By Charlie N. Holmberg
Ceony arrives at the cottage of the Paper Magician, Emery Thane, her new mentor. Unlike most magicians when they graduate, Ceony is forced to choose paper magic. She'd rather be a smelter - working with metals and weapons. As far as she can tell, paper is a useless material.
Almost instantly, I knew this would be a favourite book of mine.
This book, literal paper magic, has wedged itself firmly into my consciousness. Something reminiscent of Harry Potter mixed with a little Abhorsen (Garth Nix), this world is lovely and dangerous.
Magician Emery Thane is tailor-made for you to love him at first sight. Ceony is too busy lamenting the loss of being a smelter than to notice how enchanting Emery is. I cried in chapter 2 for Heaven's sake.
Ceony begins as a driven character. She's hardworking, which makes her sadness completely understandable. She's studied and worked so that she can do what she wants. It's taken away. When she begins to turn around on paper magic, it's something wonderful. She's powerful and the potential is captivating. The reader wants her to succeed.
Now, I distinctly remember flipping the book around to read the synopsis and feeling betrayed at the spoiler. Fair enough, it's at the beginning of the book. But I would have rather it come as a shock.
Let's just say, there's another magician who practices the dark magic that uses flesh as the material. No further shall I go. You need to discover that on your own.
It goes in a surprising direction - almost abstract, kind of philosophical - exploring what it is to be a person. Very meaningful.
Enjoy. It's lovely. I cannot wait to continue this trilogy.
5/5 STARS
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