"Something Like Magic" by Emma Mills captures the essence of young love, friendship, and personal growth. The novel takes readers on a journey through the life of main character, Ollie, as she navigates high school, family dynamics, and embracing her own unique talents. Ollie is known for her magical sleight of hand tricks and has always felt like an outsider. But when she meets quirky and enchanting Libby, her world begins to change. Libby teaches her that not only is her magic a gift, but that she can use it to connect with others and bring joy into their lives. As the story unfolds, Ollie also forms a deep bond with her neighbor, Elizabeth, who is dealing with her own emotional struggles.
“Is astounding, yes.” She fixed the man with an unwavering stare. “Goodbye.”
Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesn t dare to dream big until a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. I was just thinking that I would much more readily trust a baker to handle my gustatory experience than a she assessed the man for a moment moderately successful apothecary.
As the story unfolds, Ollie also forms a deep bond with her neighbor, Elizabeth, who is dealing with her own emotional struggles. Together, they lean on each other for support and uncover the power of friendship and understanding. Mills' writing is both captivating and heartfelt, effortlessly drawing readers into Ollie's world.
REVIEW: Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills
Summary: A baker’s apprentice reluctantly embarks on an adventure full of magic, new friendships, and a prince in distress in this deliciously romantic young adult fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Gail Carson Levine.
It’s not all sugar and spice at Basil’s Bakery, where seventeen-year-old Aurelie is an overworked, underappreciated apprentice. Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesn’t dare to dream big—until a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. In a country where Seeking was old-fashioned even before magic went out of style, it’s a rare skill, but Aurelie has it.
The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelie’s help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwood—which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the someone turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named prince, Aurelie’s careful life is upended. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest filled with magic portals, a troll older than many trees (and a few rocks), and dangerous palace intrigue.
Even more dangerous are the feelings she’s starting to have for Hapless. The more time Aurelie spends with him, the less she can stand the thought of going back to her solitary but dependable life at the bakery. Must she choose between losing her apprenticeship—or her heart?
Read my reviews of other books by the same author:
“I’ll think of you if that day arrives.”
The smile turned brighter. “I do hope you’ll think of me before then.”
I am the biggest Emma Mills fan ever, so I have been desperately counting down the days once she finally announced a new book. And! This is a fantasy, which was an interesting departure from her contemporary books but I knew it was going to be good. With the same heart and wit of Mills’s other works, Something Close to Magic was an adorably cozy fantasy with a lovable cast of characters.
A baker’s apprentice, Aurelie is resigned to a mundane life. When Iliana walks into her shop one day looking for a seeker—someone who can do the rare act of magic of finding—Aurelie agrees to help her with her bounties. Soon enough, she finds herself dragged along for a quest to find someone, alongside Iliana and Quad, an Uncommonfolk troll. They run into Prince Hapless after he was ambushed and detour to take him back to the capital. There’s a plan afoot though, and he might be in more danger than they originally anticipated.
Much like in my reviews of this author’s other books, I don’t know how to properly express my love for this book in words. I had to reread it just to put my thoughts in order, and even then, I’m still at a loss for how to capture what I loved about this book but I’ll give it a try.
If you’ve read Lucky Caller, you’ll probably recognize these characters’ names. While I don’t remember everything about the game in that book, I believe some of the basic characterizations took inspiration from the personas the characters in Lucky Caller played as. This was just such a fun connection to Mills’s other book and made me want to reread Lucky Caller all over again.
I loved the characters in this book, as well! Aurelie can do magic, which is more-or-less unfashionable in the kingdom now; she’s trained in seeking, which is even more rare since it’s so out-of-date. She very much just wants to live her quiet life until she meets Iliana. Once the quest to help Hapless sets off, how can she return back to her apprenticeship?
Iliana, meanwhile, is very different from Aurelie, in ways that sometimes frustrates her. She’s mysterious and keeps her secrets close to her chest, yet incredibly perceptive and helpful. Quad brought even more humor to this book with her acerbic asides about mortal inventions (including age, since trolls track their age by what rocks they’re older than). I laughed so much throughout this book! And then we have Hapless, a lovably clumsy and kind-hearted prince. He’s forever characterized by his penchant for being absent-minded, but he learns to stand up for himself.
The plot was fun to follow, and this book is a pretty fast read too. I just love Emma Mills’s writing so much that I flew through this both times I read it. There’s also a letter-writing interlude by the way, and Aurelie’s and Hapless’s voices shine through these letters. Mills is such a strong character writer, and I always love seeing how she builds up characterizations.
Something Close to Magic was such a sweet, soft fantasy with a new cast of characters that I adored. I genuinely couldn’t stop smiling and laughing while reading this book, and I need everyone to read it immediately. I can’t recommend Something Close to Magic enough, especially if you like cozy, light-hearted fantasies with a lovable found family and great writing!
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About the Author: Emma Mills is the author of five YA contemporary romances, including First & Then and Foolish Hearts, and one YA fantasy, Something Close to Magic. When she is not writing, Emma can be found editing scientific manuscripts, tending to her large collection of succulents, and deep-diving into various fandoms. Emma lives in St. Louis with her dog Teddy, who is best described as a big personality in a tiny package.
The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelie’s help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwood—which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the someone turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named prince, Aurelie’s careful life is upended. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest filled with magic portals, a troll older than many trees (and a few rocks), and dangerous palace intrigue.
The author's attention to detail and authenticity in portraying the teenage experience makes the novel relatable and endearing. "Something Like Magic" explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the importance of embracing one's talents and passions. It reminds readers that everyone has something unique to offer and that true magic lies in connecting with others and making a positive impact. Overall, "Something Like Magic" is a delightful and enchanting story that will leave readers feeling warm-hearted and inspired. Mills' storytelling and relatable characters make the novel a joy to read, making it a perfect choice for anyone who believes in the magic of love, friendship, and personal growth..
Reviews for "Finding Magic in Unexpected Places: The Themes of Hope and Transformation in Emma Mills' Books"
1. John - 2/5 stars: I found "Something Close to Magic" by Emma Mills to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and failed to engage me as a reader. The characters felt one-dimensional and their relationships felt forced. Additionally, the plot moved at a slow pace, making it difficult for me to stay interested. Overall, I was hoping for a more captivating and magical read, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars: I regret picking up "Something Close to Magic" by Emma Mills. The writing style felt juvenile and the dialogue was unrealistic. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, as they all seemed to lack complexity and development. The romance aspect of the story also felt forced and predictable. Overall, I found the book to be unoriginal and underwhelming, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 3/5 stars: While "Something Close to Magic" by Emma Mills had its moments, I ultimately felt let down by the overall execution. The concept of the story was promising, but the pacing was inconsistent and left me wanting more. The protagonist's journey seemed rushed and certain plot points were left unresolved. I also found some of the dialogue to be cheesy and cliché. Although the book had potential, it didn't quite deliver the magical reading experience I was hoping for.