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Who Needs Magic?

(Magic #2)

Kathy McCullough (Goodreads Author)

3.67 · Rating details · 240 ratings · 39 reviews

The sequel to DON'T EXPECT MAGIC!

Now that Delaney Collins knows she’s a fairy godmother, she’s ready to make magic happen. But first, she has to find her next client. And it’s not as easy as she thought it would be.

Delaney’s spending the summer working at Treasures, a secondhand store at the mall, surrounded by cool vintage boots—and potential clients. But when she finall ...more

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Hardcover, 320 pages

Published July 9th 2013 by Delacorte Press

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All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry

Amazing Book Covers of 2012 and 2013

96 books — 65 voters

JULY 2013 YA FICTION

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Apr 01, 2014 Tom Rogers rated it it was amazing

I read "Don't Expect Magic," Kathy McCullough's first book about Delaney Collins, with trepidation; being neither young nor a girl, I'm not exactly the target demographic. Silly me: great stories are universal, and I was hooked. But at least I'm a fast learner. So when "Who Needs Magic" came out, I snapped it up and was not disappointed. The book transported me right back into confused adolescence, when absolutely nothing makes sense, least of all romance. Again, the magic is both fun and then u ...more

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Jun 23, 2013 Alice Liu rated it it was amazing

This is a fun book for the younger teen reader. Discovering another fairy godmother, Ariella, Delaney finds herself in a socially competitive situation where she is being judged by the amount of wishes granted. This is a problem since she's only granted one big wish. When the opportunity arises to prove her wish-giving prowess, Delaney begins to confuse her "role" as fairy godmother with her own personal identity. Ultimately the lesson is not so much what we think we want (or wish) but what it i ...more

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Apr 26, 2014 ♥Jessica, ♥Lady of the Library♥ rated it liked it

Recommends it for: People who love fairy tales

((3.5 stars))

So, it was a last Sunday I was really dreading going back to school the next day, so I basically forced my mother to drive me to the used book store. I needed new books, and my sister also needed study guides for her AP exams. Mom wanted some Steven King novels, too, so it was a win situation for everyone.
I pulled out basically every single book in the tiny young adult section and I couldn't find anything that I wasn't too embarrassed to buy with my sister there (people kissing ...more

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Jul 15, 2013 Chelsey Wolford rated it really liked it

Delaney Collins is an f.g. That stands for “Fairy Godmother.” She hasn’t quite embraced the job yet, and she doesn’t quite know if she ever will. She is only fifteen years old herself, and is still trying to figure out a way to fit in, or should I say blend in, in high school. Not only is Delaney an f.g., but her father is one too. Delaney has already had her first client, Flynn, who ended up being her boyfriend after all was said and done. She is working on developing her line of boots and hold Delaney Collins is an f.g. That stands for “Fairy Godmother.” She hasn’t quite embraced the job yet, and she doesn’t quite know if she ever will. She is only fifteen years old herself, and is still trying to figure out a way to fit in, or should I say blend in, in high school. Not only is Delaney an f.g., but her father is one too. Delaney has already had her first client, Flynn, who ended up being her boyfriend after all was said and done. She is working on developing her line of boots and holding down a summer job at Treasures, a local secondhand boutique, when she meets another f.g. The only problem with this is, Delaney thought she and her dad were the only ones. Now Delaney has to deal with “Tinker Bell”, as she calls her, whose real name is Ariella. Ariella proves to be a problem for Delaney because she can grant wishes at the drop of a hat, something that Delaney seems to be having trouble with. Delaney is starting to think that she may not be cut out for this whole f.g. lifestyle, and she may be right!

Delaney is still finding out who is right and what she wants from life. This is one reason that I love her character so much. It really feels like I am talking to a fifteen-year-old hormonal teenager. Delaney is quirky and has her own sense of style. I love reading about her boots and her ventures at the secondhand store where she works. In this book more so than the first one in this series, Delaney is trying to separate her life from the f.g. side and the normal teenager side. She is having trouble distinguishing between the two, and this is a battle that readers will enjoy witnessing firsthand.

Ariella sometimes got on my nerves, just as she did Delaney’s, but I think she was a nice change or addition to Delaney’s story. We have Delaney, who I have described a little bit above, and then we have Ariella, who is the absolute opposite of Delaney. She is motivated, enthusiastic, and completely compelled by her call to be an f.g. Delaney often refers to her as “Tinker Bell” and I think this genuinely reflects her personality. She is an interesting secondary character who is meant to be overly cheerful. I commend McCullough on another f.g. I think the concept is just to die for!

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Delacorte Press in exchange for my honest review***
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May 21, 2019 Anna added it

good book

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Jun 27, 2014 Ariella rated it really liked it

I love that Kathy McCullough writes magical clean teen fiction!

Fairy godmother (f.g.) Delaney Collins returns in this sequel to Don't Expect Magic. Delaney tries to stay one step ahead of Ariella Patterson, a pink and glitter adorned super f.g., while navigating the untested waters of a new romantic relationship.

As both girls make one bad decision after the other, it becomes difficult to like either of them. But then McCullough reminds the reader of why Delaney is so insecure, and evidence aboun ...more

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Mar 18, 2015 Jenn rated it liked it

A cute and quick read.

I didn't read the first book in the series, maybe I would have liked this book better if I did, but it was something different. The idea of having a fairy godmother is a fun one and there were some interesting aspects to the plot. I would have liked to see more of the relationship between father and daughter, though. I found it intriguing that it was the main character's father that handed down the "powers" and not her mother, that was quite unique...

Overall, it was an oka ...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Tabatha marked it as sequels-to-read

This comes out the day before my birthday ! Yay (:

Over & Out, T xx ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Stefanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult

This was great. I enjoyed it so much more than the first one. It was perfect.

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Sep 19, 2018 Jaime K rated it did not like it · review of another edition

[scratch this line and read the end] 2 stars only because I finished it.

I remembered nothing from the first book. After reading my review, I realize that a lot of people mentioned in the first are barely mentioned here, aside from Delaney’s family and boyfriend Flynn.
The book is pretty much about using people for your own ends, and to “win” against “competition.” It’s about weaving lies and egotism in order to get your way.
Oh, and it’s about changing people and forcing them to do what you want ...more

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Jan 21, 2019 Russell Ricard rated it really liked it

Charming follow up read to McCullough’s first novel Don't Expect Magic. I'll echo as I said of the first novel: This is a witty voice carried forth by a quirky and badass narrator, fifteen-year old Delaney. The continued fascinating magical elements, comedy of errors/identity, and the exploration of growing pains as they relate to romance and life decisions are fun to follow. So, too, particularly interesting is the further development of the father-daughter relationship dynamic and the underlyi ...more

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May 14, 2017 Ayra Chang rated it it was ok

More of a 2.5 star.
The concept wasn't really innovative,and the background story wasn't exactly intriguing. I would give a 2 star for that.

The main character was realistic in some aspects I suppose, but was so dumb in her actions that I couldn't stand her. At first she was tolerable, but then she seemed like a total bitch, which totally pissed me off. I mean, how self-centered and stupid could a person get? As for the other characters, they were all right. So I give this book 1.5 stars characte ...more

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Dec 14, 2020 Laurie D'ghent rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Cute story. Lots of "Oh my G**", and two other swearwords, but no innuendo ...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Richa rated it liked it

Shelves: for-review, own-physical-copy

Originally posted at City of Books

I really loved the first book in this series, Don't Expect Magic. That being said, I enjoyed reading this one too, but unfortunately not as much as its predecessor. It's definitely got the same tone to it, though - fun and light. Delaney is still as awesome as always, and this book definitely has more of a focus on her and the development of her powers.

Who Needs Magic? is set during the summer after Delaney discovers she's a fairy godmother. She's going out with Originally posted at City of Books

I really loved the first book in this series, Don't Expect Magic. That being said, I enjoyed reading this one too, but unfortunately not as much as its predecessor. It's definitely got the same tone to it, though - fun and light. Delaney is still as awesome as always, and this book definitely has more of a focus on her and the development of her powers.

Who Needs Magic? is set during the summer after Delaney discovers she's a fairy godmother. She's going out with Flynn, and she's all excited about her next prospective client. But things don't go as planned. Flynn is drifting away, and Delaney finds a rival f.g. - Ariella. Delaney does eventually get a new client, but her job as an f.g. seems to be taking over her life. Flynn is pushed further away, and Delaney is left wondering whether she really is an inferior f.g. like Ariella says.

Delaney's really taking the boot-making thing seriously, and she works on her designs while at her summer job in Treasures. But inspiration is lacking and meeting Ariella complicates things. Soon, it's a competition between the two, since - whadaya know - Ariella's client, Fawn, is after the same guy Delaney's is. I didn't like how Delaney didn't confide in anyone about her new client. She could have told Flynn or her dad instead of letting her pride get in the way. But she's independent, and I admired her determination to get what she wants. It's what I like most about Delaney, in fact. Apart from her awesome sense of style.

One thing I was disappointed about is that we don't get to see much of Flynn. I loved him in the first book, and I thought we'd get to find out more about him in this. Sadly, he's absent most of the time, and his relationship with Delaney is quite rocky sometimes. Nevertheless, whatever we do see of him is great. He's still the same - goofy and adorable. He's been hiding stuff from Delaney too, and if only they'd both trusted each other more, they could have avoided a lot of problems.

There are a few new characters in this book - the primary one being Ariella, whom I of course hated. She's the total opposite of Delaney, and therefore the total opposite of me. Since I'm a lot like Delaney. Ariella is the princess type, pink and glittery and bubbly. But very devious too. She really got on my nerves, and I was astonished at Delaney's self-control. I would have punched this chick in the face pretty soon after meeting her!

I really liked Jeni, though - Delaney's new client. She's really shy at first, but she gains confidence thanks to her f.g., and she has a hidden talent too. Another new character I loved is Lourdes, whom Delaney meets at the mall and befriends because they have the same snarky attitude. She's straightforward and blunt, and definitely makes things fun. She also seems like a really loyal friend to have, so I'm glad Delaney found her.

The entire novel is mostly set in the mall where Delaney works, since that's where she meets Jeni every day. I preferred the high school setting of Don't Expect Magic, since it was unique and definitely interesting, while the setting of this one got a little monotonous after a while.

Overall, I loved reading more about Delaney and her powers, because it's certainly a unique concept. There are more relationships formed, like Delaney's friendship with Jeni and even her dad's relationship with his girlfriend Gina, whom we met in the first book. The pacing is great, and there weren't any dull bits for me. Although I also missed Posh, Delaney's friend form back home. We don't get much of her in this book either. So even though this wasn't an awesome read for me like the previous book was, I think if you like lower YA and fantasy, you should check out this series.

*Thank you to Kathy McCullough for sending a copy for review* ...more

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Jul 16, 2016 Emma rated it liked it

Delaney Collins is ready to embrace her inner fairy godmother (f. g.) and grant some big wishes. But three months after granting her first big wish, Delaney is no closer to finding her next client.

Aside from the f. g. confusion, Delaney has high hopes for her summer. She'll get to spend more quality (read: alone) time with her boyfriend, Flynn. She's working at a fantastic vintage store with tons of boots she can re-make and re-style. She's even getting along better with her father despite his t Delaney Collins is ready to embrace her inner fairy godmother (f. g.) and grant some big wishes. But three months after granting her first big wish, Delaney is no closer to finding her next client.

Aside from the f. g. confusion, Delaney has high hopes for her summer. She'll get to spend more quality (read: alone) time with her boyfriend, Flynn. She's working at a fantastic vintage store with tons of boots she can re-make and re-style. She's even getting along better with her father despite his tendency to shift into self-help speak and his total lack of help in sharing his f. g. magic-wish-granting ways.

Unfortunately, while Delaney knows that wishes do come true, her dreams of a great summer do not. Flynn is distant, her father is distracted, and Delaney's powers remain frustratingly mysterious.

When Delaney meets Ariella--an f. g. with a lot more experience (and power)--Delaney starts to feel even more uncertain about her own magic abilities. Delaney will have to work hard to harness her powers and make sense of her life if she wants to get her summer back on track in Who Needs Magic? (2013) by Kathy McCullough.

Who Needs Magic? is the sequel to McCullough's debut novel Don't Expect Magic.

Delaney is a tough-talking, no-nonsense girl. She is sarcastic and she wears all black. This contrast between Delaney's exterior and her fairy-godmother background continues to provide a lot of humor (and some snark) in this second installment.

Delaney's mother has been dead for longer in this novel, but her grief is sometimes still fresh. McCullough handles Delaney's mixed feelings about her new life thoughtfully and honestly to create an authentic portrayal of a girl who is still trying to find her way.

Who Needs Magic? is introspective as Delaney tries to balance her personal life with her wish-granting. Moments where she tries to figure out what comes next now that she and Flynn are actually dating add another dimension to this story.

While Who Needs Magic? is a lot of fun, it's sadly not quite as endearing as Don't Expect Magic. Delaney loses some of her focus and forward momentum in the face of self-doubt and insecurity forcing her to relearn some important lessons about trusting herself.

Who Needs Magic? is a fun addition to a previously self-contained story. Recommended for fans of the first book. Check out this series if you are fan of fractured and remixed fairy tale tropes.

Possible Pairings: Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti, Donorboy by Brendan Halpin, Friends With Boys by Faith Erin Hicks, Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins, Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan, The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding ...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Kristina (Gone Pecan) rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, arc

Full review can be found at:

http://gonepecanla.wordpress.com/2013...

Overall Thoughts:

I reviewed book one Don’t Expect Magic and loved it so I was grateful that I was able to receive an ARC for book two. While you definitely see more of Delaney that’s pretty much the only person you see for the entire book. I would definitely have liked more interaction, whether it was with her family, Flynn (EEP), or her new friends. With that being said I still loved the story and it was super cute with severa ...more

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Oct 08, 2013 Tess Budig rated it really liked it

Shelves: english-1

The characters Delaney, Ariella, Jeni and Flynn make the book really good. Her hometown seems fun and wild. I thought that when Ariella, the uber f.g (fairy godmother) came and took all Delaney's patients (the people that Delaney does wishes for.) But when Ariella comes and wants to take all Delaney's friends and tries to be her friend, I thought that Ariella was basically being two-faced. What really made me mad was when Ariella stabbed Delaney and harmed Delaney's life. She made Delaney and he ...more

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Dec 27, 2013 A. rated it liked it

First of all, it was incredibly irritating to realize that this was a sequel. There was no indication anywhere on the cover or introductory pages that this was a sequel (I know, because I always carefully check)... but when I was a few pages in it began to be obvious. It didn't detract from the story at all, but it would have been nice to know. I think, based on what I picked up about the first novel, that I would not have liked it much. This one was mostly "meh" for me, amusing at times, silly ...more

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Jan 17, 2016 Anelise rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed

Who Needs Magic? is a good read. This book, like the first book, was fluffy. It was less fluffy than the first, but I still think it’s fluffy. In my opinion, Who Needs Magic? is written better than Don’t Expect Magic. The plot however, in my opinion was not that great.

The basic plot is that two people with the f.g battle in seeing who could grant their client’s wish. I mean, really? I just didn’t like the plot that much. What can I say? This book was interesting enough for me to not abandon it, ...more

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Dec 30, 2014 Eleanork2 rated it did not like it

Who Needs Magic? is a horribly written novel that lacked important morals and themes. It is about a teenage fairy godmother that has a TERRIBLE problem, because she doesn’t have anyone for her to grant a wish for! Oh no! The HORROR!!! This book has absolutely no point to it, and it has a really weird ending. I honestly think the main character was really unintelligent, selfish, and spoiled. Often times, I find that it is really hard to like a book if you don’t respect the protagonist. Why I actu ...more

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Aug 02, 2013 Diana rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal, teen, fairy-tales, magic

Delaney is eager to find her next big client, but is disappointed when no one appears. Meanwhile, she meets an over-zealous f.g. her own age who is far more proficient at wish-granting than she is.

Delaney's quest to become a great f.g. continues, and has many twists. A lot of the plot was perhaps easy to foresee, but it was fairly realistic (magic aside), and gave a good look into Delaney's thoughts. I also was happy to see her finally coming to terms with her mother's death as well. ...more

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Oct 06, 2013 Brianna rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed, young-adult

Starting off I thought many of the characters were extremely self-centered and annoying, but as you get into the story I started seeing more to who they were. I think some chapters were a little drawn out, but others were just right. The story itself was different and fun. The book very good enough to keep my interest, but it also could have used a little more... something to drag me in. Not so amazing you are speechless, but good.

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Aug 26, 2013 Jen rated it it was ok

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

Two fairy godmothers get into a battle while trying to grant their "beneficiaries" their wishes. However, is it really magic that is going to help these people?

The book couldn't hold my attention and the ending was so picture perfect.........too good to be true. ...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Brandee Terry rated it liked it

Another quick and easy read. I liked the story and the characters.

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Jul 12, 2013 Heather rated it really liked it

I really like this series. It's light-hearted, but smart. While addressing heavy issues, a strong sense of humor is evident throughout. ...more

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Aug 01, 2013 Kerrikoala rated it liked it

Shelves: series

A decent read. I think I enjoyed the first book in the series a little better. The author is a little too free with her comma usage, but otherwise I like her style enough to read other things by her.

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Aug 24, 2013 Katie Rogers rated it liked it

Fun read but Delaney is not one of my fav teen heroines.

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Aug 30, 2013 Chloe rated it liked it

Shelves: to-be-reviewed, books-i-own, 2013-releases, 3-stars, finished-copy

****Review to Come****

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Oct 05, 2013 Colette rated it it was amazing

Even better than the first book!

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Nov 12, 2013 Michelle rated it did not like it

Shelves: books-i-started-and-never-finished

Couldn't get into this sequel. The writing was worse than the first book. ...more

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About Kathy McCullough

Kathy McCullough

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I'm a novelist and screenwriter living in L.A., author of Don't Expect Magic and its sequel Who Needs Magic? ...more

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“I’m not alone now either. The world is all around me. People leave, but there are always more coming. The catch is that you have to open the door to let them in.” — 1 likes

“Although the facts are technically fiction. But they're only called fiction by the people who don't know the facts.” — 0 likes

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Who Needs Magic?

(Magic #2)

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