This review was written by: C
Received: ARC from Author
Stars: 3.5/5
Official Summary:
As the product of a forbidden alliance between the elemental Mystics and the wand carrying Wielders -- two distinct, often feuding, magical realms -- acceptance is something fourteen-year-old Abby has fought with for the last four years. When an alliance is formed between the Mystic Dancers and the Wielders, Abby is given the chance to live with a Wielder's family and attend Wielder's Academy of Magical Arts. In order to do so, she first has to make three promises to the Mystic Dancers leader...Tell no one she's half Mystic, that her father is a Wielder who also a wanted criminal, or that she can transform into anything she wants.
Her day-to-day life of secrets, school work, and dancing is interrupted when her mother's murder case goes to trial The Mystics believe they finally caught the killer, who happens to be the father of one of Abby's new friends. Abby has a choice to make -- reveal her secrets, or let a man she knows is innocent go to prison.
My Thoughts:
To give just a bit more information about the book: Abby isn't having the best of luck. She's stuck living with a very cranky foster mother by the name of Eleanor Rable who views her as nothing more than free labor. She's also a child of an "unholy" union between a female Mystic and male Wielder. Thus, neither group will ever fully accept her. However, everything changes when Rable's cousin's family arrives -- Sarah and Jackson Herrin, their sons Ethan and Brannon, and Ethan's friend Aaron.
It becomes evident that Sarah and her family aren't exactly normal, especially when Sarah saves Bombers, Abby's pet snake, by seemingly magically snatching a broom from Rable. The deal is sealed when Abby overhears that they're searching for the Mystics. It soon comes to light that the Herrins are Wielders and through a turn of events, Abby's Wielder abilities are witnessed by the family. Hence, they offer her a chance to live with them and attend WAMA (Wielders Academy of Magical Arts).
Abby jumps at the chance to live with people like her and things seem to be looking up for her. However, Abby still has to hide many secrets, like the fact that she's half Mystic and an Unrestricted -- an individual who's capable of turning into just about anything they want to. Additionally, many Wielders believe her father is a murderer, which she knows isn't true.
Now that I've got the basic summary of the book outlined, I want to first discuss the magic system. I love the fact that the magic in this world is split into two types -- Wielders and Mystics. Anyone labeled a Mystic uses magic that deals with elements and nature and Wielders use wands and, according to the Mystics, dabble in uncharted magic.
It becomes evident that Sarah and her family aren't exactly normal, especially when Sarah saves Bombers, Abby's pet snake, by seemingly magically snatching a broom from Rable. The deal is sealed when Abby overhears that they're searching for the Mystics. It soon comes to light that the Herrins are Wielders and through a turn of events, Abby's Wielder abilities are witnessed by the family. Hence, they offer her a chance to live with them and attend WAMA (Wielders Academy of Magical Arts).
Abby jumps at the chance to live with people like her and things seem to be looking up for her. However, Abby still has to hide many secrets, like the fact that she's half Mystic and an Unrestricted -- an individual who's capable of turning into just about anything they want to. Additionally, many Wielders believe her father is a murderer, which she knows isn't true.
Now that I've got the basic summary of the book outlined, I want to first discuss the magic system. I love the fact that the magic in this world is split into two types -- Wielders and Mystics. Anyone labeled a Mystic uses magic that deals with elements and nature and Wielders use wands and, according to the Mystics, dabble in uncharted magic.
The wands all seem pretty interesting as well -- they're definitely more colorful and unique than those of the Harry Potter universe. Anywho, the two groups have a long history and don't seem to mingle well, as the Mystics do not approve of the type of magic that the Wielders use.
I love reading books involving magical schools -- The Novice, Earthsea Cycle, The Magicians, etc. However, I especially treasure books with aspects similar to that of Harry Potter. It's always interesting to see how authors are inspired by previous works and utilize different aspects of it to create a new and unique novel. In this regard, WAMA reminded me a bit of Hogwarts. The descriptions of the school were magnificent, and I liked the fact that the students got sorted into various houses: Sea Serpents, the Firebirds, the Earth Dragons, the Stone Leprechauns, and the Sky Griffons. I also enjoyed the mention of mermen and mermaids swimming under glass floors of the building (this was such a tiny detail, but I thought it was pretty cool. What can I say? I love me my merpeople!).
One of my only qualms about the book was that some moments felt a bit like information was being added too fast. However, you learn a lot of things as Abby does, so it makes sense that quite a bit of the rules and explanations of the workings of magic would be explained in this way.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away or reveal any spoilers, so I just want to say that this is definitely a worthy read. It's full of magic, friendship, adventure, and a wonderful female protagonist. It's a tale of exploring who you are and finding those who accept you. So, sit back and enjoy the ride.
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