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Manifestation
Gabby Palladino believes in magic.
Her parents always tell her that magic is nothing more than foolish superstition. But she grew up reading ancient fairy tales known as the Fables of Arcana, which filled her mind with wonder and mystery. When those myths and legends start to come true, Gabby learns that real magic is far more dangerous than the bedtime stories she always believed in.
When people begin manifesting the powers of arcana, Gabby finds herself surrounded by dangers on all sides. She encounters people who can melt steel with their minds, create earthquakes, and summon flames from their bare hands. She must struggle to survive in a city gripped by chaos and destruction, while trying to discover why people are manifesting abilities that have been lost since ancient times.
What she learns will make her question everything she believes in, about the world, her family, and even her own self.
Her parents always tell her that magic is nothing more than foolish superstition. But she grew up reading ancient fairy tales known as the Fables of Arcana, which filled her mind with wonder and mystery. When those myths and legends start to come true, Gabby learns that real magic is far more dangerous than the bedtime stories she always believed in.
When people begin manifesting the powers of arcana, Gabby finds herself surrounded by dangers on all sides. She encounters people who can melt steel with their minds, create earthquakes, and summon flames from their bare hands. She must struggle to survive in a city gripped by chaos and destruction, while trying to discover why people are manifesting abilities that have been lost since ancient times.
What she learns will make her question everything she believes in, about the world, her family, and even her own self.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 8, 2014
This book is a good example of the elements of writing coming together seamlessly. As far as fantasy goes, I could easily see this and any books that follow entering into epic territory. Without giving too much away, this whole book works to set up a powerful change coming over the world. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
October 12, 2014
Manifestation is an extremely emotional read. In fact, after the first two chapters I had to take a break and recover. The teenage protagonist misbehaves by taking her parent’s car out without permission, and something terrible happens to her. She tries to tell her parents about the terrible thing, but they’re too busy yelling at her to listen. The book perfectly captured the tragic way parent-teen relationships sometimes break apart when both parties are under stress and the parents are too busy disciplining to exercise understanding. Although the book was primarily sympathetic to the teenage Gabby, the parents come across as fully human as well. Not monsters by any means, just flawed human beings. I almost wish these first two chapters could be a required reading assignment for parents and teens whose communication is breaking down.
I would describe the writing as clear and vivid and luminous, everything I’d been expecting from my prior experience with this author’s poems and short stories. The plot is mainly focused on tracing the path of a magic-induced apocalypse, and overall the book has the feeling of a pilot episode for a TV series. What do I mean by pilot episode? Well, even though the book is good, it seems primarily focused on laying the groundwork for future storytelling. We definitely reach the end of the book exactly as things are beginning. So, I am looking forward to reading the four books in the series which have not yet been released.
Besides Gabby, there is another really interesting female main character, an engineering student who nicknames herself Tock. She is very commitment-phobic and down-to-earth, qualities normally associated with males rather than females, so I really enjoyed the way she broke stereotypes! Her magical powers were particularly interesting, and she kept having dreams which foreshadowed her destiny. The destiny dreams were well-written and gripping, which is very rare in this genre (usually destiny dreams make me yawn, but these were fascinating.)
Towards the end of the story, Tock’s character takes a dark turn, which was very startling since prior to that I feel like she’d been very likeable. My major complaint about the story is that I wish Tock’s turn to the dark side had been foreshadowed more, or built up to more gradually. Her snap decision almost didn’t feel real, it felt like it came out of nowhere, and left me feeling rather disoriented.
Aside from that though, this book was exactly what I wanted to be. I liked reading about the full spectrum of humanity’s response to a crisis, everything from heroic to despicable. I love Gabby and I am rooting for her. I can’t wait to read the next book about her.
I would describe the writing as clear and vivid and luminous, everything I’d been expecting from my prior experience with this author’s poems and short stories. The plot is mainly focused on tracing the path of a magic-induced apocalypse, and overall the book has the feeling of a pilot episode for a TV series. What do I mean by pilot episode? Well, even though the book is good, it seems primarily focused on laying the groundwork for future storytelling. We definitely reach the end of the book exactly as things are beginning. So, I am looking forward to reading the four books in the series which have not yet been released.
Besides Gabby, there is another really interesting female main character, an engineering student who nicknames herself Tock. She is very commitment-phobic and down-to-earth, qualities normally associated with males rather than females, so I really enjoyed the way she broke stereotypes! Her magical powers were particularly interesting, and she kept having dreams which foreshadowed her destiny. The destiny dreams were well-written and gripping, which is very rare in this genre (usually destiny dreams make me yawn, but these were fascinating.)
Towards the end of the story, Tock’s character takes a dark turn, which was very startling since prior to that I feel like she’d been very likeable. My major complaint about the story is that I wish Tock’s turn to the dark side had been foreshadowed more, or built up to more gradually. Her snap decision almost didn’t feel real, it felt like it came out of nowhere, and left me feeling rather disoriented.
Aside from that though, this book was exactly what I wanted to be. I liked reading about the full spectrum of humanity’s response to a crisis, everything from heroic to despicable. I love Gabby and I am rooting for her. I can’t wait to read the next book about her.
April 22, 2015
I enjoyed this book.
I can see in some places where Gabby could be seen as whiny and annoying, but I think she grew a little bit over the course of the book. She went through some tough shit. I'm really interested in seeing how her character develops over the course of the next book.
Tock is a badass. I have to say that she's probably my favorite character. She doesn't take shit from anyone, and she's adorable with her "children." But I liked how her vulnerable side was shown, and how hard she fights to keep her heart hardened against everyone. It's not always the best option for her, but she's only doing it based on her past experiences.
Over all, I enjoyed reading this book. When I picked it up, I hated having to sit it down. It was a "Just one more chapter!!! *flashes forward 30 minutes and two chapters later, still reading*" situation. The ending gives the reader a bit of closure (*SPOILERS* Gabby learns that she's responsible for the place burning down and contaminating others with arcana.) At the same time, it also leaves the reader holding their breath, desperately needing to know what happens next.
In short? A damn good read.
I can see in some places where Gabby could be seen as whiny and annoying, but I think she grew a little bit over the course of the book. She went through some tough shit. I'm really interested in seeing how her character develops over the course of the next book.
Tock is a badass. I have to say that she's probably my favorite character. She doesn't take shit from anyone, and she's adorable with her "children." But I liked how her vulnerable side was shown, and how hard she fights to keep her heart hardened against everyone. It's not always the best option for her, but she's only doing it based on her past experiences.
Over all, I enjoyed reading this book. When I picked it up, I hated having to sit it down. It was a "Just one more chapter!!! *flashes forward 30 minutes and two chapters later, still reading*" situation. The ending gives the reader a bit of closure (*SPOILERS* Gabby learns that she's responsible for the place burning down and contaminating others with arcana.) At the same time, it also leaves the reader holding their breath, desperately needing to know what happens next.
In short? A damn good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2015
This story kinda made me think of the x-men setting gone fairy tale, and not one of those nice fairy tales with people singing at deer. People are gaining powers, only it isn't the result of mutation but MAGIC. It's pretty cool. And destructive.
I think I would have enjoyed the story a whole lot more if I didn't have a high rate of hating teenage characters. Poor Gabby just annoyed the hell out of me, sorry lass. This is just my problem though and if you like a good teenage protag and exciting urban fantasy, would recommend this book. Lots of peril, magic and intrigue.
Despite that, you can bet I'll be picking up book 2 when it emerges just to find out what Tock gets up to.
I think I would have enjoyed the story a whole lot more if I didn't have a high rate of hating teenage characters. Poor Gabby just annoyed the hell out of me, sorry lass. This is just my problem though and if you like a good teenage protag and exciting urban fantasy, would recommend this book. Lots of peril, magic and intrigue.
Despite that, you can bet I'll be picking up book 2 when it emerges just to find out what Tock gets up to.
April 9, 2017
An excellent beginning to what I believe will be an epic adventure. I absolutely LOVED Tock and the magical elements in this story. I wasn't a big fan of Gabby. I felt sorry for her in the beginning but, by the end, I just wanted her to grow up and stop crying for her daddy. Tock balanced her out nicely and the scenes that they shared were my favorite scenes in the book. I know this is a series, but I would have liked a little more resolution at the end (hence the 4-star rating). Looking forward to seeing where the next book takes us!
June 29, 2015
First of all, lesbian main character? Hell yes, finally one I can relate to. But that was the only one I could relate to. I mean damn, Gabby gets such a rough trot in life. So does the other main character, Tock. But I ended up liking Tock better. I liked her kind of 'screw everything' attitude, and the little soft centre she has but hides from everyone. But the thing that this loses a star for, and which annoyed me (and I'm sorry about this) was the kind of strong religious message or undertones in it. That really kind of turned me off it a bit.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews