"The Book of Magix" is a captivating novel that takes readers on a journey into a world filled with magic, mystery, and adventure. Written by a talented author, it weaves together a thrilling plot and well-developed characters. The story follows the journey of a young protagonist named Alex, who discovers a mystical book hidden deep in an ancient library. This book, known as "The Book of Magix," holds immense power and allows the reader to unlock their magical potential. As Alex immerses himself in the world of magic, he encounters a wide range of fantastical creatures, spells, and enchantments. From battling fierce dragons to solving cryptic puzzles, the novel is packed with exciting moments that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
How was it possible for a man like Gary Hallet to kiss his wife good night, close his eyes, and never wake again? His horse had died of grief two nights later, lying down on the earthen floor of the stable. Sally was stunned and devastated, and some people said she had lost a piece of her heart. Certainly, she seemed transformed. When she did say hello to her neighbors, which was rare, she made it perfectly clear she preferred to be left in peace. Sally had returned to school for her degree in library science at Simmons University, and now, at the age of forty-four, she was the director of the Owens Library. The only other employee was Sarah Hardwick, who had worked at the library for over sixty years, and who still made it a point of leaving every day at five o’clock on the dot, which allowed her to stop by the Black Rabbit Inn and have a cocktail at her regular time. Often, she didn’t report back until ten in the morning, especially if she’d had more than one drink. Sally didn’t begrudge Miss Hardwick the need to come in late and leave early at her age, and she didn’t mind the hours she spent working alone in the library, late into the evenings. She did her best to be helpful when she checked out books, or assisted students from the local high school, but everyone knew Sally Owens was embittered, and even more standoffish than she’d been as a girl.
There was no partner in the picture and when asked who the father of her unborn child was, Antonia merely shrugged and said it was a long story, which in truth it was not. To be honest, she wasn t even sure if she believed in love, but she definitely believed in children, as did Scott, who was two years ahead of her at med school, in a long-term relationship with another doctor, Joel McKenna.
From battling fierce dragons to solving cryptic puzzles, the novel is packed with exciting moments that keep readers on the edge of their seats. What sets this novel apart is the author's meticulous attention to detail. The intricate descriptions of magical realms, spells, and artifacts add depth and richness to the narrative.
Review: The Book of Magic
Gardner Dozois writes in the introduction to THE BOOK OF MAGIC (Amazon) that he “[…] endeavored to cover the whole world of magic” (xv). The stories collected in this anthology cover a wide range of magical people and places. While there are plenty of wizards in robes, magic takes many shapes in this anthology.
It’s no mistake that THE BOOK OF MAGIC begins and ends with comic fantasy. The energy and humor of showcased in the first and last stories propels the reader into the anthology and sends them off with a smile. The first story, K.J. Parker’s “The Return of the Pig” follows a wizard reluctantly returning to his hometown to find a new magic user, while also trying to outwit his rivals. “The Fall and Rise of the House of the Wizard Malkuril” by Scott Lynch begins with a wizard, but ends with a sentient house and several tribes of kobolds trying to make it in a tough world. It’s funny and sweet at the same time. While these stories differ in scope and setting, they share a sense of the absurd and were some of my favorites in the collection.
There are also plenty of amusing and wry tales in between. “The Devil’s Whatever” by Andy Duncan or “No Work of Mine” by Elizabeth Bear were good examples of lightheartedness combined with tight writing. Duncan’s voice is especially strong in his story about the Devil’s son-in-law trying to extricate himself from a tricky trap laid by the old man.
Quite a few of the stories had at least some connection to an author’s previous works, whether they were returning to familiar characters or worlds. For example, the protagonist of Lavie Tidhar’s “Widow Maker” is Gorel of Goliris, whose stories are collected in Tidhar’s anthologies. I hadn’t read Tidhar before and this tale was strange and compelling, standing well on its own without the other stories as context.
THE BOOK OF MAGIC has a little bit of something for everyone. as long as you're looking for something Fantastical. A great read.
One of the few pieces that fell flat for me was “The Song of Fire” by Rachel Pollack, not because of poor writing, but because her story was so deeply enmeshed with her previous work that even the expository heavy-lifting she did couldn’t save the story for me. If you’re already a fan though, I’m sure this was a fun installment.
It was hard to choose stories to highlight for this review because the quality was high and I really enjoyed most of the offerings–this would be a great way to browse and discover authors to love. For me I also rediscovered old favorites. It’s been a while since I’ve read Megan Lindholdm (aka Robin Hobb) (“Community Service”) or Kate Elliot (“Bloom”), and both of their selections reminded that I should remedy that soon. Lindholm’s story was a modern fantasy with a super creepy toy-eating witch while Elliot’s offering was a more traditional fantasy setting but with an interesting magic system and an unlikable protagonist who had a nice arc. Other old favorites that caught my attention included “The Staff in the Stone” by Neil Gaiman, a story of a wizard who wants to be left alone but is forced to out himself from hiding to save the village he resides in.
If you are looking for urban fantasy, Greg Van Eekhout’s “The Wolf and the Manticore” was set in LA with hints of a radically different future and some cool bone magic. If you’re looking for more slipstream, steampunk, or urban fantasy, you might be advised to look elsewhere. This is fantasy with a capital “F.”
Each story is about 30 pages, which I mention only because that’s long enough to potentially produce bloated stories stuffed with unnecessary words and characters. Luckily for readers, THE BOOK OF MAGIC contains stories that use their word count wisely to bring together fantastic characters and magic in an entertaining array. A strong anthology with a number of memorable stories, THE BOOK OF MAGIC will delight readers.
- Recommended Age: 12+
- Language: One or two stories with more language, most with very little.
- Violence: Yes. Magic can do nasty things to people, but generally not tons of gore.
- Sex: Very little. Allusions mostly.
It allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the fantastical world the author has created. Alongside the gripping plot, well-crafted characters bring the story to life. Alex, the main character, undergoes a transformative journey as he learns to harness his magical abilities and confronts his fears. The author also introduces a cast of supporting characters, each with their unique quirks and contributions to the story, adding layers of complexity to the overall narrative. Furthermore, "The Book of Magix" explores timeless themes such as friendship, self-discovery, and the battle between good and evil. It delves into the moral dilemma faced by the characters as they navigate their newfound powers and grapple with the consequences of their choices. Overall, "The Book of Magix" is a gripping and enchanting novel that takes readers on an unforgettable adventure. It appeals to fans of fantasy literature, as well as those who enjoy a well-crafted story with engaging characters. Whether you are a seasoned fantasy reader or new to the genre, this novel is sure to captivate and transport you into a world of magic and wonder..
Reviews for "A Visual Feast: Descriptive Imagery in "The Book of Magix"
1. Alex - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Book of Magix". The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were underdeveloped. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying conclusions. Overall, I just couldn't connect with the story and found it to be a tedious read.
2. Emily - 1/5 stars - "The Book of Magix" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was choppy and uninteresting, making it difficult to engage with the story. The world-building was weak, leaving me feeling confused about the magic system and the rules of the fantasy world. Additionally, the dialogue was forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
3. Ryan - 2/5 stars - I found "The Book of Magix" to be underwhelming. The plot felt disjointed and lacking cohesion, making it hard to stay engaged. The author introduced numerous subplots and side characters but failed to tie them into the main story effectively. The pacing was slow, and the action scenes were anticlimactic. Overall, I was left feeling unfulfilled by this novel and would not consider reading anything else from this author.
4. Sarah - 1/5 stars - Unfortunately, "The Book of Magix" was a regrettable purchase for me. The writing was dull and lacked creativity, leaving me uninterested in the story. The characters were one-dimensional and had no depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The plot felt cliché and predictable, offering no surprises or unique twists. I ended up putting the book down halfway through, as I couldn't bring myself to finish it.