Customer Reviews

Old Magic

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I saw this book on the young adult shelf. I figured it would be the same, usual, boring science fiction novel, BUT I was wrong. Marianne Curley certainley has alot of talent,and this novel has to be one of the best books I've read!

Jarrod doesn't realize he has powers,strong powers,powers only the best Sorcers have. Kate tries to help him get control of these powers, though she fails several times trying to convince him that he has them,but nevertheless she keeps trying(knowing Jarrod thinks she's not all there in the head).

A long time ago a powerful Sorcer put a terrible curse on the Thronton family,and Jarrod must end it for the sake of his family.Through this event he finds strength and realises he truly has the magic.Also it makes him a better person, that stands up for what he knows is right.

Pick up this novel. I'm sure you'll find it satisfying!

Please vote if you didn't or did find my review helpful =)

Kate Warren is instantly mesmerized with the new boy, Jarrod Thornton, when he walks into the classroom. She doesn't know why, but soon finds out. Kate senses something strange and instense about him. Something supernatural, and not of this world. Within a few minutes her intuition is proven correct, as Jarrod, when bullied by one of his new classmates, accidentally conjures up a massive thunderstorm inside the classroom. The problem, is that Jarrod doesn't believe in the paranormal, and thinks Kate is crazy when she explains to him that she believes that there is a curse haunting his family. The only reason why he even puts up with her crazy talk about witchcraft, is because he finds her extremely captivating. But soon he realizes that Kate is right. There is something strange involving his family, and it's up to the both of them to go back in time to fix it. And hopefully, come back in one piece.

I am extremely surprised to find out that OLD MAGIC is Curley's first novel. The plot that she has created is intricately woven, and filled with exciting twists and turns on every page. Kate is an extremely likeable character, who's determination sets her apart from many other teenage characters in today's fiction. Jarrod, too, is a likeable character, whom readers will relate to greatly, as he goes through many clumsy, and very embarrassing moments. Containing wonderfully written supernatural happenings and romantic interludes, Curley is sure to become a hit with all readers, whether old or young. Don't miss this book.

Erika Sorocco

This book is amazing! I loved it so much that I stayed up all night reading it! It's amazing how good this book is.I picked it up in the young adult's section and I thought it would be some random, weird fiction novel, but I bought it anyway. I was bored with the rest of my books so I picked it up and I couldn't put it down! Although Kate seems like an incredibly wacky weird girl-- the first chapter takes credit for this, plus the fact that Jarrod, a seemingly normal person, thought she was, she really grew on me and she was easy to relate to as a ghost among her peers. Jarrod, despite playing the typical high school preppy jerk at first, becomes a very dynamic character who embraces his so-called gift when necessary and really grows a backbone by the end. I really wish that she would write a sequel because I want to see what happens next to these quirky, magical people.

I don't usually go for books written in the first person. In fact I really dislike them. But it's a measure of just how good 'Old Magic' was when not only did I love it, but I'm rooting for a sequel. I loved the main characters to death! Kate knew who she was and didn't apologize for it. Jarrod tried to make himself fit in, but circumstances sent him on a different, and far more interesting path, learning some inportant things about himself along the way. The descriptions of places(Ashpeak Mountain, the Crystal Forest and Medieval England), people (LOVED Jarrod's eyes!), and especially the magic were very visual, a major plus. The storm in the classroom scene impressed me to no end and really jump-started the book. I highly recommend this book, and if you enjoy this, then also check out Margaret Mahy's 'The Changeover'.

No,seriously this book can only be described with,'Wow.' It was entertaining and totally original.I loved the switch-offs where the characters take turns using their own point of views. It was appealing and I couldn't help but wish for more.

The story starts off with Kate, a girl with magic abilities who isn't popurlar at her school, watching as the new kid Jarrod walks in.She senses he has a magic ability and is later shocked to learn that he doesn't even realize it.With the help of her grandmother,Kate proves to Jarrod he has a gift,but is also stuck with a long-lined family curse.To break the curse,the two must go back in time to where the curse was first created.Once there they must fine the sorcerer and destroy him.But the evil man knows of this and will only get rid of the curse if he can have Kate in return. Such creatively written this book is a brilliant choice if you're just finishing the latest Harry Potter for the seventh time and looking for a good read.

I absolutely love this book, but then again i loved all her books. Marianne Curly truly is a wonderful and gifted writer. I couldn't put this book down. I had it everywhere with me. I stayed up long hours in the night reading, I read on my ride to school, I got in trouble because i was reading in class, and i even took it to the bathroom with me.

The story is wonderful too. It's about this girl named Kate and this guy named Jarrod. Kate is a training witch and Jarrod is the new kid in school with amazing special powers he doesn't know he has. Kate figures out that he is cursed, so she tries to help him out. And well, to know about the rest of the story you have to buy the book. It really is worth your money. So go out and buy your copy today. I'm telling you Marianne Curley won't let you down. :)

I bought this book in a hurry as i was going on holiday and had forgotten to pack anything to read. when i first saw it i thought that it should be ok.I could not put it down! i read it twice on that holiday and loved it both times! i highly recommend it!

Kate has no family history and no past, only her grandmother, her home and her forest where she has always lived. She has always been the odd one out, never fitting in, but despite being unpopular and very different she has long accepted the fact that she is unique and is confident in herself and secure in who she is.

Jarrod is new in town, having moved around a lot with no one place to call home. In spite of this Jarrod has a close and loving family that can trace its history all the way back to the Middle Ages. Although being the new kid Jarrod has managed to fit in, quickly becoming very popular, even with his insecurities and self doubts.

Jarrod easily sees how unusual Kate is, however Kate alone is able to see how unique Jarrod truly is. As much as Jarrod wants to like Kate he can't get over her weirdness, but for the sake of his love ones can he believe in Kate and the impossible? For Kate, the more she finds out about Jarrod the more she is frustrated with him; and the more she likes him. But will they be able to hold on to their new found friendship?

Old Magic is powerful enough to make the impossible possible and strong enough to last through all time. It is said that you can't truly move forward without learning from the mistakes of the past, and for Kate and Jarrod they get the chance to change the past to save the future. An enchanted quest that moves through time, putting into perspective the importance of peer pressure and fitting in when compared to the greater issues of family, friendship, and standing up for what is right.

I have read this book at least 34 times if not more and each time it makes me cry. I love Jarrod and his willingness to fight for what he wants. I hope that Ms. Curley writes a sequel to this book. It would be the best book ever (but not better that this one!)! The swashbuckling drama, the disbelief of supernatural powers, and the power that love has upon two people with capture your heart. When Jarrod and Kate stumble upon an ancient problem, they must trust each other and themselves to see that they get past the bulk of the problem. But when something happens to Kate, Jarrod takes action to save his friend, even if it means his own death. This is a mesmirizing tale of true love and true adventure.

You've probably all been asked this stupid question a million times. "If you were on a desert island, and you could only bring one book with you, which one would it be?" First of all, if I was on a desert island, I would be more worried about food and shelter than literature. But anyway, my pick would probably be this book. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think that this is the best book ever written. It would just be the book I would choose. Why? It's because of many different reasons. First, the book has a great plot with, not always likeable, but "real" characters. I'll admit that Jarrod can be slightly annoying with his disbelief, but at the same time, it wouldn't seem realistic if he believed in magic right away. Second, the book is an easy read. If I was stuck reading one book over and over again, I probably wouldn't want to read something too complicated. Third, you can read it over again and enjoy it as much as the first time. Fourth, it has some of my favorite ingredients in books: adventure, suspence, suspicion, gripping plot, a little romance, and, of course, magic. Fifth, this book has the quality of being both in the past and the present. I love history, and I realy like the fact that, in the book, characters from the present get to experience it. And finally, sixth, I just like it. I know that this is only an opinion, but I know that I'm not the only one. I made my best friend read it, and she liked it as much as I did. Well, if I ever get stuck on a desert island, I hope I have food, shelter, and this book.