Something Close to Magic
Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills, published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing in 2023, is a young adult fantasy that follows the journey of seventeen-year-old Aurelie, a baker’s apprentice. While her job at Basil’s Bakery provides stability, Aurelie’s life takes an unexpected turn when a stranger presents her with a set of Seeking stones, revealing her rare magical ability. This chance encounter leads her into an adventure that challenges her no-nonsense approach to life and introduces her to a world of magic and intrigue.
In this engaging narrative, Aurelie teams up with a bounty hunter named Iliana to rescue Prince Hapless from the treacherous Underwood. As they navigate magical portals and face various challenges, Aurelie grapples with her growing feelings for the prince, complicating her previously straightforward existence. Readers will find a blend of romance and fantasy as Aurelie confronts the choice between her reliable life at the bakery and the allure of new friendships and adventures. With 366 pages, this edition is presented in English, making it accessible to a wide audience interested in themes of love, adventure, and self-discovery.
Official synopsis Publisher
A baker’s apprentice reluctantly embarks on an adventure full of magic, new friendships, and a prince in distress in this “appealingly breezy” (Kirkus Reviews) and “deftly written” (School Library Journal, starred review) young adult fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Gail Carson Levine.
It’s not all sugar and spice at Basil’s Bakery, where seventeen-year-old Aurelie is an overworked, underappreciated apprentice. Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesn’t dare to dream big–until a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. In a country where Seeking was old-fashioned even before magic went out of style, it’s a rare skill, but Aurelie has it.
The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelie’s help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwood–which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the someone turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named prince, Aurelie’s careful life is upended. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest filled with magic portals, a troll older than many trees (and a few rocks), and dangerous palace intrigue.
Even more dangerous are the feelings she’s starting to have for Hapless. The more time Aurelie spends with him, the less she can stand the thought of going back to her solitary but dependable life at the bakery. Must she choose between losing her apprenticeship–or her heart?
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