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brendaclay's review
3.0
I'm re-reading this because I finally got the other two books in the trilogy! Fifteen-year-old Reason has grown up on the run with her young mother, moving constantly to stay out of the clutches of her evil grandmother, Esmeralda. But when her mother goes crazy and is placed in a mental hospital, Reason is sent to Sydney and Esmeralda's care. There, while plotting her escape, she steps through the back door and finds herself suddenly in New York City. Totally confused, she's "rescued" by another teenager named Jay-Tee and her sinister guardian. Things are way more complicated than they appear, and over time Reason pieces together two life-altering truths - she and her family are magical, and they must either use their magic and die young, or not use it and go mad. END OF BOOK ONE!
ginnikin's review
Bad language: on top of the pottymouth two "lame"s and one "it hurt like buggery".
It's just not working for me. :/
It's just not working for me. :/
kitvaria_sarene's review
3.0
Reason Cansino has spent her life with her unusual mother in the bush, moving frequently, keeping to herself, and learning how to guard against her bizarre grandmother, Esmeralda. But when her mother goes insane she needs to live with Esmeralda....
madz2023's review
5.0
Well I loved this whole series, but I really can't figure out why. I mean every time I look back, i just see soooo much wrong with these books. And yet even when I look at that bad stuff, i'm still like, wow I love that series! Reason, the main character, was great! In book 1 at least. Book 2 was really weird! I loved the secret back door in the house that lead to NY from Sydney. The concept of magic in this book is was kinda sad, yet a fresh idea. If one with magic doesn't use their magic then they go insane, yet the more they use it the more it kills them. See, morbid, but yet so interesting. I truly did enjoy this book and series, even if I will never figure out why.
cat_queen005's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ldonson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sonofthe's review against another edition
3.0
Reason's mother raised her on the run from her grandmother. When her mother is taken to the mental hospital, Reason discovers that the world is much different than she was taught.
I can't figure out why I don't usually go for YA. This book was fine, but the things that seemed they were supposed to charm me didn't. There were a lot of elements here that seemed good, but things just didn't come together in the end. I'm about to read another book from Larbalestier. Hopefully, I like it better.
I can't figure out why I don't usually go for YA. This book was fine, but the things that seemed they were supposed to charm me didn't. There were a lot of elements here that seemed good, but things just didn't come together in the end. I'm about to read another book from Larbalestier. Hopefully, I like it better.
somewheregirl7's review
3.0
Her entire life Reason Cansino has been warned about her grandmother, Esmerelda, the wicked witch. Reason's mother, Sarafina, told her that Esmerelda sacrified small animals, ate babies and did other horrible things. To escape her, mother and daughter have been on the run for as long as Reason has been alive. However, when Sarafina goes insane and has to be locked up in a mental hospital, Reason finally falls into her grandmothers grasp and discovers that magic IS real. She steps through a door and moves form Sydney to New York in a second, only to fall into worse clutches than her grandmothers.
This first book in the Magic or Madness trilogy was well written with excellent pacing, dialogue, description and characterization. Reason is a fascinating blend of powerful and naive and it's hard to know who to trust. The dilemas that Reason faces are anything but easy and anything but expected. I like how the author has characterized magic in her world, giving a plausible explanation for it and providing real consequences for it's use. This is an excellent start to the series and I am currently reading the sequel.
This first book in the Magic or Madness trilogy was well written with excellent pacing, dialogue, description and characterization. Reason is a fascinating blend of powerful and naive and it's hard to know who to trust. The dilemas that Reason faces are anything but easy and anything but expected. I like how the author has characterized magic in her world, giving a plausible explanation for it and providing real consequences for it's use. This is an excellent start to the series and I am currently reading the sequel.