I recently came across a new novel titled "I became a flashing genius at the magic academy." Intrigued by the unique title, I decided to give it a read. The novel revolves around the life of a young protagonist, Alex, who enters a prestigious magic academy. As an ordinary student with no prior magical abilities, Alex struggles to fit in and keep up with his classmates. However, his fortunes change when he stumbles upon a hidden talent for "flashing." In this magical world, flashing refers to a rare ability to generate light and manipulate it in various ways.
Inside Knowledge: At the end of your round, your golf ball is dropped into a slot machine with a chance at winning a free, extra round at Magic Carpet Mini Golf Tahoe.
Old School Nostalgia The courses and decor around Magic Carpet Miniature Golf Tahoe go back to days of yore, with hand-crafted structures and an old-school design. Why We Go For a low-cost option on a day that isn t conducive to skiing or boating, Magic Carpet Miniature Golf Tahoe provides fun for the whole family.
" In this magical world, flashing refers to a rare ability to generate light and manipulate it in various ways. It is considered a highly sought-after skill, and those who possess it are revered as geniuses. With his newfound talent, Alex becomes the talk of the magic academy.
Family business in same South Lake Tahoe location for 43 years
What would you do if you had a family miniature golf business you wanted to pass onto your four children? Build three more, of course!
In 1972, Bill and Mary Koplin built Magic Carpet Golf on land they purchased from Marjorie Springmeyer adjacent to what was once the South Lake Tahoe amusement park. Marjorie had overheard Bill and his real estate agent talking in a local restaurant about Bill's plans for building the course. "I have a piece of property I can sell you," Marjorie told them.
At the time there was a gas station on the corner of Lodi and Highway 50, so the minigolf course was built on the land in-between the amusement park and the station. Years later the Koplins bought the land where the gas station was and expanded their parking area and home above the course.
Bill was no stranger to the business. He had built 13 miniature golf courses with uncles and brothers in the California cities of Alameda, Lake Berryessa, Bakersfield (an indoor course), Pinole and Konocti Harbor, then in Key West, Biloxi and Galveston. Family members ran all of those except for the ones in Konoti and Bakersfield.
In 1948 he built a popular course along the Russian River where he raised his family, one that daughter Karen has very fond memories of.
"Those were great times," said Karen. "All the kids hung out there."
In 1970, Bill and Mary bought property at Carnelian Bay and build the first Lake Tahoe area Magic Carpet Golf. This course was for his son Bill, Jr. who still operates the course.
Then came 1972 and South Lake Tahoe. Daughter Peggy was given this course to run.
In 1974 they added a Reno location for daughter Jeanne, who, you guessed it, still runs the place.
Daughter Karen operated the Russian River property until 1992 when she switched locations with Peggy and moved to South Lake Tahoe. Cal Trans bought the Russian River course in 1994 due to a freeway planned for the property.
Karen and her husband Gino Franceschi live most of the year above the Magic Carpet Golf on the corner of Lodi and 50, then head off the hill from time to time to their other home in Forestville, CA.
Their children, all now adults, have grown up at Magic Carpet. Though none of them live in South Lake Tahoe year round, they all come to town for the summer along with their own children to help run the family business.
Karen and Gino have four children, Tony, Nicki, Karey and Gina. They are also grandparents to ten. At any time you'll be sure to find one of them working the front counter at Magic Carpet. They also hire local teens to help out in the summer since the course is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The family truly does enjoy family time, no matter how many are in town.
Son Tony is a high school baseball coach and brings the team to South Lake Tahoe to play during the summer. The team camped out at the golf course over the 4th of July weekend.
"It's not a bad place to be," said Karen. She still plays the Magic Carpet course a couple of times a week as well as hitting the "real" golf courses. When asked what her best score has been at Magic Carpet, she said a 27 on the 18 hole course. You have to be awfully good to get a hold in one on each hole Karen said, adding that she hasn't seen that done before on her course.
Her grandson Nicholas who is a senior in high school wants to make "real" golf a career and currently works at a course.
Karen enjoys the generations of families she's seen go through Magic Carpet. "We're now seeing third and fourth generations here," she said. "They look forward to the tradition when they're in Lake Tahoe."
This year the family business has been the seen of many family reunions as well, many with 20-30 people playing together.
"I'm a people person," said Karen. "I enjoy watching people have fun." Her dad Bill was also a people person and very family oriented.
By trade he was a welder and trained a wartime generation of female welders made famous by the cultural icon Rosie the Riveter.
Magic Carpet is open Spring through Fall, and with weather permitting, winter too. Last year they were open some days in December and February.
All locals get a discount, so make sure to mention you're from South Lake Tahoe the next time you play either one of the two 19-hole courses, or the 28-hole course. They are located at 2455 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Karen enjoys the generations of families she's seen go through Magic Carpet. "We're now seeing third and fourth generations here," she said. "They look forward to the tradition when they're in Lake Tahoe."
Students and faculty alike are impressed by his natural ability to create dazzling displays of light. He quickly rises through the ranks and becomes one of the top students in his class. But as Alex's skills grow, so does his ambition. He yearns to surpass his classmates and become the greatest flashing genius the academy has ever seen. With each passing day, he pushes himself further, honing his abilities and mastering new techniques. The novel explores Alex's journey of self-discovery and the sacrifices he must make to achieve his dreams. Along the way, he encounters various challenges, including rivalries with other students and the temptation of dark magic. As the story progresses, Alex learns valuable lessons about the true meaning of power and the importance of staying true to oneself. He finds himself torn between the allure of unlimited power and the consequences that come with it. "I became a flashing genius at the magic academy" offers a thrilling and captivating tale of a young boy's rise to greatness in a world of magic and wonder. With its blend of fantasy, adventure, and moral dilemmas, this novel is sure to keep readers hooked until the very end..
Reviews for "Lighting Up the Magic Academy: My Rise to Being a Flashing Genius"
1. Julia - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "I became a flashing genius at the magic academy novel" to be incredibly disappointing. The plot was predictable and lacked any depth or originality. The characters were one-dimensional and felt like caricatures rather than fully fleshed out individuals. The writing style was dull and lacked any sort of real emotion or engagement. Overall, I was let down by this novel and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and unique fantasy story.
2. Mark - ★★☆☆☆
"I became a flashing genius at the magic academy novel" had the potential to be an intriguing and captivating read, but unfortunately, it fell short in many areas. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of slow development followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters or become invested in their journey. Additionally, the world-building was lacking, leaving many unanswered questions and a lack of depth. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this book to avid fantasy readers.
3. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I was really looking forward to diving into "I became a flashing genius at the magic academy novel," but it turned out to be quite a disappointment. The premise seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The story lacked originality and felt like a rehash of similar novels I've read before. The protagonist was unlikable and lacked any real depth or growth throughout the book. The pacing was slow and dragged on unnecessarily, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I regret investing my time in this book and would not recommend it to others.