Something Close to Magic

June 15, 2023
A gently magical tale about the powers of friendship and embracing one's identity. Forced to leave school and her magical education three years prior, 17-year-old Aurelie has forsaken her magic and works as an unpaid baker's apprentice. Her seeking abilities are of little value in a world where people believe magic comes at a steep cost. But when finder Iliana enters the bakery with a set of seeking stones and a tempting financial offer to split a bounty, Aurelie cannot refuse. Thus begins a quest to find Elias Allred, the youngest son of the the prince's steward, that takes them into the enchanted Underwood and throughout the kingdom, accompanied by Quad, an Uncommonfolk troll, and Prince Hapless, whom they rescue from an ambush. The quartet must rekindle their relationships with magic and use their ingenuity if they hope to defeat their foe. Teens who relish light, character-driven stories will enjoy this fantasy with a setting that evokes medieval European ways of life and social structures. The dialogue is filled with dry repartee that is also highlighted in a particularly well-crafted epistolary interlude showcasing the growing feelings, despite their social class differences, between Aurelie and the prince. The theme of making one's own family runs throughout, supporting Aurelie as she learns to trust in herself and others. Characters are cued White; there is some diversity in sexual orientation among supporting characters. This appealingly breezy novel will whet readers' appetites for magic and adventure. (Fantasy. 12-17)

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Starred review from August 1, 2023

Gr 9 Up-Seventeen-year-old Aurelie has made peace with her life as a bakery apprentice where she's overworked and underpaid. When adventure comes her way in the form of the mysterious and persistent bounty hunter, Iliana, Aurelie agrees to assist her using magic she thought she had left behind. When they start traveling, they soon add to their group Quad, a troll with uncommon magic, and Prince Hapless, second in line to the throne and joke of the royal family. Chapters are told from both Aurelie and Prince Hapless's points of view, providing insights into their thoughts and glints of romance. Hapless longs to prove his worth by completing quests, meanwhile rumors swirl that Sylvain Copperend is the true heir to the throne and gaining followers. Members of the court all have nicknames following the Prince Charming name convention, with "aspirational naming" being common although not always accurate to the character. While magic has fallen out of favor, seen as unreliable, it is still practiced by many and seen as a course of study. This novel has in-depth character development with a fantasy world that comes alive as the story progresses. Main characters Aurelie and Hapless struggle with their connections to magic and who they want to be versus how they're perceived. Characters are presumed white, and there is some LGBTQIA+ representation. Strongly recommended for Dungeon & Dragons enthusiasts. VERDICT With a unique world, characters to root for, and a deftly written plot, this book is highly recommended.-Rebecca Greer

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