Guardians of power and magic possess a unique and mystical ability to protect and preserve the forces that shape our world. These guardians, whether human, mythical beings, or even animals, are tasked with safeguarding the balance of power and magic in order to maintain harmony and prevent chaos. Power, in this context, refers to the abilities, knowledge, and resources that individuals or beings possess, which grants them influence and control. Magic, on the other hand, represents the supernatural and mystical forces that exist beyond the realm of conventional understanding. Guardians of power and magic understand the delicate equilibrium that must be maintained between these two forces to ensure the well-being of society. The main purpose of these guardians is to act as stewards of power and magic, ensuring their responsible use and preventing their misuse or abuse by those who seek to dominate or harm others.
Praise for Magic for Beginners
“A sorceress to be reckoned with.”—The New York Times Book Review
“[Kelly] Link’s stories . . . play in a place few writers go, a netherworld between literature and fantasy, Alice Munro and J. K. Rowling, and Link finds truths there that most authors wouldn’t dare touch.”—Lev Grossman, Time
“She is unique and should be declared a national treasure.”—Neil Gaiman
“Funny, scary, surprising and powerfully moving within the span of a single story or even a single sentence.”—Karen Russell, The Miami Herald
“This is what certain readers live for: fiction that makes the world instead of merely mimicking it.”—Audrey Niffenegger
“[These] exquisite stories mix the aggravations and epiphanies of everyday life with the stuff that legends, dreams and nightmares are made of.”—Laura Miller, Salon, Best Books of the Decade
“A major talent . . . Like George Saunders, [Link] can’t dismiss the hidden things that tap on our windows at night.”—The Boston Globe
“The most darkly playful voice in American fiction.”—Michael Chabon
“I think she is the most impressive writer of her generation.”—Peter Straub
“Link’s world is one to savor. [Grade:] A”—Entertainment Weekly
“Intricate, wildly imaginative and totally wonderful . . . will fill you with awe and joy.”—NPR
This proves just one of several benign but inexplicable phenomena that begin to pull apart the family newly moved into the house as surely as a more sinister supernatural influence might. Also very good was The Stone Animals , about a family who leaves Manhattan and moves into a country home upstate, only to discover that, slowly but surely, all of their possessions have become haunted.
The main purpose of these guardians is to act as stewards of power and magic, ensuring their responsible use and preventing their misuse or abuse by those who seek to dominate or harm others. It is through their guidance and vigilance that the potential for destruction and chaos is mitigated. These guardians come from various backgrounds and often possess unique abilities or talents that allow them to tap into the forces they protect.
Book Review: Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link
After finally putting down the borrowed copy of Magic for Beginners which I’d been reading on and off for the past week, I can make two definitive statements:
1) Kelly Link is a very gifted writer.
2) I suck at short stories.
I really gave it my all, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to read all eight stories in this collection. I managed to get through six (although for two, my reading might better be described as skimming). If you read my blog post from a few days ago (see it here), you’ll know that I pick up short story collections rarely and reluctantly, but in this case, I’d heard enough high praise for Kelly Link to decide to give it a go.
I absolutely loved the first story in the collection, “The Fairy Handbag”, narrated by a teen girl whose recently deceased, oddball grandmother has appointed her the guardian of a magical handbag. According to Grandmother Zofia, the people in her little village of Baldesziwurlekistan all picked up and moved into the handbag hundreds of years ago in order to escape a terrible invasion, and have lived there happily ever since. “The Fairy Handbag” is weird and wonderful, and I was thoroughly enchanted.
Also very good was “The Stone Animals”, about a family who leaves Manhattan and moves into a country home upstate, only to discover that, slowly but surely, all of their possessions have become haunted. I’m not sure what any of it actually meant, but I love some of the imagery used, especially this brief glimpse of the pregnant wife who can’t stop painting and repainting the rooms in the house:
He found Catherine standing on a ladder in the kitchen, one foot resting on the sink. She was wearing her gas mask, a black cotton sports bra, and a pair of black sweatpants rolled down so he could see she wasn’t wearing any underwear. Her stomach stuck out so far, she had to hold her arms at a funny angle to run the roller up and down the wall in front of her.
The story entitled “Magic for Beginners”, equally weird and oddly touching, is the tale of a fifteen-year-old boy and his friends who are obsessed with a mysterious TV show called The Library. Or is this story about characters on a TV show called The Library who are obsessed with a TV show called The Library? At one point, main character Jeremy wonders “about what kind of television shows the characters in television shows watch.” Kind of made my head spin.
Kelly Link’s writing is lyrical and full of unconventional images and similes. Just two of the many that made me smile:
He feels like a tennis ball in a game where the tennis players love him very, very much, even while they lob and smash and send him back and forth, back and forth.
The disco ball spins and spins. It makes Jeremy feel kind of carsick and also as if he has sparkly, disco leprosy.
Kelly Link has great talent, and I truly enjoyed the stories I read. The fact that I couldn’t get through all of them certainly has more to do with me as a reader rather than with the quality of the book. If you enjoy short stories, and get a kick out of worlds weird and twisted, I’d definitely suggest giving this collection a whirl.
Praise for Magic for Beginners
“A sorceress to be reckoned with.”—The New York Times Book Review
“[Kelly] Link’s stories . . . play in a place few writers go, a netherworld between literature and fantasy, Alice Munro and J. K. Rowling, and Link finds truths there that most authors wouldn’t dare touch.”—Lev Grossman, Time
“She is unique and should be declared a national treasure.”—Neil Gaiman
“Funny, scary, surprising and powerfully moving within the span of a single story or even a single sentence.”—Karen Russell, The Miami Herald
“This is what certain readers live for: fiction that makes the world instead of merely mimicking it.”—Audrey Niffenegger
“[These] exquisite stories mix the aggravations and epiphanies of everyday life with the stuff that legends, dreams and nightmares are made of.”—Laura Miller, Salon, Best Books of the Decade
“A major talent . . . Like George Saunders, [Link] can’t dismiss the hidden things that tap on our windows at night.”—The Boston Globe
“The most darkly playful voice in American fiction.”—Michael Chabon
“I think she is the most impressive writer of her generation.”—Peter Straub
“Link’s world is one to savor. [Grade:] A”—Entertainment Weekly
“Intricate, wildly imaginative and totally wonderful . . . will fill you with awe and joy.”—NPR
They can be wizards, witches, shamans, or even individuals who have been chosen or born with special gifts. Regardless of their origin, these guardians understand the immense responsibility bestowed upon them and the consequences that could arise if power and magic fall into the wrong hands. Their duties include guarding ancient artifacts, secret knowledge, or sacred places that hold immense power or possess the ability to unleash destructive forces. They also seek to educate and mentor those who show potential in harnessing their own power or discovering their magical abilities. Through their guidance, they instill a sense of responsibility and morality, encouraging the aspiring wielders of power and magic to use their abilities for the greater good rather than personal gain. The journey of a guardian is not an easy one. They must face numerous challenges, both external and internal, as they navigate the complexities of power and magic. They may encounter those who wish to exploit these forces for personal gain or those who are corrupted by the allure of unlimited power. Yet, despite these obstacles, the guardians persevere, driven by their unwavering commitment to protect and preserve power and magic. In conclusion, guardians of power and magic serve as custodians of the delicate balance between these forces, ensuring their responsible use and preventing their abuse. Through their guidance and protection, they safeguard the well-being of society and work towards maintaining harmony and order. Their journey is one of constant vigilance and moral integrity, driven by the understanding of the potential consequences if power and magic fall into the wrong hands..
Reviews for "The Guardians of Power and Magic: Guardians of the Sacred Artifacts"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Guardians of Power and Magic". The storyline felt cliché and predictable, and the characters lacked depth. The special effects were also underwhelming and didn't live up to the hype. Overall, it felt like a generic fantasy film that didn't offer anything new or exciting.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I can't believe I wasted my time watching "Guardians of Power and Magic". The acting was terrible, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it hard to stay engaged. I was expecting an epic fantasy adventure, but instead, I got a poorly executed mess. I would not recommend this movie to anyone.
3. Mike - 2/5 - "Guardians of Power and Magic" had potential, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, and the action scenes felt overly choreographed. The film also relied too heavily on CGI, making it feel artificial and detached. I was left feeling bored and unimpressed by the end. Unfortunately, this movie failed to deliver the magical experience it promised.