Much More Than a Magic Trick: A Book Review of Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg
Elsie Camden broke her first spell by accident. With child sized fingers she traced a shimmery rune on the wall of her workhouse that few people in the world could actually see. The fire-retardant spell was undone, and Elsie’s young life quickly followed suit. The unsafe building caught on fire and burned to the ground.
That same evening, a new narrative began for the confused, orphaned girl when a hooded figure whisked her away from the chaotic fire to a life she grew to enjoy. Elsie became a stonemason’s caretaker by day and an illegal spellbreaker by night. She had every intention of leading this steady and secret life until she got caught, mid unraveling, by Bacchus Kelsey, a master spellmaker.
The two characters are every opposite one could fathom for a good story. Elsie poor and Bacchus wealthy. Elsie was self-made while Bacchus was an esteemed student of the institution. Elsie snuck around to do illegal work at night, but Bacchus worked during the day as a professional spellmaker. Elsie a white, English woman. Bacchus a black, Bajan man. And opposites could not have been more entertaining to read about than in Charlie N. Holmberg’s duology Spellbreaker and Spellmaker.
Authors deserve a lot of respect for reimagining the rules of magic because writers and readers are so heavily influenced by Disney, Harry Potter, and Tolkien. Holmberg confidently brings a new physicality to magic; spells are knots only untied by gifted individuals. Holmberg writes restraint into her magical world which can be appreciated by those new or less absorbed in the fantasy genre. As blogger The Nerd Daily commented, “It focuses more on interpersonal relationships rather than the high stakes life-or-death end of the world plots like you typically see in high fantasy stories with elves and dragons or prophecies and Dark Ones.”
Magic, in Elsie and Bacchus’s world, does not solve problems. If anything, magic is something that needs to be managed and can often lead to problems if unchecked. I interpreted this plot conundrum as a small commentary on the responsibility of privilege. And just like Elsie having to seek out spells that were not in plain view, I found many challenges to my thinking throughout Spellbreaker.
Fantasy and lore in a time of heartache and societal weariness seems just the cure for a mental break. Holmberg doesn’t let her readers off easy, though. In her recently released duology, this fantasy writer guides readers to process many of the tough, piercing issues of our day with a little levity. Just like an iceberg hiding its true depth just below the surface, as is Spellbreaker with its deeper meanings for those of willing to look out for them. This is the pinnacle of good storytelling. Bequeathing an important lesson applicable to all listeners without appearing too large to handle. Holmberg expertly enraptures every reader, draws them forward for the finer points, and changes hearts for the better.
One thing I loved about Spellbreaker, is that it reads one level up from a young adult book. It had all the great elements of YA fantasy while not making me feel like a teenager while reading it. The plot was playful and the setting imaginative. Magic, romance, and thrilling cliffhangers are the tools Homberg offers for us to get into the muck of the hard lessons and dig our way back out. Despite Spellbreaker being listed as adult fiction there are many teens I plan to recommend this book to. I believe the next generation will be way more receptive to the conversations Holmberg is leading and won’t need magic to beguile them into changing their perceptions.
I recommend this book as a buy and read again for fun. Holmberg created a book pair perfect for 2021 because she doesn’t shy away from any of 2020. Charlie N. Holmberg is represented by an Amazon Publishing Agency, 47 North, so her books are frequently Kindle daily deals, on sale through Amazon, and circulated by Audible. The investment in reading the duology (in one weekend ‘cause you can’t put it down!) will be greater than the purchase cost. Despite knowing the ending, I plan to revisit this book anytime I need a pick me. I loved Elsie and Bacchus and Emmeline and Ogden. The story enchanted me and no doubt there are some tricky ploys Holmberg conjured up that I missed the first read through.
This go around I’m not recommending any new titles because I really want you to read this duology with me. Once you have gotten started reading, leave me a comment to tell me what you loved best.
