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The Mirror #4
Splintered Magic
Can dreams come true when you're living with a family curse? 2000—New York, New York Twins Trey and Tai are not like other high schoolers. Besides his crushing lack of popularity, Trey struggles to suppress his surging magical abilities that continually impede his dream of making first chair cello in orchestra. A budding photographer, Tai just wants to take beautiful pictures and find a girlfriend, maybe the new first chair and Trey's rival, Ayesha. But disturbing images keep appearing in Tai's camera lens, bringing up forgotten memories of her mother's disappearance ten years earlier and reigniting the twins' search for her. As the two discover more clues, Trey and Tai also uncover strange secrets about their magical family and about cunning villains who resurface and threaten their very survival. Together, Trey and Tai must work to unearth the past and preserve the future of their family. The Splintered Magic is the fourth book in the innovative YA fairy-tale quartet, following one family—and the curse that plagues it—over several generations. Unravel the secrets of this family curse in the other books in THE Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao Shattered Midnight by Dhonielle Clayton Fractured Path by J.C. Cervantes
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
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1258 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 22, 2025
When I started this series, I was not prepared for the books to end "badly". However, each and every installment was wonderful and I loved to see the curse leading us through the ages. When starting this last book I was hoping we would finally get a happily ever after for this family. This book does an amazing job ending the cycle in a very satisfying way. There are a lot of nods towards the previous books and it was amazing to see some familiar faces back.
July 17, 2024
Two twins united to figure out the mysterious disappearance of their mother, thereby dispelling a family curse in an page-by-page thrilling story, the 4th of the series The Mirror.
July 20, 2023
Splintered Magic by L.L. McKinney is the fourth and final book in the innovative Disney YA series, The Mirror. The series puts a new, unique, spooky and mature spin on the young adult fantasy genre. This quartet of books tracks one family―and the curse that plagues it―over several generations.
Splintered Magic follows Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao (book one), Shattered Midnight by Dhonielle Clayton (book two) and Fractured Path by J. C. Cervantes (book three). In Splintered Magic, McKinney wastes no time in jumping right into the magic in bustling New York City in the year 2000, where Trey and Tai’s journey begins and ultimately where the family saga ends.
There is so much to love about this series and one of the primary themes that Splintered Magic in particular does a great job of is making magic more ‘mature’.
As sixteen year olds, Trey and Tai are in the midst of teen growing pains and their struggles are exacerbated by losing their mom ten years earlier and the fact that they each possess unwieldy, unpredictable magic that they’re not sure how to control, let alone know what to do with. One may generally think of magic as a great gift; a relatively straightforward wand-waving, for example, but Splintered Magic reveals the long-term trials and tribulations that come along with it, leaving the reader wondering if the tradeoff is all it’s cracked up to be. I found this more mature, thoughtful spin on magic refreshing and engaging, as it puts the reader at the heart of the struggle as well – we might not know how to use magic but we sure can relate to and empathize with the characters’ learning experiences, including grappling with the plague of self-doubt that can come with being brave, facing one’s fears, and trying to control the seemingly uncontrollable.
McKinney also does a commendable job of exploring relationships in this book. The relationships between Trey and Tai, the twins and their dad, Tai and Aisha, and Trey and Aisha dig deep and shed new light and dynamics on this modern family unit which is different to the family composition in prior books. I loved that Splintered Magic split the protagonist role between twins and that Trey’s and Tai’s views are woven together into one story in which they both equally lead.
Splintered Magic is very much split into a first act and second act. In the first act, the reader gets to know the twins, glimpse their magic and learn about their relationships. In the second act, the journey drastically intensifies as McKinney makes her own magic in wrapping up the series and tying the generational stories together. This was no easy feat given the richness and complexity of the magic elements across all four books, but McKinney manages it with ease, clarity and a delightful dose of humor.
All books in the series do a good job of addressing gender and racial disparities. It is inspiring to see great stories bringing these issues to the fore in significant and clever ways. While The Mirror is premised on fantasy, the disparities flagged are raw and real (and have been since the 1800s in which the first book is set). Dao, Clayton, Cervantes and McKinney use their talents not only to raise awareness but to educate intelligently and thoughtfully. Young readers and adults alike can learn and benefit a lot from such storytelling.
Finally, another aspect I love about The Mirror is the time – and geography – travel between the stories. Readers are transported to:
1800s Germany (in Broken Wish, book one)
1920s New Orleans (in Shattered Midnight, book two),
1960s San Francisco (in Fractured Path, book three), and
2000s New York City (in Splintered Magic, book four).
Each different period brings with it new context and characters, and each subsequent book builds on the trials, tribulations and lessons learned from prior books in the series. There is a lot of unpacking to do, and this series strikes me as one in which every time you read it, you may pick up on something new.
Splintered Magic conforms to the necessary parameters laid out in the prior books while simultaneously doing a tremendous job in tackling the unenviable task of concluding the quartet. It course-corrects prior broken promises, works through generational family secrets and encourages hard work, self-belief and persistence to make things right for the past, present and future.
Splintered Magic follows Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao (book one), Shattered Midnight by Dhonielle Clayton (book two) and Fractured Path by J. C. Cervantes (book three). In Splintered Magic, McKinney wastes no time in jumping right into the magic in bustling New York City in the year 2000, where Trey and Tai’s journey begins and ultimately where the family saga ends.
There is so much to love about this series and one of the primary themes that Splintered Magic in particular does a great job of is making magic more ‘mature’.
As sixteen year olds, Trey and Tai are in the midst of teen growing pains and their struggles are exacerbated by losing their mom ten years earlier and the fact that they each possess unwieldy, unpredictable magic that they’re not sure how to control, let alone know what to do with. One may generally think of magic as a great gift; a relatively straightforward wand-waving, for example, but Splintered Magic reveals the long-term trials and tribulations that come along with it, leaving the reader wondering if the tradeoff is all it’s cracked up to be. I found this more mature, thoughtful spin on magic refreshing and engaging, as it puts the reader at the heart of the struggle as well – we might not know how to use magic but we sure can relate to and empathize with the characters’ learning experiences, including grappling with the plague of self-doubt that can come with being brave, facing one’s fears, and trying to control the seemingly uncontrollable.
McKinney also does a commendable job of exploring relationships in this book. The relationships between Trey and Tai, the twins and their dad, Tai and Aisha, and Trey and Aisha dig deep and shed new light and dynamics on this modern family unit which is different to the family composition in prior books. I loved that Splintered Magic split the protagonist role between twins and that Trey’s and Tai’s views are woven together into one story in which they both equally lead.
Splintered Magic is very much split into a first act and second act. In the first act, the reader gets to know the twins, glimpse their magic and learn about their relationships. In the second act, the journey drastically intensifies as McKinney makes her own magic in wrapping up the series and tying the generational stories together. This was no easy feat given the richness and complexity of the magic elements across all four books, but McKinney manages it with ease, clarity and a delightful dose of humor.
All books in the series do a good job of addressing gender and racial disparities. It is inspiring to see great stories bringing these issues to the fore in significant and clever ways. While The Mirror is premised on fantasy, the disparities flagged are raw and real (and have been since the 1800s in which the first book is set). Dao, Clayton, Cervantes and McKinney use their talents not only to raise awareness but to educate intelligently and thoughtfully. Young readers and adults alike can learn and benefit a lot from such storytelling.
Finally, another aspect I love about The Mirror is the time – and geography – travel between the stories. Readers are transported to:
1800s Germany (in Broken Wish, book one)
1920s New Orleans (in Shattered Midnight, book two),
1960s San Francisco (in Fractured Path, book three), and
2000s New York City (in Splintered Magic, book four).
Each different period brings with it new context and characters, and each subsequent book builds on the trials, tribulations and lessons learned from prior books in the series. There is a lot of unpacking to do, and this series strikes me as one in which every time you read it, you may pick up on something new.
Splintered Magic conforms to the necessary parameters laid out in the prior books while simultaneously doing a tremendous job in tackling the unenviable task of concluding the quartet. It course-corrects prior broken promises, works through generational family secrets and encourages hard work, self-belief and persistence to make things right for the past, present and future.
June 15, 2023
Thank you to @NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this title.
The Perfect Series End!
The series started with Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao. Set 1800's Hanau, Germany it was the story of a witch, a couple desperate for a child, a broken promise, a young girl named Elva, and a curse on one family and their descendants.
Then Dhonielle Clayton's Shattered Midnight shared the story of their descendants in 1920's New Orleans.
The third book, Fractured Path by J.C. Cervantes, took us to 1965 San Francisco and introduced us to more descendants.
Now, with Splintered Magic, the fourth and final book of the series, L.L. McKinney has brought us full circle. It is now the year 2000, and twins Trey & Tai live with their father in New York City. Their mother has been missing for ten years, and without her, the twins struggle to understand and control their powers.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but characters from the other books are either mentioned, or seen in this one. It is a fitting ending to a wonderful series.
I will defiantly purchase this one for my high school library.
The Perfect Series End!
The series started with Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao. Set 1800's Hanau, Germany it was the story of a witch, a couple desperate for a child, a broken promise, a young girl named Elva, and a curse on one family and their descendants.
Then Dhonielle Clayton's Shattered Midnight shared the story of their descendants in 1920's New Orleans.
The third book, Fractured Path by J.C. Cervantes, took us to 1965 San Francisco and introduced us to more descendants.
Now, with Splintered Magic, the fourth and final book of the series, L.L. McKinney has brought us full circle. It is now the year 2000, and twins Trey & Tai live with their father in New York City. Their mother has been missing for ten years, and without her, the twins struggle to understand and control their powers.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but characters from the other books are either mentioned, or seen in this one. It is a fitting ending to a wonderful series.
I will defiantly purchase this one for my high school library.
June 24, 2023
Twins Tai and Trey are about to turn 16 - knowing that every year on their birthday, something bad happens. And this year, oh, boy, does it! Tai and Trey are already unusual, because they both have magic: Tai can see things in mirrors, and Trey can make things change - often unintentionally; at the start of the book, he's accidentally turned his usual corn rows into a clown wig, and he can't change it back. But that's minor compared to the people in white suits who show up at their school searching for them on the morning of their birthday. From there, things get weird. Together, the twins, along with Tai's new girlfriend, Ayesha, find themselves on the run from the people in white - people who may hold the secret to the disappearance of the twins' mother a decade before.
This novel is set just after Y2K, which is relevant only because it accounts for the lack of cell phones, the presence of which could have significantly changed the plot. It deals with inherited magic - magic the twins are having difficulty learning to use because it comes from their mother, who vanished when they were 6. Their explorations into how to use their powers - especially while on the run from the people in white - is interesting to watch, as is the blossoming relationship between Tai and Ayesha, notable mostly because it is a near-instant connection; they meet one day and are a known pair of girlfriends the next, which seems a bit quick even for 16 year-olds. Appropriate for middle school through adult.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This novel is set just after Y2K, which is relevant only because it accounts for the lack of cell phones, the presence of which could have significantly changed the plot. It deals with inherited magic - magic the twins are having difficulty learning to use because it comes from their mother, who vanished when they were 6. Their explorations into how to use their powers - especially while on the run from the people in white - is interesting to watch, as is the blossoming relationship between Tai and Ayesha, notable mostly because it is a near-instant connection; they meet one day and are a known pair of girlfriends the next, which seems a bit quick even for 16 year-olds. Appropriate for middle school through adult.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 13, 2023
The Mirror saga has its kick-off with Broken Wish, by Julie C.Dao, a story about friendship, sisterhood, and magic. It is the story of three women and a curse that will plague future generations. I was in awe when I read it. Julie hit the nail on the head when she created such an immersive and magical universe. Fairy tale at its finest. Dhonielle Clayton has taken the story to the next level with Shattered Midnight by bringing the story to the vibrant New Orleans of the beginning of the twentieth century and its star-crossed lover's magical couple. However, the saga took a turn that I was not expecting, and to my dismay, Cervantes's Fractured Path left a lot to be desired by its shallow action-packed good guys chased by an organization that only came to be for reasons that I cannot understand. Why create enemies the likes we see in Indiana Jones movies?
Finally, Splintered Magic manages to put the story back on its track. Without the charm of the first two entries, Splintered Magic goes more profound in the universe set by Julie with a satisfactory conclusion. A saga that had a perfect start and could have ended with a real bang. Readers, who have been reading the books, will find some comfort in its end.
Finally, Splintered Magic manages to put the story back on its track. Without the charm of the first two entries, Splintered Magic goes more profound in the universe set by Julie with a satisfactory conclusion. A saga that had a perfect start and could have ended with a real bang. Readers, who have been reading the books, will find some comfort in its end.
July 25, 2023
Tai and Tre are twins with magical abilities and a mother who is missing. When their 16th birthday triggers their 'birthday bad luck' a chain of events starts that nobody could have expected.
This book is set in the year 2000 and is billed as a historical fiction on some sites because of it. The only historical elements you really come across is the music, the mention of the twin towers on the skyline, and the fact that Tai has had some social issues in the past for being bi. (I'm sorry, but even in Y2K the price of a cello would have been more than the price of its case, especially if Tre was really a music superstar).
I thought this was a great book, overall. The relationship Tai and Tre had, not only with each other, but with their Dad, was pretty incredible. It all played into the fact that family connections were so huge in this story. There were plenty of mishaps and plenty of adventure, but through it all they relied on and worried about each other.
This book is set in the year 2000 and is billed as a historical fiction on some sites because of it. The only historical elements you really come across is the music, the mention of the twin towers on the skyline, and the fact that Tai has had some social issues in the past for being bi. (I'm sorry, but even in Y2K the price of a cello would have been more than the price of its case, especially if Tre was really a music superstar).
I thought this was a great book, overall. The relationship Tai and Tre had, not only with each other, but with their Dad, was pretty incredible. It all played into the fact that family connections were so huge in this story. There were plenty of mishaps and plenty of adventure, but through it all they relied on and worried about each other.
August 2, 2023
Don't get me wrong, I loved the end of this series. I think having the narrative jump from different time periods and also having different authors narrate the different voices really gives you the sense of the story moving from person to person.
My ONLY gripe is I have so many questions still! Having the series stay very focused on this family throughout the generations and then all of sudden in the last two books introduce this gigantic world war kind of thing and all of these characters with magical intent feels like they're setting up for more stories and I would so be down.
My ONLY gripe is I have so many questions still! Having the series stay very focused on this family throughout the generations and then all of sudden in the last two books introduce this gigantic world war kind of thing and all of these characters with magical intent feels like they're setting up for more stories and I would so be down.
July 2, 2023
Overall a good read, exciting to see the conclusion to this great series. In some ways I didn't feel as connected to the twins as I wanted to, but I liked having two POVs and seeing how the magic and curse affected them both similarly and differently. One thing that did bother me was the casual use of the n-word. Which felt realistic enough for the time period and the characters, but I personally don't like reading it in books, so just to keep in mind if you feel similarly. Overall good conclusion and enjoyed how it all ended.
November 14, 2023
I tried two different times to read this book, and I just couldn't get into it. I finally powered through and finished the audio version. It might have helped to have read the first 3 in the quartet beforehand, so keep that in mind before picking this one up. Additionally, there were parts of the narrative that were stilted and forced, and Trey and Tai do not always read as 16 yr olds (more like middle school than high school).
July 3, 2024
A great wrap up to the series, though I will say that I wanted a bit more about their missing mum and what happened to her in the intervening years, and a bit more about fixing the curse.
Otherwise, definitely a great ending to a great series!
TW for missing parents, kidnapping, violence, gun mentions, hints at homophobia, grief, mentions of death.
Otherwise, definitely a great ending to a great series!
TW for missing parents, kidnapping, violence, gun mentions, hints at homophobia, grief, mentions of death.
January 28, 2024
DNF at 50%
August 6, 2023
I think this is the first book in the series I've read, but that's ok. It was easy enough to get into this world and understand the characters/plot.
The magic that Trey and Tai share is interesting, part of a family inheritance and manifests differently in both. Of course, it helps move the plot along (just once, couldn't we have some magic that frustrates the plot??). I wished that had been explored a little more, and also how Ayesha might be connected. The flashes of lives that Tai gets are apparently part of the previous book's plots, which might send readers to them (if they haven't read them already).
Overall, this was enjoyable but nothing special.
ARC provided by publisher.
The magic that Trey and Tai share is interesting, part of a family inheritance and manifests differently in both. Of course, it helps move the plot along (just once, couldn't we have some magic that frustrates the plot??). I wished that had been explored a little more, and also how Ayesha might be connected. The flashes of lives that Tai gets are apparently part of the previous book's plots, which might send readers to them (if they haven't read them already).
Overall, this was enjoyable but nothing special.
ARC provided by publisher.
July 19, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a solid conclusion to this series. It brought everything around full circle and had a satisfying ending.
This series follows generations of one family and each book is written by a different author. In this book, we follow Tai and Trey, twins who are descended from our first main character Elva. They both have magical powers like their mom who went missing 10 years ago. Trey is able to break things, usually unintentionally, he also changes his hair color in the beginning and he has a knack for music. Tai can see visions in reflective surfaces. Then one day at school, the twins start being followed by people in white suits. These people are very dangerous and Tai and Trey start to learn a lot more about their powers.
I liked Tai and Trey a lot, they had a great relationship with their dad who did everything he could to be a great parent after their mom disappeared. Tai also meets Ayesha and the relationship they form is so sweet and innocent.
The plot of this book actually felt quite fast. I managed to read the whole book in 4 days which is quick for me. I was intrigued enough to keep picking it up. The very beginning felt a little slow, but the white suits show up pretty early on in the book and after that, there are some action scenes and we start to learn secrets.
The only thing that brought this down a tiny bit was the writing style. There were times when I was pulled out of the story a little bit, but not so much that I felt the need to read slower or put the book down. Like I said, my intrigue was pretty high.
I don't want to spoil anything, especially since this the series finale, but it was just very cool how everything came around full circle with the first book taking place so many generations ago. We get all of our questions answered and the ending is very wonderful.
Thank you to Netgalley and DisneyBooks for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was a solid conclusion to this series. It brought everything around full circle and had a satisfying ending.
This series follows generations of one family and each book is written by a different author. In this book, we follow Tai and Trey, twins who are descended from our first main character Elva. They both have magical powers like their mom who went missing 10 years ago. Trey is able to break things, usually unintentionally, he also changes his hair color in the beginning and he has a knack for music. Tai can see visions in reflective surfaces. Then one day at school, the twins start being followed by people in white suits. These people are very dangerous and Tai and Trey start to learn a lot more about their powers.
I liked Tai and Trey a lot, they had a great relationship with their dad who did everything he could to be a great parent after their mom disappeared. Tai also meets Ayesha and the relationship they form is so sweet and innocent.
The plot of this book actually felt quite fast. I managed to read the whole book in 4 days which is quick for me. I was intrigued enough to keep picking it up. The very beginning felt a little slow, but the white suits show up pretty early on in the book and after that, there are some action scenes and we start to learn secrets.
The only thing that brought this down a tiny bit was the writing style. There were times when I was pulled out of the story a little bit, but not so much that I felt the need to read slower or put the book down. Like I said, my intrigue was pretty high.
I don't want to spoil anything, especially since this the series finale, but it was just very cool how everything came around full circle with the first book taking place so many generations ago. We get all of our questions answered and the ending is very wonderful.
Thank you to Netgalley and DisneyBooks for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
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