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

Review: The Fifth Doll

The Fifth Doll | Charlie N. Holmberg

Published by: 47North, July 25th 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 322

Format: Ebook

Source: 47North, via Netgalley

The bestselling author of The Paper Magician Series transports readers to a darkly whimsical world where strange magic threatens a quiet village that only a courageous woman can save.

Matrona lives in an isolated village, where her life is centered on pleasing her parents. She’s diligent in her chores and has agreed to marry a man of their choosing. But a visit to Slava, the local tradesman, threatens to upend her entire life.

Entering his empty house, Matrona discovers a strange collection of painted nesting dolls—one for every villager. Fascinated, she can’t resist the urge to open the doll with her father’s face. But when her father begins acting strangely, she realizes Slava’s dolls are much more than they seem.

When he learns what she’s done, Slava seizes the opportunity to give Matrona stewardship over the dolls—whether she wants it or not. Forced to open one of her own dolls every three days, she falls deeper into the grim power of Slava’s creations. But nothing can prepare her for the profound secret hiding inside the fifth doll. 

This book has many secrets inside it. There's always a wistful, fairy-tale feel to Charlie N. Holmberg's books, and that was definitely present in the Fifth Doll. The setting is eerie and feels true to traditional Russian life, and sets it apart from other books, and I enjoyed the story. What I really liked was the characters - Matrona and Jaska were my favourites - and the dolls themselves, which somehow managed to be magical and terrifying. I would not want one of those things painted for me. One of the best things about this is the reason for the dolls existing, and for the village Matrona lives in. Without spoiling anything, there's a reason there are dolls of every single person living there, and it's actually really interesting. Even if the dollmaker is pretty unsettling and scary.

I enjoyed this book. Not my favourite ever, but still special in its own way.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

ARC Review: Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet

Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet | Charlie N. Holmberg

Published by: 47North, June 28th 2016

Genre: Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 306

Format: Ebook

Source: 47North, via Netgalley

Maire is a baker with an extraordinary gift: she can infuse her treats with emotions and abilities, which are then passed on to those who eat them. She doesn’t know why she can do this and remembers nothing of who she is or where she came from.

When marauders raid her town, Maire is captured and sold to the eccentric Allemas, who enslaves her and demands that she produce sinister confections, including a witch’s gingerbread cottage, a living cookie boy, and size-altering cakes.

During her captivity, Maire is visited by Fyel, a ghostly being who is reluctant to reveal his connection to her. The more often they meet, the more her memories return, and she begins to piece together who and what she really is—as well as past mistakes that yield cosmic consequences.

From the author of The Paper Magician series comes a haunting and otherworldly tale of folly and consequence, forgiveness and redemption.

Just what I expected from Holmberg: sad and cute and clever. There's not much more I can say than those 3 words, but I'll try to.

I loved that baking is peppered through this book - it is adorable, seriously. And the attention to detail is stunning, especially when each ingredient gives an emotion to the confection. There was a bunch of stuff in this book I didn't predict, which is always nice, and great characters - which I've come to expect from Charlie N. Holmberg after having read three of her books. This book also has a great world which blends familiar culture with a trickle of magic.

There's couple things I didn't love. The beginning feels really disconnected with the rest of the book - who are the marauders, why do they need slaves, why did they destroy the village? And the end was just a bit too perfectly wrapped up for me. But really, they're little niggles.

A unique tale with a classic fairy tale feel and just the right blend of romance, fantasy, and secrets.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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Followed By Frost (ARC Review)

Followed By Frost | Charlie N. Holmberg

Published by: 47 North, September 22nd 2015

Genre: Adult, (NA?), High Fantasy

Pages: 244

Format: Ebook

Source: 47North, via Netgalley

Seventeen-year-old Smitha has the wealth, status, and beauty that make her the envy of her town—until she rejects a strange man’s marriage proposal and disastrous consequences follow. Smitha becomes cursed, and frost begins to encompass everything she touches. Banished to the hills, hunted by villagers, and chilled to the very core of her soul, she finds companionship with Death, who longs to coax her into his isolated world. But Smitha’s desire for life proves stronger than despair, and a newfound purpose gives her renewed hope. Will regrets over the past and an unexpected desire for a man she cannot touch be enough to warm Smitha’s heart, or will Death forever still it?

I LOVED The Paper Magician so I jumped at the chance to read this book, and it didn't let me down. It started off and I wasn't so sure about it - I didn't really like the MC, what I thought was the love interest was creepy and just felt wrong, but I was interested in the curse and I liked the whole nomad, wandering woman thing. This book really came to life when Smitha met Prince Imad and left her homeland to bring her snow (a curse to her own people, a gift to Imad's) to the desert. And Smitha felt to change completely as a person, which at first was strange and unrealistic, despite three years having passed, but then I just didn't care because I liked the person she'd become.

Part of this book, especially the parts in the desert towns, were what I wanted from Fire and Thorns, which just didn't satisfy me. Followed By Frost was enthralling and unique, I didn't know what was coming next, and it was a perfect slow burn of a book. It took its time, and in that time built an amazing world and made me fall so hard in love with the characters. I felt for Smitha and her constant cold, and I loved Lo (oh Lo, let me count the ways I love thee) as much as she did, feeling her heartbreak when she couldn't have him. And the world building was so subtle but detailed that I felt I could see the places Smitha went, from the harsh mountains to the castle carved into sandstone, and even the background characters felt genuine and authentic.

I probably have small niggles, like the story wrapping too perfectly, and her curse breaking seeming a bit convenient, but I do not care. I loved this story, I ADORED the characters, and I'll forgive everything else. PLUS the love interest was a MOC, and most of the characters in this book were POC too! (Sadly not the main character...) And it felt like the desert kingdom (whose name has completely slipped my mind) was based on a middle eastern country instead of that cardboard cut-out medieval English-ish world most high fantasies are nowadays.

Everything works in this book's favour, and it's one of my favourite fantasy books I've read this year, so just read it.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world-building ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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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 ★★★★☆

Reading round up (67)

Reading round up is a weekly journal where I record my daily reading progress, my thoughts on each book as I read it, and any books I've acquired during the week.

23rd February

I read some pages of Crow Moon by Anna McKerrow. Maybe ten. I didn't even record how many because it was so little. I also read 12% of Blades of Magic by Terah Edun because I have no idea why. Today was just a really weird reading day.

24th February

Taking a break from whatever the heck yesterday was to read The Buried Life by Carrie Patel (42% read). It's SO COOL!! Has a fantasy vibe but it's really unique - I love the underground city and I love the characters even more. I'm super into Roman, who might turn out to be a psychopath but hey. 

25th February

I read 14% of The Buried Life. Not as much as I'd hoped to read because I was busy with other things but I like this book, even though it has fallen into a sort of lull in the last ten percent.

26th February

Sooo close to finishing The Buried Life. I'm at 92%.

27th February

Finished The Buried Life. FINALLY. This book felt really long, and slow, and hard to get through but I enjoyed the world and the characters. The second half was weaker than the first though.

I also started The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg (71% read) and I love everything about it. The magic is so fun, Emery is adorable, I love the historical tone of it, and the quest is SO COOL. I don't wanna put it down!

28th February

Finished The Paper Magician (29%) and it stayed strong and awesome the whole way through!! And the trip through Emery's heart? Never read a thing like it before! So so good and undeniably unique. I am really happy I read this. I also started the next book, The Glass Magician (28% read) and I'm loving it.

As well as this, I read Justice Calling by Annie Bellet (119 pages) which was too short to be any good. It did have a Native American protag, though, which was cool!

I ALSO started Smoulder by Brenna Yovanoff (pages) because I couldn't find an UF book on my shelves and this was as close as I got. I really want another great urban fantasy like Melissa Wright's Descendants series, but I haven't had much look. Smoulder isn't bad so far - pretty intriguing.

29th February

Finished The Glass Magician (72% read) and I loved it. This series is co cute and whimsical and original. I need the next book ASAP!

Books finished this week: 4
Books DNF'd this week: 0

Blood Bound | Rachel Vincent

Shadow Bound | Rachel Vincent

You know Rachel Vincent is my fave. These were on sale on Kindle and I had to have them

A Furious Muse | A J Nuest

Everlasting | Candace Knoebel

The first was an impulse download. The second is for my NA project. Both were free :)

The Buried Life

The Paper Magician (scheduled for March 3rd)

Justice Calling (scheduled for March 6th)

The Glass Magician (scheduled for March 13th)