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    Ordinary Magic
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    Ordinary Magic
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    Ordinary Magic
    Ebook266 pages3 hours

    Ordinary Magic

    By Caitlen Rubino-Bradway

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    In Abby's world, magic isn't anything special: it's a part of everyday life. So when Abby is discovered to have zero magical abilities, she's branded an Ord-ordinary, bad luck, and quite possibly a danger to society.

    The outlook for an ord isn't bright. Many are cast out by their families, while others are sold to treasure hunters (ords are impervious to spells and enchantments) Luckily for Abby, her family enrolls her in a special school for kids who must learn how to get around in the world without magic. But with kidnappers and carnivorous goblins lurking around every corner, Abby's biggest problem may not be what she's going to do with her life - it's whether she's going to survive the school year.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBloomsbury Publishing
    Release dateMay 8, 2012
    ISBN9781599908342
    Unavailable
    Ordinary Magic
    Author

    Caitlen Rubino-Bradway

    CAITLEN RUBINO-BRADWAY is also the author of the adult novel Lady Vernon and Her Daughter, which she wrote with her mother. This is her first book for younger readers.

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    Reviews for Ordinary Magic

    4.5/5

    63 ratings12 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this - it took a popular trope that we're seeing in books as of late and flipped it around. The characters are engaging, the world is interesting. :D
    • 4/5
      Originally posted here.

      This book is so freaking cute and clever. I just adored it right from the beginning. It's a little bit Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and a bit Harry Potter and a bit ordinary. Now, please do not take too much away from the HP comparison. The plot isn't HP at all; it's more the atmosphere and the cast of quirky characters, and the boarding school setting.

      In Abby's world, magic is normal. The weird people are those without any magical powers. On her Judging day, where her level of magical abilities will be determined, she's not worried at all, because everyone in her family is crazy talented. Besides, ords (ordinary, magicless people) are RARE. She's never met one. Until she learns she IS one. I just loved this concept. I love when what is ordinary is turned on its head.

      The plot was the only thing that was a bit weak, very middle grade. Basically, ords can be useful for a couple of things, so they are generally sold as slaves to adventurers who use them to break into places guarded by magic, which doesn't affect ords. The big bads of the book are some adventurers determined to capture Abby and make her their little ord slave. While the concept is fascinating, they just do not have the evilness of a good villain, and I was never particularly concerned about what would happen.

      What made this book completely awesome were the characters. There really wasn't a character I was not entertained by, except perhaps Trixie. Everyone is unique and funny and just bursting with life. The writing is full of humor. My favorite character was probably Peter, because I have a soft spot for people who are hard on the outside buy squishy soft on the inside.

      I want to share a bit with you as a perfect example of the tone of the book. This was one of my favorite parts. On her first day at the ord boarding school, the headmaster delivers this delightfully sarcastic speech:

      " 'Well, I see you're all here. Again.' Her brisk, warm voice carried through the crowd 'Now, you know I don't like to give speeches'—someone choked off a laugh—'but this is an extraordinary occasion. I could not let it go by without saying...how disappointed I am.' Everyone at my table sat up straight, darting quick, worried glances at each other, but all around us the other kids were smiling. 'Yes, another year has started, and we have exactly the same number of students as last year. Not one single student was lost.' "

      Isn't that just the best? The headmaster gives a hilarious, ironic speech to scare the newbies. I was much amused. The speech continues to relate all the ways in which the students DIDN'T manage to die.

      Ordinary Magic is fresh and fun. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes stories full of magic, even if the characters aren't. Based on the ending, I suspect more are on the way, and I hope that that is the case.
    • 3/5
      The opposite world of Harry Potter. I like it well enough that I plan to read the sequel but I felt there were some plot holes and I liked the supporting older characters better than the main 12 year olds characters. Interesting world.
    • 4/5
      Think of this as the "anti-Harry Potter." In Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway, we meet 12-year-old Abby who is about to find out that in a world which runs on magic, she has none. Branded as an Ordinary - or "Ord" - Abby has to learn how to survive without magic in a world where magic is everything.I was completely drawn into the world created by Rubino-Bradway, with all of its intricacies and dangers. When we are first introduced to Abby, she is all set to be judged to determine what level of magic she possesses, but when the judges discover she has zero ability they are horrified. They urge Abby's parents to get rid of her so that does not disgrace them. Abby's family, however, has no intention of casting out their youngest member and instead send her to a boarding school for Ords that was established by King Stephen (Steve) and Abby's oldest sister, Alexa. Abby meets other Ords just like herself, and they all attend regular classes like math and history along with self-defense and zoology (one must learn how to classify mythical creatures after all!) while trying to avoid carnivorous goblins and kidnappers.Rubino-Bradway has written a story rife with prejudice and classism, but has done it in such a way that young readers will be more focused on Abby's actions than on the dangers around her. It is pretty horrifying to live in a world where any person, let alone a child, can suddenly be tossed aside by their family or sold to strangers just because they don't have any magical skills. Thankfully, Abby's family loves her no matter what and are determined that she will have just as rich and fulfilling a life as anyone with magic. Abby's family is fantastic - dad is a flying carpet maker, mom owns a bakery, Alexa works in the Department of Education as an adviser to the king, oldest brother Gil is a romance novelist (writing under a female name), sister Olivia is a flirty drama queen who has just moved back home after graduation, and brother Jeremy is well on his way to becoming a scholar - and all of them love Abby deeply.Abby herself is a wonderful heroine - determined, spunky and caring. She is just as supportive of her family as they are of her. The love and acceptance of Abby's family is a huge part of this story, and helps balance the dangers Abby faces in the world outside their home. And danger comes knocking pretty quickly after Abby is found to be an Ord; adventurers keep stopping by the family home trying to buy Abby so she can be used to access areas that have been secured with magic (since Ords are immune to spells). Two of the worst are Barbarian Mike and his companion Trixie - they are determined to obtain an Ord no matter what the cost.Abby's family is in stark contrast to the families of other students she encounters - Fred's stepmother sold him to Barbarian Mike and Trixie (but Abby's dad and Alexa rescue him on their way to drop off Abby at school) and Frances was kicked out by her parents and taken in by a kindly neighbor. Joining Abby, Fred and Frances at school is a boy named Peter, who is loved by his Ord mother just as much as Abby is loved by her magical family. Peter is the only character I had difficulty with; I liked him, but I never quite understood why he was so stand-offish with Abby and the other students. He eventually warms up to them (when Abby basically forces friendship on him), but for most of the story he holds himself back from others and it is never really explained why.The Margaret Green School that the Ords attend is also interesting. It has minotaurs in charge of security and is wrapped with cold iron and spells to repel malevolent trespassers. Classes in self-defense are mandatory and teach the students various methods to defend themselves from monsters and kidnappers, while language classes will make plotting an escape easier if they are ever kidnapped and sold to someone outside their kingdom. Sponsoring the school is King Steve, a very nice gentleman who seems to be a bit attached to big sister Alexa. Determined to change the traditions of the society he has inherited, he has outlawed the sale of Ords in his kingdom and established harsh punishments for kidnapping them.The story moves briskly and twists neatly between quiet moments and action. There are goblin attacks, kidnappings, and escapes. Humor is used throughout to help soften the dark themes (I especially loved when Abby discovered some unexpected and very fervent fans of her brother Gil's romance novels), as is the love between family and friends. Even Barbarian Mike and Trixie have a couple of moments where you can see they care about each other. Everything comes to a head in an exciting finale that contains both heroism and loss, and sets things up nicely for a sequel.With its mix of humor, magic, action and danger, Ordinary Magic is a fun and exciting read. While it definitely has some dark themes, author Caitlen Rubino-Bradway never loses sight of her young audience and tells the story in a very accessible and entertaining manner. Characters are well-rounded and interesting, and even the villains have moments of humanity. Geared more to the middle-school crowd, Ordinary Magic has enough substance to entertain teens and adults as well. If you enjoy Harry Potter (especially year one) and Percy Jackson, you might want to give Ordinary Magic a try.
    • 5/5
      I found Ordinary Magic by author Caitlen Rubino-Bradway to be fun, entertaining and adventurous. Abby is a strong and determined young girl, and I loved reading her reactions to the strange and sometimes dangerous situations. I can definitely see this being a popular book for ages 10 and up, especially for girls; although I think even boys will like all the magic and mahem in this story. A very engaging, and unique look at the magic world, poor Abby finds herself in the minority when she is declared to be a non-magical child ~ basically one of the few "normal" and non-magical people in a world completely full of magic. I really enjoyed this story and loved reading along as Abby discovered new and interesting things about herself, her family and those she has known her entire life. She makes new friends, new discoveries and battles some real "meanies" in this entertaining fantasy adventure. A really fun read for ages 10 and up!
    • 4/5
      Abby is an ord, with no magic of her own and immune to other people's. This makes her a pariah, with some people not considering her quite human. But ords are in high demand in some circles; adventurers who need ords to get through magical traps are not above kidnapping one if their family won't sell them. And then there are the monsters who want to eat them. Abby's family stands by her, and sends her to a school for ords, which trains them how to fight and to fend for themselves. But the threats are still out there.An interesting take, with appealing characters. The pacing is a bit odd, with no real resolution--sequel in the offing?
    • 4/5
      Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway is a little bit like Harry Potter in reverse.On Abby Hale's twelfth birthday, she goes to the Magicians' Guild to be Judged. All twelve-year-olds are Judged to determine their magical capabilities, after which they are allowed to use magic, and to apply to schools where their magical talents will be developed. Abby, however, does not have any magic. None. She is an "Ord," one of the very rare non-magical people in her world. Ords are despised and feared, because they are not only unable to work magic, they are also impervious to the magic of others. Until a few years ago, it was legal to buy and sell Ords as slaves. Now, thanks to governmental regulations, Ords are only bought and sold on the black market -- but often they are still treated as if they are sub-human. Abby is fortunate: her family still loves her, so there's no question of her parents abandoning, selling, or mistreating her. Instead, she is sent to a special school, designed to teach Ords how to function in a magically-dominated world. She soon learns that the world is a dangerous place for Ords, even at a school designed to protect them.I wanted to love this book, but I ended up only liking it. It was a fun story -- a pleasant diversion that I don't think I'll find particularly memorable. The secondary characters, particularly Abby's siblings, were great. The ending is not a cliff-hanger, but leaves the door wide open for future volumes. I'll probably read them, and I can see myself recommending this book to kids who are looking for something like Harry Potter. As for adults, seek this out if you are a big fan of juvenile fantasy and are looking for a quick, light read.
    • 5/5
      All right, first off let me just say this: I absolutely ADORED this book. Like, I'm sitting here having finished it and just want to draw hearts all over it. There is so much about it that I just loved - our main narrator, her fantastic family, the whole point that you can be so much more than people think you can, the entire world itself - that I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to find the right words and am just going to end up gushing all over this, which probably isn't helpful to anyone reading this review. But I am SO putting this on the list of books to buy for my students! So much good stuff in this book, seriously.Okay, fangirling done, or at least it will be tempered a bit from here on out. This book was like a reverse Harry Potter, in which, instead of realizing she's a wizard (like Harry does), Abby is born into a world where everyone can do magic, and it's expected that she'll be able to do magic because everyone just does. But it's discovered that Abby is what the world calls an "ord" - as in ordinary, as in no magical ability whatsoever. In this world, most "ords" are sent away from their families because their status reflects badly on everyone around them, but Abby's family isn't normal, see, because all of them - her amazing parents and her awesome siblings, all of which I loved to pieces (I think Gil is my favorite) - actually LOVE her, and therefore try to figure out what to do to help her and keep her safe. "It was weird, I felt exactly the same today as I did yesterday. Shouldn't you feel different after you find out that you're, you know, totally useless? I guess not. You're born an ord, I knew that. So I'd always been useless. I just didn't know it until yesterday." (8%)At this point my heart was pretty much breaking for Abby, but I had faith that things would get better, and they did, for the most part. See, Alexa, Abby's eldest sister, runs a school for "ords", where the kids can go to learn how to live without magic (you know, in which they learn to do things like all of us do, unless one of you has actually received a Hogwarts letter). It's at this school where Abby starts to discover herself. She makes friends, and goes to classes (most of which are pretty mundane and normal, but they do have a self-defense class with a really kick-ass instructor), but it's totally not boring to read about because throughout it all Abby is making these self-discoveries and becoming such a strong person. And there are all of these funny asides and humor integrated seamlessly into the narrative that the entire reading experience was just completely engaging and fun.The book does have some darkness in it - see, ords sell for a lot of money on the black market, and Abby has a run-in with a pair of thugs who desperately want her early on (in which Alexa is completely awesome), who then spend the majority of the rest of the book in pursuit of her - and there's some sadness and danger and absolutely gripping scenes that left me white-knuckling my Kindle and wanting to read faster than my eyes can actually move so I could see how things would turn out, but the entire thing was just so perfect that I was through it in a few hours and wanting more (because this seems like it's definitely the first in a series, to which I say, bring it on!).I also like the little hints that something may potentially happen between Abby and Peter somewhere down the line after they're both much older (since they're only twelve here), because I really adored their "friendship" (I use quotes because Peter maintains that they're not friends, thank you very much), plus I'll be interested to see what happens when her parents realize the truth about Alexa's love life (which I totally saw early on). But really I just want more of this world, more of Abby, more of Abby's family and friends, more, more, more!If you want a really wonderful book about learning to accept oneself that also incorporates magic, fabulous characters, and a unique world, definitely give this one a read. I wholeheartedly recommend it.An e-galley was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Quote taken from an uncorrected e-galley.
    • 5/5
      Imagine a world where muggles are the exception and not the rule!12 year old Abby lives in a world where having magical ability is normal. Without it, you are labeled an 'ord'. An Ordinary person. Lower class. Abby's siblings are all older and very proficient with magic, but when she is tested...nothing...zip...no magic ability at all. Bad news for Abby. Some kids are shunned by their families if they aren't magical, imagine that? Abby is sent to a school where she can learn to get by and function is a magical world without magic. Unfortunately for her, she is in danger. Treasure hunters try to kidnap Ord kids because they are immune to magical charms. They can get past the magical dangers.What a fun book! Great scenes both with and without magic. It has both a modern and an old world feel about it. Abby is a great character.This is an amazing middle grade novel that will be loved by fans of magic and Harry Potter.5 stars
    • 5/5
      Ordinary Magic by Caitlen Rubino-BradwayPages: 288Release Date: May 8th, 2012Date Read: 2012, February 24th - March 1stReceived: ARC via NetGalleyRating: 4.5/5 starsRecommended to: 10+SUMMARY -Abby is about to be tested for magic - will she be a Level 5? A 6? She comes from a very prominent family, where everyone uses magic well; her older sister tested at Level 9! But when Abby is discovered to be an Ord, a non-magical human, she is cast out by the society around her. Ords are unnatural - they are usually sold to Adventurers or the Guild. Abby's parents, of course, refuse to sell her, and find a place for her at Margaret Green School, a place where where Ords learn how to protect themselves and live in a magical society. When Adventurers strike, seeking slaves, and the students are in danger, Abby and her friends muster all the courage and wit they possess to outsmart the enemy.MY THOUGHTS -Already I have the winner for the "CUTEST book of 2012"!! This is is, ladies and gents! Ordinary Magic is stinking adorable. And not only that - it had me laughing out loud all the time, and loving every second. The way Caitlen Rubino-Bradway portrays everything through stellar writing and her brilliant story-telling style had me applauding for more.While absolutely everything about Ordinary Magic was just adorable, my favorite thing about it was the humor. In character, in conversation, in their way of life - I still giggle when I think about Gil, or Abby's hilarious sarcasm, etc., etc.CHARACTER NOTES -Abby, her family, the mages, her friends at school, the Adventurers, the King - all brilliantly done! There was no need to tell the reader who all these people were because the reader is shown from page 1 with crystal clear imagery. Because of this, I want to say each and every one is my favorite and tell you why, but that simply can't be done.Abby's voice is realistic and funny. I love her. Like, want-to-be-best-buds love her. She's spunky, determined, and totally sweet. She can have a bit of temper but is really mature. Talk about perfect character building...Peter, Fran and Fred were awesome. I love that Fran always speaks in a whisper, Fred is everyone's buddy, and Peter can be a total jerk, but deep down is a totally great guy trying to figure things out. I'm hoping, in maybe another book - romance for Abby and Peter? :)Mom and Dad, Abby's parents, are some of the most hilarious parents I've ever read about in Lit. I could relate to them on a personal level because they remind me of my parents. Not in every way, but enough to make me love them even more than I would have originally. They were SO funny, always teasing their kids and making jokes.But. My favorite. He would have to be Gil, Abby's older brother. Oh, my gosh. He's such a riot!! I was NOT expecting such hilariousness from him, and about him from his family, but he proved to be the biggest source of laughter for me. I. LOVE. HIM. The twist about him in the end just made me burst into hysterical laughter! I'm cracking up just thinking about it!!STORY NOTES -Think: fun, adventure, magic, kinds, bad guys, and lots of wit. I love when kids have to outsmart the bad guys ("Home Alone" style!), and Ordinary Magic had plenty of that. There were a few scenes that were a bit slower than the rest, but never boring. The pace is otherwise consistent and actually pretty fast. (It took me a bit longer than typical due to a crazy week, but normally I could've finished a book like this in 2 days!)Every scene has a purpose. I love that about Ordinary Magic: nothing is unimportant or out of place. I also love the originality of the idea. Instead of a magician surrounded by non-magical people, it's the other way around. And it's just as fascinating to read about!I also love the mix of cultures. Kings and castles mixed with boarding schools, mixed with city life and fairs and magic carpets. (I LOVE magic carpets!) It's flipping awesome!SUMMING IT UP -What's not to love? This book is all sorts of awesome fun. There's no reason why you shouldn't have this on your TBR. Add it now - you won't be sorry!Recommended 10+
    • 5/5
      On Abby Hale’s twelfth birthday, she tests as an “Ord”—a person who has no magical abilities at all. In Abby’s world, to be without magic is almost unheard of, and Abby’s newfound status as an Ord makes life quite difficult for her and her family.Fortunately, Abby hears about a school for Ords like hers. At school, she continues her general education but also learns how to survive in the world of magic as an Ord. King Stephen’s recent proclamations offer more protection for Ords, but there are always people who prize Ords’ imperviousness to magic, and would do practically anything to get their hands on an Ord…Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. “Charming” doesn’t even begin to cover the magical delight that is ORDINARY MAGIC. From a fascinating magical world to laugh-out-loud character interactions, there is nothing ordinary about this book at all!ORDINARY MAGIC is as good as a Pixar movie in terms of having both kid and adult appeal. Young readers will be fascinated by the colorful, yet familiar, world that Rubino-Bradway creates, replete with magic carpets, boarding schools, and kickass family members.What makes ORDINARY MAGIC truly extraordinary, however, is its rare quality of appealing to a wide age range of readers. The story zips back and forth with witty banter, and it is the more experienced reader that will be delighted with how Rubino-Bradway mashes together so many almost stereotypical features of magical worlds to create one that is unique and not at all stereotypical. There are a whole bunch of cute romantic undercurrents throughout the story that will make you squeel with suppressed glee.Readers will surely get a heck of an experience out of ORDINARY MAGIC. This is truly one of the most memorable middle-grade novels I’ve read in recent years.
    • 4/5
      I wasn’t sure what to expect when I sat down to read Caitlen Rubino-Bradway’s book Ordinary Magic. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and this sounded like the opposite of that. Abby is a girl who lives in a magical world, but she is not magical at all. Harry is a boy in a normal world who is very special. Abby has a wonderful family who loves and supports her when they find out she’s an Ord (non-magical). Harry is shunned by a terrible family when they find out he’s a “freak.” Abby gets to go to a school where she can learn how to be “normal” in a magical world. Harry goes to a school to surround himself with the magical.The comparisons are endless and it was hard to get into the book at first because of this. I was afraid J.K. Rowling had cornered the market on magical children. But I was wrong; Rubino-Bradway has found a new market in an old world.Ordinary Magic is an incredibly fun book. The characters were much more fleshed out than I expected. I have not been a big reader of middle grade fiction, but since I have two young girls, I decided to give it a try. The issue of prejudice was addressed early on in this book. As a mother, it made me extremely uncomfortable, but then I realized that Rubino-Bradway has mastered what few are able: she has written a book that both adults and children can read, but they’ll get two different stories. Roald Dahl did this brilliantly and while Rubino-Bradway is not to his standards yet, I am anxious to see what she has for us in the future.In the end, it was a fun roller coaster ride. It was exciting, scary, and satisfying. However, we don’t know the fate of some of the characters we met along the way. It makes me wonder if Rubino-Bradway is planning a sequel. If she does, I will definitely run out to read it and see where Abby goes from here.