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Small Magics
Not yet published
Expected 30 May 26'Magic isn't only found in old ancient forests or dusty old castles … it's everywhere, all the time …'
Molly Flynn never had a place to call home until she was sent to live above a mysterious antique shop with Pat, Priya and their foster kids, Wren and Lorcan. Her new family are anything but ordinary, though, and Molly is soon swept into their world of small magics.
But things start to turn someone is attacking magical creatures. No one is safe …
Can Molly and her newfound family defeat the dark magic before it's too late?
Molly Flynn never had a place to call home until she was sent to live above a mysterious antique shop with Pat, Priya and their foster kids, Wren and Lorcan. Her new family are anything but ordinary, though, and Molly is soon swept into their world of small magics.
But things start to turn someone is attacking magical creatures. No one is safe …
Can Molly and her newfound family defeat the dark magic before it's too late?
272 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 30, 2026
11 people want to read
About the author
Alex Dunne
3 books21 followersAlex Dunne is an Irish author living in Canada. She spends her time thinking up fantastical tales for children, teens, and adults and drinking far too much tea. Alex has a BA in English & History from the University of Limerick and an MA in Literature & Publishing from NUI Galway. She is a co-founder of Silver Apples Magazine, an online literary journal dedicated to showcasing the best of Irish and international writing. Her first children's novel is being published by The O'Brien Press in September 2022. You can follow Alex on Twitter and Instagram @alexdunnewrites.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 15, 2026
Small Magics is an exhilarating urban fantasy adventure where magic is found in the most unexpected places and leads to the most incredible journey of danger and discovery … an utterly captivating story.
Something strange happens to Molly Flynn on New Year’s Eve, when she turns twelve, something that will change her life forever yet it is something that she is oblivious to …
A month later, and Molly, who has been in care for half of her life, is moving in with new carers – her fifth move. She’s going to live above an antiques shop situated in the centre of Limerick city. Priya and Pat welcome her with warmth, tea and buns. Could she have found a place where she truly belongs, or will something happen that will see her moving home again?
When Molly goes to explore the antiques shop, she makes a discovery that leads to the realisation that her new family are not at all what she expected. Rather than selling antiques, Priya and Pat are magical folk who sell small magics including potions and charms. They also help magical children who need a home, including Wren and Lorcan who live with them, teaching them about the magical world and growing their powers. Could Molly be part of this magical world, and find her own power?
Whilst Molly is finding her place in this magical new world, she discovers that someone is attacking magical creatures in the most petrifying way. Can Molly and her newfound family discover the sinister foe who is using dark magic before time runs out?
I absolutely loved this action-packed adventure, brimming with danger and discoveries, with mistrust and threat, but also with blossoming friendships and warmth. I loved that this story balances the contemporary world of a city and its infrastructure with the natural world upon which it relies, and that a magical world co-exists within the modern world. I also loved the links to Irish, and other, mythological creatures and deities threaded throughout.
Molly is an incredibly sympathetic and likeable young girl. She has spent most of her life moving between foster homes, living with the insecurity of not knowing when she will be moved on. Will finding a new home and family enable her to go on a journey of self-discovery to find who she truly is? Will this fiercely protective, courageous and loyal young girl find a place where she wholeheartedly belongs?
A thrilling, heart-warming adventure into the small magics that are all around us and the big adventures they can take us on – perfect for readers of 9+.
Something strange happens to Molly Flynn on New Year’s Eve, when she turns twelve, something that will change her life forever yet it is something that she is oblivious to …
A month later, and Molly, who has been in care for half of her life, is moving in with new carers – her fifth move. She’s going to live above an antiques shop situated in the centre of Limerick city. Priya and Pat welcome her with warmth, tea and buns. Could she have found a place where she truly belongs, or will something happen that will see her moving home again?
When Molly goes to explore the antiques shop, she makes a discovery that leads to the realisation that her new family are not at all what she expected. Rather than selling antiques, Priya and Pat are magical folk who sell small magics including potions and charms. They also help magical children who need a home, including Wren and Lorcan who live with them, teaching them about the magical world and growing their powers. Could Molly be part of this magical world, and find her own power?
Whilst Molly is finding her place in this magical new world, she discovers that someone is attacking magical creatures in the most petrifying way. Can Molly and her newfound family discover the sinister foe who is using dark magic before time runs out?
I absolutely loved this action-packed adventure, brimming with danger and discoveries, with mistrust and threat, but also with blossoming friendships and warmth. I loved that this story balances the contemporary world of a city and its infrastructure with the natural world upon which it relies, and that a magical world co-exists within the modern world. I also loved the links to Irish, and other, mythological creatures and deities threaded throughout.
Molly is an incredibly sympathetic and likeable young girl. She has spent most of her life moving between foster homes, living with the insecurity of not knowing when she will be moved on. Will finding a new home and family enable her to go on a journey of self-discovery to find who she truly is? Will this fiercely protective, courageous and loyal young girl find a place where she wholeheartedly belongs?
A thrilling, heart-warming adventure into the small magics that are all around us and the big adventures they can take us on – perfect for readers of 9+.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a review copy from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
SMALL MAGICS is a contemporary fantasy that focuses not on big powers but the power of small things.
As the title suggests, this book focuses on less impressive magics than often shown in fantasy. The shop run by Pat and Priya sells charms for mowing lawns or getting stains out of clothes. It was really fun to see more mundane uses for magic, and how little things can make a big difference. I loved seeing the mundane made magical (who'd have thought an international airport could be magical?)
Like her previous books, this is a contemporary fantasy set in Ireland with a magical world running alongside ours. However, this isn't a re-imagining of Irish mythology. The creatures from that mythology certainly play into the tale, but it's not a direct conversation with the myths. It was nice to see the author play with a different part of the contemporary fantasy sub-genre, showing a versatility with story telling.
Having a main character be a child in care, this is naturally a story about found family. I really enjoyed Molly finding her place in this new family. It's not perfect - Lorcan and Molly don't get on for a while - but there is such a sense of love. This goes beyond simply those living under the same roof; Pat and Priya are part of a supportive community that welcomes the children too. It's a lovely picture of what community and family should be.
This is (currently!) a standalone novel. I would not object to more adventures with Molly, Wren, Lorcan, and the rest. It is such a fun take on contemporary fantasy!
SMALL MAGICS is a contemporary fantasy that focuses not on big powers but the power of small things.
As the title suggests, this book focuses on less impressive magics than often shown in fantasy. The shop run by Pat and Priya sells charms for mowing lawns or getting stains out of clothes. It was really fun to see more mundane uses for magic, and how little things can make a big difference. I loved seeing the mundane made magical (who'd have thought an international airport could be magical?)
Like her previous books, this is a contemporary fantasy set in Ireland with a magical world running alongside ours. However, this isn't a re-imagining of Irish mythology. The creatures from that mythology certainly play into the tale, but it's not a direct conversation with the myths. It was nice to see the author play with a different part of the contemporary fantasy sub-genre, showing a versatility with story telling.
Having a main character be a child in care, this is naturally a story about found family. I really enjoyed Molly finding her place in this new family. It's not perfect - Lorcan and Molly don't get on for a while - but there is such a sense of love. This goes beyond simply those living under the same roof; Pat and Priya are part of a supportive community that welcomes the children too. It's a lovely picture of what community and family should be.
This is (currently!) a standalone novel. I would not object to more adventures with Molly, Wren, Lorcan, and the rest. It is such a fun take on contemporary fantasy!
April 25, 2026
Molly Flynn has been in foster care for half her life. Shortly after her 12th birthday, she is placed in a new home with Pat and Priya, who live above an antique shop in Limerick City. She soon discovers however that the antique shop is actually a magic shop! One that focuses on small magics, jampacked with spells, charms and potions that help improve a person’s life. Pat and Priya are magical folk, who foster kids with magical abilities and the reason why Molly is living with them, along with Wren and Lorcan. As Molly starts to work with Pat to discover what her abilities are, a spate of terrifying attacks on magical folks hits the news. Can Molly and her newfound family solve what’s happening before it’s too late??
Small Magics is such a wonderful tale, the found family aspect is so heartwarming. I wanted to visit Pat and Priya’s home and have buns and tea! You really root for all the characters, even the grumpy Lorcan, but it’s Molly who really shines as she goes on her journey of self-discovery and finally finds a place where she belongs. Special shoutout to Frank the Goblin though, he may have been my actual fave!
Knowing Limerick city and the places mentioned added a lovely layer of familiarity. I love that the shop is situated on Fox’s Bow, it’s one of my fave streets in Limerick. There’s mentions of different magical creatures, including Irish ones like banshees, and the world building effortlessly weaves together a magical world co-existing with a modern mundane world.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does an excellent job, with different voices for the characters, I think kids will especially enjoy it this way!
There’s plenty of action and while this could be easily be an awesome stand alone novel, I’m hoping for a sequel! A fun, feel good, magical an adventure.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews