#frontier magic

[specificpollsaboutbooks]

Favorite Book Trios

Round 1

Eff Rothmer, Lan Rothmer and William Graham (Frontier Magic) VS Hercule Poirot, Captain Arthur Hastings and Inspector Japp (Hercule Poirot books)

Eff, Lan and William

Poirot, Hastings and Japp

Show results

Voting ended onMar 10

NO ANTIPROPAGANDA PLEASE

Propaganda under the cut

Eff, Lan and William:

This is one of the trios that starts off as three pairs. Lan and Eff are twins. William shows up and is more Lan's friend until circumstances alter and Eff and him are closer for a stretch. But it is Lan and William who go off for further education while Eff stays close to home. They do things together and define themselves personally and their relationships do alter and grow too so that in the end, they are equal parts across the board but with strengths in different circumstances.

[literallykarvonenshusband]

I love the end of the far west cause it’s like

“DRAGONS! This must be the climax!”

“OH! DRAGONS! THIS MUST BE THE CLIMAX!”

“OH NO! THE GREAT BARRIER SPELL! (PLEASE LET THIS BE THE CLIMAX I CANT TAKE ANY MORE)”

[a-duck-with-a-book]

REVIEW // Thirteenth Child (Frontier Magic #1) by Patricia C. Wrede

★★★★☆

I've been on a nostalgic re-read rampage recently, and no book called for me to pick it up again more than Thirteenth Child. I have vague memories of reading it in 7th grade (rereading my childhood books has been making me realize that time is a sham because there's no way I read this ELEVEN YEARS AGO) and struggling to finish it. I couldn't really remember much more about it other than an alternate history US where magic was commonplace and dangerous beasts roamed the plains.

// image: official cover art (of Across the Great Barrier) //

I definitely enjoyed it more this time, and as I was reading it I could tell why it rubbed me the wrong way so much the first time around. The main character faces a lot of scrutiny and insult for something she can't help (and, as some characters point out, is almost more superstition than fact) and at the time I was such a self-conscious preteen with a desperate need to please who constantly felt like everyone was disappointed or upset with me. You can see why this protagonist hit a little too close to home for nascent mental health problems.

The first book focuses on the early life and coming of age of Eff, the thirteenth child believed to be destined for evil. I loved seeing her character growth as she found her place in the world and moved past the confines that were set on her simply because of her birth. Some of her comments near the beginning of the book, when she was still a helpless child who took to heart every awful sentiment, truly broke my heart.

"She didn’t scold me when I spilled the milk because I was in such a hurry to show I could help."

I'm so happy that her parents steadfastly stood by her.

Beyond Eff, the world that the story takes place in is so interesting. The mix of alt history and fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and I love the impeding danger of the wilds that even magic can't tame.

Characters

Francine "Eff" Rothmer - the thirteenth child, considered unlucky and prone to evil, lacking in self-confidence Lan Rothmer - the seventh son of a seventh son, an extremely powerful magician, protective of Eff William Graham - Eff's closest friend, the primary person she turns to when she is in need, skilled magician Miss Ochiba - Eff's teacher who introduces her to Aphrikan magic rather than the Avrupan (European) magic usually taught in school Wash - circuit magician and guide on expeditions across the Great Barrier Spell Prof. Graham - William's father, tends to impose his own wishes on his son Prof. Jeffries - colleague of Eff and Lan's father, works in the menagerie

a duck's review of Thirteenth Child (Frontier Magic, #1)

4/5: I've been on a nostalgic re-read rampage recently, and no book called for me to pick it up again more than Thirteenth Child. I have vag

[literallykarvonenshusband]

Conversation with my mother

[haveyoureadthisfantasybook]

have you read The Far West, by Patricia C. Wrede (2012)?

yes

no

Voting ended onMay 18, 2024

vote yes if you have finished the entire book.

vote no if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

[haveyoureadthisfantasybook]

have you read Across the Great Barrier, by Patricia C. Wrede (2011)?

yes

no

Voting ended onMay 15, 2024

vote yes if you have finished the entire book.

vote no if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

[haveyoureadthisfantasybook]

have you read Thirteenth Child, by Patricia C. Wrede (2009)?

yes

no

Voting ended onMay 13, 2024

vote yes if you have finished the entire book.

vote no if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

[frontier-bunny-and-mouse-blog]

Ozzy and micky info: Ozzy: -Is a 13th child which is considered unlucky and ‘evil’ -Is the second youngest child -He’s rather shyer than most of his counterparts because he was bullied when he was younger -He and mick are twins him being the older twin -Despite being only 18 he some how has ended up with several litters of children -He SEEMS to have 11 children in all

Mick: -He the 7th son of a 7th son the lucky thing him -He hates people treating him as if he’s better than everyone else just because he’s a double 7th son -He WILL hurt you if you threaten his bro -He’s great at magic and will show off