Aster and the Mixed-Up Magic is a children's book written by Thom Pico and illustrated by Karensac. The book tells the story of Aster, a young wizard-in-training, who embarks on a magical adventure with his friend Charlie. Aster lives in a magical world where everyone has a magical ability. However, Aster is struggling to find his own magical skill. While other kids can conjure fire, create illusions, or communicate with animals, Aster seems to be just an ordinary boy. This makes him feel left out and frustrated.
Page Count: 256
When the crown disappears, Aster ventures to the Labyrinth of Chimeras in an attempt to reforge it and restore the balance before the trickster Rapscallion can escape. In this sequel to Legacy and the Queen 2019 , Legacy Petrin and her friends Javi and Pippa have returned to Legacy s home province and the orphanage run by her father.
This makes him feel left out and frustrated. One day, Aster stumbles upon a mysterious book in the library. The book is filled with spells and potions but doesn't seem to work for him.
ASTER AND THE MIXED-UP MAGIC
In this full-color follow-up to Aster and the Accidental Magic (2020), Aster and her talking dog, Buzz, return in two new tales. In the first, “Why So Much Wool?” strange accidents repeatedly occur around Aster’s village, and upon investigation, she and Buzz discover a rogue band of muttonheaded sheep (known as the BAAAAAH-ligerent Army) led by a talking ram named Keras, who has proclaimed himself the Great Leader of the Sheep Revolution. Lucky for Aster, the dimwitted sheep are easily outsmarted, but not Keras, whom she must stop before he destroys her home. The second tale, “The End of Everything (and What Was Left),” focuses more on the natural magic from the previous volume. Each season has a royal who helps preserve the balance, passing along a crown to mark the transitions between their reigns. When the crown disappears, Aster ventures to the Labyrinth of Chimeras in an attempt to reforge it and restore the balance before the trickster Rapscallion can escape. This second outing pulls readers into a delightfully wrought world with a strong emphasis on nature and the outdoors and the real and imaginary magic contained therein. Joyous, effervescent illustrations mark this French import. For Aster aficionados, further journeys are hinted at in a subsequent volume in which Aster and her family travel to Japan. Aster and most human characters read as White.
Imaginative, feel-good fun. (Graphic fantasy. 8-12)
Pub Date: March 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-12534-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2021
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More by Thom Pico
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However, one spell catches Aster's attention – the Transmogrification Spell, which can change a person's appearance. Desperate to prove himself, Aster decides to give it a try. Unfortunately, while attempting the spell, Aster accidentally mixes up the ingredients and casts his spell with a weird concoction. To his surprise, the spell not only changes his appearance but also causes magical chaos in his town. Objects start to float, animals talk, and people's abilities become mixed up. Realizing his mistake, Aster teams up with his friend Charlie to stop the chaos and reverse the mixed-up magic. Together, they journey through the town, encountering bizarre situations and meeting interesting characters along the way. As they try to solve the problem, Aster learns important lessons about friendship, self-acceptance, and the value of being true to oneself. He realizes that he doesn't need to have a specific magical skill to be special. Instead, he discovers his own unique strength and bravery in the face of adversity. Throughout the story, Pico's engaging narrative is brought to life by Karensac's vibrant illustrations. The colorful and whimsical artwork perfectly captures the magical world of Aster and adds an extra layer of charm to the story. Aster and the Mixed-Up Magic is a delightful and empowering tale for young readers. It teaches them valuable lessons about individuality, embracing one's differences, and the power of friendship. The book encourages children to believe in themselves and their own abilities, no matter how different or unconventional they may be..
Reviews for "Unlocking the secrets of 'Aster and the mixed up magic"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I found "Aster and the mixed up magic" to be quite underwhelming. The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with Aster, the main protagonist, as she seemed to make irrational decisions throughout the book without any logical explanation. Additionally, the magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and frustrated. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. John - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Aster and the mixed up magic." The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest in the plot. The writing style was also lackluster, lacking enough descriptive imagery to fully immerse me in the story. Furthermore, the world-building was weak, leaving many aspects unexplained. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
3. Amanda - 2 stars
I was excited to read "Aster and the mixed up magic," but it failed to captivate me. The storyline felt predictable and cliché, leaving little room for surprises. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, making it challenging to become emotionally invested in their journey. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, hindering my ability to connect with the interactions between characters. In the end, I found this book to be unremarkable and forgettable.