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Cover of LESSONS IN MAGIC AND DISASTER
3.87

Based on 341 Goodreads ratings

LESSONS IN MAGIC AND DISASTER

by the leader of a right\u002Dwing smear group. So Jamie shares something with Serena that she hasn’t even shared with her nonbinary spouse, Ro: Jamie can do magic. She performs rituals that she hopes will make her small desires real in the world. Serena takes to this practice, but almost immediately seeks to enact larger, angrier spells, with effects that neither she nor Jamie can anticipate or control, profoundly disrupting both of their lives. This compact novel is about many things: a literary treasure hunt that strongly recalls A.S. Byatt’s Possession\u003B the struggle to negotiate obligations to parents, spouses, and oneself\u003B moving forward from grief\u003B and a self\u002Dtaught witch’s fraught journey toward understanding her own magic. But underlying everything is this profound question: How do minority groups (in this case, specifically, those in the LGBTQ+ community) fight effectively and ethically against the tolerance of intolerance? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to magically smite the powerful figures who discriminate, disenfranchise, and endanger the vulnerable through indifference or cruelty? Unfortunately, it’s never that easy, not in real life and not in fiction."

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781250867

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This middle-grade fantasy novel follows a young apprentice whose magical education takes a dangerous turn when a spell goes catastrophically wrong, unleashing unintended consequences that threaten th...

Our Review

This middle-grade fantasy novel follows a young apprentice whose magical education takes a dangerous turn when a spell goes catastrophically wrong, unleashing unintended consequences that threaten their entire magical community. The narrative balances thrilling magical mishaps with genuine emotional stakes as the protagonist must confront their mistakes and find unexpected solutions. Vivid world-building brings the magical academy to life with classrooms that shift dimensions and libraries containing living books. Readers will be captivated by the high-stakes adventure that explores the real responsibility that comes with wielding power.

What sets this story apart is its thoughtful exploration of failure as part of learning, making it particularly resonant for young readers navigating their own challenges. The protagonist's journey from overconfident student to humbled problem-solver provides an authentic character arc that avoids simplistic moralizing. Parents will appreciate how the story weaves themes of accountability and creative problem-solving into an exciting magical framework. This compelling blend of fantasy adventure and meaningful life lessons will leave readers both entertained and thoughtfully engaged.

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