The year is 1985: Nintendo has just hit the shelves, jean jackets are rad, MTV still plays music, and magic is very, very real.
Jennifer Knight is fresh out of high school, still lives in her alcoholic mother’s house, has no car, and is so over everything she’s taken to shoplifting simply for the fun of it. Of course, nicking what doesn’t belong to you is a whole lot easier when you possess a magic jewelry box with the power to make anything disappear.
When a supernatural being with mysterious powers and suspect motives comes calling, however, it turns out Jen’s once dull, ordinary life is actually just window dressing—and that behind the curtain lies a whimsical world rife with wizards, wereskunks, and pot-smoking garden gnomes.
In time and with the “aid” of her newfound acquaintance, Jen will find answers to questions she never thought to ask. Questions like “why can’t my mother talk about my father?” or “why is my rocker boyfriend never around when the full moon is out?” or “how suicidal do you have to be to rip off a wizard cabal on a dare?” The answer? Very.
But then you know what they say...ask not what magic can do for you, but what you can do for magic.
TY BURSON was born in Riverside, California. His mother and her family emigrated from Canada, while most of his father’s people hailed from Oklahoma. After completing an Associates Degree in general education, Ty joined the Air Force. Ty signed on to be a Russian Crypto-logic Linguist, went off to basic training, and eventually ended up in Monterey, California. It was there that Ty met his future wife, Kerri.
Ty finished his Bachelor’s degree before leaving the Air Force. Eventually, four kids and a couple of career changes later, Ty went back to school, got his teaching certification, joined the Air National Guard, and began teaching middle school in Florissant, Missouri.
It was at a conference for middle school teachers that Ty got the idea for a lucky dragon that protected a fishing village. A protagonist with a stutter and a demon came along much later. While the novel got shelved when Ty decided that he had to have a Doctorate in Education, it never entirely left his mind—as few wonderful ideas ever do.
Currently, Ty and his family live in Maryland, where he continues to teach after completing his Doctorate and retiring from the Air National Guard in 2011. Ty is known for entertaining his students with funny poems and stories, and for wearing bizarre, entertaining ties.
This was surprisingly fun. I picked it up because it was a magical story taking place in the 80s. I enjoyed meeting all the different creatures and seeing the crazy situations our young heroine got into. I will probably continue on in this series. Also available on Kindle Unlimited.
…picky when it comes to entertainment. I find people who only enjoy intellectual sci-fi or fantasy to be rather pretentious more often than not. So my tastes range from the silly to the incredibly serious. I like fun stories that teach me something too.
This novel, however, is somewhere in between the comic and drama of fantasy—intentionally, I’m sure. Whatever…I can’t read novels that have too many grammar problems because it shows carelessness on the part of the author…where was I? Oh, yes, Ty Burson writes with clarity, character development/revelation, mystery, and, as far as the story goes from my POV, delight to be writing. He loves his story and it shows.
As with all good stories this kept me on my toes. I gave it 5 stars cuz I couldn’t find anything major wrong with it—editing being the only rare issue is not a reason to snafu a good story.
I had never read this author before, but with series-opener taking place in the 80s, how could I resist trying it? I just loved all the references to the 80s that I remember. It was fun and nostalgic. The protagonist is a little younger than I generally like to read because I have teens of my own that drive me crazy, but Jen is a mature enough 18-year-old that she didn’t drive me crazy. This well-written book filled with discoveries, secrets, and mysteries was a great read, and I am definitely anxious to see what Jen is going to discover next about those secrets. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
This is a new author for me and he writes an interesting Urban Fantasy book. The time setting is in the 1980s and boy, does that sure brings back some memories. I even had a friend that drove a cute VW bug! I love the colorful characters, especially their unique quirks and twists………some of which really made me laugh! Jen is my favorite. She is headstrong, protective, smart, loyal, independent, and very determined to protect her mom from danger. This book has action, danger, magic, werewolves, an elf, gnomes, wizards, mystery, family, suspense, goblins, a bracelet, a silver frog, friends, romance and more!
I bought this book not knowing what to expect. Little did I know that I would really enjoy this well written story. Yes, the main characters are just graduated teens. But Ty Burnbson has spun a good tale. Definitely recommend you read this. Me? I am headed to the next book in the series.
Is this a YA-type urban fantasy. Yep, but anyone from Boomers to Gen X to older Millennials who remembers the mid-1980's is going to just love this mashup of magic, werewolves, fae creatures and 80's Pop culture. It's a wicked fun read, and you will never look at garden gnomes the same way again.
I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to the next. It's a young adult, not a teen in high-school, discovering the world of magic in a most unusual way. Read the book!
Fun read , took a bit to get into but went right along once I was into it …..learning new characters and all . Good story ! Will definitely read the next in the series!
This was a way different way to get into the magic story. I was pleasantly surprised with this premise. It's nice that the next one isn't too far away I can't wait!!
Let's to the time warp agaaaaaaainn!! 80s flashback series. Just enough of everything to pull you in deeper. Can't wait to start book 2. Oh look...there it is!
Slow burn start that turned into WOW. Ty Burson can tell a story. Gnomes, elves, werewolves in the suburbs. Can't wait to start book two. This is a page turner for sure.
Good start to a series leaving me intrigued. Took me a bit to get through the first novel but in the end I am looking forward to the next. The characters are likable and being an 80’s kid I enjoy the time frame.
I didn't need another author to read, but when Argento has a new author, you give them a chance. Damn it! It was good. As a child of the 80s, it was a trip down memory lane, with magic added. Going to read the next one now. I didn't need sleep anyway!
Well written storyline. It’s great to remember w what being a kid in the 80s was like without cellphones and what a difference it made in daily life. Well developed characters and interesting magic nuances. Clever!
At first I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this story is amazing. The characters are all relatable and the story has all the twists and turns you wouldn’t expect. I can’t for the next chapter.
A light hearted novel of early adulthood, finding magic is actually real and how to deal with it. Interesting new take on magic. Had some humor, kept me interested
What happens when you start seeing the reality you never knew was there ? Great plot, well written, and a touch of humour..I’m looking forward to the next tale.