Reckless Magic (The Star-Crossed Series, Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

Rachel Higginson (Author)

Book Description

16 year old Eden Matthews has been in and out of private schools for the last two years. She can't seem to stop herself from closing them down. Kingsley is her last chance to finish high school and the last private school willing to accept her.

She is focused on just getting through graduation until she realizes Kingsley is not like the other private schools she's been to. The students may be different, but so is she. And after meeting Kiran Kendrick, the boy who won't leave her alone and seems to be the source of all her problems, she is suddenly in a world that feels more make-believe than reality.

To top it off, she is being hunted by men who want to kill Kiran and her best friend Lilly is taken away to a foreign prison. Eden finds herself right in the middle of an ancient war, threatening everything she loves. She alone has to find a way to save her best friend and the boy who has captivated her heart.

Reckless Magic is an intricate story about mystery, adventure, magic and forbidden love. Eden Matthews is an unlikely heroine determined to save the world and be with her one, true love before it's too late.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

I was born and raised in Nebraska, but spent my college years traveling the world. I fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka. But I came back home to marry my high school sweetheart and now I spend my days raising our growing family. In those few spare moments I have, I am either reading or writing Young Adult Fiction, because I am Obsessed with it! Five other things I'm obsessed with right now: 1. My Kuerig Coffee Machine. Genius. 2. 90's music. Oh man, I might not have understood the 80's but the 90's speaks right to my soul. 3. Chocolate smelling body wash. Who doesn't want to walk around smelling like a bakery? 4. E-Readers. Probably my favorite invention of all time! Well, other than indoor plumbing.... And. 5. Bubble Blast. Way better than Angry Birds. Way too addicting. And Way fun!!!

Product Details

• File Size: 492 KB
• Print Length: 348 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004S7EUJ8
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,406 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 68 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun, light, and entertaining September 7, 2011

By Sea Monster

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book follows the story of a high-school junior named Eden, who is coming to terms with her here-to-for unrecognized magical abilities. Eden is trying to fit in at the expensive, exclusive private academy Kingsley, which happens to be her final hope after a string of magical mishaps that damaged or destroyed her previous schools and garnered her expulsion from them. This, however, proves difficult in light of her burgeoning and uncontrollable magical abilities, which seem to be stirred every time she comes into contact with Kingsley's other newest (and best looking) students, Kiran and Talbott. But there is something strange about the two boys, even beyond Kiran's obnoxiously spoiled and condescending demeanor and Talbott's overprotective and servile attitude--and Eden's reaction to them--and it is this mystery that fuels the story and keeps the reader going. Eden is shocked to find herself both disgusted and mesmerized by Kiran, (clearly this is her first tangle with the opposite sex or no doubt she wouldn't be so surprised by this contradiction) and it is entertaining to read the lengths they both go to to either avoid (in her case) or interact with (in his case) each other.

This book gripped me from the very first sentence. While some things are explained pretty quickly, there's an air of mystery that drags you deeper into the story and doesn't let go. There's enough lush description to aid the reader in picturing the world described but not so much as to distract from the actual movement of the plot. The dialogue between the characters, while somewhat scarce, flows naturally and in keeping with the storyline.... Another boon, in my opinion, is the lack of excessive interior monologue typically found in young adult fiction (I tend to get claustrophobic when trapped inside the somewhat schizophrenic mind of the typical teenager--maybe because I've lived through it once and found once was quite more than enough, thank you very much). While the text could have used a smidge more editing to correct small grammar and punctuation errors, as well as the occasional misspelt word, these errors were never so large as to distract from the plot. This isn't the sort of writing that would garner accolades for it's depth and brilliance, but it's fun and light, and proved entertaining. I'd read more from this author if I was looking for something to while away a few hours, particularly if there was a snug hammock under a shady tree for me to lay on, or a vacation on the beach to enjoy it with, etc.

One more thing: I didn't know when purchasing this book that it was young adult fiction, and this fact might be off-putting to some. For myself, I still enjoyed it and can't imagine a teen who wouldn't appreciate the Twilight-ish teen angst of this paranormal melodrama.

UPDATE: After downloading the second book and reading it, I'd recommend passing on this series. While I was interested in finding out what happened with this paranormal world, I felt the plot of the story was so mired in typical YA soap-opera-ish melodrama and grammatical errors as to be completely off-putting. I just couldn't make myself slog through the sappy, convoluted romance long enough to discover what happens in the end. This first book was decent, but it definitely went downhill from there. Read more ›

26 of 32 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Very BAD Proofreading! November 25, 2011

By Doohicky

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The story and the plot were great, normally I'd give a read like this 4 to 4.5 stars. However, one thing I just cannot tolerate are literary speed bumps: this author doesn't seem to know the difference between it, it's, its (she uses its' a lot *shudder*) which then brings me to her describing window shudders (SHUTTERS!!!), and she calls the king's throne a thrown. She also doesn't seem to understand the difference between your, you're and yours and I spent a great deal of my reading time wincing at the glaring bad editing of this book. I'm glad I got it free, because I'd be so pissed at spending money for something that so desperately needs a thorough spell check and editing.

What a pity, because the book is rather good, despite the obvious glaring errors. Sadly, I don't tolerate atrociously bad editing, so it ruined the book for me. I won't be reading any others from this author. However, if this kind of thing doesn't bother you, than you'll love the book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous New World. December 29, 2011

By Shelly Crane

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is quite possibly my favorite book of 2011. I am SO glad the next two books are already out as I plan to devour them asap. Gosh, where to start.

Ok, first, Eden. She's so normal! I loved her. If she was a real gal, we'd be best friends. She was shy yet outspoken when it mattered. She was effectively suspicious but loyal. She was loving, with whole heart and body and soul and really, in my opinion there should be no other kid of love. She was sweet, caring, feisty, funny and also seemed to be making someone smile or making someone sigh with exasperation. I loved her!

Now on to Kiran. Oh boy. I heard so many people say that they didn't enjoy him or that it took so long for them to, but the whole time he knew who she really was. He was trying to save her, but was so drawn to her that he couldn't resist her at the same time. Yes, he was annoying in the beginning, that was the point! Big picture people. Big picture :) I adored him by the end of the book and though I'm a little hesitant about going into book two because I know that him and Seraphina will have to be back to pretending they are betrothed and Eden will have to watch all that, I can't wait to see how he turns it all around and either makes his father see reason or dethrones him.

Please don't disappoint me Rachel!! :)

I love their chemistry and how when after all that trying to stay apart stuff was over that they were both all in. Love it!

I even liked Talbot a little and hope him and Lily have a sweet reunion, though....he was terd for not standing up for her. So maybe not. Lily was sweeter than pie!

5 Solid, Heart Wrenching, Sweet, Gasping, Lovely stars from me!

P.S. For those that say she doesn't know her folklore, it's all imagination.... I for one, enjoyed that it wasn't solely based o something I've read over and over so thank yo for that Rachel. Read more ›

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars poor plot and atrocious grammar--keep this away from young adults! March 3, 2012

By N. Neff

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is identified as being for young adults. I recommend that young adults be protected from it!

The plot of this Harry-Potter-wannabe is weak: basically girl meets boy and hormones rage, while the heroine discovers that her outsider status is because of her magical powers. Unfortunately the boy is one of the least likeable "heros" I have ever encountered in fiction, apparently demonstrating the negative effects of the raging hormones on the girl's intelligence. If there had been more depth to the characters and interactions, some of this might have been avoided, but this love story presents a very bad example of what to look for in a man: the hero is rude, abusive, and erratic.

An equally important reason to avoid letting younger readers near this book is the glaringly bad grammar and erroneous use of words. Many errors are obvious or even funny ("shudders" for "shutters", or "thrown" for "throne"), but others are cases of words being used in a fashion subtly out-of-line with their meaning, as if the novel were a collection of use-this-word-in-a-sentence exercises for which the author had not studied sufficiently.

This book has neither plot nor prose suitable to set before young readers.

More About the Author

I was born and raised in Nebraska, but spent my college years traveling the world. I fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka. But I came back home to marry my high school sweetheart and now I spend my days raising our four kids. In those few spare moments I have, I am either reading or writing Young Adult Fiction, because I am Obsessed with it!

Five other things I'm obsessed with right now:
1. My Kuerig Coffee Machine. One cup at a time? Genius.
2. 90's music. Oh man, the 90's speak right to my soul.
3. Dr. Pepper Chapstick. An obviously timeless classic.
4. Iced Coffee. Probably I could just hook up an IV...
And, most importantly.
5. Spotify. Playlist. Beautiful playlists.