A College of Magics

Caroline Stevermer wrote A College of Magics in 1994, so I'm a little behind the curve on reading it. My only defense is that in 1994, I started working on my doctorate in Second Language Writing, so I missed a chunk of material coming out from then until around 2001. I enjoyed Stevermer and Wrede's Enchanted Chocolate Pot books immensely.

However, I'll confess that I was reluctant to read College because of the inevitable marketing tack toward Harry Potter comparisons. It wasn't that the Potter books were the best in the cosmos. It was that unlike the people who search for similar books, the marketing ploy convinced me I would be reading another variation on a theme.

I know Caroline is a gifted writer, and I should have trusted my instincts, but I'll admit to be doing duped by corporate public America trying to make a buck. Damn them. As I've gotten to know Caroline better, however, I thought I should read more widely in her works. I'm glad I did.

Don't let anyone compare A College of Magics to the previously mentioned magical school series. Both stories take place, to some extent, in a boarding school. There is magic in both stories, and that's it. No more similarities.

What you will find is the story of Faris, a young woman that YA-reading girls aren't encountering as much in the current universe of Bella. Faris is a heroine that I'd like my (imaginary) daughter to appreciate.

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Mirrored from Writer Tamago.