
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the pressure of high school achievement, navigating the complexities of a blended family, or feeling a desperate need for control in an unpredictable world. Through three interconnected perspectives, the story explores how teens use external 'magic' to mask internal insecurities and the heavy weight of long-held family secrets. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Dominican Republic and the urban landscape of New Jersey, the narrative blends magical realism with sharp, contemporary reality. It addresses themes of grief, cultural identity, and the realization that parents are flawed human beings. It is a sophisticated, hilarious, and emotionally resonant choice for older teens who enjoy stories where the supernatural serves as a mirror for real-world growing pains.
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Sign in to write a reviewCharacters use magic to manipulate others' emotions and actions, which is later questioned.
Themes of unrequited love and teen crushes, including the use of a magic love stone.
Depiction of clinical depression and grief after the loss of a grandmother.
The book handles depression and grief directly but with a humorous, surreal edge. Family estrangement and the disillusionment of seeing parents' mistakes are handled realistically. The resolution is hopeful but grounded, emphasizing personal growth over magical fixes.
A 15-year-old who feels like they are 'too much' or 'not enough' who are navigating the tension between family expectations and their own desires.
Parents should be aware of some frank discussions regarding mental health, teen romance, and mild profanity. A parent might notice their teen becoming overly obsessed with academic perfection (like Rosie) or withdrawing into romantic fantasies to avoid processing a loss (like Zeke).
Younger teens (14) will latch onto the magical talismans and the humor. Older teens (17-18) will better appreciate the nuanced critique of how we use power to avoid intimacy and the complexities of the sisters' relationship with their mother.
It is a unique 'urban fantasy' that feels like a classic coming-of-age novel. Unlike many YA fantasies, the magic is a burden and a metaphor for human agency rather than a tool for saving the world. """
The story follows three teens: Rosie, who uses a magical jacket to gain influence and escape her school: her sister Caro, who travels to the Dominican Republic for their father's wedding and uncovers family truths with a magical baseball bat: and Zeke, a hopeless romantic dealing with depression and a stone that forces others to love him. Their paths cross as they learn that magic cannot fix their internal voids or their complicated family histories.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.