Book
The best kind of magic
Record details
- ISBN: 9781484752722 (hardcover) :
- ISBN: 1484752724
- Physical Description: 328 pages ; 22 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: Los Angeles ; Hyperion, 2017.
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Wiccans -- Juvenile fiction Magic -- Juvenile fiction Chicago (Ill.) -- Juvenile fiction Young adult fiction |
| Genre: | Romance fiction. |
Available copies
- 2 of 3 copies available at BC Interlibrary Connect. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Fort Nelson Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 3 total copies.
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Holdable? | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Nelson Public Library | YA CES (Text) | 35246000927234 | Young Adult Fiction | Volume hold | Available | - |
- Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2017 April #1
Amber Sand is definitely not a witch. Her mom is, though, and Amber has spent her entire life surrounded by Chicago's secret magical underworld. Amber's just a matchmaker: she can see everyone's soul mate but her own. She works in her mother's magic shop on tourist trap Navy Pier and hangs out with her best friend Amani, a reluctant seer. When Charlie Blitzman, son of Chicago's mayor and the most eligible guy in school, asks Amber for help tracking down his dad's missing girlfriend, she isn't sure how she can help, but promises to do what she can. Problem is, the more time she spends with Charlie, the more she falls for him. But she can see that she's not Charlie's true love, so what's the point? Supporting cast members are a little one-sided, but this cute take on paranormal romance is stuffed full of entertaining supernatural creatures: a nightclub-owning vampire, a high-school siren, a gold-digging leprechaun. Though this particular mystery is neatly wrapped up, enough loose ends promise more adventures to come. Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews. - Horn Book Guide Reviews : Horn Book Guide Reviews 2018 Spring
Amber's already lowly position in Chicago's magical community is challenged when she begins to doubt her matchmaking powers. This identity crisis affects both high-school and city politics as Amber helps her classmate, the mayor's son Charlie, find his missing stepmother-to-be (while fighting off her own feelings for him). Despite plot inconsistencies, Cestari's debut fantasy is appealing, limning as many real-world issues as magical ones. Copyright 2018 Horn Book Guide Reviews. - Kirkus Reviews : Kirkus Reviews 2017 March #2
A magical matchmaker searches for her own true love in this magic-infused Chicago.Amber Sand descends from a long line of witchesâher family goes all the way back to Salemâbut all she can do is look into someone's eyes and see their true love. Matchmaking is a far cry from being a witch like her mother or a precog like her best friend, Amani Sharmaâor a siren like Ivy Chamberlain, the villain in an underbaked bullying plotline. Also poorly developed is Amber's relationship with her mother, summed up with her frustration that "Mom always thinks like a witch first and a mother second." Then Charlie Blitzman, one of Amber's classmates, asks for her help in finding his father's missing girlfriend. As they investigate, Amber and Charlie draw closer, but Amber can't help feeling guilty. She's falling for Charlieâbut she knows she's not his true love. Or maybe her matchmaking isn't sure-fire, given how Amani reacts to her predicted true loveâ¦.Character development feels forced. Amber seems to act immaturely for a high school senior, and her use of sign language with Amani comes across as obtrusively quirky. Despite the use of a Swahili first name and Sanskrit surname to signal that Amani may be a person of color, there is no exploration of her identity. The conclusion clumsily sets up a sequel, one bound to blow up Amber's sweet, engaging romance with Charlie. Somewhat enjoyable provided it's not examined too closely. (Fantasy. 12-16) Copyright Kirkus 2017 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved. - Publishers Weekly Reviews : PW Reviews 2017 April #1
A missing person leads the mayor of Chicago to call on the supernatural community for help in debut author Cestari's enjoyable first book in the Windy City Magic series. High school senior Amber Sand is a wannabe baker with a gift for matchmaking, but her powers pale in comparison to those of her mother, a witch, and Amber's psychic best friend, Amani, a "precog." Even so, Amber and the mayor's son, Charlie, are thrown together to help, leading to plenty of consternation when things start to take a romantic turn, though Amber knows she's not his soul mate. Cestari adds amusing magical underpinnings to familiar growing pains: feelings of inadequacy in school, trying (and failing) to meet parental expectations, and botched romantic entanglements. (That girl who always seems to have Manchester Prep's students and teachers falling all over her? A siren.) Amber's doubts about her abilitiesâboth in the magical community and in the kitchenâand her sharp wit make her an authentic and relatable narrator as she's forced to learn how to see the magic in the everyday. Ages 12âup.
Copyright 2017 Publisher Weekly.Agent: Jess Regel, Foundry Literary + Media. (May) - School Library Journal Reviews : SLJ Reviews 2017 April
Gr 7â10âAmber Sand comes from a family of highly respectable and powerful witches. Except Amber isn't a witch. She's a matchmaker, down on the lower end of the supernatural scale. Amber enjoys giving people the news they want to hearâthat they will not end up aloneâand she works out of her mother's magic shop. Unfortunately, she can't see her own perfect match. Not helping matters is her best friend Amani, who can see into the future but won't give Amber any hints. The mayor's son, Charlie, asks for her help. His dad's girlfriend has disappeared. While the mayor wants to find her, Charlie wants to break them up. Amber agrees to help, and they are soon making their way through Chicago's supernatural world. The teens start to develop feelings for each other, but Amber knows they're not meant to be. What good is it to date someone when you know you won't end up together? Though initially this fun read seems to be another cutesy supernatural tale, it also explores the question of fate. Amber is a strong heroine who refuses to back down from bullies and struggles with her relationship with her mother. There is a bit of mystery with the missing girlfriend, but it's solved well before the end. The conclusion and the characters will leave readers wanting more.
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal.VERDICT This is a perfect light summer read and a good addition to most libraries.âFaythe Arredondo, Tulare County Library, CA - Voice of Youth Advocates Reviews : VOYA Reviews 2017 April
Amber's magical talent is considered pretty low on the witchcraft scale and she feels pretty sure that she is a disappointment to her mom. Amber lives in a world with witches, sorcerers, vampires, trolls, and other assorted creatures, as well as average, regular humans. Her family's witchcraft can be traced all the way back to Salem. Her momâa bona fide witchâowns Windy City Magic where Amber works and practices her particular magic: she can see a person's true love by looking into his/her eyes. Unfortunately, she cannot see her own true love, and her best friend, Amani, who can see into the future, refuses to reveal anything about Amber's future. Along comes adorable Charlie Blitzman begging for Amber's help with a missing person. She falls for Charlie, but she sees that she is not his true love. What is a love-struck almost-witch teen supposed to do? In many ways, Amber is a typical teen protagonistâat odds with her parent and chafing at decisions that seem totally unjust; befuddled when it comes to her own love life; and in possession of a truly wonderful best friend (even if they do have the occasional disagreement). Amber spends a lot of time musing over the validity of her talent and what it means for her own romantic future, so the mystery of the missing person adds some needed energy to the story. This is an entertaining tale, and readers who like paranormal stories that are not dark will relish it. Fortunately for those readers, there are more Amber stories on the horizon.âDebbie Wenk. 3Q 4P M J S Copyright 2017 Voya Reviews.
