I don't usually read fantasy ... magical realism is as close as I get. Therefore I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed Magic for Liars. I think it was because this novel was primarily set in "reality" with just enough magical elements to make the story interesting and fantastical.
A gruesome death occurs at an exclusive high school for young mages, and Ivy Gamble is called in to investigate. Although Ivy usually follows around cheating spouses, she's perfect for this job because while she has no special powers, she was raised with her magical twin sister Tabitha. Complications include the facts that Ivy and Tabitha have no real relationship, and Tabitha is a faculty member at the school.
Ivy reminded me of Isabel Spellman, the main character in the Spellmans mystery series by Lisa Lutz - she drinks too much, eats too much greasy food, sleeps odd hours, and doesn't have many positive relationships in her life. Ivy was a stereotypical private investigator in the first half of the book, but her personality emerged and grew by the end.
This may not have enough fantasy elements to hold the interest of hard-core fans, but if you're looking for a good introduction to this genre, I'd recommend this title ... and hope this is the beginning of a series.
A gruesome death occurs at an exclusive high school for young mages, and Ivy Gamble is called in to investigate. Although Ivy usually follows around cheating spouses, she's perfect for this job because while she has no special powers, she was raised with her magical twin sister Tabitha. Complications include the facts that Ivy and Tabitha have no real relationship, and Tabitha is a faculty member at the school.
Ivy reminded me of Isabel Spellman, the main character in the Spellmans mystery series by Lisa Lutz - she drinks too much, eats too much greasy food, sleeps odd hours, and doesn't have many positive relationships in her life. Ivy was a stereotypical private investigator in the first half of the book, but her personality emerged and grew by the end.
This may not have enough fantasy elements to hold the interest of hard-core fans, but if you're looking for a good introduction to this genre, I'd recommend this title ... and hope this is the beginning of a series.
