The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker

Love is complicated and messy, and the author does a remarkable job presenting it as such. While there's no bodice ripping or endless declarations of love, there is no denying this is a love story. Others reviewers have said they wouldn't put this book in the romance genre. So it's escapism.but with some thought required. Some smart theories about how it works, and even the implementation of good old Algebra are utilized, but the basis of the story is the ability of many of the character to cast spells and enchant others.

Don't get me wrong.we're talking magic here.

Magic is treated as any other area of study: the student might have aptitude for a subject, but hard work and practice are the key ingredients. The descriptions of the heroine's life in this strange world are rich. (IMHO) Pros: This is an interesting take on magic and travel between other versions of our world. While I understand the amount of detail and research I love takes time.three year cliff hangers take away from the enjoyment of the story. Let's hope the author doesn't operate on a timetable similar to Harkness (A Discovery of Witches) or Gabaldon (Outlander Series). This isn't so bad if the next installment is in the works and can be expected in a reasonable amount of time. My last con: This is the beginning of a series? trilogy? I knew that going in, but this book doesn't end, it just stops, mid story. There again, pretty can't have anything else going on. This information is provided early.) There is a handsome knight, who is pretty dim and 'dismissable'. The hero is surly and sour and killed his first wife. But this story goes a step further almost implying that real aesthetic human beauty does not exist, but rather is always an illusion. I get that it's nice to read a book about romance between characters that aren't unrealistically handsome and beautiful. All the other favorably portrayed characters are plain, disfigured or elderly (not that older people aren't still beautiful).

Cons: The author seems to have an ax to grind with pretty people, Only one character who I would classify as 'good' gets to be attractive a female magician who befriends the heroine. Here are the pros and cons as I see them. I don't like reviews that retell the story, so I won't do that here. The publishers' summary gives you an idea of the plot. I'm one of those unfortunate people who can't suspend my understanding of reality and just go with a story.give me something to let me think the strange circumstances MIGHT happen. If an author wants to send me through time or into another dimension, then I want at least a fair explanation of how that happened. I like longer books with lots of detail and respect for the reader's need for a plausible story. In most ways, this is just the kind of book I seek

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker