When we were magic - Rambling Readers

Hardcover

Published Nov. 8, 2020 by Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.

ISBN:: 978-1-5344-3287-1

(1 review)

A moving, darkly funny novel about six teens whose magic goes wildly awry from Magic for Liars author Sarah Gailey, who Chuck Wendig calls an “author to watch.”

Keeping your magic a secret is hard. Being in love with your best friend is harder.

Alexis has always been able to rely on two her best friends, and the magic powers they all share. Their secret is what brought them together, and their love for each other is unshakeable—even when that love is complicated. Complicated by problems like jealousy, or insecurity, or lust. Or love.

That unshakeable, complicated love is one of the only things that doesn't change on prom night.

When accidental magic goes sideways and a boy winds up dead, Alexis and her friends come together to try to right a terrible wrong. Their first attempt fails—and their second attempt fails even harder. Left with the remains of their …

A moving, darkly funny novel about six teens whose magic goes wildly awry from Magic for Liars author Sarah Gailey, who Chuck Wendig calls an “author to watch.”

Keeping your magic a secret is hard. Being in love with your best friend is harder.

Alexis has always been able to rely on two her best friends, and the magic powers they all share. Their secret is what brought them together, and their love for each other is unshakeable—even when that love is complicated. Complicated by problems like jealousy, or insecurity, or lust. Or love.

That unshakeable, complicated love is one of the only things that doesn't change on prom night.

When accidental magic goes sideways and a boy winds up dead, Alexis and her friends come together to try to right a terrible wrong. Their first attempt fails—and their second attempt fails even harder. Left with the remains of their failed spells and more consequences than anyone could have predicted, each of them must find a way to live with their part of the story.

5 editions

Frank Burns reviewed When we were magic by Sarah Gailey

Review of 'When we were magic' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I think only Sarah Gailey would get me to give a YA book 4 stars or better. Even more, this nearly ended up at the 5 stars rating but I had a few issues with the denoument which holds it back from that score.
Firstly, this book has one of the all-time great stone cold opens, ever. Throughout, it remains a sweet and piercing coming-of-age story in our modern world. The characters are rounded and interesting. The prose sings and the flow is easy.
My issues with the denoument may well not be others issues so don't let that hold you back. Definitely recommended.