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The Magic Books #6
Red Hart Magic
Book 6 of 6: The Magic Sequence
From the New York Times–bestselling Grand Master of Science Fiction: New stepsiblings Chris and Nan have time-traveling adventures in an old English inn.
What is the magic of the Red Hart Inn, an exquisite model of an old English inn, that triggers three strange and exciting adventures back into earlier centuries for its two owners?
When his father marries her mother, Chris Fitton and Nan Mallory--both twelve--are thrust into a new life. While their parents are enjoying an extended honeymoon, Chris and Nan must live with Aunt Elizabeth, attend new schools, and worst of all, be civil to one another. They're certain that their future is bleak--until Chris's visit to the Salvation Army store. It is there that he finds the model of the Red Hart Inn, a structure that holds a strange allure for them both. That night, Chris and Nan find themselves in the same dream--living inside the Red Hart Inn in seventeenth century England. Chris and Nan, both lonely and unhappy, must test their courage through three tumultuous periods of English history in this skillfully written time-warp fantasy. And when danger threatens, they must set aside their differences and find a way to work together--before it's too late.... What they learn about themselves and each other enables them to live more fully in their own time.
Red Hart Magic is the 6th book in The Magic Sequence, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
From the New York Times–bestselling Grand Master of Science Fiction: New stepsiblings Chris and Nan have time-traveling adventures in an old English inn.
What is the magic of the Red Hart Inn, an exquisite model of an old English inn, that triggers three strange and exciting adventures back into earlier centuries for its two owners?
When his father marries her mother, Chris Fitton and Nan Mallory--both twelve--are thrust into a new life. While their parents are enjoying an extended honeymoon, Chris and Nan must live with Aunt Elizabeth, attend new schools, and worst of all, be civil to one another. They're certain that their future is bleak--until Chris's visit to the Salvation Army store. It is there that he finds the model of the Red Hart Inn, a structure that holds a strange allure for them both. That night, Chris and Nan find themselves in the same dream--living inside the Red Hart Inn in seventeenth century England. Chris and Nan, both lonely and unhappy, must test their courage through three tumultuous periods of English history in this skillfully written time-warp fantasy. And when danger threatens, they must set aside their differences and find a way to work together--before it's too late.... What they learn about themselves and each other enables them to live more fully in their own time.
Red Hart Magic is the 6th book in The Magic Sequence, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
179 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
11 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Andre Norton
695 books1,386 followersAndre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 29, 2022
I love this book! I’ve never read something like this by Andre Norton before, but man she did a great job on it. It’s aimed at tweens, and the protagonists are two 12-year-olds who are suddenly thrown together to be family with Aunt Elizabeth while their newly married mother and father are off galavanting somewhere. Neither Chris nor Nan are happy about this.
So far so not unexpected. When one of them brings a model of an English inn called The Red Hart into their home they begin having connected and compelling dreams that centre around that inn.
Norton’s handling of the story is sure and lively and there was not a moment when I found my thoughts wandering away from the book. But what I like most is her deft and non-intrusive weaving of the dreams' effect on their waking lives and their understanding of themselves and each other. I’m so glad I stumbled across this book. It expands my vision of Andre Norton, whose books like Witch World, Judgement on Janus, and Cat’s-Eye inspired me as a tween and teen.
So far so not unexpected. When one of them brings a model of an English inn called The Red Hart into their home they begin having connected and compelling dreams that centre around that inn.
Norton’s handling of the story is sure and lively and there was not a moment when I found my thoughts wandering away from the book. But what I like most is her deft and non-intrusive weaving of the dreams' effect on their waking lives and their understanding of themselves and each other. I’m so glad I stumbled across this book. It expands my vision of Andre Norton, whose books like Witch World, Judgement on Janus, and Cat’s-Eye inspired me as a tween and teen.
February 4, 2018
When two children's parents are married and go to Mexico for six months, they are forced to go live in a large city with the man's sister, his son's aunt who he hardly knows. Both hate the experience and the fact that their parent married, and they are yet again dumped on relatives that don't really want them. In a trip out the boy, Chris buys a model of an Inn, called the Red Hart. This is not an ordinary model however but a model that makes the two children dream of times past in England where a lot of problems are taking place. The problems involve them, and they experience new ways of thought and insight into there lives today. Each is then faced with modern problems that without the experience gained from the Red Hart Inn, would have been unable to resolve successfully.
October 27, 2019
Difficult this one. I am a huge Andre Norton fan, but I probably read this book about 50+ years too late. It's what they call a "Young Adukt" book these days - or Teen book. Full of hormonal teenage angst, loneliness and self absorption. Basically a Timeslip novel centred around two step-siblings in America, suddenly time slipping to an English inn centuries in the past. Of course their adventures in the past become parables for their problems in the present.
Having said that, as you get older you realise that the Universe still isn't fair, people still don't understand ones problems and it is hard to make and keep meaningful relationships.
Having said that, as you get older you realise that the Universe still isn't fair, people still don't understand ones problems and it is hard to make and keep meaningful relationships.
May 28, 2020
One of a Norton's "magic" books, set in the real world, this story reflects admirable qualities existing in its characters, brought out and nutured by their encounter with a magic item, that gains them insight into their personal troubles. I love that Norton can do this in her stories, while creating a great read. I know her writings shaped my personality as a child and a teenager, and now as an adult remind me to nuture these qualities.
I also like that she explores historical periods in the "magic" books. I highly recommend this book for its values, its writing, and as a painless way to learn a bit about English history.
I also like that she explores historical periods in the "magic" books. I highly recommend this book for its values, its writing, and as a painless way to learn a bit about English history.
November 9, 2019
Another children's fantasy by Ms. Norton--which I also wish I'd read when it came out. I enjoyed it--though I think Lavender-Green Magic was better. Two children, new step-siblings, are stuck together with an aunt while their parents honeymoon. Neither is happy about the situation and their life. Then Chris finds a model of an inn called the Red Hart, and three times he and (his stepsister) Nan travel through time (in dreams) to the Red Hart and experience adventures that enable them to stand up to problems in their lives and appreciate each other.
December 27, 2023
This book has some aspects that sit uncomfortably with today’s sensibilities (e.g. any female who has freckles, the wrong nose, hair that’s not shiny enough, or any other features that don’t sit in a very narrow box, is described as “ugly”). Having said that, it has some admirable aspects and ends on a nice note.
The story features an extremely pouty boy with no emotional intelligence who eventually learns that it’s okay to be honest with people, and a quiet girl who learns to use her backbone. It probably would have been more enjoyable to read this as a tween than as an adult.
The story features an extremely pouty boy with no emotional intelligence who eventually learns that it’s okay to be honest with people, and a quiet girl who learns to use her backbone. It probably would have been more enjoyable to read this as a tween than as an adult.
July 11, 2017
Another fun Andre Norton fantasy. This one is set around an English inn, political intrigues of the time, and the young protagonists coming to terms with their parents remarrying to form a new family. Sometimes I felt the historical plots were jolting, but seemed based on actual events of a family history. A lot of fun.
July 5, 2023
review: Red Hart Magic
"Red Hart Magic" by exceptional author Andre Norton is GREAT! Another example of Norton's superior composite of plot, character building and world building. I heartily recommend this book. Am looking forward to my next NORTON read!
"Red Hart Magic" by exceptional author Andre Norton is GREAT! Another example of Norton's superior composite of plot, character building and world building. I heartily recommend this book. Am looking forward to my next NORTON read!
November 13, 2018
Entrancing story; good morals.
October 28, 2023
I honestly hadn't known that Andre Norton wrote books for kids. This is an interesting, albeit somewhat obviously lecturing, novel with a nice history tie-in. At some point, I may read the rest of the series. And shall definitely recommend these to my 9 year old great nephew.
March 16, 2024
Серия про подростков, попадающих в параллельные миры/прошлое, с тем, чтобы в реальном мире стать умнее, выше и сильнее. Написано хорошо, душевненько, завязки небанальные, читать уютно. Тепло
August 9, 2024
This book belongs to the Andre Norton "Magic" series [Steel Magic, Octagon Magic, Dragon Magic, Fur Magic, Lavender-Green Magic, Red Hart Magic, and Dragon Mage. These don't have to be read in order, although Dragon Magic should be read before Dragon Mage.]
As in the others, this novel deals with a theme of time travel/magic. Chris and Nell suddenly find themselves as step-siblings, living with Chris' Aunt Elizabeth while their parents are on a long honeymoon. They don't like each other, their new schools, or their aunt. Then one day, Chris sneaks into a second-hand shop and buys a tiny model -- The Red Hart Inn. Nell has found out what he bought (and he isn't happy at all that she knows about something he wanted to keep private.
But then the magic begins. In dreams, they are both transported to different times and situations at the Red Hart Inn. In these dreams, they become a series of different children (with their own names and faces) and discover, not only, things about themselves and their own choices, characters, and strengths but about those of their sibling. They gain new respect for their own abilities to adapt and to handle new and difficult challenges as well as the other's.
As in the others, this novel deals with a theme of time travel/magic. Chris and Nell suddenly find themselves as step-siblings, living with Chris' Aunt Elizabeth while their parents are on a long honeymoon. They don't like each other, their new schools, or their aunt. Then one day, Chris sneaks into a second-hand shop and buys a tiny model -- The Red Hart Inn. Nell has found out what he bought (and he isn't happy at all that she knows about something he wanted to keep private.
But then the magic begins. In dreams, they are both transported to different times and situations at the Red Hart Inn. In these dreams, they become a series of different children (with their own names and faces) and discover, not only, things about themselves and their own choices, characters, and strengths but about those of their sibling. They gain new respect for their own abilities to adapt and to handle new and difficult challenges as well as the other's.
April 11, 2010
When Nan Mallory's mother marries Chris Fitton's father, the two middle schoolers are sent to live with Chris' Aunt Elizabeth while their parents travel together. Resentful of each other, the new stepsiblings' only bond is a miniature model of an old English Inn that Chris finds in a Salvation Army shop. The model triggers three time travel episodes (in which the Inn plays a part) in which both Chris and Nan display courage, impressing each other and leading to a better relationship in the present.
While I liked this book, I think it would have worked better had the children returned to the same place and approximately same time during their time travels. Instead, the first episode is during the time of James I, the second episode involves smugglers during the Napoleonic era, the third involves 19th century rivalry between the local gentry and the innkeeper's family. Just as one grasps the issues and learns the characters, the children return to the present. Overall, however, an interesting story and can be compared to Storm from th West by Barbara Willard, another stepsibling story.
While I liked this book, I think it would have worked better had the children returned to the same place and approximately same time during their time travels. Instead, the first episode is during the time of James I, the second episode involves smugglers during the Napoleonic era, the third involves 19th century rivalry between the local gentry and the innkeeper's family. Just as one grasps the issues and learns the characters, the children return to the present. Overall, however, an interesting story and can be compared to Storm from th West by Barbara Willard, another stepsibling story.
August 13, 2010
I accidentally read this last book in the series before the other two (gasp!) but I don't think it makes a difference since they don't seem to have any discernible connection running through them in terms of continuity.
Once again, the magic in this book is ...inscrutable. Norton doesn't bother to explain her magic, which I still find an interesting thing. Another thing I enjoy about her books - while they are not the most complex plots I have ever read (they are children's novels, for the most part), there is a sense of realism about them, that you can appreciate even after you have 'outgrown' them. The characters and their problems are believable and fleshed out. Another thing that's intriguing to me is how Norton doesn't wrap things up neatly (and, I always felt, unrealistically), which I think is not something often seen in many stories for children. At the end of this book, Nan and Chris know that things may not get better - but they are going to try the best they can to move them in that direction, and I think that's a good lesson for kids. Nothing is ever easy, or completely finished.
Once again, the magic in this book is ...inscrutable. Norton doesn't bother to explain her magic, which I still find an interesting thing. Another thing I enjoy about her books - while they are not the most complex plots I have ever read (they are children's novels, for the most part), there is a sense of realism about them, that you can appreciate even after you have 'outgrown' them. The characters and their problems are believable and fleshed out. Another thing that's intriguing to me is how Norton doesn't wrap things up neatly (and, I always felt, unrealistically), which I think is not something often seen in many stories for children. At the end of this book, Nan and Chris know that things may not get better - but they are going to try the best they can to move them in that direction, and I think that's a good lesson for kids. Nothing is ever easy, or completely finished.
Read
June 8, 2010It's funny how many characters in Norton books come from 'broken' families. In this story, a model inn triggers time-travel episodes that teach the viewpoint characters how to be siblings.
I've mentioned before how Norton argued repeatedly that one ought to comply with authority figures, no matter how cruel or corrupt. I should add here what I've noted before: she seemed to equate education with physical and emotional abuse. It's no wonder that few of Norton's characters are scholars by preference--though some in later books are.
The illustrations are good pictures, but they bear little resemblance to the text. The model Red Hart inn is repeatedly described as very small (one sequence says you could hold it in one hand). But in the drawings, it's shown as quite a bit larger.
I've mentioned before how Norton argued repeatedly that one ought to comply with authority figures, no matter how cruel or corrupt. I should add here what I've noted before: she seemed to equate education with physical and emotional abuse. It's no wonder that few of Norton's characters are scholars by preference--though some in later books are.
The illustrations are good pictures, but they bear little resemblance to the text. The model Red Hart inn is repeatedly described as very small (one sequence says you could hold it in one hand). But in the drawings, it's shown as quite a bit larger.
November 5, 2024
I red this quite some time ago, about 1990 or so. It's the story of Chris and Nan, who don't get along but are thrown together by the marriage of their parents. But when they are transported to the seventeenth century they must work together to survive there. A nice portrayal of human character, which Norton was known for.
I have not read many of Norton's books (in fact, this might be the only one), But she wrote more than 300 novels that have been read by at least 4 generations of readers. She passed away in 2005 at the age of 93. I have wondered about the other 6 books in this 7-book series so I plan to check some of them out.
I have not read many of Norton's books (in fact, this might be the only one), But she wrote more than 300 novels that have been read by at least 4 generations of readers. She passed away in 2005 at the age of 93. I have wondered about the other 6 books in this 7-book series so I plan to check some of them out.
May 25, 2013
Here is a book I didn't want to set down. How real it seems to feel awkward and suspicious of or unappreciated by a new family member of a step variety. From personal experience I cannot speak; it just seems true-to-life and true to the nature of the people we meet in this book. How wondrous that they should be presented with alternate routes to grow in mutual acquaintance and appreciation! That real personal growth can arise from shadow-world experiences is initially surprising but, on second thought, well within the bounds of plausibility.
September 27, 2015
This coming of age story deals well with the issues when a blended family brings together children who are all but abandoned, but are able to use a magical inn to learn more about themselves, each other, and how to handle issues.
July 3, 2011
I totally missed that this was the sixth book in a series when I read it.
April 1, 2012
Like to stories of this "Magic" series..written more for the younger reader, but the stories are good, and the magic takes the reader to another time, although still on this planet.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews