Monday, April 9

Magic Lessons - Justine Larbalestier

The second book in the Magic trilogy continues Reason's story. Despite her flight from her grandmother, and from the discovery that she can choose between going mad (if she doesn't use magic) or dying young (if she does), she cannot escape her fate. Her friendships with Jay-Tee and Tom grow stronger, and through Tom's chapters we see his growing attraction to Reason. As Jay-Tee, Tom and her grandmother try to help her, Reason's grandfather is trying to steal her magic to extend his life. Safe in Sydney, Esmeralda's magic door is acting strangely - is this because of Jason Blake (Esmerelda's ex-husband and Reason's grandfather)? As it turns out, no - there's another, stronger, more ancient magic, unique to the Cansinos. Only Reason knows this and, though she's begun to trust her grandmother, she doesn't trust her enough to discuss this with her.
Reason isn't sure what to make of this information, but she doesn't trust Esmeralda, so she's not telling anyone. Then she loses her chance to share it. She is sucked through the door into New York. Reason's not as lost as she was the first time; after escaping the scary, stinking old man-like creature standing in front of the door, she finds Jay-Tee's brother Danny, and stays with him. She can't go back to Sydney; the old man, the Cansino, is guarding the door. She could always buy a plane ticket home (or, rather, Danny could buy her one; money is nothing to him, and she has none), but there are a few things keeping her in New York. One, she wants to find out more about the man guarding the door, and maybe do something to get rid of him if Esmeralda figures out what he is. Two, there's Danny...

Transported between two physical worlds, and hung on the horns of the metaphysical, Reason must find her own path. In this instalment, Reason makes some life-altering choices as she makes the transition from innocent child to young adult, and becomes more determined than ever to alter the direction of her life. Those who enjoyed the first instalment will race through this second one and wait anxiously for the proposed end of the trilogy, in which one hopes for final clearer resolution for Reason and her friends. – Alex

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