Scan barcode
conjuringliteracy's review
4.0
I want to start by saying this is my first J.Elle book and I’m so glad that I read it. I have tried to read Wings of Ebony but couldn’t get through how annoyed I was with Rue. While I did find myself annoyed with Kyana, I loved her even more. Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Children for providing me an eARC in exchange for a honest review. A Taste of Magic was full of lessons for adults and children.
First, I love magic schools and I really want to see what happens to PRMA. This novel was full of fun moments as often as heavy moments. It has the perfect mix of living and learning that is perfect for children and middle grade readers. Being able to see a healthy household of Black women is also something that I loved about the book.
I honestly do not have any negative comments about the book. I’m not a hate reader an me finishing says a lot. But, I do feel like I would love to see Kyana and the gang develop as witches and wizards.
I definitely recommend this book; I left considering themes of forgiveness, consideration, and servicing the community.
antoinettepowb's review
5.0
A charming story about a magic school, baking, friendship, and determination. When Kyana discovers she's a witch she finds herself lying to her BFF, trying to learn spells that will help her overworked mom around the house, and entering a baking competition to save the magic school in her neighborhood. I loved the determination Kyana had to fix her mistakes, prove adults around her wrong, and show that even though she and her friends are young, they can solve big problems. Middle school students will truly enjoy it!
Thanks, NetGalley!
Thanks, NetGalley!
cboddie's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
destdest's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Love the diversity, culture, and tight community with magical shenanigans, but it got long-winded and boring towards the middle.
natalieballenger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
Let’s start talking about my love for this book by talking about how great the MC, Kyana, was. Her narrative voice was so engaging, as was getting to learn about the magical world alongside her. I love that she had so much love for her friends, family and community, and that she was a talented baker. She just felt very real to read about. Her character development was done so well, in her gaining confidence in her abilities and also learning that it’s not possible to try to help everyone and everything all at once - at least, not without someone helping YOU. The side characters were also fantastic. All of them were fleshed out and many had their own character development too, especially Ash and Russ, but also Nae and Kyana’s Meemaw.
In terms of plot, it was perfectly paced. The events of the synopsis don’t actually occur until around 50% of the way through, but this actually worked really well as there was PLENTY to keep the reader occupied with leading up to this point. I had forgotten that this story was about a baking competition, which was such a pleasant surprise! I loved the descriptions of baking and all the treats Kyana made (I appreciated the recipes included at the back of the book!), and adding in a baking competition made this even better. The competition was worked really well into the story, and not quite in the way that I expected! That’s actually a great way to describe the plot generally: I never really knew what was coming next.
Of course, the magic was excellent. Elle clearly put lots of thought into the original and intriguing magic system and world, and I can’t wait to see more of both in the sequel. I loved the potion magic that was fore-fronted , especially how instinct tied into it, and how potions played into the plot.
The theme of community centred in the book was absolutely excellent. The story stresses the importance of looking out for your own, and having your own look after you. It shows how community is love, support, understanding, and home; it is utterly indispensable and worth fighting for.
Overall, I clearly loved this book and am eagerly anticipating the next instalment in the series.
As a side note, I listened to the audiobook for this one and while it was not my fave, it was by no means bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Classism
Minor: Vomit, Animal cruelty, Ableism, Racism, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Confinement
Minor: references to COVID (as an unnamed pandemic), loss of a loved oneblkgrlreading89's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A Taste of Magic is a really unique take on a magic school and magic system! Park Row Magick Academy is not the super fancy magic school you’re use to. It’s located in the back of a Black woman owned beauty salon. The school is extremely underfunded and lacking the resources it needs for it’s students to thrive. It has only lasted this long because of its dedicated teacher Ms. Mo. PRMA mirrors many of the schools in poor, underfunded areas all over this country.
Middle grade stories have some of the most genuine and pure relationships. Kyana has a multigenerational living arrangement with her mama and Memaw. They are such a tight knit family even though Kyana’s mom works a lot. Aside from Kyana, Memaw was my favorite character! She was constantly dropping this little nuggets of wisdom and nurturing Kyana’s passions which reminded me of my own grandma 🥰 I also adored Kyana’s friendship with Nae and the new bonds she formed with the Magic kids at Park Row Magick Academy like Ash and Russ.
A key takeaway from A Taste of Magic is that a Black child can make a mistake and not be vilified for it. Too often in our society black and brown kids are not given the grace to make mistakes and learn from them. It was refreshing to see Kyana be allowed to make a mistake, realize it and come up with a solution with the support of not only her family but the witch community as well.
The common household substitutions for magical ingredients Kyana found and used from the old spell book Memaw gave her were really ingenious! For example creaming together Kool Aid powder and cocoa butter as a substitute for slug skin paste when making the antidote potion.
The food descriptions throughout the book had my mouth watering. I never wanted a bowl of gumbo or a slice of cake so bad in my life! Being a GA girl, I agree with Memaw that the best food you’ll ever find is down south 😉
So much of this story resonated with me and I know BIPOC kids especially Black kids are going to love it. I can’t wait to see where this new series goes!
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books for an eARC of A Taste of Magic in exchange for an honest review.
a_devine_read's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
For her twelfth birthday, Kyana finds out she has magic. She is excited but can't tell anyone, which creates problems between her and her best friend Nae. When the Saturday magic school she attends is being forced to close down, Kyana sets off on a solution to keep it open.
Opinion
Being a big fan of paranormal books, this one called to me. I was not disappointed with. This book held my captivation from start to finish. I loved reading the voice of a 12 year old African American girl. It was authentic for an OWN voice book with the narration being what I would expect. Add in that her grandmother was Creole, the language was fun and exciting to read.
The story itself was original and intriguing. When Kyana sets off to save the day, thing go awry. However, the mischief that ensues made the story so much fun to read.
I would recommend this to any middle grades child who likes books about magic, adventure or is looking for an OWN voice book.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Opinion
Being a big fan of paranormal books, this one called to me. I was not disappointed with. This book held my captivation from start to finish. I loved reading the voice of a 12 year old African American girl. It was authentic for an OWN voice book with the narration being what I would expect. Add in that her grandmother was Creole, the language was fun and exciting to read.
The story itself was original and intriguing. When Kyana sets off to save the day, thing go awry. However, the mischief that ensues made the story so much fun to read.
I would recommend this to any middle grades child who likes books about magic, adventure or is looking for an OWN voice book.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.