Fifteen-year-old Reason Cansino has learned the painful truth that shelike her mother, grandmother, and new friends Tom and Jay-Teemust face a ch...
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Apr 04, 2008
Tamir
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Jan 15, 2009
Ashley
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Having recently gobbled up Magic or Madness , I am now plotting how I can get the third book from this trilogy, Magic's Child , before I go mad... which is to say, as soon as possible.
Magic Lessons has the same roaring pace of Larbalestier's first book, but it further explores the troubling contradictions magic brings out in people. Namely: can you deal with other magic-wielders honestly when you know that some day your magic will wear out, and your only hope for survival is taki More...
Magic Lessons has the same roaring pace of Larbalestier's first book, but it further explores the troubling contradictions magic brings out in people. Namely: can you deal with other magic-wielders honestly when you know that some day your magic will wear out, and your only hope for survival is taki More...
Jan 25, 2009
Jaemi
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Reason Cansino has been magic her whole life, but she’s only know magic was real for 8 days. In that time she’s moved into Sydney to live with her evil grandmother, her mother’s been committed to a “Loony Bin,” and she’s stepped through a door only to wind up on the other side of the world, in New York City.
And if that’s not bad enough, she gets taken in by stories, only to end up in the clutches of her evil Grandfather, who’s worse than her Grandmother, who has to come through the d More...
And if that’s not bad enough, she gets taken in by stories, only to end up in the clutches of her evil Grandfather, who’s worse than her Grandmother, who has to come through the d More...
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Dec 21, 2011
Shara (Calico Reaction)
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I'm enjoying this trilogy so far. Certainly, Larbalestier has a way of stringing out the answers, and one of the reasons you keep turning the pages is to simply find out what's really happening. I hope all the major loose ends are tied up by the end of the third book, and I look forward to seeing what happens to each of the characters by the end. Everyone has something at stake, and that's the beauty of these people. [return][return]If you enjoyed the first volume, you'll definitely enjoy this.
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Dec 23, 2011
Shelley
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The second installment in the Magic or Madness series is just as good as the first. I can't wait to finish the series.
Reason gets more answers to her heritage but many of the answers lead to more questions. After just escaping New York, Reason is sucked back through the door but her new found friends are left behind. She also discovers a mysterious force on the other side of the door which might answer her questions about a way to avoid death or magic at an early age.
She More...
Reason gets more answers to her heritage but many of the answers lead to more questions. After just escaping New York, Reason is sucked back through the door but her new found friends are left behind. She also discovers a mysterious force on the other side of the door which might answer her questions about a way to avoid death or magic at an early age.
She More...
Nov 21, 2011
Pamela
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The continuing story of Reason Cansino, who has recently discovered that she is "magic," and that she can either use her magic (and die young) or not (and go mad). Her mother Sarafina has warned her all her life about her grandmother Esmeralda, a powerful witch who has managed to live to her mid-forties by conserving her magic . . . and taking that of others. In this novel (soon to be followed by the third and final book, "Magic's Child"), Reason learns more about her ances
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Mar 12, 2008
Tabitha
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This will be switching to my currently-reading status soon because I intend to work on reading all the books from the school library I currently have in my position for my english class.^^ seven or six someodd books.^_^
Apr 03, 2011
Sylviaanne
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(part 1 of review)"Magic Lessons" by Justine Larbalestier is a 275 paged book. The main character in the book is Reason, Tom, and Jay-Tee. They are back in Sydeny after going through a magic door that goes to New York City. But, the door starts to shake and some odd shaped creature comes out of the door and attack Reason and every one else. After that, Esmeralda (Reason's grandmother) gives them their first magic lesson. Then at night in Sydeny the kids watch the door and when Tom and
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Jul 30, 2011
Jen
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Second in the Magic series and a good follow up to the first novel. Reason and her friends are still learning about their magic powers when they are threatened by something from beyond the door at Esmerelda's. This force finally sucks Reason back to New York, where she has to find and confront the remains of one of her ancestors. Meanwhile, JayTee nearly dies as her magic becomes very low, as does Esmerelda, who's magic is nearly gone. Only Tom's generosity saves Jay Tee and the mysterious n
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Aug 07, 2010
Kalyn
rated it:
Middle book of the Magic or Madness trilogy. It maintains the magical setup of the first book and introduces a new twist - now there is a very powerful old man who is trying to get to Reason. She has to investigate why (while stuck in NYC and her friends and teacher are in Sydney) and figure out what to do about the impossible choice presented by magic. Not stellar, but it was a fun and quick read. There is some sexual content in the later chapters of this book, not graphic but you get the id
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Jun 30, 2008
Jennifer
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In this sequel to Magic or Madness, the story picks up shortly after the events of the last book. Reason & Jay-Tee are to begin taking magic lessons from Esmeralda. Things go badly awry however when someone or something starts trying to get through the door from Sydney to New York. As action packed and character driven as the last book this was well-written and paced.
I would have given the book a four except for the ending. Full review/rant is below due to spoilers.
SPOIL More...
I would have given the book a four except for the ending. Full review/rant is below due to spoilers.
SPOIL More...
Dec 22, 2011
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com
MAGIC LESSONS is the second book in Justine Larbalestier's trilogy, and it's just as wonderful and gripping as MAGIC OR MADNESS! In this book, there are just as many questions as in the first, as every answer Reason finds only leads to more questions. For everything that's resolved, there are five more things that I was anxious to find out as I read on! There is plenty of suspense in this book.
Reason, Tom, and Jay-Tee have a More...
MAGIC LESSONS is the second book in Justine Larbalestier's trilogy, and it's just as wonderful and gripping as MAGIC OR MADNESS! In this book, there are just as many questions as in the first, as every answer Reason finds only leads to more questions. For everything that's resolved, there are five more things that I was anxious to find out as I read on! There is plenty of suspense in this book.
Reason, Tom, and Jay-Tee have a More...
Apr 28, 2009
aaron
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the second in larbalestier's magic trilogy. this book finds reason learning the terrible truth about magic users and their magic, they only have a certain number of spells before they die...and die young they do. she is forced to make choices that will shorten or extend her life and force her to grow up sooner than she should have to. then, surprise! there is an interesting ending that will be concluded in the third book! enjoy...they are great reads!
Mar 08, 2011
Nikki
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I really think that reading Liar first spoiled me for Justine Larbalestier's earlier books. They just don't have the same complexity. I don't think it helps, reading the second book in a series, that I didn't really get into the first book, very much. It's easy to read and pretty fun, but I didn't engage with the characters, and this second book felt even lighter on character development.
The whole Reason and Danny thing... while feeling quite realistic in one way, also seemed to be goi More...
The whole Reason and Danny thing... while feeling quite realistic in one way, also seemed to be goi More...
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Sep 26, 2010
Rose
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I loved the first book (Magic or Madness). It was wonderful, and I was addicted. THEN I found THIS thing.
I never finished it, to be perfectly honest, and I'm not really sure if I ever intend to. It was so boring. I had to force myself to read it, before getting bored and putting it down for good.
I really don't have much to say, because there's really not much to say. I just couldn't get through it. The end.
I never finished it, to be perfectly honest, and I'm not really sure if I ever intend to. It was so boring. I had to force myself to read it, before getting bored and putting it down for good.
I really don't have much to say, because there's really not much to say. I just couldn't get through it. The end.
Nov 22, 2009
Michelle
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I don't think I've ever seen writing like this before. It was confusing and rather boring. The transitions between points of view are confusing and more or less stop the story for the reader while they figure out whose point of view is being used. I kept hoping the story would get better, but it did not. Further, certain parts of the book read more like it was written for adults rather than children.
Mar 08, 2008
Natlyn
rated it:
Not to my liking.
That said, I think it would work well for its intended audience. The setting (Australia and New York City) and the magic are different enough to be intriguing and the pace and language are good. But the characters spent too much time not knowing anything and doubting what and whom they thought they knew for me to really get into the story. Part of this may be because Magic Lessons is the second book of a trilogy of which I did not read the first. But based on this b More...
That said, I think it would work well for its intended audience. The setting (Australia and New York City) and the magic are different enough to be intriguing and the pace and language are good. But the characters spent too much time not knowing anything and doubting what and whom they thought they knew for me to really get into the story. Part of this may be because Magic Lessons is the second book of a trilogy of which I did not read the first. But based on this b More...
May 23, 2011
Shomeret
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Woah! I thought that Reason found out "the truth" about magic in Magic or Madness, but the truth goes through a metamorphosis in a really terrific way that is very compatible with my own beliefs about magic and where it comes from.
Apr 06, 2009
Shannon
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I found myself really connecting to the second book in the trilogy. I've become attached to the characters - Reason and Jay-Tee especially. I also like that we don't really know who's good and who's not. The world of magic is more grey than black and white, and just when I think they should (or shouldn't) trust someone, I'm proved wrong. Overall, a good read.
May 29, 2011
Hamzah حمزة
rated it:
*cough, cough* Pardon me, but isn't the age of consent in the USA 16? Danny could be charged with sexual assault. Stupid, just plain stupid. I got lost so many times that a father on the way to a camping trip would be proud. The plot was riddled with useless descriptions that simply took away from the movement of the story. Good idea, but too hurried.
Jan 13, 2010
Anne
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Reason, Jay-Tee and Tom begin to learn how to use their magic - but are forced to make important decisions that may have long-term impacts. Reason is attacked by a weird type of magic and ends up back in NYC while her friends remain in Sydney.
Some resolution to certain parts of the story, but also a major cliff-hanger at the end.
Some resolution to certain parts of the story, but also a major cliff-hanger at the end.
Jun 14, 2010
Kat
rated it:
Wow. There's so little that can be said about the book without spoilers... Still, it was fantastic.
Magic Lessons continues the story of Reason, Jay-Tee and Tom, keeping the same fast pace as the last novel and further exploring the rules of magic. The trio have only just begun to learn more from Esmerelda when a strange phenomenon occurs with the door that none of them can explain. Soon, they're questioning the fundamentals of magic they'd just begun to except, namely the choice of m More...
Magic Lessons continues the story of Reason, Jay-Tee and Tom, keeping the same fast pace as the last novel and further exploring the rules of magic. The trio have only just begun to learn more from Esmerelda when a strange phenomenon occurs with the door that none of them can explain. Soon, they're questioning the fundamentals of magic they'd just begun to except, namely the choice of m More...
Jan 21, 2009
Teri
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One thing I have decided finishing the first 2 books is that this could EASILY have all been in one book so far. I did enjoy this book a bit better then the first, because I am getting to know the characters more. But I honestly feel like the story is just gearing up and hope book 3 gives us some something much bigger- because so far they have been pretty mild.
Sep 15, 2010
MiriLou
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This follows Magic or Madness. I didn't like it as well as the first. The magic gets really bizarre. Reason has sex and gets pregnant. She and her friends discover what a curse it is to have magic talent. I still want to read the third book and see what happens even is I didn't like this one as much.
Feb 24, 2010
Shannon
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I didn't like it quite as well as the first one, but I'm still anxious to read the last installment. I thought some of the language was a little mature for a young adult book, though that's a problem I had with the first one too. It was a bit weird at the end, but I'm hoping it will pay off in the third book.
Dec 12, 2008
Juliana
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My reading of this was somewhat confused, as our class wound up reading only this one, and not the first book in the series. That being said, it seemed a bit uneven regardless of the syllabus mishap. Anyone want to convince me I should give it another try, from the beginning this time?
Jul 03, 2009
Jill
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This is the second book in the Magic or Madness trilogy.
I was hoping that it was going to be a little more interesting but it just got . . . wierd. I'm going to have to read the next one to find out what happens but I don't expect anything that overwhelming. I don't know that I would let a young person read these, this second book is just so out there.
I was hoping that it was going to be a little more interesting but it just got . . . wierd. I'm going to have to read the next one to find out what happens but I don't expect anything that overwhelming. I don't know that I would let a young person read these, this second book is just so out there.
Jul 15, 2011
Lucy
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i read a very favourable review of this trilogy somewhere, but i didn't like it that much. the story is split between sydney and new york city, which could have been interesting, but i found the gratuitous use of slang to distinguish the american and australian characters annoying, especially because the characters were all so dumb. one of the australians had the excuse of living in small towns her whole life and never getting to know anyone but her mother, but are there really americans who wou
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Feb 09, 2011
Martha
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Reason is sent to live with her grandmother, who she fears, when her mother has a mental breakdown. While living with her grandmother she discovers things about her herself and magic. She turns to her two friends Tom and Jay-Tee. Reason comes to know magic is real and she has magic now she has a decision to make use it and live a short life or don't use it and go mad. Boys or girls could read the book.
Feb 13, 2011
Jennifer
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After the first book, I expected a lot more out of this one. It was a disappointing follow up. There are some redeeming qualities, like the question of whether Grandmother Esmeralda is trustworthy. The scene where Reason throws herself at Danny seems out of place.
