Rival Magic

by Deva Fagan

A young wizard's apprentice discovers that the best magic is not the biggest or the brightest, but the magic unique to you, in this cinematic middle grade fantasy in the tradition of Kiki's Delivery Service and The School for Good and Evil.

Antonia may not be the most powerful wizard the world has ever seen, but she's worked hard to win her place as apprentice to renowned sorcerer Master Betrys. Unfortunately, even her best dancing turnip charm might not be enough when Moppe the scullery maid turns out to be a magical prodigy. Now that Betrys has taken Moppe on as a second apprentice, Antonia's path to wizarding just got a bit more complicated.

But when Betrys is accused of treason, Antonia and Moppe are forced to go on the run. To prove their master's innocence--and their own--the rivals must become allies. As their island province teeters on the brink of rebellion, they'll face ancient spells, vengeful mermaids, enchanted turnips, voice-stealing forests, and one insatiable sea monster.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Adventure, Friendship, Fiction, Magic

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2020

About the author

I write fantasy and science fiction for readers of all ages. I live in Maine with my husband and our dog. When I'm not writing I spend my time reading, playing video games, doing geometry, and drinking copious amounts of tea.

NOTE: My comments on books I've read are not meant to be critical reviews, but are just my own reactions. I don't generally use stars, but I do occasionally mark a book with five stars if it's one that feels like it will become a long-term favorite, because it's exactly my sort of book, and caters to my specific tastes as a reader. There are plenty of books I read and really admire that are clearly excellent books, but which are not so exactly "for me" that I give them five stars. I will unabashedly stop reading books I really don't care for, so if a book is on my read list at all it means I liked it enough to finish it.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll write a more detailed review closer to publication date (April 2020), but in the meantime, this is the blurb that I just sent off for this lovely MG fantasy:

"Full of fierce girls, fabulously fun magic, humor and so much heart. I loved it!"

<3

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading & LOVING Nightingale by Deva Fagan I knew I had to read this soon. So glad I did, b/c I absolutely LOVED this. Such a magical story w/an amazing friendship b/n the 2 girls! Antonia may not be the most powerful wizard, but she's worked hard to win her place as apprentice to renowned sorcerer Master Betrys. Unfortunately, even her best dancing turnip charm might not be enough when Moppe(scullery maid)turns out to be a magical prodigy. Now that Betrys has taken Moppe on as a 2nd apprentice, Antonia's path to wizarding just got a bit more complicated. Antonia & Moppe are forced to go on the run when Betrys is accused of treason. To prove theirs & their master's innocence the rivals must become allies. As their island province teeters on the brink of rebellion, they'll face ancient spells, vengeful mermaids, enchanted turnips, voice-stealing forests, & 1 insatiable sea monster. Big themes of friendship, family, jealousy, rivalry, vengeance, & more. What family pressure can do to a kid, & the toll it can take. What jealousy can do-eat away at you & grow into something bitter & angry. The same goes for rivalry. All leading to seeking vengeance that will make nothing better in the end. What true friendship means, & how important is is to have in your life. Also, believing in yourself & your own abilities. You may not be what someone else is, but neither are they what you are. There’s something unique about each of us, & we should embrace & nurture that. We should also build others up instead of tearing them down out of envy-nothing good comes from that. Grief is also a part of this book. It felt as if the character the grief is over was almost a living character in the story. I got to know them, & really like them. Also shows not only the feelings you still live w/after losing a loved 1, but also what it can do to a family. So well done. Amazing world & character building too. I loved this world. They magic system, & all the magical beings & such we came across. The voice stealing was a very unique part & so good! Each new place they went & new things/“creatures” they saw-fascinating! Loved it all. So much adventure & danger too, w/a touch of mystery since we don’t know who the villain is. Very fast-paced read. Antonia has my heart. & the Black Drake-so polite! Lol But I loved to see her character growth-as well as Moppe’s. Highly recommend! Stunning cover by Saoirse Lou too!💜

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction

This book is a quintessential fantasy, with its unique magical system, well-drawn characters, and a gripping plot that’s filled with a myriad of twists and turns. First off, I loved how rich the worldbuilding is in this story. Antonia is an apprentice wizard with middling powers—could be a story we’ve seen before, but the magical system is complex (without being overwhelming). The magic is ancient and many of the magical words have been lost to time. The way that spells are structured matters quite a bit, which is what makes Antonia an ideal student, even though her actual magic isn’t as strong as she would like it to be. And the political system of their world is highly influenced by the magic as well. All of this rich worldbuilding is doled out in ways that never feel boring or overcomplicated, a must for a middle grade book. The rivalry between Moppe and Antonia feels realistic—Moppe has pure power and no training whereas Antonia has studied for years and mastered the intricacies of spells but can’t do anything amazing with them. Antonia’s resentment of Moppe is palpable, which only makes it that much more wonderful when the two learn to work together. Their rivalry turns into a true friendship, but not one without complications. I highly recommend this book to any child who loves fantasy!!

[Joanna Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful! Fierce and funny and heartfelt and thoughtful. I loved it!!

[Lisa Nagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful fresh take on fantasy, full of girl power, sea monsters, spells and magic speak. There are rebels battling an empire, characters full of envy, with dreams and desires, and two girls struggling with the expectations of their family. Antonia and Moppe, start as rivals and somehow learn to trust one another. Ultimately the power of friendship is what saves the day. Loved it.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

really top notch middle grade fantasy!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The main characters are nuanced and interesting, as are their relationships to each other, to their mentors and parents, and to their very allegiances and countries. The world-building is so rich -- an island nation and a mainland nation struggling to deal with generations-long conflict and scarce natural resources -- but it is revealed in such an organic, easy way that it's always understandable and intriguing. For example, how amazing that the magical word for "purple" has been lost, making the purple dye that the island produces a valuable resource. Plus, this book is perfectly paced -- swift, with all the brushstrokes in the right place, and without sacrificing any of the heartfelt character moments. A masterful feat!

All the skill the author harnessed to write the book creates what feels like an effortlessly exciting adventure, full of magic just brimming with sense of wonder. There are ancient spell, lost crowns, talking animals, mermaids... you name it! And yet even with all of this, the story never loses its focus on the main characters and their growing friendship.

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic is Antonia’s life, all she’s ever dreamed of. What she doesn’t have in raw power she makes up with her studious mind as an apprentice. When the new undercook Moppe turns out to be a magical prodigy and is taken on as a second apprentice, it feels those dreams are about to be ripped away. Tensions are high on Medasia as the threat of civil war looms and all hopes rest on a lost crown that grants the wearer control over a sea monster. After a magical attack Master Betrys is falsely accused of treason and the girls find themselves on the run. Determined to set things right for themselves and the land, the young apprentices must join forces to find the crown. Can they learn to put aside their differences and face the challenges in their wake to save their land?

I loved every moment of this rich imaginative book. What you might first take as a tale of friendship complete with a great magical backdrop is so much more. Antonia’s grown up a Regianist while Liberationist sympathizer Moppe challenges some of her views. It raises the question of bias history books and shows how wanting what’s best doesn’t look the same for everyone. Both girls have enormous weights on their shoulders from their families and only by combining their talents they learn to rise above all. If you enjoy magical tales full of political intrigue, high stakes, and fearsome mythical creatures you’ll love Rival Magic. Deva Fagan is an author to add to the top of your list!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Not many adventures begin with dancing turnips. Then again, neither do many friendships.

Antonia so desperately wants to be a Master Wizard. However, she hardly has any power, though her memory is sharp and she reads through grimoires at an almost alarming pace. She desperately wants to keep her place as Master Betrys' apprentice... and make her intimidating mother proud. The last thing that she wants is to be upstaged by the new kitchen maid, Moppe, who is bursting with power and wields it effortlessly, but struggles with learning Magespeak. Rumors of war and acts of ongoing rebellion only raise the level of competition between Antonia and Moppe, and both want to find a lost crown that is the key to peace. But when Master Betrys is arrested for supposedly committing treason, both girls are suddenly on the run and finding the crown becomes a matter of urgency. Will they be able to work together? Or will their rivalry see the entire world ruined?

A fantastic middle-grade about finding and recognizing your own strengths, facing challenges, and forging friendships "Rival Magic" is sure to delight readers of all ages. Full of enchanted caves, shadowy forests, and incredible magic, "Rival Magic" is an incredible journey from beginning to end.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful! This seems to be a title that's flown under the radar, which is really a shame. It has a lot of charm and whimsy, not to mention plenty of adventure. And at the heart of it is female friendship and girl power, highlighting the value and meaning of trust and the bonds of friendship. Obstacles are resolved quickly and usually easily, making for a fast pace. The characters are fun and the world building is imaginative (mermaids, golem-like stone monsters, evil wizards, sea monsters, a witch who takes words). I would have loved this as a kid, and I'm sure lots of kids out there would feel the same if only they knew about it.

[Laylah Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! I love the drama, and magic! Some of my favorite things in a book! I wish I could make a whole bunch of turnips dance, it would be cool to see something you thought would never fly, well fly!

[Ilyda · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a lovely lil children's story. warm, well-written, and full of heart – and i love the whole magic premise here!

[Mayken Brunings · Rating 5 out of 5]

In retrospect, you might say this is a story told by the sidekick, but that wouldn't do Antonia justice. Apprentice to a renowned wizard, she discovers to her dismay the new kitchen maid is better at practical magic than her. But when her master is arrested and the two girls are wanted, they have to team up to save themselves, the wizard, and the island they call home.
The worldbuilding is excellent, I loved especially how the magic works.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a personal fan of Deva Fagan's writing and this book does not disappoint. I felt immersed immediately and felt the characters came alive quickly. A great read for YA and Adult readers alike.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

My name is Antonia, and I don't know how I'll become a Grand Wizard with Moppe around. She's supposed to be working for the cook, but Master Betrys has made her another apprentice like me. Ok, she seems to have more magical power than me, but I've read all the grimoires and know the spells and magewords. My mother showed up after six months and said she'd only let me stay here if I spy on Master Betrys. Mother thinks Master Betrys knows the location of the crown of Medasia that will allow its holder to control the Black Drake. The Liberationists will use that control over the giant sea monster to start a rebellion. With Master Betrys now in prison, I can't believe it's up to Moppe and me to locate the crown and bring peace to the entire island.

This book was the winner of the 2020 Cybils Award in Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction. The core of the story centered on the rivalry/friendship between Antonia and Moppe. Antonia worked tirelessly to perfect magic, but she was envious and jealous of Moppe's natural power. However, Moppe had secrets and couldn't master her powers without Antonia's help. Both girls had demanding, controlling mothers who applied internal conflicts within their daughters. The mothers also happened to be leaders of opposing political groups. Ancient history and politics created external conflicts that placed the whole island on the brink of war. The plot found Antonia and Moppe traveling across the island while facing their greatest fears and untold dangers. They each held great potential that could only be unlocked together, and they didn't understand how to use a secret word in magespeak. This created aniticipation for the moment it would all click together. It took the girls awhile to figure out how to work as a team, as their friendship shakily grew. The author included several twists along the way that complicated matters and changed the focus of the plot. Overall, this was a wonderful book of magic and friendship, and I highly recommend you give it a shot.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rival Magic is a middle grade fantasy about the blooming friendship between two wizards.

Things you'll find:
*Witch Fic*
*Rivals to Friends*
*Mermaids, Magic, and Magespeak*
*Pirates and Mermaids*

This is truly one of those cases where the book itself is great, it just wasn't for me at all, hence why I still give it four stars. The pacing of the novel is perfect, there's really never a lull in action from beginning to finish. The author's inclusion of magical characters makes the world interesting and fun to read about. The theme of friendship even in the face of envy, adversity, and family obligation shine through the text and speak to the reader in a way that plenty of people will enjoy and find fanciful. Antonia makes for a reliable narrator and she grows quite a bit of confidence in herself throughout the events of the novel.

I do, however, think this book may have needed a push into the YA category. There were times when the politics in this world were complex and I feel like really the better age range for this novel is 12-14, not 8-12 which is the intended demographic of middle grade. Sure, it would still teeter toward the young side of YA, but I just know nine year old me wouldn't have been that invested in this book as is.

Now for the spoilery bits: While I was able to really connect with Antonia's point of view and her struggles, I never did warm up to Moppe. Her character is just one of those characters I dislike in books; a bit too cocky, tunes out any opinion other then her own, and very judgemental of others. I felt like throughout the novel, Antonia quickly warms up to the idea that maybe the things she was taught about her home's history might not be entirely correct, whereas Moppe holds fast to her ideas, even though she really has no more credit to believe what she was taught over what Antonia was. By the end, the two mend fences and become friends, but it felt a little forced as Moppe never really grows as a person the way Antonia does.

[Jill Jemmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antonia is a wizard’s apprentice, but she isn’t very good at magic. One night when she is practicing magic, the new kitchen maid finds her. It turns out that she can do the spell better than Antonia. The kitchen maid, Moppe, becomes the next apprentice because her magic abilities are so strong. Then, the wizard they work with is accused with treason, leaving Antonia and Moppe to run away and look for evidence to prove their master’s innocence. They end up on a journey through the island to find the crown that belongs to the rightful leader.

This story had all the elements of a great children’s fantasy novel. There were magical creatures, such as a talking ferret who was sent to spy on their wizard master. There were dancing turnips, enchanted mermaids, and a nightmare forest. There were also betrayals and deception.

The magical world is controlled by words. The wizards learn words that give them different spell abilities. There are thousands of different words to create spells. That means that they can’t do a spell until they have learned how to say the word for it. This is a problem for Moppe who cannot read. It gave her a unique challenge that she had to find a way to overcome. Since I love words, this was a fascinating world to me.

This was a really good fantasy story!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm pretty sure devoured is the word most people would use to describe how fast and into this book I got. There was action, adventure, and oddly enough some really good political intrigue for a book of this age range. Anyone who says you have to dumb down or make a simple magic system just because it's a kids book needs to read this immediately, everything made sense and wasn't overly complex for the sake of it, but held real power. There were so many good things about the story here, that I'm a little disappointed at some of the minor predictable parts, but that's just because I really wanted Antonia's brother to actually be alive.

The characters were so good, and none of the "villains" actually had that overly caricaturist feeling to them. I could believe they were actual people rather than just villains for a story, motives actually making sense based on their background and context. The main characters were so cute, too! I loved Antonia and Moppe, and their journey towards working together was so pure and fantastic.

One I'm definitely going to recommend, I blasted through it in an afternoon and it works as a standalone or the start of a series maybe? Hopefully?

[Jaime Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Physical TBR backlist book!

4.5
TW for death of a brother mentioned throughout, parental neglect, fear of water and character drowning.
Rep: It is implied the MFC has dyslexia

I had zero expectations going into this. I was just expecting it to be a fun romp at best. However, this book is actually really good. The writing is witty and fun, but with some heart tugging bits and good truths mixed it that add depth. The pacing was great and moved briskly enough to both seem like a grand adventure and not drag on too long. The themes of love and loss and friendship and power were all explored with depth and there were even some parts that I imagine would be scary for a younger audience. So, although the cover makes this seem fit for a very young middle grader, I'd probably say someone on the older side would be better suited for it. I enjoy the twists and turns, some of which caught me by surprise. I really loved Moppe and Antonia's friendship development and their arc by the end.
I wish more people would read this and glad I finally got it off my shelf and into my hands.

edit: IDK how this doesn't have more reviews. That is one of the lowest numbers I've ever seen. Did this not get *any* publicity?

[Jayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read two very fun books in a row and I'm a bit proud of myself (:
This one was a heart-filled story about jealousy and working together to get something done.
I'm not usually a fine of in-depth fantasy because it's so, well, in depth and makes it hard for me to enjoy the plot, writing, and overall theme, but I think this book did a great job of balancing introducing us to this new world and not over-explaining things.
One of the only off-putting things about this was the way the narrator (the main character) would be very direct about her internal struggles instead of showing through dialogue and actions how the character was feeling. The writing style overall was a bit weird in my opinion, although I liked the slightly formal vibe of it.
Other than that it was a delightful read. I loved the fullness of all the characters, from the main character's mom to the Black Drake, and I will definitely check out some of this author's other books.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received an electronic review copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

4.5 stars. I loved this fantasy novel - great world-building. I loved how the author dealt with the magic words. The friendship story at the core of this was terrific. The envy/jealousy was realistic without being too angsty or overplayed. The pacing was great. The cover art does an excellent job hinting at some of the events in the book. I hope this will become a series - I would definitely read more stories with these characters. Pair this with the Twinchantment series - I think these books will appeal to the same readers.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great magic filled tale about friendship, jealousy, and how we deal with our strengths and weaknesses.
Antonia wants to be a good enough wizard to get into the wizarding school. (No. nothing like Hogwarts.) But being good enough doesn't guarantee she'll be the best. Antonia is fine with that, until someone out magics her and threatens Antonia's ability to get into the school.
When a possible allegiance to a rebel group gets their Master thrown in jail, Antonia and her rival, Moppe, will either need to work together or give up their dreams of wizarding forever.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the constant theme of friendship, and as a kid I would have liked that the parents (well, the moms) were often more a problem than a support but the kids had each other's backs. Maybe they'll get married one day!

The magic system was neat, and I liked how the girls had completely different approaches and the whole book was how they had to work together. The secondary characters don't get much attention (so I don't remember any boys beyond the villain and that one that got petrified, and oh yeah, the deceased brother).

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antonia desperately wants to prove to her mother that her fascination with magic benefits their family. Her mother's role in the government leads her to demand that Antonia spy on her master, the wizard Betrys. On top of that Master Betrys has taken another apprentice, Moppe, the scullery maid, whose magic turns out to be much more powerful than Antonia's. Antonia's jealousy and Moppe's arrogance cause the girls to clash nearly leading to the expulsion as apprentices. But Master Betry's arrest as a traitor leaves the two girls on the run, trying to find a magical artifact that might help them prove Betry's innocence.

But things aren't always as they appear, and the involvement of a revolutionary group complicates the girl's efforts. And Antonia's feelings related to her mother's neglect, her brother's death, and her jealousy of Moppe continue to inhibit the budding friendship growing between the girls. Secrets, powerful wizards, and magical words whose usefulness is unknown add to the challenges the girls's face.

Antonia makes for a great narrator as she shares with readers her struggles with her magic, her grief over her brother, and her desire to please her mother. Moppe's arrival brings out Antonia's jealous, competitive side. It's clear from the beginning that Moppe has secrets of her own, and I did figure out a couple of them before they were revealed. The various plot lines work quite well together without bogging the book down with too many side plots. And Antonia and Moppe both grow and develop as characters. The magic is intriguing and unique, the idea of using special known words is a fun idea. The secondary characters aren't as well developed as Antonia and Moppe but they are interesting and add to the story nonetheless. A fresh, enjoyable fantasy perfect for young readers who love lots of adventure mixed in with their magic.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected a lighter, fluffier, funnier book from the illustration style on the cover. It turned out to be much more Children's High Fantasy than that. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just that there was some initial disconnect for me with my expectations and the writing style.

Although, there were dancing turnips.

A wonderful story of frienship and magic, with mermaids, mysterious cave creatures, wizardry, and sea monsters.

[Rachel Rauch · Rating 3 out of 5]

It feels like it was trying a little to hard to be important. There was a lot of political commentary about the government being bad and rebellion is important and needed, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I’d come for a silly story about wizards and that was definitely not what I got. The extensive world building didn’t hook me either, just confused me. It was good… if you like your cozy MG with a big heaping spoonful of reality.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...I did like that yes the narrative contain magic of the solid world building kind revolving around speech and one's ability with speech with a turnips on the side but the narrative is about rivalries.envy between friends but also within the political landscape of the world.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing Antonia and Moppe aren't friends are first but, they soon become friends and learn to trust each other. They share secrets and relate to how both their mothers are hard on them. I wish this book was a series. I was surprised Moppe became a queen I loved the surprises.

[A.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was a great book. Terrible ending though. It had a cliffhanger as an ending an it is not a series! all that set aside, I think it was a great book, it had character and amazing plot twists and everything is perfectly described. great book.

[Kristin Fletcher-spear · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars reviewing for school media connections.