Old Magic

Having grown up with her grandmother Jillian, a practicing witch and healer, sixteen-year-old Kate recognizes power when she sees it. So when newly arrived Jarrod unleashes a windstorm in biology class, Kate steps in, calms him down, and gets him out of there before anyone else realizes what has happened. What surprises her, however, is how oblivious he is to his power and to the curse of disorder and diaster that has dogged his family for centuries. Not only that, but Jarrod is also angrily adamant that magic does not exist. As evidence to the contrary mounts, Jarrod decides to accept Jillian’s help, and Kate and Jarrod travel back in time to 1252 to the English castle of Thorntyne and Jarrod’s ancestors, Lord Richard and his estranged half-brother, the sorcerer Rhauk. There Jarrod must overcome his reluctance to claim his power, or Kate will die at Rhauk’s hands and neither will see their present-day families again.

Alternating narration between Kate and Jarrod, this novel provides dual perspectivies on reality and relationships in a tale where the known competes with the unexpected and reason wars with emotion. With a solid story comprised of several age-old themes of fantasy and adventure as well as a savvy female nudging a clueless male protagonist into claiming his birthright, the book will appeal to young readers interested in magic, adventure and budding romance.

—-VOYA April 2010

Marianne Curley lives in Australia with her family. She has experimented with different genres but finds writing for young adults to be the most challenging and satisfying.