The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil

Pages: 328
Publish date: April 1st, 2017
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
ISBN: 9781760127763
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon AU – Booktopia – Angus & Robertson Bookworld

The Secret Science of Magic:

Now, I thought I would have a little fun with my stop on The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil blog tour. So kick back and relax, today you are getting a review and a cupcake recipe!  

I received an arc of The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil from Hardie Grant Egmont in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book. 

The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil follows protagonist Sophia and Joshua. Two very different people who come together in their last year of high school in unforeseeable circumstances that might just work out to be the best thing for them both.

Sophia is a genius – a maths genius. She is her last year of high school, but breezing through university courses. However, genius’ tend to be recluse and weirdos, who either excel or fail. And Sophia feels like she is on the path to failure.   With everything building up in her – she doesn’t need any more trouble. 

Sophia was an interesting protagonist and while not easily relatable. I could connect to her on other levels. I adored that The Secret Science of Magic had a focus on leaving high school and deciding what you are going to do next. It’s what so many people have to go through and it hit hard. The anxiety that Sophia feels throughout the book was just so spot on. That was me 3 years, it’s still me today. And I could feel it deep inside me.

Josh was totally adorable. He has had a crush on Sophia for quite a couple of years, and with the end of high school looming – he knows that he has to tell her. But instead of just saying it to her face, he decides to woo her – with magic! I love illusionist and magicians. I find them fascinated and I love working out how things are done – so I found a kinship with Josh. He is also awkward and funny.  

The romance was adorable. I loved how Sophia and Joshua were both so unsure about what to do, but they fit with each other so well. Sophia, I think needed someone like Josh not just as a love interest, but as a friend. Someone who understood her even when she at her worse.

Friendship is also another big aspect of The Secret Science of Magic. Sophia only really has one friend when this book starts – and Sophia feels like she is losing her. High School is hard enough, but only having a certain group of friends or friend and then they are off once it ends – that hurts – a lot.

I spoke about this before, but I loved that anxiety was presented in The Secret Science of Magic. It’s so hard leaving school and going into the big wide world and Sophia feels it. But, it’s not just about school, but about life. And when everything that was planned out for you is gone – how do you go on? I really felt the anxiety that Sophia presents within the book. Obvious I am not a genius, so not that part – but everything that comes with it.

Overall, The Secret Science of Magic is an adventure. It’s a beautiful story of coming of age, growing up, and learning. It’s about letting go, and not just finding yourself, but believing in who you can become. It deals with the notion of first love, leaving high school, friendship, family and so much more. It’s one of those books that you pick up and just fall in love.

 

[yumprint-recipe id=’3′] And that is it for my stop on The Secret Science of Magic Blog Tour. I had so much fun! Have you read The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil? What did you think of it? Have you read any other books by Keil? Don’t forget to check out the rest of the tour!