For years, left-handed individuals have struggled to find products that cater to their needs. From scissors to notebooks, everyday items are often designed with right-handed people in mind. However, a recent development in the world of magic cards has finally addressed this issue. Magic: The Gathering is a popular trading card game that involves strategic gameplay and complex card interactions. Players around the world collect cards and build their own decks to compete against each other. Until now, all magic cards have been printed with the card text aligned to the right side of the card, making it difficult for left-handed players to read and interact with their cards efficiently.
Until now, all magic cards have been printed with the card text aligned to the right side of the card, making it difficult for left-handed players to read and interact with their cards efficiently. Recognizing the need for more inclusive design, the creators of Magic: The Gathering have introduced left-handed magic cards. These cards feature the card text aligned to the left side of the card, making it easier for left-handed players to read and organize their cards during gameplay.
Small Town, Big Magic By Hazel Beck
Small Town, Big Magic is a witchy contemporary romance that entertains.
There’s no such thing as witches…right?
Emerson Wilde has built the life of her dreams. Youngest Chamber of Commerce president in St. Cyprian history, successful indie bookstore owner, and lucky enough to have her best friends as found family? Done.
But when Emerson is attacked by creatures that shouldn’t be real, and kills them with what can only be called magic, Emerson finds that the past decade of her life has been…a lie. St. Cyprian isn’t your average Midwestern river town—it’s a haven for witches. When Emerson failed a power test years ago, she was stripped of her magical memories. Turns out, Emerson’s friends are all witches.
That’s not all, though: evil is lurking in the charming streets of St. Cyprian. Emerson will need to learn to control what’s inside of her, remember her magic, and deal with old, complicated feelings for her childhood friend–cranky-yet-gorgeous local farmer Jacob North—to defeat an enemy that hides in the rivers and shadows of everything she loves.
Even before she had magic, Emerson would have done anything for St. Cyprian, but now she’ll have to risk not just her livelihood…but her life.
I really loved a lot of this book: the premise, the plot and the huge cast of characters. It’s a super entertaining story that I enjoyed reading. I’m still thinking about parts of the story now, especially as the book ends on a cliff hanger and there are 4 books slated in the series. Am I ready for the next book? Yes! As an aside, Hazel Beck is actually two romance writers who’ve come together to write paranormal romance.
I have to admit, out of all of the characters in the book, Emerson Wilde, the main heroine is the one I struggled with the most. I found her insufferable at times. A type A strong woman with her life together, she seems right up my alley. However I found two areas in her character that I had a hard time moving on from: firstly she is the organizer and planner in ehr group. Which is great. However she was fairly annoying in her belief that she was superior over everyone for so much of her life. I think I’d have a hard time being friends with her. While she was clearly set up to to be the saviour in her town, her attributes became grating: her independence becomes a weakness in the book, and I like how Hazel worked through her character growth, but at times Emerson seemed one dimensional in her focus on achieving perfection in all aspects of her life. The other quibble I have with Emerson is how easily she, a type A SERIOUS person just accepts and then masters magic (this isn’t a spoiler alert, you find out that Emerson is a witch on the back of the book). I didn’t find it believable that someone so grounded in reality wouldn’t even waver a bit at discovering that not only does she have magical powers but that her best friends, indeed everyone in town, is magical. I will leave out why she didn’t know, as that IS a spoiler. Let’s talk about what’s good about Emerson, because there is a lot: she’s loyal and strong and smart. Can she be a little inflexible, sure. Does she think she’s always right, yes. Is she a kick ass heroine who needs to learn to trust both other people and her heart, heck yes. I will say that Emerson’s faults do make her feel like a very real person. There is a lot of depth to her character development that makes Small Town, Big Magic a fabulous read.
There is a big focus on found family in Small Town, Big Magic, and Hazel’s cast of characters really shines in this book. I love a team united against evil, and you get that here. Emerson’s friends have their own issues and backstories, including the mysterious immortal Nicholas Frost, and while we don’t dive deeply into their full stories in this book as it’s focused on Emerson’s journey, I do hope we find out more over the series.
As far as romances go, part of the plot involves Emerson learning to open up to people and one of them is her friend Jacob. This is a sweet friends to lovers romance that I mostly enjoyed. The story is told from Emerson’s point of view only which worked for me as we as the readers feel her frustrations and confusion because we aren’t getting Jacob’s perspective. The only time I faltered about it is that their relationship delved into soulmate territory at times – a trope I love in YA fiction but not so much in my adult fiction. However, Hazel uses the soulmate idea as a line in the bigger story about fate, choice and destiny, so it did work for me in the end. I’d love to know what other people feel about the romance!
Finally I must mention the setting: St. Cyprian seems to be the perfect midwest town. It’s lovely and charming and I hope I get to see more of it in the rest of the series. The setting is an important part of Emerson’s journey and is almost a character in itself. It reminds me a lot of Nora Roberts’ small towns/ Star Hallows and I mean that as the best compliment. It’s a place I would happily visit and wander through with a cup of tea and a terrific baked good. I bet St. Cyprian puts on a wonderful fall festival.
Small Town, Big Magic is a fun and charming witchy romance book. First in a series, I can’t wait to read the rest.
Thank you Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The introduction of left-handed magic cards has been met with great enthusiasm from the left-handed community. Finally, left-handed players can enjoy the game without the frustration and inconvenience of trying to read cards that were not designed with them in mind. This development is an important step towards inclusivity and equal representation within the gaming community. The left-handed magic cards have been well-received not only by left-handed players but also by right-handed players who appreciate the thoughtful design. The new cards have sparked conversations about the importance of creating products that cater to the needs of diverse individuals. In conclusion, the introduction of left-handed magic cards is a significant milestone for the gaming community. This development demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and serves as a reminder that small changes can make a big difference. By creating products that cater to the needs of left-handed individuals, we can create a more inclusive and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone..
Reviews for "Breaking the Mold: Left-Handed Magic Cards Take Center Stage"
1. Jane - 2 Stars: I was really excited when I heard about the Finally Left Handed Magic Cards, as I am left-handed myself. However, I was extremely disappointed with the product. The cards were not designed for left-handed users at all. The illustrations were still facing the same direction as regular cards, making it difficult for me to hold and play comfortably. It felt like a half-hearted attempt to cater to left-handed players, without actually understanding our needs. I would not recommend these cards to any left-handed players looking for a genuine left-handed experience.
2. Mark - 1 Star: I have to say, Finally Left Handed Magic Cards were a complete letdown for me. The whole concept seemed promising, but the execution was terrible. The cards were poorly printed, with misaligned symbols and blurry illustrations. It made the game extremely frustrating to play, as I couldn't even make out some of the text on the cards. Not to mention, the left-handed design was barely noticeable. It felt like a cheap gimmick rather than an actual product catering to left-handed players. Save your money and stick to the regular Magic Cards.
3. Sarah - 2 Stars: Despite being a left-handed Magic player, I found Finally Left Handed Magic Cards to be a disappointment. The cards themselves were of poor quality, with flimsy cardstock that easily bent and wore out. The left-handed design was also lacking, as the only change seemed to be the location of the card's name and power/toughness. It did nothing to improve the overall gameplay experience for left-handed players. Additionally, the cards were priced much higher than regular Magic Cards, which made it feel like a cash grab rather than a thoughtful product for left-handed players. I would not recommend these cards if you are looking for an authentic left-handed Magic experience.