MMGM: Twists and Turns with A Trick of Spades

 

While I’m not a huge fan of high fantasy, I adore magical realism. Or is low fantasy? Of course, I’m always looking for books that interest boys. The book I’m featuring today is one my younger son enjoyed even though he’s well past the middle grade age. It’s full of twists and turns, adventure, strong family connections, and a unique setting.

If you like quirky books like The Mysterious Benedict Society but with a splash of magic, you’re in for a treat!

Synopsis of A Trick of Spaces by Tasha Kazanjian

When their aunt Finna misses their father's funeral, fourteen-year-old twins Colm and Clíana know she has to be in trouble. Finna finally appears with an explanation: she's developed an illata, a unique magical power, and she's used it to become one of the city's best bounty hunters. At least, until a few weeks ago, when a powerful criminal underlord finally got the better of her. Now, he's marked her as one of his own. Finna promises the twins that she can handle it, but they know she's lying.

Certain he can save her from the underlord, Colm follows Finna back to the city, while Clíana chases after them as soon as she realizes her brother's gone. However, Colm's attempted rescue goes awry once he steals a mysterious pair of dice, and he must escape from the underlord's thugs himself. Clíana, meanwhile, sets out to recruit the help of a wizard fluent in the magical language of Alchema. Her search introduces her to an elite, exclusive world, a world she finds both intriguing and impossibly beyond her reach. 

As both twins move toward finding Finna, and each other, they soon realize they've stepped into a world, and a mystery, bigger than they ever imagined-a world of dueling magical fates. 
(from Amazon)

My Take

My favorite quote: “Don’t stop singing happy songs,” he [the twins’ dad] said. It might be hard. But everyone knows hard, and not everyone knows happy.” (p.5)

Trick of Spades is such an unique fantasy. The richly drawn setting feels like 1950s in the UK with the Gaelic-ish words*, but the country is never named. In this world, not everyone has magical abilities, but some can study and learn them. I also liked how the fantasy elements are accepted as part of life. It is a complicated world, but Tasha trusts the reader to figure things out without info dumps--always a plus in my book! Sometimes, I find dual POV doesn't really add to the story, but in Trick of Spades, the voices are distinct and each twin has their own arc with completely different goals. There are lots of interesting side characters from the overlords' minions to a professor of magic. Sticking with your family despite differences is a strong theme. I’ve heard rumors that there is a sequel coming soon. I can’t wait! 

*I don't know Gaelic, so I'm not sure if the words were correct or an approximation. 

Max, the Reading Dog*

 

 

 

 

 

Max’s Take (on a 5 bone scale): 🦴🦴

It was really exciting, but no dogs again! But maybe she’ll add one to Book 2.

Your Turn

Do you like high fantasy or fantasy books set in a real world? What good books have you been reading lately?

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!