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Plot Summary
The main character, Jane Madison, is a
librarian at the Peabridge Free Library.
The library is struggling with budget cuts; they already they have a
coffee bar to attract more people to the library and now dress in period
costume. Instead of getting the raise
that she deserves, Jane’s boss informs her that she can live for free in an
ancient cottage on the library grounds, instead of having to pay rent for an
apartment. It is inside this cottage
that Jane finds a secret basement full of old spell books. Without thinking, she performs a spell and
awakens a smart aleck feline familiar, Neko (who presents in the form of a very
fashionable, witty gay man. His first
line in the book is “girlfriend, we have got to get you some better shoes”). Her use of magic attracts the attention of
David Montrose, a warder who is in charge of watching out for Jane.
But finding out she is a witch and can do magic is the least
of Jane’s problems. She is in love with
her Imaginary Boyfriend, Jason, who comes into the library to study several
times a week. Suddenly Jason seems to be
taking an interest in her and begins to talk to her more and eventually asks
her out. She ends up being intimate with
him only to find out that he is married.
After this, Jane goes into a depression spiral and spends all of her
time down in the basement with the magical books, which are in disarray. After several days down there, Jane decides
she needs to catalog and organize the books.
She devises her own system and records everything on her laptop. Jane eventually gets over Jason, with the
help of her best friend, familiar, and grandmother, near the end of the
book.
Critical Evaluation
Jane is the type of person who blindly does things without thinking them through. She knows something is off about her relationship with Jason but she doesn’t second guess it or take time to really think about why she is having those feelings. She is too practical to think magic is real, at first, but once she accidentally does a spell, she finds out the consequences of rushing into things she doesn’t know a lot about.
The characters are relatable, if somewhat taken from stock characters. Jane is a stereotypical librarian in most respects, and she even goes through a transformation - geek to chic. The magic is fun and Jane doesn't take it too seriously. The heartbreak of finding out about Jason is one that readers feel too. But, the fact that things end badly with him probably isn't too shocking either. This book, overall, takes a fun look at magic with an awesome librarian as the protagonist. It presents the idea that if a fact loving librarian can believe in magic, maybe the readers can too.
Reader's Annotation
What would you do if you suddenly found out that you can do magic, your imaginary boyfriend becomes real and you still have to worry about the fate of the library on top of it all?
Author's Information
Mindy Klasky has written fifteen novels under many genres. Mindy went from being a lawyer, to being a librarian and now she currently is a full time writer. Discover more of her magic by visiting her website: http://www.mindyklasky.com/.
Genre
Fantasy / Adult Crossover
Book talking ideas
There are so many fun things about this novel that would entice young adults. Jane has an amazing best friend who always sticks by her, she somehow summons a fashion forward familiar, in human form, who helps her with all things magical. And she is a librarian. Librarians are awesome, as we all know, and she is no exception.
Reading Level/Interest Age
16/16
Challenge Issues
There is some sexual content in this book. As it is written for adults, some of the content, such as drinking, may not be suited to some people's tastes but the people involved are all of legal drinking age. Nothing is graphic or explicit. Everything done in the book is between consenting adults so even if there were challenges, it would be hard for them to gain any footing.
Why Include This Title?
Jane goes through things that many women go through. This is a fun fantasy novel, chick lit basically, that will appeal to the younger readers who are looking for something a little more in depth than what is available in many YA books.
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