Stefanie's Thoughts: The Best Kind of Magic by Crystal Cestari

Amber Sand is not a witch. The Sand family Wicca gene somehow leapfrogged over her. But she did get one highly specific magical talent: she can see true love. As a matchmaker, Amber's pretty far down the sorcery food chain (even birthday party magicians rank higher), but after five seconds of eye contact, she can envision anyone's soul mate.

Amber works at her mother's magic shop--Windy City Magic--in downtown Chicago, and she's confident she's seen every kind of happy ending there is: except for one--her own. (The Fates are tricky jerks that way.) So when Charlie Blitzman, the mayor's son and most-desired boy in school, comes to her for help finding his father's missing girlfriend, she's distressed to find herself falling for him. Because while she can't see her own match, she can see his--and it's not Amber. How can she, an honest peddler of true love, pursue a boy she knows full well isn't her match?

Since I named this book my favourite book so far of 2017 I figured the best thing I could do after that was review it and let you know why it's my favourite so far!

I initially saw this book on a Goodreads list for upcoming YA Books of 2017 (and you know I make my to-read lists like a year in advance, because who else loves torturing themselves looking at books you want to read for a solid year+ before they actually get released!) and loved the cover. After reading the synopsis it immediately went on my wish-list and I pre-ordered it a month before it's release. I'll be doing the same for its sequel (which feels like it won't be released for another 8000 years).

I couldn't help but love it for these main reasons:

• 1) I'm always a sucker for a book involving those with magic 

• 2) Amber was sarcastic 

• 3) I tend to enjoy books that have a more gentle tone and that aren't about how the world is ending

• 4) The best friend Amani

Anything that involves magic will generally get me to check it out. I think because I so wish I had some sort of super power that I can't help but love any book/movie that involves it. The whole atmosphere that Crystal Cestari has created here really made me feel like I was in Chicago myself (never been to the city, except for its airport where I bought a pink shot glass that reads Chicago Princess, because why not?) and I wish I could go to the Navy Pier; I can only imagine what the inside of Windy City Magic looks like.

Our main character Amber truly should be my friend; the amount of sarcasm and snark that come out of her mouth basically destined us as friends. She doesn't put up with crap from anyone and I LOVED that. Yes she has her moments of teen angst and I think as I get older (scariest sentence I've typed in a while, hate the fact that I'm getting older) I need to remember that I was just the same at that age. I'm happy the teen angst didn't draw away from the story line or bog it down like it has in some stories I've read. I loved her being a matchmaker; definitely don't see that in YA lit or much lit for that matter unless its a mortal one. The concept of Amber being able to see your soulmate by looking into your eyes is so cool and I enjoyed that her gift was used and we got to read about just how it works.

Amani her best friend was a great character. She herself had the best sub-plot line of the book, which I won't spoil for you. I always enjoy a good solid female friendship, where they don't put each other down, but act as true friends and are there for one another. She herself had a great magical ability, but you'll have to read the book to find out what hers is.

I'm finding now that YA tends to be filled with a lot more serious themed books and a nice, gentle read is almost hard to find. When I picked this one up it was great to take a break from the serious to just have a fun, magical read. All types of magical types were included throughout and didn't just stick to witches and matchmakers; I love books that include all types of magical beings. Also no major cliffhanger, but it ends with enough that you just want to dive into book 2.

This is recommended for those looking for a fun, quick (I read it in a day and a half because I couldn't put it down) read that has a dash of magic to it.

5 out of 5 stars!

 Until my next review,

Stefanie


P.S. Side note while writing this review: I was watching a Natalie Wood film on TCM; turns out I can't write a review and watch a movie at the same time because I was constantly getting distracted by both.