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Beggar Magic
In Gelia City, magic is music – a constant, ever-changing melody known as the Strains. All can hear the Strains…but not everyone can use them equally.
Leilani is Common, able to do only the most mundane “beggar magic,” but when she befriends the gifted Highmost girl, Zebedy, she is swept into the gilded world of the upper class, who can access the magic’s full potential. Behind the polished, academic façade of the Highmost manors, the girls run headlong into danger. An unknown force is consuming the Strains, leaving heartrending silence behind. Desperate to save their beloved Strains, Leilani and Zebedy soon realize that solving the mystery may cost them their friendship, or even their lives.
Leilani is Common, able to do only the most mundane “beggar magic,” but when she befriends the gifted Highmost girl, Zebedy, she is swept into the gilded world of the upper class, who can access the magic’s full potential. Behind the polished, academic façade of the Highmost manors, the girls run headlong into danger. An unknown force is consuming the Strains, leaving heartrending silence behind. Desperate to save their beloved Strains, Leilani and Zebedy soon realize that solving the mystery may cost them their friendship, or even their lives.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2014
10 people are currently reading
1590 people want to read
About the author
H.L. Burke
94 books566 followersBorn in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.
An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.
Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.
She is the author of a four part fantasy/romance series entitled "The Dragon and the Scholar," the Award Winning (2016 Realm Award for Young Adult Fiction) Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and MG/Fantasy "Cora and the Nurse Dragon," among others .
Sign up for her monthly newsletter at www.hlburkeauthor.com
http://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Burke/e/B...
An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.
Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.
She is the author of a four part fantasy/romance series entitled "The Dragon and the Scholar," the Award Winning (2016 Realm Award for Young Adult Fiction) Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and MG/Fantasy "Cora and the Nurse Dragon," among others .
Sign up for her monthly newsletter at www.hlburkeauthor.com
http://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Burke/e/B...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 25, 2017
Ten Thoughts on Beggar Magic:
1. Another fun yet genre-defying read! (Apparently I really love those. XD) It started out like a mild Steampunk story with elements of very original fantasy, and then turned into a sort of academy-story, which turned into a murder mystery, and all with a strong thread of friendship and a dash of romance. Basically it was great. :D
2.The world was super interesting! It’s a psuedo-19th-century kind of feel, with a Steampunk flavor, but some other parts of it seem kind of more old-fashioned. I loved the fantasy element of the “Strains” which are musical wisps of something like magic/sprites. There are class-distinctions based on how well you can hear/use the Strains. And much of the story takes place in a sort of academy thing in an intriguingly-arranged city with different sections specializing in different things. Anyway, for some reason I found the whole world and setup super fascinating. I could also see everything SO clearly. And the “costumes” and rifles and just—LOVE!
3. There were several directions I would think the story was going, but it kept doing something totally different and unexpected. I don’t know if that means I’m disappointed, or if it means it was awesome because it was so surprising and original and kept me on my toes! I guess I’m not actually disappointed, just... mentioning it was different than I thought. It also got QUITE intense near the end there! I kept forgetting to breathe. o.o
4. Brick! I really liked Brick. :D Brick is a deaf guard who is absolutely epic but also kindhearted and sweet—basically Brick is awesome and he was my favorite. :) All the parts with him were the best. <3
5. Leilani, our heroine, was all right—for some reason I felt a little detached from her? But I liked her okay. I thought it was neat how in most books she’d be considered the “side-kick” and Zebedy would be the hero, but Leilani got to be the heroine of this. :D Leilani only has “beggar magic” which means she isn’t particularly gifted or special, like Zebedy is... so normally, Zebedy would be the heroine and main character, and I thought it was neat how it’s basically a story from the POV of the “chosen one’s” side-kick. So cool!
6. Zebedy was spoiled and I didn’t usually like her too much, but I didn’t always dislike her either... and sometimes I felt sorry for her... Eh, I don’t know. I might have liked her more if the story was from her perspective, but like I said above, I did like how it was told from Leilani’s POV.
7. Leilani’s and Zebedy’s friendship was really cute (if occasionally rather trying, as many besties-stories can be...). :) As were... other relationships which are spoilers. Much cuteness all-around! <3 EEP. My little adorableness-loving heart is VERY happy. ^_^ (Especially with how everything turned out at the end. :))
8. I was really surprised by Vickers’ character—at first I SUPER disliked him (and for some reason thought he was way younger than he was), but somewhere along the way I realized I’d actually... grown to like him. o.o Rather a lot, actually! I wished we could have seen more of Vickers. But this hardly ever happens where I dislike a character but then end up absolutely loving them! So kudos on that.
9. THERE WAS A PLOT TWIST. WHICH I SUDDENLY GUESSED DUE TO A SUBTLE HINT. AND I WANTED IT TO BE TRUE. AND THEN IT WAS. AND IT MADE ME HAPPY. :D
10. Overall, there were a couple things—hard to pinpoint—which kept this from becoming a top-favorite-of-all-time, but it still seems to deserve a spot on the 5-star list, and on the whole it was a super fascinating, suspenseful, original read, and funny with great dialog too! I’m actually super fond of this story and really enjoyed it! :)
Favorite Quotes
(Review originally posted on The Page Dreamer: https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...)
1. Another fun yet genre-defying read! (Apparently I really love those. XD) It started out like a mild Steampunk story with elements of very original fantasy, and then turned into a sort of academy-story, which turned into a murder mystery, and all with a strong thread of friendship and a dash of romance. Basically it was great. :D
2.The world was super interesting! It’s a psuedo-19th-century kind of feel, with a Steampunk flavor, but some other parts of it seem kind of more old-fashioned. I loved the fantasy element of the “Strains” which are musical wisps of something like magic/sprites. There are class-distinctions based on how well you can hear/use the Strains. And much of the story takes place in a sort of academy thing in an intriguingly-arranged city with different sections specializing in different things. Anyway, for some reason I found the whole world and setup super fascinating. I could also see everything SO clearly. And the “costumes” and rifles and just—LOVE!
3. There were several directions I would think the story was going, but it kept doing something totally different and unexpected. I don’t know if that means I’m disappointed, or if it means it was awesome because it was so surprising and original and kept me on my toes! I guess I’m not actually disappointed, just... mentioning it was different than I thought. It also got QUITE intense near the end there! I kept forgetting to breathe. o.o
4. Brick! I really liked Brick. :D Brick is a deaf guard who is absolutely epic but also kindhearted and sweet—basically Brick is awesome and he was my favorite. :) All the parts with him were the best. <3
5. Leilani, our heroine, was all right—for some reason I felt a little detached from her? But I liked her okay. I thought it was neat how in most books she’d be considered the “side-kick” and Zebedy would be the hero, but Leilani got to be the heroine of this. :D Leilani only has “beggar magic” which means she isn’t particularly gifted or special, like Zebedy is... so normally, Zebedy would be the heroine and main character, and I thought it was neat how it’s basically a story from the POV of the “chosen one’s” side-kick. So cool!
6. Zebedy was spoiled and I didn’t usually like her too much, but I didn’t always dislike her either... and sometimes I felt sorry for her... Eh, I don’t know. I might have liked her more if the story was from her perspective, but like I said above, I did like how it was told from Leilani’s POV.
7. Leilani’s and Zebedy’s friendship was really cute (if occasionally rather trying, as many besties-stories can be...). :) As were... other relationships which are spoilers. Much cuteness all-around! <3 EEP. My little adorableness-loving heart is VERY happy. ^_^ (Especially with how everything turned out at the end. :))
8. I was really surprised by Vickers’ character—at first I SUPER disliked him (and for some reason thought he was way younger than he was), but somewhere along the way I realized I’d actually... grown to like him. o.o Rather a lot, actually! I wished we could have seen more of Vickers. But this hardly ever happens where I dislike a character but then end up absolutely loving them! So kudos on that.
9. THERE WAS A PLOT TWIST. WHICH I SUDDENLY GUESSED DUE TO A SUBTLE HINT. AND I WANTED IT TO BE TRUE. AND THEN IT WAS. AND IT MADE ME HAPPY. :D
10. Overall, there were a couple things—hard to pinpoint—which kept this from becoming a top-favorite-of-all-time, but it still seems to deserve a spot on the 5-star list, and on the whole it was a super fascinating, suspenseful, original read, and funny with great dialog too! I’m actually super fond of this story and really enjoyed it! :)
Favorite Quotes
“Jess and I do not flirt. We converse.”
“I didn't know conversing involved so much eye-batting.”
***
“Walk like a lady.”
Like a quick lady, Leilani decided.
***
“It’s a long story, but Vicky is my nemesis.”
Leilani mulled over this as the girls took the path back to the maze entrance. She had never known anyone with a nemesis before.
***
Leilani hoped she wouldn't lose her ability to think if she ever fell in love.
***
“I don’t understand it either, but Art fellows like things that don’t make sense.”
***
“That’s Art. They get all the odd ones.”
***
“Vickers Buffet, eighteen.”
“That is Buffet as in to hit someone repeatedly with a blunt object? Correct?” A smile played about Zeb’s mouth.
Vickers smirked at her. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Not really. Did you get that, Leilani?”
Leilani quickly scratched out the information. “Vickers Buffet, eighteen, likes to hit things repeatedly with blunt objects. Check.”
***
[Leilani reading a book:] It was a romance, the dry kind where the boy and girl fought for foolish reasons, and she kind of hoped one or both would die before the end.
***
“Did you come here just to insult my office?” [Vickers, of course. He is awesome. XD]
(Review originally posted on The Page Dreamer: https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...)
November 29, 2014
Beggar Magic is one of the most refreshing pieces of fiction that I have read in a while. The book follows Leilani Weaver on her journey to living her dreams and becoming something that is beyond her “Common” status. Leilani’s life changes for the better, and for the worst, when she meets Zebedy, a “Highmost” girl who is so special that she can actually hear every word the “Strains”—the magical begins that help the people in Gelia—say. When they meet, you think that they are just two girls from different classes who will never see each other again. However, as they get to know one another they become best friends, and soon Zebedy is asking Leilani to be her assistant as she goes on to do her fellowship in one of the Highmost manors, which is where the higher classes learn their trades. But everything is not what it seems, and as the saying goes, “all that glitters is not gold,” and in this case, it is especially true.
This book is filled with suspense, tear jerking moments and even a little bit of romance. It is magical as well as being beautifully written. The book keeps you on your toes almost to the very end, and even though everything seems to resolve itself, there is enough room for a sequel, if the author chooses to do so. (Side note: I really hope that is the case, because I just loved it.) Beggar Magic is one of those books that you can read over and over again, and never get bored. I commend the author, and hope to see more soon.
So it is 5 out of 5 stars for Beggar Magic, and when it comes out on December 9th, you’ll be beggin’ for more! ~ Laura Del
This book is filled with suspense, tear jerking moments and even a little bit of romance. It is magical as well as being beautifully written. The book keeps you on your toes almost to the very end, and even though everything seems to resolve itself, there is enough room for a sequel, if the author chooses to do so. (Side note: I really hope that is the case, because I just loved it.) Beggar Magic is one of those books that you can read over and over again, and never get bored. I commend the author, and hope to see more soon.
So it is 5 out of 5 stars for Beggar Magic, and when it comes out on December 9th, you’ll be beggin’ for more! ~ Laura Del
October 28, 2015
If you're a reader, you probably know when you're reading an Indy book as opposed to a traditionally published book. There's often just something missing, or maybe we're automatically more suspect due to a large amount of badly written stuff out there. Well, I'm here to tell you that Beggar Magic is not one of those books. It's a well crafted, well written, sweet fairy tale. Burke does a great job with her fairy tales and I look forward to reading more of her stories. This one is great due to the friendship of the two main female characters and the very sweet and innocent romance story.
This is a great book for any girl and enjoyable at any age!
The magic in the story is well done and interesting. The setting is developed and easy to follow and slip into! I highly recommend this book!
This is a great book for any girl and enjoyable at any age!
The magic in the story is well done and interesting. The setting is developed and easy to follow and slip into! I highly recommend this book!
February 10, 2015
This is a great book! I found the setting fascinating, the characters mesmerizing, and the plot surprising. I finished it this morning, told my 10-year old about it, and she had finished it before bed and is already asking me to write the author to see if there will be a sequel! It is a clean young adult book with very, very light romance. I'm pretty picky about what I recommend my daughter read when it comes to romance but had no problems with this one.
There are a number of themes woven really subtly throughout the book including one's relationship with God and His blessings, racism/caste systems and privilege, dealing with language barriers, how disabilities are viewed, and probably more that I'll notice on future readings. (And there will be future readings, I promise! My daughter and I just decided to buy the paperback so that we can loan it out lots and because you can get the Kindle version for free once you've purchased the paperback. We're both already planning our re-reads!)
I love how the author dealt with so many things without being preachy ever. So well done. I also love the deaf community and how it fits into the world she has created. Well, well done!
This book reminded me a lot of Shannon Hale's Princess Academy, so if you liked that book or anything else by Shannon Hale, I highly, highly recommend this book to you!!!
There are a number of themes woven really subtly throughout the book including one's relationship with God and His blessings, racism/caste systems and privilege, dealing with language barriers, how disabilities are viewed, and probably more that I'll notice on future readings. (And there will be future readings, I promise! My daughter and I just decided to buy the paperback so that we can loan it out lots and because you can get the Kindle version for free once you've purchased the paperback. We're both already planning our re-reads!)
I love how the author dealt with so many things without being preachy ever. So well done. I also love the deaf community and how it fits into the world she has created. Well, well done!
This book reminded me a lot of Shannon Hale's Princess Academy, so if you liked that book or anything else by Shannon Hale, I highly, highly recommend this book to you!!!
June 30, 2015
I really enjoyed this unique read. Feisty heroine, Leilani, was a bit of an underdog (by station of birth) in this steampunk fantasy world -- but she wasn't about to let that hold her back. In a society that lacks equality, many of the "Highmost" use their gifts to jockey for power, while the "Common" are forced into subservient positions where they struggle to find significance. Suspense builds as Leilani and her friends explore a series of mysterious events no one else seems to notice at first. They must overcome their differences and work together to thwart an evil plot. With a story that involves a mix of fantasy, mystery, suspense and even a bit of romance, Beggar Magic has something for everyone. A fun and clean read recommended for readers of all ages!
March 11, 2015
The characters in this novel sprang of the first page, grabbed me by the hand and dragged me along for the ride. At first, they felt younger than they were meant to be but that changed as soon as they learned a bit more about their world. The prejudice against the lower castes could have been shown a bit more to drive the point home, but this was such a minor issue that it's not worth taking a point off of a thoroughly enjoyable read. I hope to be able to return to this world some time in the future (hint...)
August 3, 2015
I keep intending to get Talk Story to Me up and running again. I've been reading so many great books, and there is so much to talk about! But thanks to the mighty Thor (my cat, not the Norse god of thunder), the tripod was destroyed. It was really quite impressive.
Ah, but you still have a camera, you might say. True. Or rather I did. However, Loki (another cat, not the Norse god of trickery) has confiscated it. I heard a strange clumping sound and looked up just in time to see Loki disappearing down the staircase with the camera in mouth. I started to pursue, but Maelona and Sophie (neither of whom are Norse or Celtic goddesses but simply cats) both tripped me at intervals. By the time I reached the bottom of the stairs (intact, blessedly), Loki and the camera had vanished. I have a checklist of all the possible places it might be. However, I have yet to find it….in time though.
I haven't been idle though. I've been working on ways to improve my review system to make them more helpful. I don't think that an actual number based system actually does much. Rather it's the analysis on key points that can help readers determine whether a book is for them. So I have created some categories. Feel free to recommend any more if you like.
General Summary
But that doesn't mean I should refrain from reviewing the splendid books I have found. The first one I'm pleased to review is Beggar Magic by Heidi Lynn Burke or H.L. Burke as her name is displayed on the book. I am not friends with the author though I am in a writing group with her. I bought this book on my own because it looked intriguing.
And appearances were proved correct. The cover of Beggar Magic suggests a story of two key individuals, music, mystery, and fantasy elements. It delivered on all that with a fairly creative premise. In Geila City, the primary location for this story, magic isn't just figuratively musical, it is literally musical. It exists throughout the world and allows for a variety of uses, being known simply as the Strains. A quasi caste system exists with the nobility being capable of using the Strains in more powerful and creative ways and the Common folk having to make do.
The story follows the adventures of Leilani, a Common, and a Highmost girl named Zebedy. The two come from different worlds, and, in a subtle "grass is greener on the other side," both envy the other. While Zebedy shows great potential with her use of the Strains as well as imagination, Leilani is strong and independent. Their friendship isn't supposed to last, but it grows as time passes. At last, Zebedy goes on to further her strength and education, and she invites Leilani to come and essentially be her assistant, which is a great honor. From there, mysteries develop, both as the two young women learn how to function within this system and as blank spots where the Strains do not exist crop up.
World Building
I'll talk about this more in plot, but this book has a very gentle and slow pace. The world building reflects that. It focuses in on the more minute areas of this world, and it also shows on a more intimate level how much the Strains influence the world. Even those who cannot use the highborn magic still rely on the Strains. In fact, not being able to hear or sense the Strains is horrifying for those who are used to them. Only a few types of individuals are unable to hear them, and many are looked on with suspicion. For instance, anyone who kills is forever cut off from the Strains.
The rest of the world itself is fairly typical low fantasy stock. It has a calm pastoral feel with a combination of more formal school manors and a higher education system as well as a mystery. It has enough of a familiar feel to let the reader feel comfortable in exploring the new concepts without being overwhelmed. As such, the book is great for those who want something with fantasy but don't have to learn an entirely new language or culture that goes with it. But the uniqueness of the Strains and their interaction in the world should also satisfy those who want something new and intriguing in the fantasy realm. All in all, a well struck balance that is hard to achieve.
Characters
The characters are just who you would expect in this sort of story with a few twists. Leilani is outspoken and independent, the strong willed commoner who has to learn how to keep her tongue in check. Not much scares her. Zebedy is, as is often the case, the more privileged and shielded noble who doesn't really understand all that the world is about. And then there is the inevitable villain and possible love interest. When these characters enter the scene, you may recognize them at once, but I won't reveal their names just in case.
One character who struck me as particularly interesting was Brick. I haven't run into many stories that tell the story of a character with disabilities in a way that lets the character be himself. It takes a certain skill. Even though Brick reaches his initial conclusions quite swiftly when he is otherwise more deliberate, he is one of my favorites. He complements the other characters well, and he has some of the best secrets.
Plot
Oh, the glorious plot. As I mentioned above, the pacing is actually rather slow, but don't mistake slow for boring. The beginning reminded me of some of my favorite stories as a child, the gentle introduction to a new world that lets you experience it. I don't I'm giving away too much to reveal that this is how Leilani and Zebedy meet. They are both quite young, one is lost, and the other finds her and helps her to her home in what results in a quiet tour of the countryside. After that, things pick up.There really weren't a lot of surprises for me in the book, but I enjoyed every minute of it. I attribute a lot of this to the narrative. It's an exciting book that doesn't leave you desperate to know where the plot goes. But whenever I set it down, I wanted to come back and find out the next twist.
The twists themselves are handled quite well. One minor point for criticism is that, in the end, a couple things may seem too convenient. The discovery of one relationship and the fulfillment of one of the character's dreams as well as a healing could be seen as too saccharine.
And at first, I thought this fell into the all too common trap of "yay, everything is well and good! There's nothing bad in the world." And while the one discovery is rather convenient, these developments aren't undeserved. The worldbuilding and the clues themselves are sufficient to point to this being a conclusion. I wonder if I would have liked these two twists more if the story had been darker at points, but, in fairness to the author, these moments are earned and well told.
Voice
This was H.L. Burke's first book for me. And, as I am also preparing to review Land of Ash, I can say that I quite love this author's voice. It's very gentle. Almost poetic without becoming purple prose. There's a great deal of creativity, and you can see the love and care that went into crafting this story and world. This book really is its own creature, and it's well worth the trip.
Would I Read Again? Would I Recommend?
Yes, I would certainly read this book again. Actually I already had to take another read. It's a sweet and pleasant story. Easy to get into and easy to relax while reading. The world building was intriguing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Currently it is available for free on Amazon from August 2 – August 3. But if you can purchase a copy for full price, I'd encourage you to do so. H.L. Burke is precisely the kind of writer I want to encourage to keep writing with my sales.
Ah, but you still have a camera, you might say. True. Or rather I did. However, Loki (another cat, not the Norse god of trickery) has confiscated it. I heard a strange clumping sound and looked up just in time to see Loki disappearing down the staircase with the camera in mouth. I started to pursue, but Maelona and Sophie (neither of whom are Norse or Celtic goddesses but simply cats) both tripped me at intervals. By the time I reached the bottom of the stairs (intact, blessedly), Loki and the camera had vanished. I have a checklist of all the possible places it might be. However, I have yet to find it….in time though.
I haven't been idle though. I've been working on ways to improve my review system to make them more helpful. I don't think that an actual number based system actually does much. Rather it's the analysis on key points that can help readers determine whether a book is for them. So I have created some categories. Feel free to recommend any more if you like.
General Summary
But that doesn't mean I should refrain from reviewing the splendid books I have found. The first one I'm pleased to review is Beggar Magic by Heidi Lynn Burke or H.L. Burke as her name is displayed on the book. I am not friends with the author though I am in a writing group with her. I bought this book on my own because it looked intriguing.
And appearances were proved correct. The cover of Beggar Magic suggests a story of two key individuals, music, mystery, and fantasy elements. It delivered on all that with a fairly creative premise. In Geila City, the primary location for this story, magic isn't just figuratively musical, it is literally musical. It exists throughout the world and allows for a variety of uses, being known simply as the Strains. A quasi caste system exists with the nobility being capable of using the Strains in more powerful and creative ways and the Common folk having to make do.
The story follows the adventures of Leilani, a Common, and a Highmost girl named Zebedy. The two come from different worlds, and, in a subtle "grass is greener on the other side," both envy the other. While Zebedy shows great potential with her use of the Strains as well as imagination, Leilani is strong and independent. Their friendship isn't supposed to last, but it grows as time passes. At last, Zebedy goes on to further her strength and education, and she invites Leilani to come and essentially be her assistant, which is a great honor. From there, mysteries develop, both as the two young women learn how to function within this system and as blank spots where the Strains do not exist crop up.
World Building
I'll talk about this more in plot, but this book has a very gentle and slow pace. The world building reflects that. It focuses in on the more minute areas of this world, and it also shows on a more intimate level how much the Strains influence the world. Even those who cannot use the highborn magic still rely on the Strains. In fact, not being able to hear or sense the Strains is horrifying for those who are used to them. Only a few types of individuals are unable to hear them, and many are looked on with suspicion. For instance, anyone who kills is forever cut off from the Strains.
The rest of the world itself is fairly typical low fantasy stock. It has a calm pastoral feel with a combination of more formal school manors and a higher education system as well as a mystery. It has enough of a familiar feel to let the reader feel comfortable in exploring the new concepts without being overwhelmed. As such, the book is great for those who want something with fantasy but don't have to learn an entirely new language or culture that goes with it. But the uniqueness of the Strains and their interaction in the world should also satisfy those who want something new and intriguing in the fantasy realm. All in all, a well struck balance that is hard to achieve.
Characters
The characters are just who you would expect in this sort of story with a few twists. Leilani is outspoken and independent, the strong willed commoner who has to learn how to keep her tongue in check. Not much scares her. Zebedy is, as is often the case, the more privileged and shielded noble who doesn't really understand all that the world is about. And then there is the inevitable villain and possible love interest. When these characters enter the scene, you may recognize them at once, but I won't reveal their names just in case.
One character who struck me as particularly interesting was Brick. I haven't run into many stories that tell the story of a character with disabilities in a way that lets the character be himself. It takes a certain skill. Even though Brick reaches his initial conclusions quite swiftly when he is otherwise more deliberate, he is one of my favorites. He complements the other characters well, and he has some of the best secrets.
Plot
Oh, the glorious plot. As I mentioned above, the pacing is actually rather slow, but don't mistake slow for boring. The beginning reminded me of some of my favorite stories as a child, the gentle introduction to a new world that lets you experience it. I don't I'm giving away too much to reveal that this is how Leilani and Zebedy meet. They are both quite young, one is lost, and the other finds her and helps her to her home in what results in a quiet tour of the countryside. After that, things pick up.There really weren't a lot of surprises for me in the book, but I enjoyed every minute of it. I attribute a lot of this to the narrative. It's an exciting book that doesn't leave you desperate to know where the plot goes. But whenever I set it down, I wanted to come back and find out the next twist.
The twists themselves are handled quite well. One minor point for criticism is that, in the end, a couple things may seem too convenient. The discovery of one relationship and the fulfillment of one of the character's dreams as well as a healing could be seen as too saccharine.
And at first, I thought this fell into the all too common trap of "yay, everything is well and good! There's nothing bad in the world." And while the one discovery is rather convenient, these developments aren't undeserved. The worldbuilding and the clues themselves are sufficient to point to this being a conclusion. I wonder if I would have liked these two twists more if the story had been darker at points, but, in fairness to the author, these moments are earned and well told.
Voice
This was H.L. Burke's first book for me. And, as I am also preparing to review Land of Ash, I can say that I quite love this author's voice. It's very gentle. Almost poetic without becoming purple prose. There's a great deal of creativity, and you can see the love and care that went into crafting this story and world. This book really is its own creature, and it's well worth the trip.
Would I Read Again? Would I Recommend?
Yes, I would certainly read this book again. Actually I already had to take another read. It's a sweet and pleasant story. Easy to get into and easy to relax while reading. The world building was intriguing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Currently it is available for free on Amazon from August 2 – August 3. But if you can purchase a copy for full price, I'd encourage you to do so. H.L. Burke is precisely the kind of writer I want to encourage to keep writing with my sales.
March 1, 2020
Beggar Magic is an enjoyable, sweet YA/MG fantasy with some delightful characterization and lots of humor that should resonate with younger readers. A twist of romance is equally sweet and while there are moments of peril, the book never crosses any lines into truly "adult" territory. It could easily be enjoyed by tweens and I'll be recommending it. For my part, I found myself asking a lot of technical questions about the world that were never fully addressed--like the history of the tunnels that play such a crucial part in the latter part of the book. This seemed absolutely crucial at times, but I was left scratching my head and wondering if I missed a key element. I also wished there had been a stronger emphasis on beggar magic itself. The concept is introduced, but it isn't the primary form of magic that's seen throughout the book. I wanted to see it come more into play. I found the Strains and how different people interacted with them fascinating, but again...so many questions since we know that they are unique to this region. I found myself asking "But...why?" quite a bit. I wanted more. All in all, a good book and one of the few YA books I've managed to finish.
April 20, 2017
Unique and captivating fantasy
I have yet to read a book by H.L. Burke that hasn’t elbowed its way to the top of my to-be-read pile and held me spellbound as soon as I turned to the first page. Beggar Magic is no exception to this. It turns the typical fantasy formula on its head by featuring a main character who’s the friend and sidekick of the person with formidable magic powers, instead of the “Chosen One” herself. It has one of the most interesting magic systems I’ve read about in a long time, based on “Strains” of music and other sounds. The characters are a delight, and the plot is enthralling, building to a clever and surprising climax that had me riveted to my Kindle. Christian undertones are interwoven with the story in a brilliant and subtle fashion--other Christian writers would do well to study Burke’s methods for mingling her faith with her fiction. Spiritual elements are always present to some degree in her works, but they never feel obnoxious or out of place. The fantasy market needs more books like this.
I have yet to read a book by H.L. Burke that hasn’t elbowed its way to the top of my to-be-read pile and held me spellbound as soon as I turned to the first page. Beggar Magic is no exception to this. It turns the typical fantasy formula on its head by featuring a main character who’s the friend and sidekick of the person with formidable magic powers, instead of the “Chosen One” herself. It has one of the most interesting magic systems I’ve read about in a long time, based on “Strains” of music and other sounds. The characters are a delight, and the plot is enthralling, building to a clever and surprising climax that had me riveted to my Kindle. Christian undertones are interwoven with the story in a brilliant and subtle fashion--other Christian writers would do well to study Burke’s methods for mingling her faith with her fiction. Spiritual elements are always present to some degree in her works, but they never feel obnoxious or out of place. The fantasy market needs more books like this.
June 9, 2017
It's quite rare for me to give a book five stars, so when I tell you that this one deserves all five of them I'm not messing. I've previously read (and enjoyed) indie author H. L. Burke's fantasy series, The Dragon & The Scholar, so I already had some strong expectations when I started Beggar Magic, and it's fair to say that her latest work has exceeded those expectations.
This novel is set in a world where a form of magical energy known as the Strains exists, and can be manipulated by the citizens to varying degrees. The Highmost have the most control over the Strains, while the Common can only use the Strains to a much lesser degree, referred to as the Beggar Magic of the title. And then there are the Wordless, those who never had (due to deafness) or have lost (as a result of causing a violent death) their ability to hear the Strains. This disparity has led to a society of two layers, with the Highmost occupying a more privileged position, while the Common and the Wordless are treated almost as vassals by their apparent superiors.
The story follows the adventures of a Common Weaver's daughter (Leilani) and a Highmost student (Zebedy) as they meet, form a friendship and work together to uncover and attempt to stop a plot that threatens to silence the strains forever. Along the way the two girls find love, help to break down the barriers of social standing and overcome a number of challenges to their friendship.
Overall I found this to be a fun read, with likeable characters and a well-paced and easily read story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The fact that the main characters are bound to win out and get through their adventures in one piece is almost guaranteed from the start, simply due to the style and genre of story being presented; I personally think it would be shocking beyond belief if the author killed off any of her protagonists because her writing (so far) simply hasn't shown any of that sort of darkness. That isn't to say there aren't any surprises or deaths, but for me the surety that the good guys will prevail is a welcome relief from all the dystopian, tragedy filled YA works doing the rounds at the moment.
With Beggar Magic H. L. Burke once again shows that self-published fiction can be an absolute pleasure to read, and I genuinely recommend this and the author's earlier works to anyone who likes their fantasy with a subtle hint of humour, a strong sense of fast-paced adventure and an unwritten promise that the primary good guys are almost certainly going to make it to the end in one piece and live happily ever after.
This novel is set in a world where a form of magical energy known as the Strains exists, and can be manipulated by the citizens to varying degrees. The Highmost have the most control over the Strains, while the Common can only use the Strains to a much lesser degree, referred to as the Beggar Magic of the title. And then there are the Wordless, those who never had (due to deafness) or have lost (as a result of causing a violent death) their ability to hear the Strains. This disparity has led to a society of two layers, with the Highmost occupying a more privileged position, while the Common and the Wordless are treated almost as vassals by their apparent superiors.
The story follows the adventures of a Common Weaver's daughter (Leilani) and a Highmost student (Zebedy) as they meet, form a friendship and work together to uncover and attempt to stop a plot that threatens to silence the strains forever. Along the way the two girls find love, help to break down the barriers of social standing and overcome a number of challenges to their friendship.
Overall I found this to be a fun read, with likeable characters and a well-paced and easily read story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The fact that the main characters are bound to win out and get through their adventures in one piece is almost guaranteed from the start, simply due to the style and genre of story being presented; I personally think it would be shocking beyond belief if the author killed off any of her protagonists because her writing (so far) simply hasn't shown any of that sort of darkness. That isn't to say there aren't any surprises or deaths, but for me the surety that the good guys will prevail is a welcome relief from all the dystopian, tragedy filled YA works doing the rounds at the moment.
With Beggar Magic H. L. Burke once again shows that self-published fiction can be an absolute pleasure to read, and I genuinely recommend this and the author's earlier works to anyone who likes their fantasy with a subtle hint of humour, a strong sense of fast-paced adventure and an unwritten promise that the primary good guys are almost certainly going to make it to the end in one piece and live happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2014
Young Leilani Weaver loves the woods. She goes out there often to play among the trees as the Strains sing to her. She loves listening to them. They are a part of every day life in Gelia. Leilani couldn't imagine having to live without them. The Strains are kind of like magic. They can be used to help make bread and start fires, small things like that among the Common people like Leilani. Her mother taught her never to take them for granted and never use them for things you could easily do yourself. And you must never use them for evil because the Strains could leave you forever.
When Leilani meets a Highmost girl about her age named Zebedy, she starts to see how they use the Strains for just about everything, but then again the Highmost are gifted with more magic than the Common people are. Zebedy has lived a very different life than Leilani. Zeb has lots of books. Her family only had two and they were very important. They weren't just novels to read for pleasure. The two girls friendship grows and eventually Leilani becomes Zeb's aide. She figures out though that being in the research manor changes things between she and Zeb. She is treated more like an aide and her friend gets much more aggravated at Leilani than she ever did before. And Leilani is suspicious of Zeb's mentor, Brash. She thinks he is not to be trusted, but Zeb cannot be convinced. When dead spots start showing up in the manor, the girls want to get to the bottom of it. Brash won't allow them to, but Leilani is headstrong and doesn't trust him, so she starts investigating anyway. What she uncovers will be hard for anyone to believe. It will take everyone working together to stop the mad chain of events!
Another fantastic book by H.L. Burke!
When Leilani meets a Highmost girl about her age named Zebedy, she starts to see how they use the Strains for just about everything, but then again the Highmost are gifted with more magic than the Common people are. Zebedy has lived a very different life than Leilani. Zeb has lots of books. Her family only had two and they were very important. They weren't just novels to read for pleasure. The two girls friendship grows and eventually Leilani becomes Zeb's aide. She figures out though that being in the research manor changes things between she and Zeb. She is treated more like an aide and her friend gets much more aggravated at Leilani than she ever did before. And Leilani is suspicious of Zeb's mentor, Brash. She thinks he is not to be trusted, but Zeb cannot be convinced. When dead spots start showing up in the manor, the girls want to get to the bottom of it. Brash won't allow them to, but Leilani is headstrong and doesn't trust him, so she starts investigating anyway. What she uncovers will be hard for anyone to believe. It will take everyone working together to stop the mad chain of events!
Another fantastic book by H.L. Burke!
December 6, 2014
*I received this book for review from the author. This in no way affects my thoughts expressed below*
So I'm pretty sure y'all know by now what a big fan of H.L. Burke I am. If you don't, well it's safe to say you've probably been living under a rock. She has an amazing ability to write stories that pull you in and don't let go, that take you on a journey of imagination and magic and just all around awesomeness. So, yeah, I couldn't wait to dive into this new world from her.
In Gelia City, music is pretty much everywhere. In fact, it holds a kind of magic, these Strains. The Highmost are able to access more of it than the Common, and that is what separates the two classes. This book is all about the story that unfolds when a Common teen girl, Leilani, rescues and befriends Highmost girl, Zebedy or Zeb as she's often called.
This book was as beautiful and well written as all of Burke's previous novels I've read. I think one of the main reasons she's one of my favorite authors is she's one of the few who truly can create these magical world's that are so unique and yet charmingly realistic at the same time. I loved learning the ins and outs of the city as I read the book, and I especially loved the way information was given slowly over time so that by the end of the book I really felt like I was in Leilani's shoes, that I had the opportunity to hear the Strains and help solve the mystery that plagues them along with Zeb, Leilani and their friends they meet along the way.
All I can say is if you enjoy carefully crafted worlds that will truly have you lost in them, then I recommend you try your hand at some Beggar Magic.
So I'm pretty sure y'all know by now what a big fan of H.L. Burke I am. If you don't, well it's safe to say you've probably been living under a rock. She has an amazing ability to write stories that pull you in and don't let go, that take you on a journey of imagination and magic and just all around awesomeness. So, yeah, I couldn't wait to dive into this new world from her.
In Gelia City, music is pretty much everywhere. In fact, it holds a kind of magic, these Strains. The Highmost are able to access more of it than the Common, and that is what separates the two classes. This book is all about the story that unfolds when a Common teen girl, Leilani, rescues and befriends Highmost girl, Zebedy or Zeb as she's often called.
This book was as beautiful and well written as all of Burke's previous novels I've read. I think one of the main reasons she's one of my favorite authors is she's one of the few who truly can create these magical world's that are so unique and yet charmingly realistic at the same time. I loved learning the ins and outs of the city as I read the book, and I especially loved the way information was given slowly over time so that by the end of the book I really felt like I was in Leilani's shoes, that I had the opportunity to hear the Strains and help solve the mystery that plagues them along with Zeb, Leilani and their friends they meet along the way.
All I can say is if you enjoy carefully crafted worlds that will truly have you lost in them, then I recommend you try your hand at some Beggar Magic.
June 22, 2015
This story started out a little slow, but it was so worth it to keep reading. The backbone of this story is friendship, and the two main characters forge together through all the odds against their sisterhood. Leilani is a very well written seventeen year old with a strong sense of self. She trusts her intuition and isn’t afraid to be herself even in the face of class discrimination. Zeb, on the other hand, is an incredibly sheltered girl with little life experience and a degree of naivety that I had trouble with from page one. Even though Zeb is beyond sheltered, she is also loyal and generous. Together these girls are a formidable team.
The social structure places those with more magic as the higher class and those with lesser magic as the working class. The higher class is able to hear magic’s voice and manipulate it in extraordinary ways while the lower class hears a melody from the magic called the Strains. The magic system built upon the Strains is fascinating. The higher born mages are able to invent and heal with their magic while the lower born are limited to strengthening tapestries and lighting candles.
The YA element definitely comes out in the lack of experience for both the main characters. The more sheltered character has aspirations for both of them to marry brothers and seems fairly obsessed with her mentor while the lower class, street smart, character has aspirations of learning and being useful. These motivations felt authentic for teenage girls. This was such a wonderful coming of age story for both of them.
Anyone looking for a good YA fantasy will be pleasantly surprised with this book!
The social structure places those with more magic as the higher class and those with lesser magic as the working class. The higher class is able to hear magic’s voice and manipulate it in extraordinary ways while the lower class hears a melody from the magic called the Strains. The magic system built upon the Strains is fascinating. The higher born mages are able to invent and heal with their magic while the lower born are limited to strengthening tapestries and lighting candles.
The YA element definitely comes out in the lack of experience for both the main characters. The more sheltered character has aspirations for both of them to marry brothers and seems fairly obsessed with her mentor while the lower class, street smart, character has aspirations of learning and being useful. These motivations felt authentic for teenage girls. This was such a wonderful coming of age story for both of them.
Anyone looking for a good YA fantasy will be pleasantly surprised with this book!
December 23, 2014
I received a review copy of this book from the author, and I read the book with a jaded eye. Thus, I'm pleased to announce that it's a very pleasant read.
I'm unfamiliar with Burke's writing, but I'm thinking I need to grab a few more of her books. The writing is very good and immersive. Leilani is Common, Zebedy is Highborn, and they become friends despite the class divide. This was fun and refreshing, but the thing that most endeared this book to me was Brick, the deaf guard. His handicap is written with honesty and love--Leilani is first shy and awkward, then gets to know him, and learns to love him for who he is.
And the Strains. Oh my, the Strains are their own character. Carefree and happy, they're always whistling or humming or singing, or (in some cases) screaming. I genuinely cared about their fate. For a person to be Wordless--unable to hear the Strains--is a terrible thing.
This is a similar book to the Magic Thief, by Sarah Prineas. However, this is written for an older audience, and has lots more romance. The only vaguely objectionable thing I noticed was when a boy and girl sleep together--for warmth, I think, not for sex. Otherwise, it's a lovely romp through an intriguing world.
I'm unfamiliar with Burke's writing, but I'm thinking I need to grab a few more of her books. The writing is very good and immersive. Leilani is Common, Zebedy is Highborn, and they become friends despite the class divide. This was fun and refreshing, but the thing that most endeared this book to me was Brick, the deaf guard. His handicap is written with honesty and love--Leilani is first shy and awkward, then gets to know him, and learns to love him for who he is.
And the Strains. Oh my, the Strains are their own character. Carefree and happy, they're always whistling or humming or singing, or (in some cases) screaming. I genuinely cared about their fate. For a person to be Wordless--unable to hear the Strains--is a terrible thing.
This is a similar book to the Magic Thief, by Sarah Prineas. However, this is written for an older audience, and has lots more romance. The only vaguely objectionable thing I noticed was when a boy and girl sleep together--for warmth, I think, not for sex. Otherwise, it's a lovely romp through an intriguing world.
May 30, 2016
This is the first and only book I've read by this author and after reading it I'm wondering why. Why it's taken me so long to get around to picking up this book and reading it that is! It's terrific!
This story is so incredibly unique! In a world where the Strains are heard by all but a select few and used for things, heard and used differently depending on your birth standing, the author has created everything that didn't exist until the very first page of this book was opened and read. It's refreshing in the way I've not read anything like it before and it was so interesting reading and learning all about the world and the people contained within the book.
As for the characters, they seemed alive! It was as if these people actually existed. It was so easy to picture them in your mind and have them just come to life. They were so well described and given their own personalities. Sometimes you may want to reach in the book and smack them a little bit, but that's one of the things that made them seem so real.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
This story is so incredibly unique! In a world where the Strains are heard by all but a select few and used for things, heard and used differently depending on your birth standing, the author has created everything that didn't exist until the very first page of this book was opened and read. It's refreshing in the way I've not read anything like it before and it was so interesting reading and learning all about the world and the people contained within the book.
As for the characters, they seemed alive! It was as if these people actually existed. It was so easy to picture them in your mind and have them just come to life. They were so well described and given their own personalities. Sometimes you may want to reach in the book and smack them a little bit, but that's one of the things that made them seem so real.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
December 1, 2014
I had the chance to read this little marvel of a book as a beta reader.
The story is one of the most original I have read this year. It takes you to a world when magic can be heard, then depending on what you hear, you can do different things. In this world, everyone has a role predetermined by what they can hear, it's a genetic gift.
I loved the world building and the fact that magic is seen as an entity called "the string" more than as a tool. There is a clear hierarchy between the characters and the magic they can use defines the social class they belong to.
I also enjoyed the interaction between the different characters, especially when it totally breaks the social class rules and all the hierarchy and things expected in this world.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and is willing to step out of their comfort zone to see something really different.
The story is one of the most original I have read this year. It takes you to a world when magic can be heard, then depending on what you hear, you can do different things. In this world, everyone has a role predetermined by what they can hear, it's a genetic gift.
I loved the world building and the fact that magic is seen as an entity called "the string" more than as a tool. There is a clear hierarchy between the characters and the magic they can use defines the social class they belong to.
I also enjoyed the interaction between the different characters, especially when it totally breaks the social class rules and all the hierarchy and things expected in this world.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and is willing to step out of their comfort zone to see something really different.
July 31, 2015
I've been an avid reader my entire life, and because of that, it makes it really hard to get into any old story. This is not any old story. It's unique, very well thought out, and wonderfully entertaining. For some reason, the strains make me think of the Eywa from Avatar, even though it's not depicted that way at all. So don't go thinking of trees just because I said that. It's more in the beauty and innocence aspect. Another thing is, I always love it when a character is strong enough to evoke an emotion of dislike or annoyance, even if it's only for a little bit. I disliked Zebedy for a bit. :)
For someone who has very little reading time these days, it was nice to read a book that made me think about it during non-reading hours. This is the first book I've ready by H.L. Burke, I'm sure I'll be reading another.
For someone who has very little reading time these days, it was nice to read a book that made me think about it during non-reading hours. This is the first book I've ready by H.L. Burke, I'm sure I'll be reading another.
June 28, 2015
Beggar Magic is a YA fantasy novel that I received for free in return for an honest review. The main character, Leilani, is a feisty common girl with big dreams. She befriends a highborn named Zebedy and gets pulled into her aristocratic, educated world. Together they must save the Strains, the musical magic that brings them together, but also separates them into classes. Zebedy can understand the Strains and use them more fully, while Leilani can only do Beggar Magic. There is some light romance and evil characters. Appropriate for any teen and up. I thought it started slow. Time was passing with not much going on, but the book picked up once the girls reached age 17. Great characters with interesting relationships.
October 19, 2014
I loved this book. I loved both main characters and also the love interests!!! My favorite parts were just watching both girls interact and seeing the story grow.
I really really hope this is not the only novel set in this world. The magic system is so simple but so complex and so ingenious. I've really never seen anything like it.
Every chapter flows so neatly into the next. I couldn't put it down. I felt like I wanted to be best friends with both the girls.
I really really hope this is not the only novel set in this world. The magic system is so simple but so complex and so ingenious. I've really never seen anything like it.
Every chapter flows so neatly into the next. I couldn't put it down. I felt like I wanted to be best friends with both the girls.
November 4, 2015
H.L Burke has one again written a clean and delightfully well written book with endearing characters and a fascinating magic system. Not only was it refreshing to have a story from a normal(by setting standards at least) character, there was the added delight of having a fully developed deaf character who never once felt like the token minority character. I also really enjoyed the friendship between the two leading characters, even if I did want to smack Zeb now and than. :)
December 16, 2015
**I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.**
A great quick and easy read that caught and kept my attention throughout the whole story. I only found myself back reading a few times when the characters’ dialogues ran together, but overall I found the author’s writing style to be very pleasing.
A great quick and easy read that caught and kept my attention throughout the whole story. I only found myself back reading a few times when the characters’ dialogues ran together, but overall I found the author’s writing style to be very pleasing.
July 30, 2015
The strains are super cool. I want them. It's just like...wow, can you imagine having singing macig? I love singing anyway, so this would be like the bestest excuse. My roomies coulnd't complain if I was washing dishes with he Strains.
Anyway good story too. I liked it lots, and I want to read more of this writer's stories.
Anyway good story too. I liked it lots, and I want to read more of this writer's stories.
January 18, 2016
First of all: I received this book through the Goodreads giveaways.
And I have to tell you I really liked this book. The new concept of divided magic-usage is quite interesting.
The book read itself easily and was interesting and has everything a YA book needs: romance, intrigue, mistery and a good constructed and written story.
And I have to tell you I really liked this book. The new concept of divided magic-usage is quite interesting.
The book read itself easily and was interesting and has everything a YA book needs: romance, intrigue, mistery and a good constructed and written story.
March 10, 2016
This is a sweet, young-adult, fantasy novel. Well-written and really quite enjoyable. The ending, however, left me wanting. After such a lovely novel, things just sort of dropped off in the last couple of pages. Sad face.
For more, check out my blog at www.raeleighreads.wordpress.com
For more, check out my blog at www.raeleighreads.wordpress.com
November 20, 2021
This is another great book by H. L. Burke. I liked the idea of the magic in this world being biased toward one group of people. Normally I’m stories with magic, the magic is always unbiased and has no character. Burke used this novel to explorer the idea that the magic itself has personality. She doesn’t go into much detail with their personality, but she has setup a world to build a story around the magic itself. She also does a great job building the other characters in the book. Zeb and Leilani’s relationship grew significantly throughout the book, and I liked how they had a lot of real feelings toward each other. It wasn’t always perfect, but showed conflict between them with the friendship holding together throughout.
April 10, 2017
I loved this young adult fantasy novel with a touch of steampunk. The two main female characters are strong and drive the action forward, and they complement each other well. My favourite thing about this book is the inventive magic system. It's based on music & voices constantly in the air, called The Strains, which can be used and manipulated to perform various tasks, as well as acting as guides. Recommended.
June 11, 2017
Absolutely delightful! This is a short mystery in a magical steampunk world, so it basically combines three things I always want more of into one book- and I might've been annoyed by the short length in other circumstances, but I think it was actually just right in this case. (That doesn't mean I don't want a sequel, though!) I loved the characters- Zeb was a bit annoying sometimes, but that's all. And Leilani and Brick are adorable.
September 23, 2022
Magic ability decides class in this light, easy to read fantasy novel that includes clean romance and an unlikely friendship.
February 26, 2016
This was a unique read with some very original world-building. I think fans of the Paper Magician Series will really enjoy this - society is divided into two groups, Common and Highmost, and the Highmost are then sorted into careers based on their talents, such as Research, Healing, Art, etc., and each department has its own mansion where people in that division live and work. Common people are tradesmen, things like weavers and tailors, and also serve in the Highmost houses. Everyone in the city where the book is set has the ability to hear The Strains - invisible, musical entities that speak to the Highmost in words and to Common in music and sounds. The Strains are said to be a gift from The Maker to aid and direct the people. Highmost use have the ability to coax magic from The Strains, to use them for things like getting dressed and making work easier. Common can only use The Strains for "beggar magic" - small simple tasks, and there is an emphasis on not abusing beggar magic. The Common believe you should always do with your own hands what you can - The Strains are not there for our ease or amusement.
While I do not think the book is meant in any way to be metaphorical, as a Christian, I think there are some neat parallels to draw. Different people hear The Strains differently - to some they sound like many voices, to some they sound like one man speaking, sometimes children talk about The Strains being playful and telling them jokes. Just like everyone's relationship with God is on a very individual and personal basis, so it is with The Strains. I also think as a Christian it is easy to feel like others around you are closer to God or hear his direction more clearly - to feel like a Common surrounded by Highmost. I also like how the main character, Common Leilani, treasures her relationship with The Strains, Common though it is. She always strives to seek direction from The Strains, even though she can't hear the words like her Highmost friend. Like I said, I don't think the book is meant to be a metaphor in this way, and the analogies only go so far, it's not like The Chronicles of Narnia where everything is symbolic and the plot is allegorical. But, as a Christian it this book did give me some food for thought.
Altogether, a great read. Some parts of the plot development seemed a little rushed in places, particularly the relationship development, but, the romance is not the focus of the book. Nevertheless it is a solid plot, and I felt like it had a good ending. I would recommend this book to a wide range of readers, especially if you enjoy unique settings and world-building. There is certainly no objectionable content for younger tween readers, and the plot is definitely enjoyable even as an adult reader.
While I do not think the book is meant in any way to be metaphorical, as a Christian, I think there are some neat parallels to draw. Different people hear The Strains differently - to some they sound like many voices, to some they sound like one man speaking, sometimes children talk about The Strains being playful and telling them jokes. Just like everyone's relationship with God is on a very individual and personal basis, so it is with The Strains. I also think as a Christian it is easy to feel like others around you are closer to God or hear his direction more clearly - to feel like a Common surrounded by Highmost. I also like how the main character, Common Leilani, treasures her relationship with The Strains, Common though it is. She always strives to seek direction from The Strains, even though she can't hear the words like her Highmost friend. Like I said, I don't think the book is meant to be a metaphor in this way, and the analogies only go so far, it's not like The Chronicles of Narnia where everything is symbolic and the plot is allegorical. But, as a Christian it this book did give me some food for thought.
Altogether, a great read. Some parts of the plot development seemed a little rushed in places, particularly the relationship development, but, the romance is not the focus of the book. Nevertheless it is a solid plot, and I felt like it had a good ending. I would recommend this book to a wide range of readers, especially if you enjoy unique settings and world-building. There is certainly no objectionable content for younger tween readers, and the plot is definitely enjoyable even as an adult reader.
August 4, 2015
I should give a brief disclaimer before I continue with this review… I do know HL Burke. However, she did not solicit this book review. I’m reviewing it because I enjoyed the book.
Beggar Magic takes place in and around Gelia City, where magic comes from the Strains–a constant melody that all but the Wordless can hear. Leilani, the main protagonist, is a Common teen, who can only manipulate the Strains for mundane spells (called beggar magic.) When she rescues Zebedy, a Highmost teen, they become close friends. They have their differences (Leilani wishes she could be as close to the Strains as Zeb, and Zeb is, frankly, quite the spoiled brat at times), but their love for the Strains is a common bond.
When the Strains start falling silent in patches throughout the Highmost manors, Leilani and Zeb must find the cause before it is too late. I don’t want to go into the details because this is when the intrigue and plot twists started making me wish I could read even faster and the millisecond it takes my Kindle to refresh with a new page started feeling way too slow. And then the story ended and left me wishing for more. I’m hoping for more stories set in this world in the future!
My favorite part of the book: I love the whole idea of the Strains. No one hears them quite alike–some hear whistles or birdsong, others hear choral music or even screams. They also have different moods–sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes angry. It’s beautiful magic that’s alive in its own way.
My least favorite part of the book: There were times when Zeb annoyed me with her bratty nature and all I wanted was to give her a good slap. Her character did grow as the story unfolded and by the end I feel she was more mature–at any rate, I liked her better by then. But definitely several want-to-slap moments in the interim.
As someone who doesn’t like romance (that is, I don’t want any unbelievable love-at-first-sight nonsense, or the graphic details, or the mooning-over-Mr.-Handsome-Unattainable-but-not-really-because-they’ll-be-together-by-the-end, all of which I’ve seen in fantasy novels that were otherwise enjoyable reads) I tend to look for books that don’t have a heavy romantic subplot. I’m happy to say that Beggar Magic, although it does have a romantic subplot later in the book, does not focus heavily on it and I found the relationships both believable and sweet.
All in all, I enjoyed Beggar Magic. It’s definitely one I would reread.
Beggar Magic takes place in and around Gelia City, where magic comes from the Strains–a constant melody that all but the Wordless can hear. Leilani, the main protagonist, is a Common teen, who can only manipulate the Strains for mundane spells (called beggar magic.) When she rescues Zebedy, a Highmost teen, they become close friends. They have their differences (Leilani wishes she could be as close to the Strains as Zeb, and Zeb is, frankly, quite the spoiled brat at times), but their love for the Strains is a common bond.
When the Strains start falling silent in patches throughout the Highmost manors, Leilani and Zeb must find the cause before it is too late. I don’t want to go into the details because this is when the intrigue and plot twists started making me wish I could read even faster and the millisecond it takes my Kindle to refresh with a new page started feeling way too slow. And then the story ended and left me wishing for more. I’m hoping for more stories set in this world in the future!
My favorite part of the book: I love the whole idea of the Strains. No one hears them quite alike–some hear whistles or birdsong, others hear choral music or even screams. They also have different moods–sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes angry. It’s beautiful magic that’s alive in its own way.
My least favorite part of the book: There were times when Zeb annoyed me with her bratty nature and all I wanted was to give her a good slap. Her character did grow as the story unfolded and by the end I feel she was more mature–at any rate, I liked her better by then. But definitely several want-to-slap moments in the interim.
As someone who doesn’t like romance (that is, I don’t want any unbelievable love-at-first-sight nonsense, or the graphic details, or the mooning-over-Mr.-Handsome-Unattainable-but-not-really-because-they’ll-be-together-by-the-end, all of which I’ve seen in fantasy novels that were otherwise enjoyable reads) I tend to look for books that don’t have a heavy romantic subplot. I’m happy to say that Beggar Magic, although it does have a romantic subplot later in the book, does not focus heavily on it and I found the relationships both believable and sweet.
All in all, I enjoyed Beggar Magic. It’s definitely one I would reread.
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