Book Review - A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison

Title: A Pinch of Magic
Series: A Pinch of Magic # 1
Author: Michelle Harrison
 
Description: All Betty Widdershins wants is an adventure, one that takes her far away from Crowstone, the gloomy island where she always lived. But instead of an adventure, Betty and her sisters, Fliss and Chalrie, are given of a set of magical objects, each with its own powers: a scruffy carpet bag, a set of wooden nesting dolls and a gilt-framed mirror. And these magical objects come with their own terrible secrets: the sisters’ family is haunted by a generations-long curse that prevents them from ever leaving their island, at the cost of death.
 
The sisters set out to break the curse and free their family forever. But after stumbling upon a mysterious prisoner who claims to be able to help them, they find themselves in great danger. And in order to break the curse, and stay alive, they must unravel a mystery that goes back centuries, one that involves shipwrecks, smugglers, and sorcery of the most perilous kind.
 
Review: In Crowstone there lives the 13-year-old adventurous Betty. She lives there with ther sisters Fliss and Charlie, in an old village inn run by their grandmother. The sister cannot leave the island they live on because of an ancient curse that rests on their family. One day, they inherit three magical objects. Could these object help them lift the curse?
 
“A Pinch of Magic” is the first book in a series with the same name. It’s an exciting and enchanting adventure story with a lot of magic woven in. Sisterly love, secrets and a deadly and mysterious curse are topics that are undeniably covered in this book. Author Michelle Harrison has her two sisters as her source of inspiration for her books.
 
The beautiful blending of realism and magic is evident in Harrison’s book. Main character Betty is adventurous and wants to see more of the world then just the island she lives on. The interaction between Betty and her sisters is very relatable.
 
Harrison’s writing style is smooth and she knows how to describe things like no other and often uses poetic language. It’s a book for middle graders, but as an adult who could have a middle grader herself, I loved this book. I loved stepping into this magical world and going on an adventure with the Widdershins sisters. And I believe any kid between the ages of 8 and 12 would love this story. I will definitely continue this series.
 
Rating: 4/ 5