Title: The Glass Magician
Author: Charlie N. Holmberg
First published November 4, 2014
222 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781477825945 (ISBN10: 1477825940)
Rating: 3.92
Overview
In “The Glass Magician” by Charlie N. Holmberg, Ceony Twill is now a skilled Folder, but her mind is distracted by thoughts of romance with her former teacher, Emery Thane.
When a vengeful magician becomes convinced that Ceony holds a dangerous secret, her world is turned upside down. As she fights to protect her loved ones from the magician’s attacks, Ceony must push the limits of her magical abilities to keep her secrets safe.
With its charming characters and thrilling plot, “The Glass Magician” is a must-read for fans of the first book in the series, “The Paper Magician.”
About the Author
Meet Charlie N. Holmberg, an accomplished author of fantasy and romantic fiction with numerous awards, best-selling books, and international recognition under her belt.
Growing up in a family of Trekkies with three sisters who were also given boy names, Charlie is a proud alumna of BYU, a ukulele player, a multiple-glasses owner, and a recent dog adopter. Currently residing in Utah with her loved ones, Charlie invites you to visit her website at www.charlienholmberg.com.
Editoral Review
The Glass Magician, authored by Charlie N. Holmberg and published on November 4, 2014, is a prime example of the urban-fantasy genre.
With a unique style that combines magic and technology, this novel explores the themes of love, loss, and identity. The plot centers around Ceony Twill, a young magician who has just graduated from the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined.
Unlike other graduates who have a choice of any magical field to pursue, she is forced to learn the art of paper magic, as it is the only thing her mentor, Emery Thane, specializes in. However, things take a surprising turn when a rogue magician with dark intentions steals Thane’s heart using illegal spells.
The only way to save him is for Ceony to venture inside his heart and defeat the attacker before it’s too late. The characters are well fleshed-out, and the setting is beautifully depicted, with alternating views of Victorian England’s drab industrial landscape and the glittering world of magic.
The conflicts between magic and technology, and between individual freedom and societal norms are explored in-depth, which adds to the book’s historical relevance. The writing quality is superb, with beautiful imagery and mesmerizing descriptions.
The pacing is just right, keeping the reader engaged throughout the story. The plot structure is well-balanced, and the themes are well-explored.
While the book has many strengths, it has some weaknesses as well. Some of the dialogue appears forced and unnatural, breaking the flow of the story.
The world building could have been more extensive, especially regarding non-magical humans’ relationship with magicians. Overall, this novel is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy.
It is a fast-paced and entertaining read that explores the themes of love, loss, and identity within a unique setting. While readers may find some flaws, these are minor issues that do not detract from the overall quality of the book.
I would rate The Glass Magician a solid 8 out of 10, with the slight shortcoming offsetting by its magnificent writing style and unique storyline.