I have not enjoyed a book this much since I read the first Harry Potter (and all the rest in the series.) The writing is superb, giving just enough description to paint a picture in the reader's mind or a deft turn of phrase and trusting the reader to fill in the rest. It is clever. It is funny. It is unique - "pet" gargoyle anyone? I loved it.I accidentally stumbled upon it by requesting every book about pirates from our local library at the insistence of my four-year-old son. Although we did read a bit of it together, he's not quite ready for it. I was surprised and pleased to find a hidden treasure and can't wait to share it with him when he's older. Our local public library is fairly small, so usually I spot things that are new even when they're not highlighted as such. In the case of Magic Marks the Spot, I'm glad I did. This book has a good deal going against it from the start: the (UK paperback) cover is really not very attractive, with a crammed and overly-wacky painting, misused graphic devices and overused type; the title is unwieldy and a bit corny; and I've never heard of the author Caroline Carlson. Not one to judge a book on its appearance, and one who seeks out engaging female characters to read to our daughter, I gave it a chance anyway.The story is a bit complicated, deftly tying together the themes of pirates, thieves, magic and even boarding schools into a flowing and constantly surprising narrative. We are plunged into an entirely created world without ever being given a painful lecture on how it all works; Carlson makes it a welcoming (if occasionally bewildering) one and it's perfectly enjoyable to go along for the ride.I don't recall the last time I was so thoroughly involved with a book I was first-time reading to the kid. Both she and I were constantly eager to find out what was going to happen next, because to a large extent Carlson is writing her own rules in this book. Though there are hints of other successful young readers' franchises here (the similarly overtitled Lemony Snicket and J.K. Rowling series spring immediately to mind), this is an entirely new animal.If you have an attentive young girl to read it to, or if you have a taste for young-reader fiction with humour and life, by all means get hold of this book. I know the daughter and I are already eagerly anticipating the next installment.
What do You think about Der Magische Schatz (2014)?
Loved it. Has also written letters from different people. Gargoyle very funny,
—michaelacfoulkes
Clever, witty, and quick, fun read. Can't wait for the series to continue!
—bridgefrohl
Very entertaining! Loved the humorous characters and story lines!
—aro
Great plot twists and creativity by new author.
—raina
