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Hatching Magic #1
Hatching Magic
"You never know when magic will hatch...." Poor Theodora Oglethorpe! Her biologist father has gone off to explore the jungles of Laos without her, her best friends are away on vacation, and a long, hot, lonely Boston summer is all she has to look forward to.
Poor Gideon! Wycca, his pet wyvern, has disappeared through a magic hole in time in search of a place to lay her egg. Kobold, Gideon's wizard rival, wants nothing more than to get his hands on Wycca. In a desperate attempt to rescue Wycca from Kovold's evil clutches, Gideon follows her through the magic hole...and finds himself transported from thirteenth-century England to the terryfyingly modern world of Boston, Massachusetts, in the twenty-first century.
Soon Theodora's involved with a chocohlic baby wyvern, a mysterious wyvern playing card, a couple of desperate wizards -- and the summer vacation of her life!
Poor Gideon! Wycca, his pet wyvern, has disappeared through a magic hole in time in search of a place to lay her egg. Kobold, Gideon's wizard rival, wants nothing more than to get his hands on Wycca. In a desperate attempt to rescue Wycca from Kovold's evil clutches, Gideon follows her through the magic hole...and finds himself transported from thirteenth-century England to the terryfyingly modern world of Boston, Massachusetts, in the twenty-first century.
Soon Theodora's involved with a chocohlic baby wyvern, a mysterious wyvern playing card, a couple of desperate wizards -- and the summer vacation of her life!
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
42 people are currently reading
2742 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
November 17, 2015
I actually read the sequel to this first, having picked it up at a used book sale unaware that it was part of a series. I enjoyed that book so much I decided I needed to read the first one. (For the record--the second book did a great job of standing on its own.)
As with the other book, I loved the characters in this one. Theodora is easy to relate to and empathize with. She's smart and spunky and realistic. The other characters come to life as well and are distinctive, particularly the Wizard Gideon.
The author's voice is down to earth yet quirky. Lots of humor in the story, but never, ever overdone. The writing and pacing are just right.
And of course, the whole premise of the story. Dragons and wizards and portals in time and space!
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My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
As with the other book, I loved the characters in this one. Theodora is easy to relate to and empathize with. She's smart and spunky and realistic. The other characters come to life as well and are distinctive, particularly the Wizard Gideon.
The author's voice is down to earth yet quirky. Lots of humor in the story, but never, ever overdone. The writing and pacing are just right.
And of course, the whole premise of the story. Dragons and wizards and portals in time and space!
My Website
Find me on Facebook
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
March 14, 2010
Wycca is a wyvern, the most catlike of dragons. She belongs to the wizard Gideon, a busy twelfth-century wizard. Wycca is about to lay an egg, and none of the places she's searched so far in the castle have seemed just right. Then, all of the sudden, what does she find in the melon patch--but a Bolt Hole through Time itself.
Gideon discovers Wycca is missing. Then he also finds the Bolt Hole. Packing up his trusty familiars and a few spells, he goes through the Hole, certain that his wyvern must be there.
And in the blink of an eye, he finds himself in the strange world of 2002! How will he find Wycca now?
I thought this book was great. I laughed a number of times, and I really loved Gideon's personality. The author describes things with a bit of mystery in them, leaving the reader to discover exactly what it is themselves. What a great book!
Gideon discovers Wycca is missing. Then he also finds the Bolt Hole. Packing up his trusty familiars and a few spells, he goes through the Hole, certain that his wyvern must be there.
And in the blink of an eye, he finds himself in the strange world of 2002! How will he find Wycca now?
I thought this book was great. I laughed a number of times, and I really loved Gideon's personality. The author describes things with a bit of mystery in them, leaving the reader to discover exactly what it is themselves. What a great book!
October 27, 2010
omg... this book was soooo goood. although i read it in like 3rd grade, this book is a must read for any fantasy lovers!!!
February 29, 2020
I read this book when I was little and I don't remember a lot about it other than that there was a lady wyvern who loved chocolate and a smol baby wyvern. And that I thought it was very cute.
December 4, 2024
3.75 stars.
Cute albeit a trifle slow.
Cute albeit a trifle slow.
January 17, 2016
I got this advanced reader's copy from my high school librarian for free. Naturally, I was interested because dragons.
But it turned out to be a grave disappointment. The pacing/story telling was horrible. This is a book about a young girl and her encounter with a dragon, and yet she doesn't meet the dragon until 3/4 way through the book (even then, she only meets the chick, not the mother). The slow narrative up until the climax was intolerable - I was not intrigued by any of the hiccups along the way. There were far too many "for some reason"'s in this book to indicate the use of plot devices. There were a lot of moments where something was described that seemed important but never came to fruition (Theodora's father seemed like a pretty important character, but he was gone all the time; Theodora's thinking tree was mentioned late in the book, and it should've been mentioned earlier; Mikko's mysterious past was forgotten instantly; Theodora's obsession with being in the card club;etc.). The POV changed sporadically. I couldn't believe that Theodora accepted the existence of wyverns so easily - loving them in mythology is different from believing they are real, and there was no indication in the book before that point that she did. FINALLY, why did the wizards make Mikko and Andy forget about the dragon and not anyone else? There was no reason for that.
The only reason I finished this book was because I felt obligated, having owned it so long and because I love dragons.
But it turned out to be a grave disappointment. The pacing/story telling was horrible. This is a book about a young girl and her encounter with a dragon, and yet she doesn't meet the dragon until 3/4 way through the book (even then, she only meets the chick, not the mother). The slow narrative up until the climax was intolerable - I was not intrigued by any of the hiccups along the way. There were far too many "for some reason"'s in this book to indicate the use of plot devices. There were a lot of moments where something was described that seemed important but never came to fruition (Theodora's father seemed like a pretty important character, but he was gone all the time; Theodora's thinking tree was mentioned late in the book, and it should've been mentioned earlier; Mikko's mysterious past was forgotten instantly; Theodora's obsession with being in the card club;etc.). The POV changed sporadically. I couldn't believe that Theodora accepted the existence of wyverns so easily - loving them in mythology is different from believing they are real, and there was no indication in the book before that point that she did. FINALLY, why did the wizards make Mikko and Andy forget about the dragon and not anyone else? There was no reason for that.
The only reason I finished this book was because I felt obligated, having owned it so long and because I love dragons.
December 8, 2015
I wasn't allowed to read this book when I was a kid because it has tarot cards in it. My cousin owned it, and I tried to sneak it around my Mom, but she confiscated it.
Anyway, I remembered the cover 13 years later and tried finding it on the internet. With a quick search of "book with picture of demon hatching from an egg on the cover," I found it!
Except it isn't a demon on the cover. It is a wyvern, a cat-like type of dragon. This book is so adorable and clever. I really couldn't put it down. It is for kids, but it doesn't dumb down the magical material. The wyvern's name is Wycca, some wizards accidentally summon a Ying-Long, there is a snake familiar called Ouroboros, etc. It is packed with clever references.
I loved it. I would have loved it as a kid.
Anyway, I remembered the cover 13 years later and tried finding it on the internet. With a quick search of "book with picture of demon hatching from an egg on the cover," I found it!
Except it isn't a demon on the cover. It is a wyvern, a cat-like type of dragon. This book is so adorable and clever. I really couldn't put it down. It is for kids, but it doesn't dumb down the magical material. The wyvern's name is Wycca, some wizards accidentally summon a Ying-Long, there is a snake familiar called Ouroboros, etc. It is packed with clever references.
I loved it. I would have loved it as a kid.
September 30, 2017
Picked this up on a whim at one of my favorite used bookstores. It's a cute story about a wyvern just trying to find a safe place to hatch her egg and a young girl who stumbles upon a very magical card! There's also a pair of wizards who are awesome and I would love to have tea with.
I'm glad to see it's a series--this book was a complete tale but hinted at so much more behind the scenes... Now I'm going to need to hunt down the sequels as well.
I'm glad to see it's a series--this book was a complete tale but hinted at so much more behind the scenes... Now I'm going to need to hunt down the sequels as well.
May 15, 2020
Super cute, fun tween book filled with wyverns (like dragons, kind of), wizards, demons, time travel, and all kinds of mysterious fun stuff. It would be good for anyone from like 10-100 if you like fantasy. Sam (age 12) and I both read it and enjoyed it
July 6, 2023
Ca si literatura pentru copii, e o poveste tare draguta.
May 7, 2020
From an 11-year-old: A rich, well-written fantasy with creative dragons and clever spells. Perfect for ages 8+
October 2, 2011
I enjoyed this story, although it was obviously written for a young audience. The version I have is a Scholastic Book Fair edition, sold only in schools, but was in great condition.
The story line was a little confusing as it switched back and forth between 3 different groups of people, all of whom are moving towards the same goals (even if they don't know it). The main sets are the wizard from the 13th century and the wizard-to-be from the 21st century. They also happen to be the most likable, although surprisingly the demon was a likable character - of sorts.
I enjoyed the conflict, as it wasn't too harrowing for a youngster, but still enough to keep my interest. Some of it was predictable, but overall a well written story with a likable main character, and just enough mystery to make you wonder if there will be a sequel.
I would recommend this for a fun summer read, or for a cozy evening.
The story line was a little confusing as it switched back and forth between 3 different groups of people, all of whom are moving towards the same goals (even if they don't know it). The main sets are the wizard from the 13th century and the wizard-to-be from the 21st century. They also happen to be the most likable, although surprisingly the demon was a likable character - of sorts.
I enjoyed the conflict, as it wasn't too harrowing for a youngster, but still enough to keep my interest. Some of it was predictable, but overall a well written story with a likable main character, and just enough mystery to make you wonder if there will be a sequel.
I would recommend this for a fun summer read, or for a cozy evening.
January 26, 2016
Again, another book that was slightly too unrealistic, but who am I to complain? I'm one of the biggest fantasy fiction lovers out there! I have to wonder, though... why was the evil wizard Kobold so anxious to get rid of his rival, Gideon? Was he truly vengeful, because of how Gideon beat him out for the position of Sorcerer Royal, or was he working under someone else's bidding? And for what prize? As said by Merlin near the end of the book, "'Think about it, my friend, what is a greater prize even than Wild Magic? ... controlling... a gateway to Never-Was" (240). This shows that Kobold may not have wanted his nemesis/half-brother dead for revenge, but for the opportunity to have control over the non-existent. To be able to terrorize nations with a mirage. Who (an evil who) wouldn't want that?
April 18, 2013
I'm in the middle of reading this book and so far, I like it. I love how the main character, whos from the 13th century, refers to 21st century things as magical things when they're just ordinary objects such as dishwashers or stove tops. I agree with some of the other reviews saying its confusing and weird but if you like magic and fantasies then you should give this book a chance. It has a Harry potter ring to it with all the spells, enchantments, and items and it has varying ingredients to potions that sound familiar such as a newt eye or a basilisk feather. If you liked Harry potter than you'll like this book
December 20, 2007
This book was boring, and not all that well written. As Casey says, in another review, it's recommended for kids who read and enjoyed Harry Potter, however, it's really for a younger set of readers. I wanted to like it, as it was written by a local author, and I lived in the area the book took place in, but alas, I never recommended this book to any of the kids that came to the children's library I worked in.
February 16, 2012
Theodora's father gets to go explore the jungles of Laos and she is left with her nanny, Mikko. Theodora's best friends, her only friends, are off on vacation, leaving Theodora alone for the entire summer. She thinks this will be the worst summer, but it won't be at all.
Reasons why I like this book-
Reason 1- I couldn't stop reading.
Reason 2- I could imagine what was happening.
Reason 3- It made me wonder, do dragon's really exist?
Reasons why I like this book-
Reason 1- I couldn't stop reading.
Reason 2- I could imagine what was happening.
Reason 3- It made me wonder, do dragon's really exist?
February 11, 2017
I read this book because I wanted to see whether it was something my 10-year-old brother might like.
I really enjoyed it. It's fun, full of adventure and doesn't patronise like some children's books seem to. And there are dragons (well, wyverns), which is always a good thing in my opinion.
I really enjoyed it. It's fun, full of adventure and doesn't patronise like some children's books seem to. And there are dragons (well, wyverns), which is always a good thing in my opinion.
March 22, 2011
Fun book, interesting plot.
May 8, 2022
It’s like a combination of a bunch of my interests: university, art, medieval history, dragons, magic... it’s great! I like Theodora, too; she’s sensible but also a kid.
October 17, 2010
an another fiction novel to your list. an definite to read
October 6, 2021
La fel cum o pisică îşi caută un loc tăinuit atunci când se apropie ceasul să îşi aducă pe lume pisoiaşii, tot aşa şi o viitoare mămică de dragon wyvern trebuie să caute un loc tainic unde să îşi depună oul.
Wycca inspectase deja mai multe încăperi din castel, dar, una câte una, le respinsese pe toate. Ba o cameră era supărător de caldă, ba alta era prea expusă la curenţii de aer; o a treia mirosea a mucegai, alta era prea aproape de băi; cât despre ultima, aceea se găsea în vecinătatea încăperii în care dormea valetul regelui, care avea neplăcutul obicei de a sforăi.
Wycca oftă din toţi rărunchii, căci toate acestea erau mult prea solicitante pentru un wyvern aflat într-o stare delicată. Se ridică apoi în zbor pe cornişa ei de pe meterezele castelului, făcând tot posibilul să treacă neobservată câtă vreme avea să se delecteze cu o baie de soare.
Curtenii din grădina de dedesubt erau adunaţi lângă fântână, în jurul unui cântăreţ din lăută, şi nu păreau să bage de seamă noua decoraţie în formă de dragon care tocmai se adăugase pe metereze, undeva, deasupra capetelor lor.
Wycca îşi încorda ghearele şi purcese să îşi facă manichiura pe îndelete, în stilul pisicesc. Se aşezase comod între cornişe, fiind cam de aceeaşi înălţime cu dragonii de piatră care decorau zidul şi a căror îndatorire era să lase apa de ploaie de pe acoperiş să se scurgă prin boturile lor căscate. Wycca, eroina noastră, era un dragon de talie mică, cu un căpşor fin şi delicat, cu cioc de vultur şi cu patru picioare. Indiferent de ce au de comentat vechile poveşti medievale şi dicţionarele din zilele noastre pe această temă, wyvernii chiar au două labe în partea din faţă a trupului şi două în cea din spate şi o pereche de aripi puternice, alcătuite din membrane, foarte asemănătoare cu cele ale unui liliac. Dintre toţi dragonii, wyvernii aduc cel mai mult cu neamul pisicilor prin agilitate, inteligenţă, temperament şi orgoliu şi, tot ca o pisică, Wycca avea ochi migdalaţi, de felină, gheruţe retractile şi un tors profund şi melodios.
Vânătoarea unui cuib debutase promiţător în dimineaţa aceea, căci Wycca descoperise ascuns în spatele unei tapiserii din capela reginei un cufăr mic plin cu cărţi de rugăciune pe jumătate roase de carii. Paginile lor ar fi alcătuit un cuib moale şi plăcut şi chiar mica biserică era caldă, uscată, liniştită şi complet nefolosită, pentru că muritorii o lăsaseră de multă vreme în grija şoarecilor şi a liliecilor.
Wycca inspectase deja mai multe încăperi din castel, dar, una câte una, le respinsese pe toate. Ba o cameră era supărător de caldă, ba alta era prea expusă la curenţii de aer; o a treia mirosea a mucegai, alta era prea aproape de băi; cât despre ultima, aceea se găsea în vecinătatea încăperii în care dormea valetul regelui, care avea neplăcutul obicei de a sforăi.
Wycca oftă din toţi rărunchii, căci toate acestea erau mult prea solicitante pentru un wyvern aflat într-o stare delicată. Se ridică apoi în zbor pe cornişa ei de pe meterezele castelului, făcând tot posibilul să treacă neobservată câtă vreme avea să se delecteze cu o baie de soare.
Curtenii din grădina de dedesubt erau adunaţi lângă fântână, în jurul unui cântăreţ din lăută, şi nu păreau să bage de seamă noua decoraţie în formă de dragon care tocmai se adăugase pe metereze, undeva, deasupra capetelor lor.
Wycca îşi încorda ghearele şi purcese să îşi facă manichiura pe îndelete, în stilul pisicesc. Se aşezase comod între cornişe, fiind cam de aceeaşi înălţime cu dragonii de piatră care decorau zidul şi a căror îndatorire era să lase apa de ploaie de pe acoperiş să se scurgă prin boturile lor căscate. Wycca, eroina noastră, era un dragon de talie mică, cu un căpşor fin şi delicat, cu cioc de vultur şi cu patru picioare. Indiferent de ce au de comentat vechile poveşti medievale şi dicţionarele din zilele noastre pe această temă, wyvernii chiar au două labe în partea din faţă a trupului şi două în cea din spate şi o pereche de aripi puternice, alcătuite din membrane, foarte asemănătoare cu cele ale unui liliac. Dintre toţi dragonii, wyvernii aduc cel mai mult cu neamul pisicilor prin agilitate, inteligenţă, temperament şi orgoliu şi, tot ca o pisică, Wycca avea ochi migdalaţi, de felină, gheruţe retractile şi un tors profund şi melodios.
Vânătoarea unui cuib debutase promiţător în dimineaţa aceea, căci Wycca descoperise ascuns în spatele unei tapiserii din capela reginei un cufăr mic plin cu cărţi de rugăciune pe jumătate roase de carii. Paginile lor ar fi alcătuit un cuib moale şi plăcut şi chiar mica biserică era caldă, uscată, liniştită şi complet nefolosită, pentru că muritorii o lăsaseră de multă vreme în grija şoarecilor şi a liliecilor.
July 24, 2019
3 1/2 to 4 stars. I really liked the story but had a few issues with it.
This is book one of a series. I bet most of my issues will be resolved if I continue to read the series. It has that book one way of laying the groundwork without the fine details hoping to hook the reader to continuing and, as a result, learning more about the characters and subplots.
Of the characters, I liked Wycca and Vyrna best. Of course, they are the wyverns. Then there is Orobus the 2 headed snake. He's super cool. The story revolves around Wycca. She is ready to lay her egg and is in nesting mode. She finds a great spot 700+ years in the future courtesy of a time tunnel. Then the times collide. Wycca's keeper follows and must find her and the egg. So we meet Gideon and Orobus and his intelligent flame.
In the future we meet Theodora who loves wyverns. She plays a card game called wizards and wyverns. (Sounds like a cross between D&D and Magic the Gathering.) Theodora is really a great girl! I like her a lot.
Of course, we need drama. Cue the evil nemesis from the 1200s. Kobold and his demon follow Gideon.
Gideon meets Merlin and gets help in tracking Wycca.
One of my issues is the bouncing around of story line to story line. The transitions are not as smooth as they could be. One of the others is that I want more detail about the characters.
Overall it is a fun read. Magical. I am left wanting more. It is set basically for middle readers; someone in that demographic may not have the issues I did with it. If I happen upon more books from the series I would be interested in reading more.
This is book one of a series. I bet most of my issues will be resolved if I continue to read the series. It has that book one way of laying the groundwork without the fine details hoping to hook the reader to continuing and, as a result, learning more about the characters and subplots.
Of the characters, I liked Wycca and Vyrna best. Of course, they are the wyverns. Then there is Orobus the 2 headed snake. He's super cool. The story revolves around Wycca. She is ready to lay her egg and is in nesting mode. She finds a great spot 700+ years in the future courtesy of a time tunnel. Then the times collide. Wycca's keeper follows and must find her and the egg. So we meet Gideon and Orobus and his intelligent flame.
In the future we meet Theodora who loves wyverns. She plays a card game called wizards and wyverns. (Sounds like a cross between D&D and Magic the Gathering.) Theodora is really a great girl! I like her a lot.
Of course, we need drama. Cue the evil nemesis from the 1200s. Kobold and his demon follow Gideon.
Gideon meets Merlin and gets help in tracking Wycca.
One of my issues is the bouncing around of story line to story line. The transitions are not as smooth as they could be. One of the others is that I want more detail about the characters.
Overall it is a fun read. Magical. I am left wanting more. It is set basically for middle readers; someone in that demographic may not have the issues I did with it. If I happen upon more books from the series I would be interested in reading more.
July 22, 2022
So, so wholesome, even for adults!
Hatching Magic is a book I’ve had a copy of for 20 years (not a hyperbole) and hadn’t read. I got it from the Scholastic Book Fair when I was five years old, unbeknownst that I wouldn’t crack it open for two decades, and finally, it appeared in a laundry basket of childhood items from my childhood home. I wish I had read it sooner.
This glorious children’s book details the story of a sorcerer, a young girl, and a pregnant dragon who accidentally falls through a realm portal and follows her instincts to lay her egg in the midst of modern-day (2002) Boston. Quirky, fun, mysterious, and enchanting are the words I can find to resonate with this book. Reading it as an adult takes you back to the ease of imaginative play and worldbuilding that doesn’t have to be too realistic. Cathartic and adorable, I couldn’t help but fly through the pages on a rainy Friday night. Just because it is a children’s book doesn’t mean that it’s overly silly, in fact, from a mature perspective, I find the esoteric and magical aspects to be captivating.
In the cacophony of Hamtaro sticker books and Dragon pop-up bibles, this gem stuck out to me those many years ago, and it felt like I was nurturing my inner child while reading this. Thank you, five-year-old Kaitlyn, you did well. I didn’t expect the satire to be there as faintly as it was, but I greatly appreciated the representation of Paganism and the occult for its truthful origins and practices. That part isn’t fictional.
In conclusion, this story is wonderfully adventurous, outstandingly magical, and sure to incite wonder into many readers. I recommend this to all ages.
Hatching Magic is a book I’ve had a copy of for 20 years (not a hyperbole) and hadn’t read. I got it from the Scholastic Book Fair when I was five years old, unbeknownst that I wouldn’t crack it open for two decades, and finally, it appeared in a laundry basket of childhood items from my childhood home. I wish I had read it sooner.
This glorious children’s book details the story of a sorcerer, a young girl, and a pregnant dragon who accidentally falls through a realm portal and follows her instincts to lay her egg in the midst of modern-day (2002) Boston. Quirky, fun, mysterious, and enchanting are the words I can find to resonate with this book. Reading it as an adult takes you back to the ease of imaginative play and worldbuilding that doesn’t have to be too realistic. Cathartic and adorable, I couldn’t help but fly through the pages on a rainy Friday night. Just because it is a children’s book doesn’t mean that it’s overly silly, in fact, from a mature perspective, I find the esoteric and magical aspects to be captivating.
In the cacophony of Hamtaro sticker books and Dragon pop-up bibles, this gem stuck out to me those many years ago, and it felt like I was nurturing my inner child while reading this. Thank you, five-year-old Kaitlyn, you did well. I didn’t expect the satire to be there as faintly as it was, but I greatly appreciated the representation of Paganism and the occult for its truthful origins and practices. That part isn’t fictional.
In conclusion, this story is wonderfully adventurous, outstandingly magical, and sure to incite wonder into many readers. I recommend this to all ages.
March 3, 2020
This book is a convoluted tale told on various viewpoints, with protagonists that just manage to keep missing each other.
Gideon loses his wyvern to a time bolt-hole that takes her to the 21st century. When he comes to the same time period, he winds up somewhere else completely and must negotiate this weird world in order to find her. Theodora Oglethorpe is bored because her father is away and finds Gideon’s missing wyvern trump card but doesn’t encounter the wyvern until many chapters into the book. Kobold, Gideon’s rival and arch-nemesis, is also on the hunt for the fantastic beast but also winds up in another place and must hunt through various bookstores in order to find a rare book of forbidden magics in order to track the elusive magical beast. Did I mention there are a baby wyvern and a demon, First Class, with aching feet in the mix?
The book takes its sweet time bringing these disparate characters together, with many twists and turns and near-misses that some readers may find entertaining and others immensely frustrating. There are loose ends and mysteries left untied and unsolved at the novel’s end (hinting at the sequel). The novel is good in its dialogue, characterizations and plotline and unusual enough to pique the curiosity of people who enjoy books about dragons or dragon-like creatures.
Gideon loses his wyvern to a time bolt-hole that takes her to the 21st century. When he comes to the same time period, he winds up somewhere else completely and must negotiate this weird world in order to find her. Theodora Oglethorpe is bored because her father is away and finds Gideon’s missing wyvern trump card but doesn’t encounter the wyvern until many chapters into the book. Kobold, Gideon’s rival and arch-nemesis, is also on the hunt for the fantastic beast but also winds up in another place and must hunt through various bookstores in order to find a rare book of forbidden magics in order to track the elusive magical beast. Did I mention there are a baby wyvern and a demon, First Class, with aching feet in the mix?
The book takes its sweet time bringing these disparate characters together, with many twists and turns and near-misses that some readers may find entertaining and others immensely frustrating. There are loose ends and mysteries left untied and unsolved at the novel’s end (hinting at the sequel). The novel is good in its dialogue, characterizations and plotline and unusual enough to pique the curiosity of people who enjoy books about dragons or dragon-like creatures.
July 18, 2025
Lekka, przyjemna, szybko się czytająca powieść, wbrew pozorom wcale nie przeznaczona wyłącznie dla młodzieży. Mała wywerna, szukająca miejsca do zniesienia jaja, przypadkowo przenosi się ze średniowiecza w nasze czasy i wsiąka gdzieś na terenie Bostonu. Wkrótce jej tropem rusza czarodziej, u którego służyła, a zaraz za nim jego rywal, pragnący dorwać w swoje ręce smoka i za jego pośrednictwem zniszczyć czarodzieja, wobec którego żywi odwieczną nienawiść. Dobremu czarodziejowi pomaga lokalny przedstawiciel mocno zniewieściałej gildii, złemu zaś demonica o malutkim rozumku. Ostatnim elementem fabularnej układanki jest natomiast dziewczynka, Teodora Oglethorpe, która wbrew pozorom (i informacjom wydawcy) wcale nie jest główną postaci opowieści. Ta bowiem jest prowadzona kilkutorowo i każdy z bohaterów - smoczyca, dobry czarodziej, Teodora, a w mniejszym stopniu demonica - ma swój kwadrans w intrydze.
Jak na wstępie nadmieniłem, książka czyta się szybko i miło. Jest napisana z ogromnym urokiem, skrzy się niewymuszonym humorem i posiada pełnokrwistych, łatwych do polubienia (może poza adwersarzem dobrego czarodzieja) bohaterów. Szkoda tylko, że powieść ma tak niewielką, nie przekraczającą dwustu stron objętość, bo naprawdę miałoby się ochotę dłużej poobcować i z przedstawionymi postaciami, i z eleganckim językiem, jakim zostało to napisane.
Jak na wstępie nadmieniłem, książka czyta się szybko i miło. Jest napisana z ogromnym urokiem, skrzy się niewymuszonym humorem i posiada pełnokrwistych, łatwych do polubienia (może poza adwersarzem dobrego czarodzieja) bohaterów. Szkoda tylko, że powieść ma tak niewielką, nie przekraczającą dwustu stron objętość, bo naprawdę miałoby się ochotę dłużej poobcować i z przedstawionymi postaciami, i z eleganckim językiem, jakim zostało to napisane.
February 16, 2021
I enjoyed this book so much as a kid, I rebought it the moment I recognized the cover.
While the main heroine in this book unfortunately does not stand up in terms of character development or growth, and she doesn't have a particularly important role until the absolute end of the book (and even then, somewhat barely); the themes in this novel are undeniably good.
The use of mythical creatures and the crafting of magic are all very well utilized. I almost wonder if the novel would have stood up better without 'Dodo' in it, considering how little of a role she played in the plot.
The use of humor adds to the 'quirky' nature of the wizards/warlocks/what have you in this book, so it felt natural rather than forced comedy. The timing was always spot on with the humor, and the visualization of the scene made the whole thing a delightful romp.
While the main heroine in this book unfortunately does not stand up in terms of character development or growth, and she doesn't have a particularly important role until the absolute end of the book (and even then, somewhat barely); the themes in this novel are undeniably good.
The use of mythical creatures and the crafting of magic are all very well utilized. I almost wonder if the novel would have stood up better without 'Dodo' in it, considering how little of a role she played in the plot.
The use of humor adds to the 'quirky' nature of the wizards/warlocks/what have you in this book, so it felt natural rather than forced comedy. The timing was always spot on with the humor, and the visualization of the scene made the whole thing a delightful romp.
June 20, 2017
My daughter loves this book and rereads it regularly even though she is nearly out of high school. She asked me to finally read it, so I did. It was sweet and appealing, and the annoying parts, like interruptions from some unseen editorial commentator, or the abrupt switching back and forth between characters and settings, would not have bothered me as a kid. I would have felt as if I had been included into special magical secrets and absorbed it all up with a free and equal relish. So the weaknesses are mainly such in my mid aged eyes. It's a fun little book and has what for a young kid might be a little bit of nerve chilling description of bad guys. Oh, and a baby dragon in distress. That might bother some sensitive kids.
Good book.
Good book.
July 27, 2020
„Narodziny magii” wprowadzają nas w świat czarnoksiężników i smoków, tam, gdzie wywern jest jak duży, latający pies 😏
Niby historia dość ciekawa, niby warsztat autorki jest na przyzwoitym poziomie, a i tak ta książka nie porywa. W moim odczuciu ta powieść jest po prostu słaba, główna bohaterka jest zbyt dojrzała na swój wiek, zabrakło zg��ębienia świat magii, wszystko było opisane bardzo ‚z grubsza”. zakończenie potraktowane nieco zbyt po macoszemu.
Do poczytania na plaży lub z nudów, ale generalnie nic robiącego jakiekolwiek wrażenie. Dla mnie jest to książka, którą za jakiś czas zapomnę, że w ogóle czytałam, niestety 😩
Niby historia dość ciekawa, niby warsztat autorki jest na przyzwoitym poziomie, a i tak ta książka nie porywa. W moim odczuciu ta powieść jest po prostu słaba, główna bohaterka jest zbyt dojrzała na swój wiek, zabrakło zg��ębienia świat magii, wszystko było opisane bardzo ‚z grubsza”. zakończenie potraktowane nieco zbyt po macoszemu.
Do poczytania na plaży lub z nudów, ale generalnie nic robiącego jakiekolwiek wrażenie. Dla mnie jest to książka, którą za jakiś czas zapomnę, że w ogóle czytałam, niestety 😩
February 14, 2020
I ADORED THIS BOOK AND THE SEQUEL.
Unfortunately Anne Downer didn't get to write more novels but these two are magical. I keep these on my shelf and treasure them year after year.
I know most people like details but I read books for the experience, not to criticize plot development etc. Her ideas are what makes this book such a treat. It's very unique to the genre and has a female heroine at the center of the action.
I wish more people had read this. I'm waiting for my niece to grow up to be about 12 just so I can gift her a copy.💚
Unfortunately Anne Downer didn't get to write more novels but these two are magical. I keep these on my shelf and treasure them year after year.
I know most people like details but I read books for the experience, not to criticize plot development etc. Her ideas are what makes this book such a treat. It's very unique to the genre and has a female heroine at the center of the action.
I wish more people had read this. I'm waiting for my niece to grow up to be about 12 just so I can gift her a copy.💚
October 30, 2021
It’s really two stories, lost pet and owners trying to find it, and girl and family, that sort of bump into each other at the end with a few exposition dumps on the last couple of pages to basically say ‘no really the kid was important and involved the whole time!’
Even so I really enjoyed it. All the disconnected parts were fun to read, the creature lore was interesting and I really liked how the magic worked. It’s a kids book so I’m not super eager to hunt down the other ones but it’s definitely one of the better ones I’ve read for younger audiences.
Even so I really enjoyed it. All the disconnected parts were fun to read, the creature lore was interesting and I really liked how the magic worked. It’s a kids book so I’m not super eager to hunt down the other ones but it’s definitely one of the better ones I’ve read for younger audiences.
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