As the weather turns cold — and spooky with Halloween last night — I like to read books with magical themes and characters. These books will appeal to fans of urban fantasy, magical realism and historical fantasy.
• The History of Magic by Alice Hoffman: This is a delightful prequel to Practical Magic in which we meet the Owens sisters, Franny and Jet, along with their brother, Vincent. They’re teens in turbulent 1960s New York, where their mother has been secretive about the extent of their magical abilities to protect them from society and the family curse. But secrets have a way of revealing themselves and, reluctantly, their mom sends the trio to spend a month with their aunt, where they begin to uncover the truth about their heritage. It’s a story about magic, yes, but also about the power of love.
• The Witches of New York by Ami McKay: Seventeen-year-old Beatrice Dunn has the ability to communicate with the dead. She leaves for New York, where she is employed by two women, also witches, who run Tea and Sympathy, a shop that serves the needs of wealthy ladies in distress. The three women and their gifts and independence attract unwanted attention, and Beatrice soon finds herself in danger from a fanatical reverend hellbent on ridding the world of witchcraft. The three main characters are strong and compelling and keep you wanting to read on. McKay weaves in elements of spiritualism, science and Egyptology, against which these events take place.
• Norma by Sofi Oksanen: This novel is a modern retelling of Rapunzel that takes place in Helsinki, Finland. Norma’s hair is remarkable — it grows so quickly that it needs to be cut daily but it also responds to her moods and the physical and mental states of those around her. This book is part thriller and part clever critique of the exploitation of women in the beauty industry. Propelled by her mother’s untimely death into dangerous circumstances and family secrets, Norma is overwhelmed by the truth kept from her by her own mother. Now she must sort out for herself how to survive this cutthroat world in which she finds herself tangled.
• The Good People by Hannah Kent: This book places folklore, religion and isolation together in the crucible of a small, isolated Irish community; the story that ensues is both inevitable and harsh. Nora’s four-year-old grandson, a once happy, vibrant child, has become weak, his body twisted and the only sounds he makes coming out as unnatural moaning. The community sees a changeling child responsible for the unusual events plaguing their community and this sends Nora to the wise woman, Nance, who is known as a healer. Before this story ends, all the powers of this community will force Nora to an extreme that is motivated by fear and love.
• The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell: This young adult novel is the beginning of a new series and features magic, time travel and altered history. The Mageus are bound to the island of Manhattan by a powerful force called the Brink, created by non-magical beings; crossing this energy field will cause the Mageus to lose their abilities and, sometimes, their lives. Esta, the smart, gutsy heroine, has been sent from the future to 1901; her task is to steal a magical book that her teacher thinks will put an end to the Brink. She meets her match in the Magician but can she trust him? This fast-paced book is full of intrigue, danger and secret societies. It will keep you guessing right up to the last page.
A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published on Wednesdays. Kathy Johnson works at Coquitlam Public Library.
