 2021 by teresaelectro Leave a Comment

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates turns the slave narrative on its head. With his first fiction novel, Coates deftly melds together historical fiction with sci-fi fantasy. The novel follows the life of Hiram who we meet when he nearly drowns in the local river. Hiram is born a slave on a Virginia plantation, the son of the master. A story that’s all too common in history. His father made Hiram help his brother with his studies. Hiram has to hold his tongue and go […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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