Don't Expect Magic

October 1, 2011
Reeling from her mother's unexpected death, a teen curmudgeon is packed off to live with her distant father, a life coach who is secretly an actual fairy godfather, in this slyly humorous, but predictable romance. Adjusting to her relentlessly sunny California digs proves to be almost as challenging for protagonist Delaney Collins as coming to terms with missing her mom. Her acerbic wit--she renames one of her dad's motivational manuals "Seize Happiness by the Throat and Choke It Until It Gives In"--helps her to build and maintain a shield from her peers, even as cute photography geek Flynn continually forces her to rethink her stereotype of him. Eventually, the indifference she feigns toward her dad crumbles as she discovers his absence was not motivated by irresponsibility but by his need to hide his powers from her, in a plot point that abruptly shifts the novel from realism to fantasy. Readers, particularly those who enjoy Delaney's cleverly sharp tongue, may find her transition from sullen to emotionally available too contrived. Her supposed myopia about Flynn's affections also seems unbelievable. Offsetting this, however, are some brilliantly timed moments of situational comedy and the convincing voices of characters, both primary and secondary. Fans of the burgeoning paranormal-humor genre will find plenty to like in this debut. (Paranormal comedy. 12 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

June 1, 2012

Gr 7 Up-After her mother dies, Delaney Collins, 15, flies from her home in New Jersey to live with her dad, Dr. Hank, a TV life coach, in California. Her guard is up and she's feeling hostile. It doesn't get any better when she is enrolled in high school where all of the teachers have expectations. Life gets even stranger when her dad shares his secret: he is a fairy godmother, and that the f.g. gene is hereditary. Delaney soon discovers that she can wave a wand and revive a wilted rose. But wait, those expecting this to be just a novel about magic and fairies will be pleasantly surprised to find that there is more to it. The magic powers are secondary to the realism here. Delaney is upset after her mother dies-and she has the sarcasm and bad attitude to prove it. After she meets Flynn Becker, her world changes. Even though she could use a little magic with him, she knows that her powers can't change the relationship they have because she is sure that he has an eye for another girl. She knows that will have to come with a change in her attitude toward life, and that's what happens. Readers will see her soften and see Flynn grow to like her more and more. This book is about letting one's guard down and not relying on wishes to make a situation work out. Readers looking for magic will be disappointed; those looking for the magic that lies within will want to read it again.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

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