Sunday, January 25, 2015

Half Bad: Young adult magic and a strong story line

Half Bad
by Sally Green
Viking Juvenile
March 2014


This young adult book of magic and coming of age and finding out just who you are offers a powerful combination of action, compelling characters, and the chance for good guys to win.

What's different about this novel
I don't remember contemporary settings, in realistic settings, where the primary story is about witches and magic and dealing with such things as radio interference from cell phones.  The story is quite engaging, drawing the reader in quickly as the action continues steadily and increasingly.  The magic is old, the witch lineages are ancient, but the world is today's, complete with normal technology:  an interesting dichotomy.

What I'll do now that I've read the book
I tire of books that don't end -- just so there can be a sequel, but this story has enough meat on its structural bones to carry forward a strong trilogy.  I will make sure this book and the books that follow (if as good) are available to my school patrons who love challenges and young adults becoming who they are -- with magic a serious part of that story.  Good stuff.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

No comments:

Post a Comment