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kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
A standalone fantasy that was nominated for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2006.
My Take
Odly enough, I didn't find Od Magic to be as poetic as other McKillips I have read. It felt more as though it were a compilation of other of her stories.
All the really important characters end up in the North where those odd elements are explored, discoveries are made, and everyone becomes happy. It's cute. It's sweet.
Yes, the characters are ones whom you will enjoy for the most part; there are only three whom you will curse — the brother is a bit of a misnomer.
The Story
Brenden Vetch has a gift. With an innate sense he cannot explain to himself or describe to others, he connects to the agricultural world, nurturing gardens to flourish and instinctively knowing the healing properties each plant and herb has to offer.
But Brenden's gift isolates him from people — from becoming part of a community. Until the day he receives a personal invitation from the wizard Od. She needs a gardener for her school in the great city of Kelior, where every potential wizard must be trained to serve the Kingdom of Numis. For decades, the rulers of Numis have controlled the school, believing they can contain the power within — it and punish any wizard who dares defy the law.
But unknown to the reigning monarchy is the power possessed by the school's new gardener — a power that even Brenden isn't fully aware of, and which is the true reason Od recruited him.
The Characters
Brenden Vetch and his magical gift stay on in their village after their parents die; his brother takes off.
Kelior is…
…the capital city of the kingdom of Numis The king insists that magic be reined in, controlled. His daughter, the Princess Sulys, has been learning illegal little magics from her great-grandmother. Valoren is the kingdom's chief wizard. Ceta has a new theory about the center of Od's labyrinth. Wye and Yar decide not to tell the king of Brenden's presence — contrary to those current rules.
Od is a giantess of a woman who oozes magic and runs a school of magic according to rules laid down hundreds of years ago.
Tyramin is a newly arrived illusionist using some strange magic, who entertains the populace in the Twilight Quarter. Arneth is the Twilight Quarter's Warden.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a natural McKillip — incredibly jewel-like and very reflective of the story.
The title is basic, for it is Od's Magic at play.
My Take
Odly enough, I didn't find Od Magic to be as poetic as other McKillips I have read. It felt more as though it were a compilation of other of her stories.
All the really important characters end up in the North where those odd elements are explored, discoveries are made, and everyone becomes happy. It's cute. It's sweet.
Yes, the characters are ones whom you will enjoy for the most part; there are only three whom you will curse — the brother is a bit of a misnomer.
The Story
Brenden Vetch has a gift. With an innate sense he cannot explain to himself or describe to others, he connects to the agricultural world, nurturing gardens to flourish and instinctively knowing the healing properties each plant and herb has to offer.
But Brenden's gift isolates him from people — from becoming part of a community. Until the day he receives a personal invitation from the wizard Od. She needs a gardener for her school in the great city of Kelior, where every potential wizard must be trained to serve the Kingdom of Numis. For decades, the rulers of Numis have controlled the school, believing they can contain the power within — it and punish any wizard who dares defy the law.
But unknown to the reigning monarchy is the power possessed by the school's new gardener — a power that even Brenden isn't fully aware of, and which is the true reason Od recruited him.
The Characters
Brenden Vetch and his magical gift stay on in their village after their parents die; his brother takes off.
Kelior is…
…the capital city of the kingdom of Numis The king insists that magic be reined in, controlled. His daughter, the Princess Sulys, has been learning illegal little magics from her great-grandmother. Valoren is the kingdom's chief wizard. Ceta has a new theory about the center of Od's labyrinth. Wye and Yar decide not to tell the king of Brenden's presence — contrary to those current rules.
Od is a giantess of a woman who oozes magic and runs a school of magic according to rules laid down hundreds of years ago.
Tyramin is a newly arrived illusionist using some strange magic, who entertains the populace in the Twilight Quarter. Arneth is the Twilight Quarter's Warden.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a natural McKillip — incredibly jewel-like and very reflective of the story.
The title is basic, for it is Od's Magic at play.
shadesofwind's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cozy fantasy from before cozy fantasy was a thing?! (2008?)
"Od Magic" by Patricia MacKillip was, indeed, quite odd. There is an ephemeral quality about this author's writing that perfectly captures the spirit of a spring read. Her prose is languid and asks to be read as such. It directs the reader's attention to the little details, building up the world and specific scenes, not hurrying anywhere. Magic is here a thing to be felt, experienced - if you're an enjoyer of complex detailed magic systems, you might not enjoy this one, for it lacks structure - on purpose. It is however full of whimsy, and unique loveable characters.
I think the biggest downside (? - whether it's a negative feature feels debatable) of this story is the lack of tension. The stakes may seem high at times, but not in a way that would cause real anxiety. Yet that is perfect if you want to simply relax, to be, even for a moment, transported to a world where conflict can be resolved through gentle means. A feel-good story on a par with your best fantasy memories from childhood. One could perhaps call it a little naïve, but I'm quite certain that's exactly the point.
It's the second Patricia MacKillip book I've read this year, and I can highly recommend her books for lazy spring days. Their common brand seems to be „little” stories - ones that pay attention and give voice to those usually omitted in classic fantasy. It's like a high fantasy that someone snapped a blurry filter on, making it all less sharp and more dreamy. If you've ever wondered about „the others” - about characters that don't go around killing people or monsters, but do some less obvious things and still have dreams and goals and value, this is a book for you. Appreciation and re-evaluation might well be called its focal points, and it's a hopeful and refreshing perspective.
"Od Magic" by Patricia MacKillip was, indeed, quite odd. There is an ephemeral quality about this author's writing that perfectly captures the spirit of a spring read. Her prose is languid and asks to be read as such. It directs the reader's attention to the little details, building up the world and specific scenes, not hurrying anywhere. Magic is here a thing to be felt, experienced - if you're an enjoyer of complex detailed magic systems, you might not enjoy this one, for it lacks structure - on purpose. It is however full of whimsy, and unique loveable characters.
I think the biggest downside (? - whether it's a negative feature feels debatable) of this story is the lack of tension. The stakes may seem high at times, but not in a way that would cause real anxiety. Yet that is perfect if you want to simply relax, to be, even for a moment, transported to a world where conflict can be resolved through gentle means. A feel-good story on a par with your best fantasy memories from childhood. One could perhaps call it a little naïve, but I'm quite certain that's exactly the point.
It's the second Patricia MacKillip book I've read this year, and I can highly recommend her books for lazy spring days. Their common brand seems to be „little” stories - ones that pay attention and give voice to those usually omitted in classic fantasy. It's like a high fantasy that someone snapped a blurry filter on, making it all less sharp and more dreamy. If you've ever wondered about „the others” - about characters that don't go around killing people or monsters, but do some less obvious things and still have dreams and goals and value, this is a book for you. Appreciation and re-evaluation might well be called its focal points, and it's a hopeful and refreshing perspective.
coppercrane2's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dragonwriter's review against another edition
Couldn’t get into it/not in the mood for this book
susanatherly's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
soniagracelm's review against another edition
4.0
In the kingdom of Kelior, magic has become a trade. It has lost any sense of wonder it once possessed. It is governed by the king and his right-hand wizard, Valoren. Wizards must abide by the rules, study only what they are told to study, and obey the crown at all costs. When Brenden Vetch arrives at Od’s School of magic to be the new gardener, he is surprised by how stiff and unimaginative the wizards are. At this point, I expected him to go on a revolutionary rampage. This, however, is not the sort of thing his character does, so instead of fixing everything, Brenden continues to be a gardener. He listens to his plants and tries to deal with the loss of his family and lover.
Full Review can be found at: http://darkladyreviews.tumblr.com/post/8479461586/review-od-magic-by-patricia-a-mckillip
Full Review can be found at: http://darkladyreviews.tumblr.com/post/8479461586/review-od-magic-by-patricia-a-mckillip
ireitlitam's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
puffywiz's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0