Wednesday, March 5, 2014

A Question of Magic by E.D. Baker - ESSENTIAL

Baker, E. D. A Question of Magic, 262 p. Bloomsbury, 2014.  $17.  Language: G.  Violence: G (war mentioned, but not described); Mature Content: G.  

Serafina is just a normal girl who is waiting for the right time to marry the love of her life.  When she goes to accept a mysterious inheritance from an ancestor that she has never heard of, however, she find herself as the next Baba Yaga.  The job itself is not too bad – she answers one question with the complete truth per person – ever.  But each question she answers also makes her age.  Only with a special tea can she look like herself.  Then Serafina finds herself in the middle of a war and an encounter with some power-hungry men also leaves her with no tea.  Unless she can sort out both situations, she life will end much sooner than she ever thought.  Alek, her betrothed, is not about to let her go, either, so it may just be that she has all of the help she needs.  

Baker takes the traditional Baba Yaga and gives the tale a spin that adds humanity and depth to the folklore character.  Have fun with this one!  

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

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