Unseen Magic Review for Christian Parents

Name: Unseen Magic
Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones

Unseen Magic

VERDICT: Avoid

Concern Level: Medium-High

Christian Parent Review

Concern LevelMedium-High

Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content

The critical thing to know for Christian parents is that this book makes frequent references to a handful of things that the Bible tells Christians to completely avoid. The most frequent are references to tarot card readings and which’s almanacs. These are lighthearted references to these things concerning the main characters, which is different and much worse than if some villain was using them as a part of some evil plot. This is a really big deal for Christian parents and should not be presented to their children in a flippant light, as the book does. Also, as the title indicates, there is a lot of focus on magic, but it is the type of magic that is most concerning. One character describes this magic as “dark and slimy, something altogether unknown”. This is seen in the town where there is an unknown monster living in a local body of water, knives gaining a thirst for blood if you accidently cut yourself (“never keep a knife that has tasted your blood”) and other strange things. There is also a key story plot component where the main character has been gaining relief from her gripping fear by drinking a magical tea at the cost of one memory per cup. She whispers the memory in and it is lost forever. Others do the same for things like better looks. The main character lies throughout the book and steals, typically justifying it. She also mentions loving gossip and eventually comments that breaking the rules was getting easier for her. There are also some more intense moments with mentions of a dark creature, monsters, cryptids, muggings, kidnappings (although the author does work to keep them “light”) which lead to some perilous moments. Towards the end there is a backstory reference that reveals domestic violence. A couple passing references are made to “modern romance novels”. Mentions zombies a few times and a necromancer in reference to a video game. A bird is also hurt by a human. There is a mention of “how irritating overprotective parents are”. There is also one instance of a reference to “two moms”.

VerdictAvoid

Our Thoughts

The primary concern content mentioned above, which should represent a non-starter for Christian families, is unfortunate because the author is trying to tie some solid positive messages into an engaging storyline. The author wants children to see the importance of not burying things that bring fear and to seek out trusted council… to talk about it. This is a subject many can relate to and many parents would love a story to help point their children towards healthy practices. Unfortunately, the external packaging that includes several spiritually dark elements will (should) exclude most Christians from partaking.

Plot SummaryNote: This information is typically from the publisher.Use with caution

The magic-infused town of Aldermere is the first place eleven-year-old Fin has ever felt safe--and she'll do whatever it takes to save her home when she accidentally unleashes a shadow self who wreaks havoc everywhere she goes. Emily Lloyd-Jones's middle grade debut is an enchanting exploration of self-discovery and finding the place you truly belong. Unseen Magic is for fans of A Wish in the Dark and A Tangle of Knots. Aldermere is a town with its own set of rules: there's a tea shop that vanishes if you try to force your way in, crows that must be fed or they'll go through your trash, and a bridge that has a toll that no one knows the cost of. Some say that there may even be bigfoots wandering through the woods. For Fin, Aldermere is her new home. But she's worried that she'll do something to mess it up--that she was the reason she and her mother have constantly moved from place to place for so long. When an upcoming presentation at her school's science fair gives her increasing anxiety, Fin turns to magic to ease her fears. The cost is a memory, but there are things from her past Fin doesn't mind forgetting. This will be the last time she relies on magic anyway, she's sure. Except things don't go exactly as planned. And instead of easing her anxiety, Fin accidentally unleashes an evil doppelganger. Suddenly Aldermere is overrun with unusual occurrences--and Fin is the only one who knows why. She will have to face her fears--literally--to stop it. Emily Lloyd-Jones crafts an atmospheric novel full of magic and mischief while exploring what it means to stand up to your fears and accept yourself. Unseen Magic will captivate readers of Anna Meriano's Love, Sugar, Magic series and Natalie Lloyd's A Snicker of Magic.

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Scripture Reflection

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

— Philippians 4:8-9