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The Magic Shop

by Ed Sutter

     

When 17-year old Alec Gavins decided to take a summer job at the local magic shop, all he expected was to make a little extra money during the school holidays. Then one day a mysterious old lady comes into the shop and leaves Alec a package. Upon opening it, he discovers a strange amulet, and it’s not too much later when he realizes the amulet has special powers, including granting his wishes.

History and intrigue surround the amulet, and it soon becomes evident that other people want it too, a group of people who want to use its power for evil purposes. Alec, together with his best friend Marina, and her uncle Zack, the owner of the magic shop, join forces to try to find out the meaning of the amulet and Alec’s role in its destiny. Zack's friend, an expert in the field, also joins their team. The adventure takes them into the jungles of Mexico and beyond. What is the connection between the amulet, Alexander the Great, and Alec? Will Alec be able to fulfill his fate, save his friends, and stay alive in spite of all the obstacles—both real and supernatural?

The Magic Shop is an entertaining, action filled story mixing archaeology, history, adventure and fantasy. Though the story is for young adults, it is also one that many adults will enjoy. The characters are sympathetic and the pace moves fairly quickly. Interestingly, there are two points of view in the story: one is in the first person from Alec’s point of view; the other is in third person from the point of view of the villains. The different points of view are separated by chapters with no disruption to the flow of the story. There are unnecessary segments, however, that I feel take the reader away from the story, like some scenes with Alec and the school’s popular football player bully or the corrupt policemen’s involvement with child pornography. This felt strongly out of place and I asked myself, ‘Why is it here? What’s its purpose to the plot?’ But all in all, it’s a good, simple fantasy story for young adults.

The Book

Whiskey Creek Press
March 2009
eBook
978-1-60313-691-4
Young Adult Fantasy
More at Amazon.com
eBook and excerpt available at Publisher's site
NOTE: Amazon link is to a paperback edition

The Reviewer

Mayra Calvani
Reviewed 2009
NOTE: Reviewer Mayra Calvani has published three novels for adults: a paranormal titled Embraced by the Shadows, horror thriller Dark Lullaby, and, most recently, women's fiction / satire Sunstruck. She has also written two books for children, The Magic Violin and Crash!, and co-authored The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing, a USA Book News Best Books award finalist.
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