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krisloveskihei's review against another edition
3.0
This book is one of a series about siblings who travel to another time via a magic lake.
ajnsmiths's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Reread this to fulfill a category on the Professional Book Nerds reading challenge (first time I read it was 55 years ago). Made me wish all over again that I’d meet a talking turtle with magical powers.
lisawreading's review against another edition
2.0
I read Magic by the Lake with my 10-year-old, and unfortunately, we were both disappointed. After reading -- and loving -- Half Magic, we expected great things from this sequel. Sadly, Magic by the Lake just doesn't hold up in comparison to Half Magic. The magic in the story is rather amorphous, with weird rules that shift and make little sense, and the entire plot feels a bit haphazard. I've loved a few of Edward Eager's magical books, but Magic by the Lake is not one of the best.
belleoftheb00ks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
peytiebear's review against another edition
2.0
Only two stars because this book contains some racism. The parts that don't contain racism are lovely, but I wouldn't read this one to my kids.
theladydoor's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favorite books growing up was Half Magic by Edward Eager. I loved the crazy adventures the four funny siblings got into, the novelty of the old-fashioned setting, and the peculiar nature of the magic they encountered.
This book, which serves as something of a sequel to Half Magic, continues all of those wonderful traits. Jane, Katherine, Mark, and Martha have concluded their adventures with the strange coin that only grants half wishes, and have gone to the countryside with their mother and new stepfather. While there, they make an ill-advised wish to have "magic by the lake" and are astonished to find cavorting mermaids and talking turtles wherever they go. They pledge to only have adventures every third day to prevent the magic running out, but of course, not all goes to plan.
Though reading Magic by the Lake wasn't nearly as magical as reading Half Magic for the first time when I was ten, I still greatly enjoyed it. The book reminded me of the sense of wonder and imagination I had when I was little.
This book, which serves as something of a sequel to Half Magic, continues all of those wonderful traits. Jane, Katherine, Mark, and Martha have concluded their adventures with the strange coin that only grants half wishes, and have gone to the countryside with their mother and new stepfather. While there, they make an ill-advised wish to have "magic by the lake" and are astonished to find cavorting mermaids and talking turtles wherever they go. They pledge to only have adventures every third day to prevent the magic running out, but of course, not all goes to plan.
Though reading Magic by the Lake wasn't nearly as magical as reading Half Magic for the first time when I was ten, I still greatly enjoyed it. The book reminded me of the sense of wonder and imagination I had when I was little.
ilovedogs123's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Love this series! They are all short and sweet and very fun