The Smithsonian Magic Rocks Kit is a fascinating educational toy that allows children to grow their own crystalline rocks at home. The kit includes everything needed to conduct this enchanting experiment, making it a popular choice among parents and young scientists alike. The Magic Rocks Kit comes with a bag of colored rocks, a growing solution, and a plastic tray to hold the rocks during the growing process. The instructions included in the kit are straightforward and easy to understand, ensuring that children can set up the experiment with minimal adult supervision. To begin the magical transformation, children rinse the rocks under water to remove any dust or debris. Then, they place the rocks in the plastic tray and carefully pour the growing solution over them.
The Premise – The world is pretty unique in this book. It is divided into two – Minatsol, where the people live, and Topia, where the Gods live. Even the people are divided into three classes – Dwellers (the ordinary people), Sol (people who have some God-like powers) and the Gods (the rulers of their worlds).
The Characters and the Plot The story follows Willa Knight , a clumsy, hilarious female who has the uncanny ability to create a chaotic mess everywhere she goes. Curse of the Gods by Jaymin Eve and Jane Washington is a young adult fantasy story about one clumsy girl uncovering her power with the five toughest beings in the universe.
Then, they place the rocks in the plastic tray and carefully pour the growing solution over them. As the days go by, the rocks start to transform, and beautiful crystal formations begin to emerge. The process of growing the Magic Rocks can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the temperature and other environmental factors.
Trickery (Curse of the Gods #1) by Jaymin Eve, Jane Washington
The Curse of the Gods series was one of my first adventures with RH as a genre. I was already a fan of Jaymin Eve because of her Hive Trilogy and the Supernatural Prison Trilogy, which I highly recommend if you are a PNR YA fan. But this series did not disappoint me.
Trickery, Curse of the Gods Book 1, is a fantastic start to the overall story. The authors have set the theme pretty well.
The Premise – The world is pretty unique in this book. It is divided into two – Minatsol, where the people live, and Topia, where the Gods live. Even the people are divided into three classes – Dwellers (the ordinary people), Sol (people who have some God-like powers) and the Gods (the rulers of their worlds).
This part is explained early on, so you aren’t confused about all the political standing. Basically, the dwellers are the slaves of the Sols. And the Sols strive their best to please the Gods, so they get the chance to stand with them.
The Characters and the Plot – The story follows Willa Knight, a clumsy, hilarious female who has the uncanny ability to create a chaotic mess everywhere she goes. I really liked her for her stupid and endearing behaviour of getting into trouble. Although she usually stumbles around more, she is actually smart and knows how to get out of the problems too.
As fate would have it, Willa, along with her sister Emmy, is chosen to attend Blesswood, an academy for the Sols who train to please their Gods and for a chance to be Gods themselves. It’s the life of servitude for the dwellers, but Willa turns it into something more.
She catches the eyes of five brothers, the Abcurses, who make her life more chaotic. And let me say, I wouldn’t mind being their pet. Coen, Rome, Yael, Aros and Siret, are one of my favourite Harems. Each of them is distinct, they have their own quirks and personalities, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. Initially, they are amused by the dweller who’s just too careless around them, but as the plot continues and things happen, they become protective of her.
The Abcurses are much more powerful than the normal sols, dangerous and have a secret they aren’t willing to share yet. But they have taken Willa under their wings and can be over-the-top at times (which TBH is my guilty pleasure). They are possessive of her and will do anything to keep her safe and avenge her.
Overall… The world-building is amazing. The authors have built a fantastic world for us to dive into. The revelations take place in bits, but that’s what keeps you going. The characters are amazing, well-rounded and so dang addictive. It isn’t really a fantasy read, with all those over-descriptions of the land and stuff.
The romance isn’t the focus, but that doesn’t matter because you get to read all those fun and intense interactions between the characters. Willa doesn’t have a preference, she gravitates toward them all.
This is a fun read, you will legit laugh out loud at Willa’s antics, fall for the brothers and want more and more of them. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Throughout this time, children can observe the gradual growth of the crystals, making it a thrilling and educational experience. Aside from the fun aspect, the Smithsonian Magic Rocks Kit also provides a valuable learning opportunity. As children witness the crystalline growth, they can learn about the science behind it, understanding how minerals form and how different elements can affect crystal structures. This hands-on experience encourages children to ask questions and explore scientific concepts in a practical way. Moreover, the Magic Rocks Kit can spark an interest in geology and earth sciences, as children become fascinated by the beauty and intricacy of the crystal formations. This can inspire them to further explore the subject through books, documentaries, or even visiting geological sites. Overall, the Smithsonian Magic Rocks Kit is an exciting and educational toy that combines science and wonder. It allows children to witness the magic of crystal growth while fostering curiosity and learning. Whether as a gift or a personal experiment, this kit provides a memorable and captivating experience for young minds..
Reviews for "Learn the Science of Crystal Growth while Having Fun with the Smithsonian Magic Rocks Kit"
1. John - 1/5 stars
I bought the Smithsonian magic rocks kit for my daughter's birthday, thinking it would be a fun and educational activity. However, we were both disappointed with the results. The rocks didn't grow as much as we had expected, and the colors were dull and unappealing. The instructions were also confusing, making it difficult to understand how to create the "magic" effect. Overall, I do not recommend this kit as it did not live up to our expectations.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I was excited to try the Smithsonian magic rocks kit with my son, but it turned out to be quite underwhelming. The "magic" element was not very impressive, as the rocks didn't really transform or grow much. The instructions were a bit vague, and it was hard to know if we were following them correctly. Additionally, the rocks that did form were very fragile and crumbled easily. Overall, while it was a decent way to pass the time, it didn't provide the engaging and captivating experience we were hoping for.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars
I bought the Smithsonian magic rocks kit as a gift for my niece who is interested in geology. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the product. The rocks didn't grow as much as we anticipated, and the end result was lackluster. The kit itself lacked variety in terms of rock types, and the colors were not very vibrant. It was also difficult to keep the rocks in place while they were drying. Overall, I would recommend exploring other options for a more fulfilling and enjoyable geology-related activity.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars
The Smithsonian magic rocks kit was a huge disappointment. The rocks did not grow as much as I had hoped, and the process was messy and time-consuming. The colors were also not as vibrant as advertised, making the rocks look dull and unimpressive. Additionally, some of the rocks never formed properly and ended up being a waste of time and resources. Overall, I would not recommend this kit as there are much better options available for a more satisfying rock-growing experience.