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mlottermoser's review against another edition
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Vomit
khardan's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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? Yes
3.5
fafa_bayonne's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic middle grade novel. Kyana is such a sweet protagonist and the family and friends around her are just the best support system any young person can ask for.
This is an interesting take on a magic-themed middle grade novel with a school setting. There is no person that represents an enemy. The enemy is gentrification and classism. A beautiful take on those important, real and time-relating themes.
This is an interesting take on a magic-themed middle grade novel with a school setting. There is no person that represents an enemy. The enemy is gentrification and classism. A beautiful take on those important, real and time-relating themes.
ginggrr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
At first I thought this was going to be too Harry Potter-esque, and it owes a debt to that series, but J. Elle gives the magic school trope a unique and compelling spin that makes for a truly excellent read. Highly recommended as a cozy read that also makes readers think about social hierarchies both in school and in the broader society, and broaches serious questions of justice and fairness with a light hand without being trite. Kyana is a well-developed character who is flawed but loveable and fierce, so you can’t help but root for her! Really well done, and thoroughly enjoyable! I’ll definitely be trying out the recipes, too!
cammcamm's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bibliobrittish's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 - I absolutely adored this fresh take on magic school. J. Elle has managed to create something at once inventive and timeless with A Taste of Magic. From anthropomorphic doors and ferret familiars to baking competitions gone awry, this lovely middle grade debut is jam-packed with adventure.
The family dynamic at play is so incredibly loving and real - Kyana’s mom’s no-nonsense demeanor, even when announcing Key’s witch heritage was spot on. I greatly appreciated the inclusion of her Memaw’s Alzheimers being treated gracefully as well. Kyana’s friendships, both old and new, were similarly realistic, with all the ups and downs that come with being in middle school. Now add being a witch to the mix!
Though Kyana has more than her fair share of trouble, A Taste of Magic effortlessly straddles worlds, baking magic into the everyday, and making use of the everyday (like gumbo pots as cauldrons) in magic. A beautiful tale of what makes each of us special, of forgiveness, empathy, and community, even in our fear. And those recipes? They had my mouth watering.
The family dynamic at play is so incredibly loving and real - Kyana’s mom’s no-nonsense demeanor, even when announcing Key’s witch heritage was spot on. I greatly appreciated the inclusion of her Memaw’s Alzheimers being treated gracefully as well. Kyana’s friendships, both old and new, were similarly realistic, with all the ups and downs that come with being in middle school. Now add being a witch to the mix!
Though Kyana has more than her fair share of trouble, A Taste of Magic effortlessly straddles worlds, baking magic into the everyday, and making use of the everyday (like gumbo pots as cauldrons) in magic. A beautiful tale of what makes each of us special, of forgiveness, empathy, and community, even in our fear. And those recipes? They had my mouth watering.
fscottfishgerald's review against another edition
4.0
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Touch of Magic focuses on a young girl named Kyana that on her birthday discovers a family secret: she is a witch. Soon Kyana has to balance regular school, hiding her new secret from her best friend Nae, going to magical school, and more. All while is she is discovering this new world of magic around her.
Pros: K. Elle creates nuanced characters with deep relationships to each other. The relationships created in the book feel real and contribute to the a greater sense of conflict when these relationships are strained. I think that the plot of balancing what feels like two separate worlds is something that will always be relatable to middle grade readers. Elle did a good job of showing the internal and external conflicts Kyana was having.
Cons: Overall, the parts of the book that didn't work for me were very minor. I felt like the world-building focused a lot on the products or types of spells available, but it could have built the organizational or lore of this world a little bit better. Like the mentions of this Board of Magick were there, but it didn't explain how it worked. Why are Magick and non-magicks communities kept separate. It's probably being saved for a sequel, so I didn't bother me too much, but just something I noticed.
A Touch of Magic focuses on a young girl named Kyana that on her birthday discovers a family secret: she is a witch. Soon Kyana has to balance regular school, hiding her new secret from her best friend Nae, going to magical school, and more. All while is she is discovering this new world of magic around her.
Pros: K. Elle creates nuanced characters with deep relationships to each other. The relationships created in the book feel real and contribute to the a greater sense of conflict when these relationships are strained. I think that the plot of balancing what feels like two separate worlds is something that will always be relatable to middle grade readers. Elle did a good job of showing the internal and external conflicts Kyana was having.
Cons: Overall, the parts of the book that didn't work for me were very minor. I felt like the world-building focused a lot on the products or types of spells available, but it could have built the organizational or lore of this world a little bit better. Like the mentions of this Board of Magick were there, but it didn't explain how it worked. Why are Magick and non-magicks communities kept separate. It's probably being saved for a sequel, so I didn't bother me too much, but just something I noticed.
sinslashcos's review against another edition
Tried reading it, but watching the book's protagonist try to lie to others made me cringe like how Disney channel shows made me cringe growing up. This is my own fault for trying to read juvenile fiction in my 20s so take my words with a very very tiny grain of salt.
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
This is a solid juvenile fiction magic book that explores the topics of friendship, finding one's own talents, and building community. Though I enjoyed it, it doesn't have quite the emotional resonance of [b:Amari and the Night Brothers|53240817|Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations, #1)|B.B. Alston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592365756l/53240817._SY75_.jpg|72175914] (though both are worthwhile reads) despite hinting at issues like inequitable funding of schools, single-parenting, and caretaking a loved one with dementia.