A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison

Publishing date: 2020

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Author website: https://www.michelleharrisonbooks.com/book/a-pinch-of-magic/

Suggested reading age: 11 and above

Keywords: 

Opening to the novel:

“Betty Widdershins first learned of the family curse on the night of her birthday. It was her thirteenth, a number considered unlucky by some, but Betty was too practical to believe in all that. She liked to think she was too practical to believe in most superstitious nonsense, despite having grown up surrounded by it.

It was a Saturday; always a busy night in Betty’s home, which was the village inn. The Poacher’s Pocket was the rowdiest place on the isle of Crowstone, and had been in the Widdershins family for generations. It now belonged to her granny, also named Betty but whom everyone called Bunny to avoid confusion. They lived there with Betty’s sisters, Felicity (known as Fliss) who was the eldest, and six-year-old Charlotte who would only answer to ‘Charlie’.”

Summary: I have created a summary in the form of a poem:

Betty, Charlie, Fliss, and Gran

Magic objects, magic plans

Curses conjured

Curses torn

Mischiefs managed

Mischiefs forlorn

When it seems all hopes are gone

Sisters’ power will be reborn!

My opinion about the book: This book managed to draw me in as a reader right from the start. It has the right amount of everything and a big pinch of magic that will force you to stay awake to finish a chapter, and then stay up for one more. I remember the nights I was so excited my stomach was in knots, and that was with almost every chapter. Just for the record, I am 34, and a mom of two, not the she-cries-everytime-she-sees-a-boo-boo-on-a- kitten’s-paw type.

It seems to me this unpredictability of what is going to come, together with the firm belief that such characters as Betty should set everything right, is what kept me on my toes flipping the pages.

I could easily connect to the protagonist, in spirit and in her views on life. Why do I comply and sit on the fence when I can change the state of things? Why do I wait when I can speed things up? Why do I involve others when I can fix all issues on my mighty own?

Surprised that a middle-grade novel can impact a grown-up so much? Not really. Well-written fiction should connect to anyone who reads it.

Another highlight for me was the vocabulary Michelle used. I found myself pausing at certain images created and vivid that they stayed with me long after I had turned the page.

The reason why others should read it is because It is wonderfully written, with rich language, an exciting plot, and intricately developed characters. You want to be on team “Widdershins”. 

Rating: 5 stars