Old Magic

by Marianne Curley

Book Overview

Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing, but Kate Warren doesn't know why. The moment the new guy walks into the room, Kate senses something strange and intense about him. Something supernatural. Her instincts... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743437691
• ISBN13: 9780743437691
• Release Date: February 2002
• Publisher: Simon Pulse
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 7.1"
• Age Range: 11 to 15 years
• Grade Range: Grades 6 to 10

Customer Reviews

Amazing!!

This author always surprises me in the best way. Her writing is beautiful and helps easily create the imagery in my mind. The stories are riveting and I always love seeing her characters grow throughout each part of the book. Here, the love and romance grew seamlessly. I was so happy to find this treasure! Her speciality so far seems to be time travel and the ideas of being able to protect or alter history as needed to benefit the present day events. If you love this, please check out the Guardians of Time series (The Named is the first book). This just helped to build her genius. Definitely worth owning and I'll never regret it!

Not Just Another Magical Fiction Story

I saw this book on the young adult shelf. I figured it would be the same, usual, boring science fiction novel, BUT I was wrong. Marianne Curley certainley has alot of talent,and this novel has to be one of the best books I've read! Jarrod doesn't realize he has powers,strong powers,powers only the best Sorcers have. Kate tries to help him get control of these powers, though she fails several times trying to convince him that he has them,but nevertheless she keeps trying(knowing Jarrod thinks she's not all there in the head). A long time ago a powerful Sorcer put a terrible curse on the Thronton family,and Jarrod must end it for the sake of his family.Through this event he finds strength and realises he truly has the magic.Also it makes him a better person, that stands up for what he knows is right. Pick up this novel. I'm sure you'll find it satisfying! Please vote if you didn't or did find my review helpful =)

Oh my g-d!

This book is amazing! I loved it so much that I stayed up all night reading it! It's amazing how good this book is.I picked it up in the young adult's section and I thought it would be some random, weird fiction novel, but I bought it anyway. I was bored with the rest of my books so I picked it up and I couldn't put it down! Although Kate seems like an incredibly wacky weird girl-- the first chapter takes credit for this, plus the fact that Jarrod, a seemingly normal person, thought she was, she really grew on me and she was easy to relate to as a ghost among her peers. Jarrod, despite playing the typical high school preppy jerk at first, becomes a very dynamic character who embraces his so-called gift when necessary and really grows a backbone by the end. I really wish that she would write a sequel because I want to see what happens next to these quirky, magical people.

One Word-Wow.

No,seriously this book can only be described with,'Wow.' It was entertaining and totally original.I loved the switch-offs where the characters take turns using their own point of views. It was appealing and I couldn't help but wish for more. The story starts off with Kate, a girl with magic abilities who isn't popurlar at her school, watching as the new kid Jarrod walks in.She senses he has a magic ability and is later shocked to learn that he doesn't even realize it.With the help of her grandmother,Kate proves to Jarrod he has a gift,but is also stuck with a long-lined family curse.To break the curse,the two must go back in time to where the curse was first created.Once there they must fine the sorcerer and destroy him.But the evil man knows of this and will only get rid of the curse if he can have Kate in return. Such creatively written this book is a brilliant choice if you're just finishing the latest Harry Potter for the seventh time and looking for a good read.

Thrilling Tale of Time-Travel and Romance

Kate Warren is instantly mesmerized with the new boy, Jarrod Thornton, when he walks into the classroom. She doesn't know why, but soon finds out. Kate senses something strange and instense about him. Something supernatural, and not of this world. Within a few minutes her intuition is proven correct, as Jarrod, when bullied by one of his new classmates, accidentally conjures up a massive thunderstorm inside the classroom. The problem, is that Jarrod doesn't believe in the paranormal, and thinks Kate is crazy when she explains to him that she believes that there is a curse haunting his family. The only reason why he even puts up with her crazy talk about witchcraft, is because he finds her extremely captivating. But soon he realizes that Kate is right. There is something strange involving his family, and it's up to the both of them to go back in time to fix it. And hopefully, come back in one piece.I am extremely surprised to find out that OLD MAGIC is Curley's first novel. The plot that she has created is intricately woven, and filled with exciting twists and turns on every page. Kate is an extremely likeable character, who's determination sets her apart from many other teenage characters in today's fiction. Jarrod, too, is a likeable character, whom readers will relate to greatly, as he goes through many clumsy, and very embarrassing moments. Containing wonderfully written supernatural happenings and romantic interludes, Curley is sure to become a hit with all readers, whether old or young. Don't miss this book.Erika Sorocco

What is it about Australia and witches?

I don't usually go for books written in the first person. In fact I really dislike them. But it's a measure of just how good 'Old Magic' was when not only did I love it, but I'm rooting for a sequel. I loved the main characters to death! Kate knew who she was and didn't apologize for it. Jarrod tried to make himself fit in, but circumstances sent him on a different, and far more interesting path, learning some inportant things about himself along the way. The descriptions of places(Ashpeak Mountain, the Crystal Forest and Medieval England), people (LOVED Jarrod's eyes!), and especially the magic were very visual, a major plus. The storm in the classroom scene impressed me to no end and really jump-started the book. I highly recommend this book, and if you enjoy this, then also check out Margaret Mahy's 'The Changeover'.