Stolen Magic is a book I picked up at my local library during a book sale. It is the third book in the Incorrigible series (I haven't read the first two). I'll assign a grade at the end.
The first thing I noticed about this book is its fantastic opening. I don't normally like first person narratives (that lack framing devices) for a number of reasons. This one here uses its strengths of personality. The very first sentence perfectly describes Katherine Stephenson's personality. It also provides an excellent lead into opening action. This then leads into the initial conflict while providing information about her location and family in a non-intrusive fashion.
Everything after that builds on this fantastic opening. The especially high need for propriety (and maturity!) from our "Incorrigible" heroine due to her elder sister's wedding, her initiation into the Order of the Guardians, the mysterious follower, and even a subplot like her brother's newfound protectiveness; all of these threads build on this opening. This makes for a solid storyline that builds organically (nothing artificial).
Another thing that I like about this story, and the setting in general, is how the stigma against magic is treated. Other books have witches/wizards/etc. hiding their magic because they're afraid of angry mobs or they have to follow the ancient rules of their secret society or some other handwave to create artificial conflict. In this setting, no one thinks magic is evil. They think it is scandalous. It is just not something that well-bred ladies and gentlemen do. This is woven into the society, the backstory, and the character's mindsets; a well integrated element. So while Kat could certainly magic her brother invisible to give him a decisive edge in a brawl, the resulting gossip would ruin him.
Thus, it is clear that hiding one's use of magic is essential to using it to one's benefit. Kat makes sure that no one can see her turn invisible and seeks out an ill-advised spell that her elder sister cast so she can break it before anyone else notices. Indeed, the social conflict, of this book at least, clearly has priority over the magical conflict. However, they twist around each other in interesting ways.
Character-wise it is also a skillful book. Each character is well defined around a cardinal trait and several lesser traits. Those traits are elaborated upon and used to display related traits.
For instance!
Kat's father (who is only referred to as "Papa") is defined by his academia. This means he likes to read and lecture (or rather, sermon) which leads to his inability at practical things like fixing a wagon wheel and great ability in evading social events by escaping to a library. It also informs his parenting style; when he sees his youngest child crying, his first response is to hug and then read a novel to her. He is not two dimensional.
It has a great ending. It is no small feat to develop several plot threads of varying kinds and severity and then tie them all off. In fact, this is done to the entire trilogy of books. Yet there is still plenty of room for future stories, both magically and romantically, if Stephanie Burgis felt like writing another book.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Stolen Magic" an A+
Click here for my next review request: Counterfeit Count
Click here for my previous book review (a request): Earthware
Brian Wilkerson is a independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).
The first thing I noticed about this book is its fantastic opening. I don't normally like first person narratives (that lack framing devices) for a number of reasons. This one here uses its strengths of personality. The very first sentence perfectly describes Katherine Stephenson's personality. It also provides an excellent lead into opening action. This then leads into the initial conflict while providing information about her location and family in a non-intrusive fashion.
Everything after that builds on this fantastic opening. The especially high need for propriety (and maturity!) from our "Incorrigible" heroine due to her elder sister's wedding, her initiation into the Order of the Guardians, the mysterious follower, and even a subplot like her brother's newfound protectiveness; all of these threads build on this opening. This makes for a solid storyline that builds organically (nothing artificial).
Another thing that I like about this story, and the setting in general, is how the stigma against magic is treated. Other books have witches/wizards/etc. hiding their magic because they're afraid of angry mobs or they have to follow the ancient rules of their secret society or some other handwave to create artificial conflict. In this setting, no one thinks magic is evil. They think it is scandalous. It is just not something that well-bred ladies and gentlemen do. This is woven into the society, the backstory, and the character's mindsets; a well integrated element. So while Kat could certainly magic her brother invisible to give him a decisive edge in a brawl, the resulting gossip would ruin him.
Thus, it is clear that hiding one's use of magic is essential to using it to one's benefit. Kat makes sure that no one can see her turn invisible and seeks out an ill-advised spell that her elder sister cast so she can break it before anyone else notices. Indeed, the social conflict, of this book at least, clearly has priority over the magical conflict. However, they twist around each other in interesting ways.
Character-wise it is also a skillful book. Each character is well defined around a cardinal trait and several lesser traits. Those traits are elaborated upon and used to display related traits.
For instance!
Kat's father (who is only referred to as "Papa") is defined by his academia. This means he likes to read and lecture (or rather, sermon) which leads to his inability at practical things like fixing a wagon wheel and great ability in evading social events by escaping to a library. It also informs his parenting style; when he sees his youngest child crying, his first response is to hug and then read a novel to her. He is not two dimensional.
It has a great ending. It is no small feat to develop several plot threads of varying kinds and severity and then tie them all off. In fact, this is done to the entire trilogy of books. Yet there is still plenty of room for future stories, both magically and romantically, if Stephanie Burgis felt like writing another book.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Stolen Magic" an A+
Click here for my next review request: Counterfeit Count
Click here for my previous book review (a request): Earthware
Brian Wilkerson is a independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).
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