"Magic for Beginners" is a short story collection written by Kelly Link. The book was published in 2005 and has received critical acclaim for its unique blend of fantasy, horror, and contemporary fiction. The collection features nine short stories, each exploring different themes and characters. Despite the title, "Magic for Beginners," the stories are not strictly about magic or magicians. Instead, they focus on the lives of ordinary people who find themselves caught up in extraordinary circumstances. One of the standout stories in the collection is "The Faery Handbag.
One of the standout stories in the collection is "The Faery Handbag." This story follows a young girl named Genevieve, who inherits her grandmother's handbag, which is rumored to contain an entire village in it. The story explores themes of family, loss, and the power of storytelling.
How many times can you exhale magical energy with one casting of the Dragon's Breath spell?
\$\begingroup\$ @YED-YellowEndlessDog I made some small edits to try to clear up inthemanual's concern for good. I hope it reflects what you wanted based off of your reaction to what Wibbs said, but if not you can revert the edit \$\endgroup\$
Aug 27, 2018 at 22:18\$\begingroup\$ Note a minor semantical difference in option 1. "use its action to exhale magical energy as many times as it wants" implies that every exhale costs 1 action, but you can repeatedly spend an action to exhale. Your description seems to imply that it's a single-action multi-exhale, which is semantically not what the rule describes. \$\endgroup\$
Aug 28, 2018 at 13:18\$\begingroup\$ I think the confusion results from the missing "per action" that should follow the word "once" in Option 2. \$\endgroup\$
Aug 28, 2018 at 15:20Another notable story is "Stone Animals," which follows a family as they move into a new home that quickly becomes haunted by mysterious stone animals. The story is a haunting and atmospheric exploration of suburban ennui and the inevitability of change. Link's writing style is often described as dreamlike and surreal. She weaves together elements of fantasy and reality, blurring the lines between the two. Her use of language is imaginative and evocative, drawing readers into the strange and captivating worlds she creates. Overall, "Magic for Beginners" is a thought-provoking and imaginative collection of stories. Kelly Link's ability to seamlessly blend genres and create memorable characters makes it a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and those looking for something unique and different..
Reviews for "From Novice to Master: Appreciating the Magic of Kelly Link"
1. John Doe - 2/5
"Magic for beginners" by Kelly Link was completely underwhelming for me. The stories lacked depth and coherence, often leaving me confused and frustrated. The author seemed more interested in showcasing her unconventional writing style rather than crafting compelling narratives. The characters were flat and uninteresting, making it difficult for me to emotionally connect with any of them. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious and disjointed reading experience.
2. Jane Smith - 1/5
I cannot express how disappointed I was with "Magic for beginners" by Kelly Link. The stories were bizarre and muddled, with no clear plot or resolution. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be different and experimental, sacrificing storytelling in the process. The constant shifts in perspective and confusing timelines made it impossible for me to immerse myself in the narrative. I kept hoping that the next story would be better, but unfortunately, it only got worse. I regret wasting my time on this book.
3. Robert Johnson - 2/5
I had heard great things about "Magic for beginners" by Kelly Link, but I found it to be a disjointed collection of stories that failed to captivate me. The author's writing style was overly convoluted and abstract, making it difficult for me to follow the narratives. It seemed like many of the stories had potential, but they were let down by the lack of coherent structure and unsatisfying endings. I appreciate experimentation in literature, but this book just felt like a jumbled mess. Disappointing to say the least.