The Thinking Woman’s Guide To Real Magic is the right title
for this book. Barker has crafted a
complex narrative with an educated heroine…trying to find her way through an
alternate world. I’ve been reading
outside of my genre and comfort zone…and this book definitely falls into that
goal.
Nora’s boyfriend has dumped her to marry another. Seemingly, by magic, as she’s dealing with
this humiliation - while scheduled to be at a mutual friend’s wedding (which he
will attend) - she’s swept into a glamorous alternate life. Not initially realizing that much of what she’s
experiencing is due to magic spells, it’s only during a personal confrontation
that the illusion turns into a nightmare.
A wizard rescues her and becomes her mentor and guiding
light into an alternate reality and whole other world. I love the idea of a writer showing such imagination
(and dedication) and enjoy being carried along for the process. Of course the book is long, over 500 pages,
as befits a project this ambitious.
To detail the plot would wreck the story…from a pretty early
point. You really need to trust the author on this one and go along for the
ride. I was hooked from the first
chapter.
I liked the heroine, though admit she was a bit too
unsuspecting. This gives Barker a foil
to set up her plot and surprising magical twists…but does detract from her main
character.
The book is really worth reading. It’s fun and it works. No, this genre isn’t one that will occupy too
much of my reading schedule. But if you like this sort of story and being
dropped into an alternate (and detailed) world then you will so enjoy this
book. If not, well, I enjoyed it. Well worth reading.
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