Not enough magic in this to warrant the title. Hints of it beneath a very atmospheric setting, but it isn’t a main character in the novel as we assume it will be based on title and synopsis.

I thought this was an adult novel as it started, but as it got going and we were into the thick of the plot it turned out to be suitably juvenile, after all—with a nod toward several adult themes.

The premise is intriguing, but the execution lacks what the synopsis promises. The setting is likely the best character in the novel, with even the voice of the island speaking louder, despite its whisper, and with more depth of personality than some of the human participants.

I don’t know if it’s a generational thing that even novels for 30 year olds are still yammering on about the hurts and heights of high school. Nothing wrong with it, I suppose, but just to point out that this isn’t an adult novel with the adult feel of life and responsibilities injected into a well-woven plot and established adult characters—it mostly has the feel of the extended immaturity of adolescence.

That said, it was an interesting story. I prefer Young’s YA novels, though.