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mariane_g's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
wrapmeupinplastic's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
netslummer's review
5.0
Despite our non-binary main character Taika Turunen's first name literally translating to "magic", they have not a single drop, something their classmates at Myrskyjärvi International School for the Magically Gifted never let them forget. Their lack of power has not stopped them from learning everything they could about magic.
When, through a chance encounter at the library while skipping class, they come across new guy Morgan O'Connor, the two bond and swiftly become friends. Morgan can easily blend two or more elements together when casting spells, something older students struggle with.
The unlikely pair grow closer as they look into the students who recently have started to go missing from a "norovirus outbreak" including Taika's old friend (and secret crush) Natalie. Wouldn't these sick students be in the infirmary? They're just missing.
After recruiting several more unlikely students to the cause, the group starts investigating and trying to solve the mystery before it's too late and the students are lost forever.
Honestly this book absolutely crushed my expectations. I love all of the characters and physically require more books set in this world. The magic system is fairly simple but fun to consider the possibilities with (how combining various runes can cause different effects). Morgan and Taika's true friendship is a joy to watch unfold, especially after seeing how poorly everyone treats Taika in first few chapters.
I highly recommend checking this book out when it is released on September 27, 2022.
Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When, through a chance encounter at the library while skipping class, they come across new guy Morgan O'Connor, the two bond and swiftly become friends. Morgan can easily blend two or more elements together when casting spells, something older students struggle with.
The unlikely pair grow closer as they look into the students who recently have started to go missing from a "norovirus outbreak" including Taika's old friend (and secret crush) Natalie. Wouldn't these sick students be in the infirmary? They're just missing.
After recruiting several more unlikely students to the cause, the group starts investigating and trying to solve the mystery before it's too late and the students are lost forever.
Honestly this book absolutely crushed my expectations. I love all of the characters and physically require more books set in this world. The magic system is fairly simple but fun to consider the possibilities with (how combining various runes can cause different effects). Morgan and Taika's true friendship is a joy to watch unfold, especially after seeing how poorly everyone treats Taika in first few chapters.
I highly recommend checking this book out when it is released on September 27, 2022.
Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
literati42's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
templetoncecelia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ashs_library's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My name is magic was a really fun read! I loved that the story took inspiration from Finnish mythology and it was refreshing to have a magic school based story not set in the UK or US. I was really rooting for Taika through the whole book, they have no magic and are very harsh on themself but go on a journey of realising their self worth. I thought the queer representation was great and I really liked Morgan and Taika's friendship
dobbsthedog's review
3.0
This book was okay. It may have been a bit too YA for me; I think a younger audience would have really enjoyed it.
What I liked about it was that the magical system is based on Finnish myth and folklore. I read a lot of books set in European countries, but rarely do that have any cultural/mythical/folklore aspects to them. There was also a reference to Sámi mythology, which I found interesting.
Overall, there was a lot of suspending belief happening in this book, as of course the 16 year olds are trying to solve the magical mystery.
While for me this book was just okay, it is obviously set up for further books, and I would likely read those as well.
What I liked about it was that the magical system is based on Finnish myth and folklore. I read a lot of books set in European countries, but rarely do that have any cultural/mythical/folklore aspects to them. There was also a reference to Sámi mythology, which I found interesting.
Overall, there was a lot of suspending belief happening in this book, as of course the 16 year olds are trying to solve the magical mystery.
While for me this book was just okay, it is obviously set up for further books, and I would likely read those as well.
wvbookwitch's review
4.0
Summary: LGBTQ+ Finnish witches and more! What more could you ask for? In this whirlwind of a magical and bewitching journey we follow a charming character, Taika, who is a witch that happens to not have any magic at all. Or so it seems. Taika’s name literally means magic. They go to a magical school along with their former best friend and crush, of which makes this journey even more fun. Taika finds their own self identity and friends in this twisted tale when students start to go missing from the school. There is no choice but to go searching for their friend, Natalie, when they go missing. what fantastical beasts will Taika find on their journey? And what will happen between their ex best friend and crush on the way?
Review: Aside from the beautifully created and inclusive nonbinary and LGBTQ+ characters, there is a majestic magic system in place. This contains an inspired mix of Finnish and Norse mythology with a modern twist of it’s own. I enjoyed every bit of this book and the world building was miniscule but powerful in how it set up the story. My overall rating for this book is 4.5/5. There are many things this book did that caught my interest and that I adored from the moment I picked it up. The story flowed gorgeously and I couldn’t have asked for a better book to read during a cozy thunderstorm.
Extended Breakdown:
Story: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Magic System: 5/5
Read more at my blog: https://wvbookwitch.blogspot.com/
Follow me on TikTok: @wvbookwitch
Review: Aside from the beautifully created and inclusive nonbinary and LGBTQ+ characters, there is a majestic magic system in place. This contains an inspired mix of Finnish and Norse mythology with a modern twist of it’s own. I enjoyed every bit of this book and the world building was miniscule but powerful in how it set up the story. My overall rating for this book is 4.5/5. There are many things this book did that caught my interest and that I adored from the moment I picked it up. The story flowed gorgeously and I couldn’t have asked for a better book to read during a cozy thunderstorm.
Extended Breakdown:
Story: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Magic System: 5/5
Read more at my blog: https://wvbookwitch.blogspot.com/
Follow me on TikTok: @wvbookwitch
birdie7's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sini74's review
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0