Readers looking for a young adult transitioning into a coming-of-age fantasy novel set in modern times will find themselves drawn to The Lost Art of Magic.
The Lost Art of Magic by Jonni Jordyn draws the eye of readers with an elegant and lovely script detailing the title of this novel. This book’s cover depicts the image of a young woman holding a lit candle. The candle and the flame above it appear to be purple, casting the entire cover in shades of purple. It appears to be sparkles coming off of the candle itself, almost as if it’s imitating magic itself.
The young woman’s blonde hair cascades down around her shoulders giving readers the impression that she is looking down. Down into the flame of the candle itself. This cover hints at what readers will find within this book’s pages.
The Lost Art of Magic is the first book in Jonni Jordyn’s young adult coming-of-age series. As this book begins readers are introduced to the grandmother, Michelle. She lives out in a bayou with her granddaughter, Destiny. Immediately, when readers see the image of a shack in a bayou, they will think of Louisiana. This will be the perfect assessment since this is where the majority of this book takes place.
The first chapter of The Lost Art of Magic sets a thrilling scene with Michelle and Destiny preparing to face off some dangerous men. Why are these men at their door? Readers will get the sense that Michelle and her granddaughter Destiny have some idea that these men are not who they say they are. There is another younger man inside the house with the two women.
Danger is prevalent through the first few pages of this book, but then author Jordyn throws a twist at readers and shifts The Lost Art of Magic in a different direction. Instead of revealing the final fallout of the initial situation author Jordyn takes readers back in time by two weeks. By doing this, readers see just how much things can change in two weeks’ time…with different choices being made leading to different results.
As The Lost Art of Magic continues to unfold the pace slows down considerably. Author Jordyn works to set the stage for what’s to come for Destiny and those around her. Readers get to experience Destiny’s day-to-day life with her grandmother. Everything seems all well and good. But it’s at a party with friends that darkness begins to surface.
The majority of The Lost Art of Magic told through the third person POV focuses on Destiny as she goes from being just a “regular” girl to discovering magic that was lost to them. The problem with this is that Destiny discovering the lost art of magic unlocks it across the spectrum. It’s not just the witches who regain the ability to use magic. Author Jordyn does an excellent job showcasing the return of magic as it spreads across the world.
With the unlocking of magic, author Jordyn introduces a collective of new characters. Now, the story will begin to shift at random places to focus on a couple of other characters. These other characters that you’ll meet in The Lost Art of Magic will be on the opposite side of the spectrum of Destiny. You’ll have met them already in the beginning, but now you’re going to get to know them a little better.
Both Brian and Blake are on quests for more power. They crave it, and with the re-awakening of magic, they feel that it is more attainable. Brian, as you’ll see in the first few pages of this book, is a dangerous individual. He’s heard the stories of magic returning to the world. He’s been a part of the projects to try and “create” the “messiah” they have been waiting years for. When magic is unleashed back into the world through Destiny’s actions he’s impacted by it. So, then this sparks his quest to discover where it came from…and who sparked it.
Blake is another character similar to Brian. At least, that is what author Jordyn wants readers to see. But there is more to Blake than meets the eye. As readers delve deeper into The Lost Art of Magic you’ll discover that Blake is a lot like Destiny. This little tidbit of information is definitely something eyebrow-raising, but things keep getting more interesting the more you learn.
Author Jordyn shifts the story frequently back to Destiny as she learns more and more about magic and how to control her abilities. What makes this novel interesting is how Destiny is made to learn. It’s not done in the typical fashion that most readers would expect, so this helps take The Lost Art of Magic to another level.
The Lost Art of Magic is more than just Destiny learning about magic and discovering the past of how things came to be. This novel is also a coming-of-age story. Destiny is still a sixteen-year-old girl when this book concludes, but she goes through a development process along the way. She learns magic skills, she learns the history of her fellow witches, and she learns that her powers aren’t all-powerful.
The Lost Art of Magic is a mixed bag of a story. It reads like a young adult novel with coming-of-age elements, but there are some scenes that would be inappropriate for younger readers. Unfortunately, it was also difficult to really pinpoint the exact time period that this story is taking place early on in the story. As the book goes along, it becomes obvious that it’s modern times, but it takes time to piece that together.
As The Lost Art of Magic draws to a close, readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats wondering how things are going to play out. Rest assured fellow readers, once this story finds its footing, it’s truly engaging. The final chapters of this book lead up to drama that will be alluded to in previous chapters, but there’s a twist waiting to happen as well.
Readers looking for a fantasy novel with lengthy flashbacks to the past, and discoveries as to why things are the way that they are will truly enjoy this book. The beginning has a rough start, but once this novel finds its step this will be a series you eagerly look to pursue to find out what happens next with Destiny and her growing group. The Lost Art of Magic is a novel that will end up surprising you.
Pros:
- Engaging storyline
- Informative flashbacks/steps into the past
- Interesting characters
- Twists & surprises
- Page-turner
Cons:
- Slow start
- Unclear of time period in beginning
Scribble's Worth 