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Book Review of Among Others

Among Others
Among Others
Author: Jo Walton
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
reviewed on + 1438 more book reviews


This is about Mori (Morwenna), 14, a surviving twin whose mother is an evil witch. Her sister was killed in a battle with their mother and Mori will forever limp because of the car that hit them during the fight. Her father, who abandoned her mother, found her to take care of her and enrolled her in an English boarding school. She dislikes her new school, has few friends, and the food is awful but reading science fiction is her outlet. The book contains dozens of references to her reads and I made a list of those I haven't yet read which will keep me reading for a couple of years!

As Mori tries to understand her father, she discovers that he, too, loves science fiction and they begin to share impressions about books and authors. In an effort to find friends who share her interests, she does magic and creates a karass. She believes it works when she discovers a local science-fiction book club, makes new friends and finds a boyfriend.

When magic is performed, it may backfire and create problems for the person initiating it. Magic may help one change the past to satisfy desires but still be careful not to change what is. If Mori had not created magic to find friends, the book club might not have existed or would it? She turns to the fairies she knows for information.

At times I found myself caught up in the endless lists and comments about the books Mori was reading. O wondered if a 14-year-old possibly read so many books. The endless lists which distracted me from the story is the reason that I gave the book three stars rather than four. Nevertheless, it is a fun read.