Holmberg, Charlie N ; The Paper Magician ; Start Date November 22, 2014

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

What is a Buddy Read?

This is an "Informal Buddy Read"
An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

Book synopsis
One of the most remarkable, imaginative, and charming fantasy debut novels in years, Charlie N. Holmberg's The Paper Magician is an extraordinary adventure both dark and whimsical that will delight readers of all ages.

Ceony Twill arrives at the cottage of Magician Emery Thane with a broken heart. Having graduated at the top of her class from the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined, Ceony is assigned an apprenticeship in paper magic despite her dreams of bespelling metal. And once she’s bonded to paper, that will be her only magic…forever.

Yet the spells Ceony learns under the strange yet kind Thane turn out to be more marvelous than she could have ever imagined—animating paper creatures, bringing stories to life via ghostly images, even reading fortunes. But as she discovers these wonders, Ceony also learns of the extraordinary dangers of forbidden magic.

An Excisioner—a practitioner of dark, flesh magic—invades the cottage and rips Thane’s heart from his chest. To save her teacher’s life, Ceony must face the evil magician and embark on an unbelievable adventure that will take her into the chambers of Thane’s still-beating heart—and reveal the very soul of the man.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Buddy readers:
Cynthia
Kaora
Amanda
Renee
Stacie
Abbie
Khaoula
TheButerflyEffect
Megan

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Currently available from Netgalley here: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/sho...

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Is this where I admit the cover sucked me in (as did the free Netgalley download)? Boy I hope it is good :D

[Khaoula E.]

I also want to read this book, I want in!

[RachelvlehcaR]

I would like to join!

[Ghost in the Stacks]

The cover got me too, Kindle First!
1.99$

[Stacie]

Awesome!

[RachelvlehcaR]

It's on Kindle Unlimited if you didn't get it from Kindle First. I got it when it was on Kindle First but never read it. I'm excited.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

It's still available for free via netgalley too (as a "read now" so you don't need to be accepted)

[Cynthia]

I need to get in on this NetGalley business LOL.

I read this one last month, but I can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks about it. It's going to be hard to wait to read the 2nd book!

[[deleted user]]

Oh, I noticed this on Netgalley and I was wondering if I should get it, so I guess this buddy read answered that question

[Megan]

I'd like to join :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Cynthia wrote: "I need to get in on this NetGalley business LOL.

I read this one last month, but I can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks about it. It's going to be hard to wait to read the 2nd book!"

lol
the second book is available on NetGalley at the moment too :)

[Cynthia]

I registered with Net Galley, but I didn't really know what to put into my profile. Hi, I read a lot, I'm obsessed with reading challenges, and sometimes I even review what I read? Compelling.

I'll pick it up free in Kindle Unlimited. (Technically not free, at $10/month, but you know what I mean.)

[Steven]

I might try to jump in with this one. I got this one on Kindle Prime Firsts and haven't touched it yet, but it's short and sounds intriguing AND has some good reviews from some friends. :)

[Amanda]

I started this last night because I needed to read on my Kindle. I couldn't stop reading. I'm up to 50% now.
I wasn't sure how much I liked Ceony at first. She seemed too judgmental and unwilling to keep an open mind. I enjoyed seeing her open up. I think she's a great character.


The magic in this book is amazing! I love the thought that went into it. The paper Folding is brilliant. I imagine it looks something like this:



This isn't much of a spoiler.
(view spoiler)[
There is obviously more to paper magic than Ceony originally thought. I wonder if it is the same for the other magics, too. What else can glass magicians do? (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

That good, huh? I need to finish up the two I'm reading now haha!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Yeah I'm a day or so behind.... I am trying to finish Undivided and Bayou Moon this weekend first :o

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapters 1 & 2

Well this has dragged me right in. Great pictures Amanda, they are exactly what I see in the book!

(view spoiler)[ So clearly some reason why she is there other than the need to fill a spot.... although he didn't actually say he was her benefactor. Very curious.
I wonder how old she is? They have mentioned twice now that he is "only" thirty so does that mean we can expect a love story?
(hide spoiler)]

I'm really interested in the world and keen to read more!

[RachelvlehcaR]

I love the paper world, it's like magical origami. :)

Chapter 1-4
(view spoiler)[Magician Thane is mysterious. I have a feeling we will learn a lot more about him. I can't stand Ceony seemed so whiny and I didn't like her that much. I'm having a hard like liking her. I too love the dog Fennel but Jonto is awesome. :) I'm thinking it would take a lot of planning to do paper magic. (hide spoiler)]

[RachelvlehcaR]

Here are my thoughts about Chapters 5 through Chapter 9.

Chapter 5 & 6
(view spoiler)[
✂ I love the paper dog Fennel. He's so cute and whenever I read about him I just have to pet my Cura Bean. :) It would be so neat to make your own pets like that.

✂ I didn't realize Mg. Thane is 12 years older than Ceony. I thought he was older but this would make him 31. Just how she describes him makes him seem older. He's younger than I am!

✂ Mysterious! What happened to Mg. Thane's arm? Why was he gone for 6 days? I'm thinking he was in some kind of magician battle. It makes sense with the appearance of Lira.

✂ Oh, now bringing in the Excisoners, the forbidden craft. This will for sure bring in darker elements. I feel a mixture of Harry Potter and the tv show Once Upon a Time, especially with the hearts.

✂ Quick thinking of the paper heart. It makes me think paper is cute and neat for the magic but what a pain. That would take a lot of planning and prep work. Then they have to watch out for so many variables. Making sure it isn't raining, things will not get wet, time to fold the paper and accurately. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[
✄ Ceony is either brave or extremely foolish for going after Lira. I'm going to say both. I mean come on, she's a beginning and Lira has about 12+ years on her. I'm pretty sure Lira wasn't an Excisoner all that time but she does have the other magic too. Too bad Ceony is a loner and doesn't have friends to help her along. It sure can be a lonely battle. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[
✂ Now I know why Ceony isn't in smelter. Pouring the pitcher over Sinad Muller cost her the scholarship. She's lucky Thane saw all this. He must have really like that trait in her, a strong sense of justice and sense of what is right. She wasn't going to stand for that. It explains why he wanted her, just what are his plans?

✂ It's so neat that Fennel is able to fold himself up. That can come in very handy. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ I really like what Lira said, "...A heart that's known love is stronger than one that hasn't," I like that a lot.

I'm enjoying the running around in the heart and seeing the images of Mg. Thane's life. It has 'A Christmas Carol' feel to it.

The pulling out of the heart reminds me of the wicked queen on the TV show Once Upon A Time pulling out the hearts. (hide spoiler)]

[RachelvlehcaR]

Chapter 9 through Chapter 13

Mg Thane (view spoiler)[ Oh my goodness! Yes! I am enjoying learning about him. There are some major heartbreaking moments but I have to agree with Ceony about him being a bully. I didn't like that and I hope he did make it up to that kid. Sheesh. (hide spoiler)]

Lira (view spoiler)[ I know the jealousy is just through the roof with her. Not only that, they were married! He learned about her dabbling in the dark magic and wouldn't take it. Good for him. (hide spoiler)]

Fennel (view spoiler)[ Oh no! Not Fennel. That's so not right. I love Fennel. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I'm enjoying the story, it's very different. Parts of it annoy me but I like other parts. I'm wondering how the end of this is going to be. There is a series of it so I know it's going to have some kind of a continuation but please don't let it be a major cliffhanger. (hide spoiler)]

[Renee]

Chapter 1 & 2
I love the paper magic. I loved origami when I was a kid. I remember sitting in the library on rainy days with an origami book, folding all kinds of things. The fortuity box in chapter 2 was a favourite.


So far it is mentioned that you can do magic with metal, paper, glass, fire, rubber and plastic - I wonder if there are any other types of magician?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@RachelvlehcaR
I love your little scissors as dot points ;)

I just finished chapter 7.
Mostly I agree with you so far about Ceony ; I'm not really sure about her character so far (view spoiler)[ and what was she thinking going after Lira? Seriously! The dog is great, and I think it was so nice that he made that for her (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Renee wrote: "Chapter 1 & 2
I love the paper magic. I loved origami when I was a kid. I remember sitting in the library on rainy days with an origami book, folding all kinds of things. The fortuity box in chapte..."

I loved making those too :)

[Renee]

I love this quote
"How many others had she judged and set aside like that, thinking them no more than a one-sided piece of paper? "
She is realizing more depth in both the people and the paper.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Karen wrote: "@RachelvlehcaR
I love your little scissors as dot points ;)

I just finished chapter 7.
Mostly I agree with you so far about Ceony ; I'm not really sure about her character so far [spoilers removed]"

Thanks. :) I thought they'd be cute for this book. :P

I know I'm most likely one of the few that just can't connect with Ceony. :( (view spoiler)[ I know what you mean. She is foolish going after her and the worst part is well, I'll say when people finish the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Late to join in but I'm jumping in! It's on lending library in Kindle right now.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Just finished chapter 14

(view spoiler)[ Blerg, seriously? I'm falling in love with you? Hellava way to ruin a book. I guess some authors can't help but be stereotypical YA. What a shame when the book had so much potential.

I'm a bit over the stuck in the heart thing too. How terribly personal. I'm hoping she gets out in the next chapter.

I can't help but think I would've enjoyed the book more if it was actually the story of the Paper Magician and his wife and how she turned to dark magic....
(hide spoiler)]

[RachelvlehcaR]

Karen wrote: "Just finished chapter 14 [spoiler]"

Reply to you comment up to chapter 14.
(view spoiler)[ I agree with you. This is why I only gave the book 2 stars. I think if she focused more on the story of the Paper Magician and Lira and how she went dark it would have been way better. Or that if it focused on the different styles of the Magicians. But it's just foolish of Ceony to try to do a battle with a 30 year old man that has had a lot more training and then has been dabbling in blood magic. I did the math on Ceony and Mg. Thane, it makes him 31 in the book yet when reading about him, she makes him seem older. I'm like Mg. Thane is younger than I am. :P (hide spoiler)]

[Renee]

Just finished chapter 11 - love the lazy Sunday reading
(view spoiler)[I wonder how much real world time is going past while she is in this dream world. It's an interesting way to do character development. I'm ready for more of a battle now though.
I wonder how he got from steal your lunch bully to kind create you a puppy? (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Huh. I should join this one. I got it on one of the kindle first choices but haven't looked at it yet.

[Amanda]

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "Here are my thoughts about Chapters 5 through Chapter 9.

Chapter 5 & 6

✂ I love the paper dog Fennel. He's so cute and whenever I read about him I just have to pet my Cura Bean. :) It would be..."


(view spoiler)[
I didn't make the connection about A Christmas Carol but I think you're right about the similarity. I love that Ceony is able to get a glimpse of his life and memories, good and bad. (hide spoiler)]

[Amanda]

Kelly wrote: "Huh. I should join this one. I got it on one of the kindle first choices but haven't looked at it yet."

It's very good so far! :)

[Renee]

Just finished chapter 16
(view spoiler)[ I love how she defeated Lira. and so glad Mg Thane is recovering. Possible romance? (hide spoiler)]

[Renee]

And finished.
I enjoyed that. Happy with the ending and looking forward to the next book.

[[deleted user]]

I think I'm up to chapter 5 - don't have my ereader with me. The idea of having a magician work only with a certain medium is interesting. I don't think I've ever come across anything like the paper magic before. It was a bit weird reading about magic fortuity boxes though since I remember me and my friends making the non-magical version.

I too love Fennel. Not so sure on the characters yet but it's early days.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Renee wrote: "Just finished chapter 16
[spoilers removed]"

My reply to your comment.

(view spoiler)[That's the reason why I didn't like it. How can she defeat Lira when she doesn't know much and Lira is about 12 years older than her and knows a lot more. I didn't like that. Also I hope there isn't a romance if there isn't I will not be happy because she is 19 and Thane is 31! No thank you. (hide spoiler)]

[Amanda]

I finished last night...and I may have gone on to read the next book immediately after...lol

I love whimsical books. The idea of paper magic really stirred my imagination and I loved reading the descriptions of all the little creatures Ceony made.
I'm so glad I read this one.

[Cynthia]

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "I know I'm most likely one of the few that just can't connect with Ceony. :("

I didn't connect with her, either. I liked her a little, but I'm mostly enamored of the other characters. I didn't rate this book highly, but I'm interested enough in the story that I have the 2nd book and plan to read it soon.

I know this thread was started because I wanted to BR . I don't think a thread has been set up for that one, though.

[Amanda]

Cynthia wrote: "RachelvlehcaR wrote: "I know I'm most likely one of the few that just can't connect with Ceony. :("

I didn't connect with her, either. I liked her a little, but I'm mostly enamored of the other ch..."

I'll go ahead and set one up now.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Thread for The Glass Magician is here. It just needs the start date.

[Stacie]

Thoughts on Chapters 1 & 2.

(view spoiler)[Wow,I'm hooked already. Had to stop to remind myself I need to comment along the way. I loved the imagery created when Thane was teaching Ceony how to read. We had those "boxes" too. We called them cootie catchers. Can't wait to see what the story is behind Ceony being apprenticed to Thane. (hide spoiler)]

[RachelvlehcaR]

I signed up for the Glass Magician. :)

[Stacie]

Through Chapter 6

(view spoiler)[Woah!! Holy plot advancement. I love how Ceony tried to save Thane. She's clearly trying to see the joy in paper as well as the usefulness. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacie]

Through Chapter 11

(view spoiler)[The journey through the heart is incredibly well written and I am enjoying getting to know Thane. I like the way the author writes and enjoy the quick pacing. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Well it was 40c here yesterday so I spent most of the day in the pool and didn't finish this, although my kindle tells me I only have 30 mins of reading to go. So hopefully tonight!

[Stacie]

Good book. :)

[Stacie]

Kaora wrote: "I finished!

I quite enjoyed it. I liked how the hearts four chambers were different things, like hopes, good memories, etc. I thought the story was well done and while it does have its faults thi..."

That was the very thing I loved about (view spoiler)[the heart (hide spoiler)]too!