Review: The Plastic Magician

Read if you like: magical, mysterious stories that are equal parts daring and fun, studious girls who would rather get work done than adventure, and sinister plots.

The Plastic Magician | Charlie N. Holmberg

Series: The Paper Magician

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Historical, Romance
Released: May 15th 2018
Pages: 236
Format: Ebook
Source: Publisher

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg returns to the enchanting world of The Paper Magician.

Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking—the magical discipline of bespelling plastic. Polymaking is the newest form of magic, and in a field where there is so much left to learn, every Polymaker dreams of making the next big discovery.

Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries—in as short a time frame—as she can. Luckily for her, she’s studying under the world-renowned magician Marion Praff, who is just as dedicated as Alvie is.

Alvie’s enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor’s work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking—and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself.

To thwart him, Alvie will need to think one step ahead. For in the high-stakes world of magical discovery, not everyone plays fair…

Plastic - and magic? Surprisingly it works. 

I love this world, and I have since I read The Paper Magician (I love their little cameos in this!) so I had a feeling I'd like this. And I did. Alvie is a sturdy, serious sort of girl with thick glasses, trousers in a time where dresses are the norm, and a very studious mind. I fricking love her. There's some romance in this (it's okay, but I accidentally fell for her tutor, Marion Praff, whoops) but mostly, this is a fun magical mystery that's full of heart, excitement, and feminism. Oh, and a villain with an evil lair, a magic comic con, and prosthetic limbs! There is nothing by Charlie N. Holmberg that I won't read.

4.5 stars

The Glass Magician (ARC Review)

The Paper Magician: The Glass Magician | Charlie. N. Holmberg

Published by: 47 North, November 4th 2014

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical

Pages: 222

Format: Ebook

Source: 47 North, via Netgalley

Three months after returning Magician Emery Thane’s heart to his body, Ceony Twill is well on her way to becoming a Folder. Unfortunately, not all of Ceony’s thoughts have been focused on paper magic. Though she was promised romance by a fortuity box, Ceony still hasn’t broken the teacher-student barrier with Emery, despite their growing closeness.

When a magician with a penchant for revenge believes that Ceony possesses a secret, he vows to discover it…even if it tears apart the very fabric of their magical world. After a series of attacks target Ceony and catch those she holds most dear in the crossfire, Ceony knows she must find the true limits of her powers…and keep her knowledge from falling into wayward hands.

The delightful sequel to Charlie N. Holmberg’s The Paper Magician, The Glass Magician will charm readers young and old alike.

It's official - this series is awesome.

It's so cute and heart-warming, with just the right amount of mortal peril. The Paper Magician series continues to be awesome and original and fascinating in its use of magic. In this second book we get a better understanding of glass magic, which turns out to be as fun as paper. I can't get enough of this unique material magic - I've read nothing like it.

Emery and Ceony were SO CUTE in this book. I felt like squealing at some moments. I love how Emery's heart has clearly been opened to Ceony and now he's like 'huh, shit, I love her'. My favourite moments were when he got so worried he screamed at a police officer and when he literally dragged Ceony out of a sinking carriage like the white knight he is (eccentric, stubborn, mad white knight, that is.)

The action was ramped up in this book, with the other Excisioners (blood magicians) making threatening appearances. I enjoyed Grath as a villain, even if he was a little typical. I hope the main bad guy of the next book is Saraj - he interested me much more, with the blood and psychopathy. I'd say this book is more exciting than the first, but I enjoyed it more for the romance and lovely moments between Emery and Ceony than the thrilling chapters.

Equal parts heartfelt romance and heart-stopping danger, The Glass Magician is a thoroughly enjoyable page-turner.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

The Paper Magician (ARC Review)

The Paper Magician: The Paper Magician | Charlie. N. Holmberg

Published by: 47 North, September 1st 2014

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical

Pages: 224

Format: Ebook

Source: 47 North, via Netgalley

Ceony Twill arrives at the cottage of Magician Emery Thane with a broken heart. Having graduated at the top of her class from the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined, Ceony is assigned an apprenticeship in paper magic despite her dreams of bespelling metal. And once she’s bonded to paper, that will be her only magic… forever.

Yet the spells Ceony learns under the strange yet kind Thane turn out to be more marvelous than she could have ever imagined — animating paper creatures, bringing stories to life via ghostly images, even reading fortunes. But as she discovers these wonders, Ceony also learns of the extraordinary dangers of forbidden magic.

An Excisioner — a practitioner of dark, flesh magic — invades the cottage and rips Thane’s heart from his chest. To save her teacher’s life, Ceony must face the evil magician and embark on an unbelievable adventure that will take her into the chambers of Thane’s still-beating heart—and reveal the very soul of the man.

This book is peculiar. 

The Paper Magician is a story of whimsical magic and mad magicians and strange bravery. I loved it. It's fun and quirky and has just enough of a historical edge to complement the fantasy. I loved the combination of magical student and enterprising young woman I found in Ceony. I loved the careless ingenuity I found in Emery. I especially loved how Folding paper just so could bring anything to life. Even an adorable dog - Fennel is probably my most favourite thing about this book. I never thought I'd grow attached to a paper dog.

It seems that most people didn't enjoy the second half, with all the memories and the journey through Emery's heart but that was honestly my favourite part. It was so unique a quest, and I loved learning more about Mg. Thane through his heart. I thought it was crazy imaginative and very well written, and the second half made me love this book even more than the first.

A strange and heart-warming tale of paper magic and human bravery. I can't wait to read the next book and continue this charming series!

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆