literati42's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
templetoncecelia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ashs_library's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My name is magic was a really fun read! I loved that the story took inspiration from Finnish mythology and it was refreshing to have a magic school based story not set in the UK or US. I was really rooting for Taika through the whole book, they have no magic and are very harsh on themself but go on a journey of realising their self worth. I thought the queer representation was great and I really liked Morgan and Taika's friendship
dobbsthedog's review
3.0
This book was okay. It may have been a bit too YA for me; I think a younger audience would have really enjoyed it.
What I liked about it was that the magical system is based on Finnish myth and folklore. I read a lot of books set in European countries, but rarely do that have any cultural/mythical/folklore aspects to them. There was also a reference to Sámi mythology, which I found interesting.
Overall, there was a lot of suspending belief happening in this book, as of course the 16 year olds are trying to solve the magical mystery.
While for me this book was just okay, it is obviously set up for further books, and I would likely read those as well.
What I liked about it was that the magical system is based on Finnish myth and folklore. I read a lot of books set in European countries, but rarely do that have any cultural/mythical/folklore aspects to them. There was also a reference to Sámi mythology, which I found interesting.
Overall, there was a lot of suspending belief happening in this book, as of course the 16 year olds are trying to solve the magical mystery.
While for me this book was just okay, it is obviously set up for further books, and I would likely read those as well.
netslummer's review
5.0
Despite our non-binary main character Taika Turunen's first name literally translating to "magic", they have not a single drop, something their classmates at Myrskyjärvi International School for the Magically Gifted never let them forget. Their lack of power has not stopped them from learning everything they could about magic.
When, through a chance encounter at the library while skipping class, they come across new guy Morgan O'Connor, the two bond and swiftly become friends. Morgan can easily blend two or more elements together when casting spells, something older students struggle with.
The unlikely pair grow closer as they look into the students who recently have started to go missing from a "norovirus outbreak" including Taika's old friend (and secret crush) Natalie. Wouldn't these sick students be in the infirmary? They're just missing.
After recruiting several more unlikely students to the cause, the group starts investigating and trying to solve the mystery before it's too late and the students are lost forever.
Honestly this book absolutely crushed my expectations. I love all of the characters and physically require more books set in this world. The magic system is fairly simple but fun to consider the possibilities with (how combining various runes can cause different effects). Morgan and Taika's true friendship is a joy to watch unfold, especially after seeing how poorly everyone treats Taika in first few chapters.
I highly recommend checking this book out when it is released on September 27, 2022.
Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When, through a chance encounter at the library while skipping class, they come across new guy Morgan O'Connor, the two bond and swiftly become friends. Morgan can easily blend two or more elements together when casting spells, something older students struggle with.
The unlikely pair grow closer as they look into the students who recently have started to go missing from a "norovirus outbreak" including Taika's old friend (and secret crush) Natalie. Wouldn't these sick students be in the infirmary? They're just missing.
After recruiting several more unlikely students to the cause, the group starts investigating and trying to solve the mystery before it's too late and the students are lost forever.
Honestly this book absolutely crushed my expectations. I love all of the characters and physically require more books set in this world. The magic system is fairly simple but fun to consider the possibilities with (how combining various runes can cause different effects). Morgan and Taika's true friendship is a joy to watch unfold, especially after seeing how poorly everyone treats Taika in first few chapters.
I highly recommend checking this book out when it is released on September 27, 2022.
Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
wvbookwitch's review
4.0
Summary: LGBTQ+ Finnish witches and more! What more could you ask for? In this whirlwind of a magical and bewitching journey we follow a charming character, Taika, who is a witch that happens to not have any magic at all. Or so it seems. Taika’s name literally means magic. They go to a magical school along with their former best friend and crush, of which makes this journey even more fun. Taika finds their own self identity and friends in this twisted tale when students start to go missing from the school. There is no choice but to go searching for their friend, Natalie, when they go missing. what fantastical beasts will Taika find on their journey? And what will happen between their ex best friend and crush on the way?
Review: Aside from the beautifully created and inclusive nonbinary and LGBTQ+ characters, there is a majestic magic system in place. This contains an inspired mix of Finnish and Norse mythology with a modern twist of it’s own. I enjoyed every bit of this book and the world building was miniscule but powerful in how it set up the story. My overall rating for this book is 4.5/5. There are many things this book did that caught my interest and that I adored from the moment I picked it up. The story flowed gorgeously and I couldn’t have asked for a better book to read during a cozy thunderstorm.
Extended Breakdown:
Story: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Magic System: 5/5
Read more at my blog: https://wvbookwitch.blogspot.com/
Follow me on TikTok: @wvbookwitch
Review: Aside from the beautifully created and inclusive nonbinary and LGBTQ+ characters, there is a majestic magic system in place. This contains an inspired mix of Finnish and Norse mythology with a modern twist of it’s own. I enjoyed every bit of this book and the world building was miniscule but powerful in how it set up the story. My overall rating for this book is 4.5/5. There are many things this book did that caught my interest and that I adored from the moment I picked it up. The story flowed gorgeously and I couldn’t have asked for a better book to read during a cozy thunderstorm.
Extended Breakdown:
Story: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Magic System: 5/5
Read more at my blog: https://wvbookwitch.blogspot.com/
Follow me on TikTok: @wvbookwitch
birdie7's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sini74's review
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
adrianoreads's review
5.0
Taika has no magic! Even though their parents and brother do, even though they goes to a school for those with magic, even though their name means magic, they have none. When their friend goes missing even the lack of magic won’t stop them from finding out what happened to their missing friend.
I have been dying to read this book and when I saw a post offering the possibility of reading an ARC, I jumped at the chance. Surprisingly I received an E-ARC and I was ecstatic! I truly enjoyed this book. Taika’s character development throughout the story was not forced, it was organic and it was believable. They grew to accept that they didn’t need magic to be a complete person. The fact the they were non-binary was something that was a struggle Taika handled very much internally which at least in my experience was how I also handle my journey to becoming my truest self. I think the self condemnation was accurate as to what I went through and thoughts that I had which made me connect with them on a deeper level. I like that the romance was just a sprinkle and wasn’t a major plot point.
Now I will say, there are a lot of Finnish words, which makes sense since its based on Finnish mythology, and I had to have my phone ready to Google for pronunciation and I found myself re-reading passages to get me back into the story when I had to look them up.
All in all I was not disappointed at all with this book after a great deal of anticipation, in fact it was even better than I expected.
I have been dying to read this book and when I saw a post offering the possibility of reading an ARC, I jumped at the chance. Surprisingly I received an E-ARC and I was ecstatic! I truly enjoyed this book. Taika’s character development throughout the story was not forced, it was organic and it was believable. They grew to accept that they didn’t need magic to be a complete person. The fact the they were non-binary was something that was a struggle Taika handled very much internally which at least in my experience was how I also handle my journey to becoming my truest self. I think the self condemnation was accurate as to what I went through and thoughts that I had which made me connect with them on a deeper level. I like that the romance was just a sprinkle and wasn’t a major plot point.
Now I will say, there are a lot of Finnish words, which makes sense since its based on Finnish mythology, and I had to have my phone ready to Google for pronunciation and I found myself re-reading passages to get me back into the story when I had to look them up.
All in all I was not disappointed at all with this book after a great deal of anticipation, in fact it was even better than I expected.
brookeisbusyreading's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
[I received an eARC. It’ll be published on 9/27!]
When I started reading My Name is Magic, I compared it a bit to Harry Potter…but it’s NOTHING like it and I love this book for that reason.
The characters and magic system are my favorite things about the book! Taika is a great MC who proves that being normal is unique (in more ways than one) and Morgan makes an amazing sidekick! They’re relationship is cute, witty, and surprisingly balanced! The development between Taika and all the other characters is just perfect for the story. I do find their development with Toivo so pleasing too - that big moment near the end I can’t spoil had my jaw on the floor!
The magic system is also very cool since it builds on the 4 basic elements, which I enjoy in a fantasy book. Add some interesting creatures, a magical (at times political) hierarchy, and a mystery to solve and I’m invested!
Queer representation in My Name is Magic wasn’t overbearing or underrepresented - instead a good balance to clearly identify the book as queer. Gender roles were reversed a bit too, which is an element of storytelling I’m a huge fan of.
I enjoy a book with culture woven into its pages as well! While I literally know nothing about Finnish culture, about 99% of the Finnish words/phrases I understood or could figure out through context. There were a few moments I couldn’t decipher a word or phrase but, in a novel, that’s nothing. (I’m just one of those people who doesn’t like having to look things up if I don’t understand them.)
But I love My Name is Magic and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a fantasy mystery with queer representation!
When I started reading My Name is Magic, I compared it a bit to Harry Potter…but it’s NOTHING like it and I love this book for that reason.
The characters and magic system are my favorite things about the book! Taika is a great MC who proves that being normal is unique (in more ways than one) and Morgan makes an amazing sidekick! They’re relationship is cute, witty, and surprisingly balanced! The development between Taika and all the other characters is just perfect for the story. I do find their development with Toivo so pleasing too - that big moment near the end I can’t spoil had my jaw on the floor!
The magic system is also very cool since it builds on the 4 basic elements, which I enjoy in a fantasy book. Add some interesting creatures, a magical (at times political) hierarchy, and a mystery to solve and I’m invested!
Queer representation in My Name is Magic wasn’t overbearing or underrepresented - instead a good balance to clearly identify the book as queer. Gender roles were reversed a bit too, which is an element of storytelling I’m a huge fan of.
I enjoy a book with culture woven into its pages as well! While I literally know nothing about Finnish culture, about 99% of the Finnish words/phrases I understood or could figure out through context. There were a few moments I couldn’t decipher a word or phrase but, in a novel, that’s nothing. (I’m just one of those people who doesn’t like having to look things up if I don’t understand them.)
But I love My Name is Magic and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a fantasy mystery with queer representation!