SOLVED: Book about discovery of magic [s]

[Soren]

Two friends discover magic: this bit written in flashback form. One friend fasts in order to think more clearly.

In the present time it follows a student learning the arts from one of the original discoverers. The selection process is brutal, kids must summon food from a huge gem/stone or starve. This kid envisions apples and is able to summon them.

Can’t remember this book!! Read between 5-10 years ago. Help me!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

While not exactly your book there is another thread that is somewhat similar, so I thought I'd link it for you. Perhaps the books suggested in it is yours. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... The topic was abandoned, so we still don't know what it was, but perhaps it will help.

[Soren]

That’s a good link but i don’t believe that is my book. I appreciate the help though 😊

[Kris]

Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey seems to match your description.

Here is the Google Books preview - https://books.google.com/books?id=2HX... There are different cover images.

"What if I couldn't make anything but apples again?... Images of starving boys came into my mind, shuffling, their eyes dull. If I couldn't make the stone work, I would starve."

(Google search - site:www.goodreads.com "fantasy" "magic" food starve)

[Soren]

You’ve done it!!! Thank you!!!!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Soren, congrats on finding your book so quickly. Also, you are the fourth person to try to find that book. The reason I mention this is--it means that I need to find a copy and read it. You were the "magic number" that I use for finding books that I wouldn't normally read. When they've been searched for 4 times, I feel they must be worth reading, right? So, off to find a copy for myself.