Melissa Keil’s The Secret Science of Magic is a unique and compelling twist on the typical romance novel. Shift away from the typical “quirky” star-crossed lover archetypes, Keil has created the kind of relatable and complex character that exist in real life, but rarely ever play a starring role in the media.
Sophia is so much more than a child prodigy – Keil lets the readers see the struggles “gifted” students often go through regarding their social lives, relationships and fears about the future. Sophia’s intelligence often seems like more of a curse than a blessing, as her logic-based way of thinking means she has a hard time empathising with people. Kiel’s writing makes it clear that Sophia’s problems won’t magically disappear if she falls in love, but it does show how the right person should be able to support her through her struggles.
Josh is not the average love interest. He’s nerdy, loves magic, and doesn’t know where his future is headed. While he feels a connection with Sophia and tries to impress her, he never tries to force himself on her and he does his best to understand her boundaries. He’s a refreshing break from the suave, over-confident guys that are usually the focus of young adult novels.
While initially Josh sees Sophia as a romanticised version of herself, he’s interested in her because he likes her eccentricities, not because he wants to fix them. Their romance is beautiful and unique because neither of them are forced to change their nature in order to make the relationship work. The novel focuses on the two getting to know each other, not rushing into a relationship that acts as a solution to all of their problems.
The Secret Science of Magic is a sweet and heartwarming love story that puts focus on the people behind the romance. Kiel gives us characters that are wonderfully flawed, and we love them for it. They represent real teenagers, not the glamorised versions the media shows us that don’t actually exist in real life. Characters like Josh and Sophia should be celebrated, and used as examples.
Astrid Sholte’s novel combines urban fantasy and murder mystery in a setting that echoes the popular dystopian-style factions of young adult fiction, but with enough unique elements to make it …
Skulduggery Pleasant – Playing with Fire is the second novel in Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant series. Following on from the events of the first novel (if you have not read …
Elizabeth Murmur is moving with her unusual friend Zenobia to Witheringe House, the place where her dad grew up with his sister Tourmaline. Zenobia loves it and is convinced that …
Eleni Hale’s Stone Girl is an incredibly powerful and honest story about the Australian foster care system. Drawing on elements of Hale’s own childhood, the novel is a confronting look …
April Genevieve Tucholke’s high fantasy novel, The Boneless Mercies, sweeps the reader into a deeply evocative world that grants a feminist take on classic tales inspired by Norse mythology. A …
Highway Bodies is the second novel from Australian author Alison Evans after their debut novel Ida, which received a mixed opinion from readers, reviewers and critics. Set to be released …
Book Review – The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil
Sophia is so much more than a child prodigy – Keil lets the readers see the struggles “gifted” students often go through regarding their social lives, relationships and fears about the future. Sophia’s intelligence often seems like more of a curse than a blessing, as her logic-based way of thinking means she has a hard time empathising with people. Kiel’s writing makes it clear that Sophia’s problems won’t magically disappear if she falls in love, but it does show how the right person should be able to support her through her struggles.
Josh is not the average love interest. He’s nerdy, loves magic, and doesn’t know where his future is headed. While he feels a connection with Sophia and tries to impress her, he never tries to force himself on her and he does his best to understand her boundaries. He’s a refreshing break from the suave, over-confident guys that are usually the focus of young adult novels.
While initially Josh sees Sophia as a romanticised version of herself, he’s interested in her because he likes her eccentricities, not because he wants to fix them. Their romance is beautiful and unique because neither of them are forced to change their nature in order to make the relationship work. The novel focuses on the two getting to know each other, not rushing into a relationship that acts as a solution to all of their problems.
The Secret Science of Magic is a sweet and heartwarming love story that puts focus on the people behind the romance. Kiel gives us characters that are wonderfully flawed, and we love them for it. They represent real teenagers, not the glamorised versions the media shows us that don’t actually exist in real life. Characters like Josh and Sophia should be celebrated, and used as examples.
Related Posts
Book Review – Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
Astrid Sholte’s novel combines urban fantasy and murder mystery in a setting that echoes the popular dystopian-style factions of young adult fiction, but with enough unique elements to make it …
Book Review – Skulduggery Pleasant Book 2, Playing with Fire by Derek Landy
Skulduggery Pleasant – Playing with Fire is the second novel in Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant series. Following on from the events of the first novel (if you have not read …
Book Review – Elizabeth and Zenobia by Jessica Miller
Elizabeth Murmur is moving with her unusual friend Zenobia to Witheringe House, the place where her dad grew up with his sister Tourmaline. Zenobia loves it and is convinced that …
Book Review – Stone Girl by Eleni Hale
Eleni Hale’s Stone Girl is an incredibly powerful and honest story about the Australian foster care system. Drawing on elements of Hale’s own childhood, the novel is a confronting look …
Book Review – The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke
April Genevieve Tucholke’s high fantasy novel, The Boneless Mercies, sweeps the reader into a deeply evocative world that grants a feminist take on classic tales inspired by Norse mythology. A …
Book Review – Highway Bodies by Alison Evans
Highway Bodies is the second novel from Australian author Alison Evans after their debut novel Ida, which received a mixed opinion from readers, reviewers and critics. Set to be released …