Title: Magic for Liars
Author: Sarah Gailey
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: June 4th, 2019
Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
Subjects and Themes: Siblings, Mental Health, LGBTQIAP+ (Secondary)
Page Count: 336 (hardback)
Rating: 5.0/10
Ivy Gamble was born without magic and never wanted it.
Ivy Gamble is perfectly happy with her life – or at least, she’s perfectly fine.
She doesn’t in any way wish she was like Tabitha, her estranged, gifted twin sister.
Ivy Gamble is a liar.
When a gruesome murder is discovered at The Osthorne Academy of Young Mages, where her estranged twin sister teaches Theoretical Magic, reluctant detective Ivy Gamble is pulled into the world of untold power and dangerous secrets. She will have to find a murderer and reclaim her sister―without losing herself.
I think this book would save people a lot of disappointment if it came with a disclaimer. Something like “NOTE: The magical boarding school featured in this story is actually pretty ordinary and the characters spend more time talking about the theories of magic than actually doing magic.” Though personally, I wasn’t too bummed out by the lack of magic. In the first half I was still interested in the mystery and the MC, so I didn’t mind that there weren’t moving staircases and people lighting things on fire. And in the second half I was too caught up in other–bigger–issues to really care.
Yeah. Safe to say this was a disappointment for me.
It starts out very strong (I mean, a book that opens up with a scene straight out of Hannibal has my full attention) and it ends on a…strange and depressing note that I still don’t know how I feel about (though I have a feeling I’ll eventually land at “I didn’t like it”). But it’s mostly the middle bits that I had a problem with. And a lot of those problems link back to the protagonist.
Ivy Gamble was a trying narrator for me. Think Jessica Jones with all her psychological baggage minus the snark. And I was sympathetic in the beginning. I can imagine how bitterly disappointing it would be to watch your sibling discover their magical abilities and get accepted to an elite magic academy while you’re sitting on the sidelines reconciling with the fact that you’re not magical and this incredible new world is off-limits to you. I understand how that can shape the rest of your life.
But I don’t need to be reminded of it every other page.
Ivy goes out of her way to let the readers know that, hey, she’s not magic. Did you know she’s not magic? Bet you forgot she’s not magic since the last time she told you she wasn’t magic.
*taps on mic* An important announcement: IVY GAMBLE IS NOT MAGIC.
If you haven’t noticed, I love–for the lack of a better adjective–tortured characters in stories. Characters carrying scars that they can’t bear to look at but can’t help but prod. But when all that mental turmoil overpowers the rest of the narrative–plot, side characters, setting–the result feels less like a story and more like a one-sided therapy session. And that was more or less my experience with Magic for Liars. The mystery would start to get interesting but then Ivy would start comparing Nonmagic Ivy (her current self) to magic Ivy (a theoretical version of herself) and musing about how the latter would do so much better in this and such situation, and that would pull me right out of the story.
And this is more of a general complaint that I’m throwing out into the fictional ether, but I’m a little tired of private eye stories where the protagonist is an emotional mess and drinking constantly. I understand that that’s part of the noir aesthetic–cigarettes and gin and staring out the window in contemplation of the fatality of life– and, yes, there’s often a romantic allure to it, but for once I would like to see a well-adjusted PI who chooses to abstain from heavy drinking because it interferes with their work. A happy (or happier) noir, you know?
This book is not a happy noir, though, so if you’re looking for a twisty mystery with magical school shenanigans, you’re better off looking elsewhere. If you want a simple narrator-driven mystery with a lot of diversity and a LOT of heavy introspection, then well, it doesn’t hurt to try!
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
LOL! I love this review, even though I’m sad you didn’t enjoy it. Its hopefully next up on the pile for me, so well see what I make of non magical Ivy🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh, so sorry for the late reply, Tammy! Life has been kicking my butt for the past week. I’m sure you got to it by now (I’ll be back to blog hopping soon, hopefully!), and I can’t wait to see your thoughts on it. 😀
LikeLike
This is the second disappointed review I’ve seen, and since I recently added another similar book, I think I’ll give this one a pass.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mhm, the reviews have definitely been polarizing. I totally understand why people love Ivy and her messiness, but I just couldn’t connect with her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry you didn’t enjoy the book! Well, at least the cover is unique though LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I loved the *idea* of it, but the actual story just didn’t match up with my expectations. The cover’s definitely eye catching, though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you! I’m a little done with “school” books for awhile… there’s just so many and just being free from the kids for summer myself, I don’t think I’ll pick this one up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha I love your reasoning. Between this and Nevernight, I think I’m a little burnt out on magical school stories too. Happy summer break, Paul! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderfully in-depth, “snarky” review. 😛 This is indeed disappointing that the mystery was overwhelmed by the MC’s mundane and repetitive monologue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Thank you! I know a lot of readers could relate to the MC and her messiness, but I guess I wanted it better woven into the story. Not just plot –> Ivy’s monologue –> plot
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, this is definitely the best critical review I’ve seen of Magic for Liars. Ivy Gamble is definitely a real mess.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL thank you! And yeah, despite not being able connect with Ivy, I do love that we’re seeing more and more messy characters (esp. female ones) in fantasy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It doesn’t sound like a book for me but thank you for the review , it made me laugh haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha glad you enjoyed it! I still don’t really like writing negative/disappointing reviews, so I add snark to offset the “oh I feel bad criticizing this book” feeling 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been seeing disappointing reviews of this one spring up. Sad. I was looking forward to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The reviews have been divisive, for sure. And same! I loved the idea of a murder mystery in a magical boarding school, but this just wasn’t what I expected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for a really helpful, enjoyable review. I’ll be honest – I’m not surprised. While I loved the idea of the wild west hippos – I kept thinking that Gailey could have written a more engrossing book featuring them, so I had already decided that I wouldn’t be reading any more of her work. Sorry you found this one a disappintment, though:(.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh, I LOVED the idea of western hippos, but I just couldn’t get past book 1. I really like the premises Gailey comes up with, but I don’t think her writing is for me, either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review — I actually loved this book, but I appreciated reading your reasons for reaction. And yup, I did kind of get the point that Ivy isn’t magic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s interesting to see how divided the reviews have been! Many seem to love it (and I totally understand why) and others not so much. But, hey, it’d be boring if we all had the same opinion. 😀
LikeLike
Sad that tis was a disappointment, it sounds really good but i keep seeing not so great reviews for it.. I might just check it out from the library once it’s there!
(Www.evelynreads.com)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVED the premise, too. It just ended up being such a different book from what I thought it’d be. I think picking it from the library is a good idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hardy har har! Fantastic review matey. Ye managed to sum up me thoughts on this one quite well. It walked the plank! Me review be below. No pressure.
x The Captain
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, thank you Captain!! And I’m glad you linked your review! I’ve been kind of MIA from blogging for the past week, so I’ve been missing out on a lot of blog posts. I’ll definitely check it out. 😀
LikeLike
So, to be clear, Ivy doesn’t do magic?? lol
Great review – I did look at this one but decided to behave, although I still haven’t read this author so I was curious – I hate to admit it, it’s so fickle sounding – but, the cover didn’t grab me. I know.
Lynn 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a shame you didn’t enjoy this book and I do hate when the book reminds you of something every other page— it loses it’s original impact that way and becomes a bit boring. So I can understand why that would be annoying. I don’t think this book is for me. Great review though. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sophie! I know a lot of people are loving it, and I totally understand why, but it just wasn’t for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm, interesting. Glad I read your review of this one, I’ll be sure to keep this in mind if/when Inget to this one. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it works out better for you if you do! Honestly, most of the reviews I’ve seen have been 50/50 so far, so there’s a good chance you’ll love it. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh god, I can’t stand book who remind me of something every other page! Like .. cut your readers some slack. I’m forgetful but not THAT forgetful!
I’m sorry though you didn’t really enjoy this one. The concept sounds intriguing but I think I’ll stay clear of this now
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I’m forgetful but not THAT forgetful!” Oh gosh, this made me laugh. 😀 And I know right? I totally get that the author was trying to portray the MC as this emotionally messy person with a lot of baggage, but the execution didn’t really do it for me.
LikeLike
Ughhh… this sounded promising, but I completely agree with you that I want a non emotional mess of a person investigating stuff for once… Thanks for the wonderful review!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw thanks so much for reading! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the review, Kathy! I was initially interested in this book because someone mentioned it’s like Petunia and Lily from HP, but in alternate universe. But I agree, the narrator does sound like a trying character, I always hate it when characters keep reminding us of certain things; in most cases, it’s usually describing how gorgeous their love interest is or how quirky they are. In this book, it seems like the character can’t stop talking of how sad she was! I agree, I’m also tired with sad, tortured, alcoholic PI- this is one of the reason I don’t really read mystery.
I hope your next read will be better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tasya!! ❤ YES, the sisters really do remind of Petunia and Lily! And I was actually kind of disappointed that I didn't see them interact together more. I felt that is was more of a MC-focused story first, and sibling-relationship story second.
I do want to see more amateur detective/PI stories with female leads, especially in YA, but all the ones I've read recently have been so…gritty and grim, and I just want something different in tone for a change.
LikeLike
Great review! Shame you didn’t like it, though. As you were describing it, I couldn’t help but think that the MC sounds an awful lot like Petunia Evans from Harry Potter. xD And you know what? I would LOVE a story that’s still noir-esque, but with an MC who, like, I don’t know, does yoga and chews too much gum or something silly instead of drinks, smokes, and feels miserable. 😛
I have one final question, though: Is Ivy Gamble magic?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahahaha oh gosh, your comment made me chuckle. I really need that today, thank you! ❤ And a noir story about a silly yoga-going private eye would be AMAZING and a wonderful change of pace. That's why I'm really looking forward to the new Veronica Mars season. It'll still have Veronica and her positivity and quirky humour, but a little darker and more noir-y in tone. Allegedly, anyway!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, I’m glad! I’ve never watched Veronica Mars. xD I tend not to watch a whole slew of TV. I do tend to love slightly darker tones, though. I mean, I love comedy and humor, but darker humor is my favorite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love dark comedy too! If you have Netflix, The End of the F*cking World is a really really good one! It somehow manages to be sad and wholesome yet funny at the time which I think is a hard balance to nail. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I think I watched the first episode of that, but didn’t continue it. I’ll have to go back and rewatch it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You totally made me laugh out loud! I can see this book is not for me either. It would drive me bonkers ❤️ My writing partner reads tons of mysteries and I join her when she really really loves one. But she really tries hard not to read the liquored up detectives! They are super annoying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha thanks Dani! XD I love mysteries too but more of the Veronica Mars variety? Quirky and charming and feminist. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES! Go quirky! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are exactly my thoughts about this book! I have the review scheduled but now I can just delete it and leave a link to yours instead! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh YAY! All of my other blogger friends have liked it, so I was feeling a bit left out haha. And you delete that review over my dead body! 😛 Can’t wait to read it, Susy!
LikeLiked by 1 person