I finished this book last night, & I really loved it! I loved Kaya as a protagonist. She really is so much braver than she knows. This is a good story showing just how little credit women used to be given for their abilities...or anything really. We’re better nowadays...but still have a way to go there. The magic in this story is such a unique concept & I really enjoyed it. I loved the listeners so much! I was surprised how much I wanted to give them all a big hug! I do recommend this book. I will be buying a copy when it comes out on August 4th(well I will if life has gone back to normal lol).

Suitable for elementary school readers, Story Magic takes place in a world where only men are permitted to practice magic (conducted via telling stories). The usual fantasy tropes are in place: a desperate orphan, violation of the social norms and stations, and an adventure that tests the MC's assumptions and preconceptions. Overall, however, I found it a bit...dull. Just not for me.

I got a copy of this book to review through NetGalley. Thanks to NetGalley and Jolly Fish Press for providing me the opportunity to review.

This was such a fun book! I love the idea of stories within a story. I really enjoyed the concept of the "listeners" and their connect to the main character.

Defiantly recommend if you enjoy the middle grade genre and are looking for fun adventure!

I read this book over the last two days. It was a quick read with lots of twists to keep me interested. The world building was done well and the main character was very likable and I enjoyed her development throughout the book. As the title states it is about stories and magic. I definitely cheered for Kaya as she grew and learned that she was capable. She started feeling that she was helpless and that her brother was the only reason she was alive. Overall this book was great. It is appropriate for kids in upper middle grade. I look forward to read more from this author.

I wanted much more from this book.
I was really interested in the book description but when I actually read this one, it surprised me. It is darker and heavily based on gender discrimination. I was expecting more magic and spells. I wanted more magic while reading this. The main protagonist, Kaya, is a 12 year old girl living with her brother who is years older to her. I just didn't like their sibling chemistry. It was somewhat intimidating and not the ideal kind you would want it to be. But this one I can understand considering the timeline of the story based during somewhere historical where women and girls weren't regarded as equal to men and boys. But again, I do not like the brother at all. Kaya tried her best to learn the ropes of magic (which was forbidden for girls, the means to get it as well was forbidden). The magic described is something dark and I am simply not a fan of it. Somehow it seems like it's rather misused for personal gains (of course!). It's just not about misusing the magic, it's something that just doesn't click. The story starts when her brother gets taken away, hidden away. She gets on a quest to make things easier, to save her brother from execution. It's more about the adventures she embarks upon one after another meeting all kinds of personalities.
As the chapters progressed, it becomes a bit dull and hopeless for me as Kaya keeps struggling and getting herself into dangerous situations. This went on and on until the end. But Kaya found something precious for herself in the end going through all these struggles.
And the ending is somehow conclusive.

But I kept wishing for more, better magic, characters which would engrave in my heart and mind. The writing style is engaging however, I feel the lack of connection with both the writing and the characters.

Thank you #NetGalley for the copy of #StoryMagic

I really enjoyed this middle grade novel. So beautiful written and a joy to read. The characters growth is inspiring and it teaches young people a great lesson. There is power in what we say and the stories we tell.

This book is very much geared to the middle grade, and probably on the younger side. It was a bit simplistic, and there were some ends that I thought needed tying up. But, it was a very sweet story. We see the female protagonist grow, learn, develop, and find a sense of belonging. I could see the book appealing to young girls who have lost their parents or been separated from family.

The book was really a coming of age tale, where the journey was as important as the resolution of the reason for the journey. For me, the stories Kaya told got a little tiresome by the end, sorry! But overall I thought that the magic and world created were unique and fun. I would definitely recommend this book to a young (maybe 4th grade) girl.

Thanks Netgalley & the publishers for the free e-ARC.

I Know I am not in The age group this book is intended for. But with that being said, this book. made me fall in love with the middle grade genre. Thank you to The author for. writing this wonderful.magical book. Thank you. for. letting me. follow The Young heroine in this book, kaya. and her adventure and Journey. thank you for letting me see a strong Independent Young girl. And what a concept. storytelling for.magic.I.really hope there Will be New adventures and Journey for. kaya. Thank you to. netgalley. for. letting me. Read this book

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Jolly Fish Press/NorthStar Editions for the earc copy to read and review of Story Magic written by Laurel Gale.

This story is adorable! The concept of storytelling for magic was so intriguing and I wasn't disappointed. This book grabbed my attention because of my two young daughters and I cannot wait to share it with them. Following Kaya and seeing her overcome obstacles and those who are against her and to even take her own stand when it would have been easier to follow along is an example I want my children reading about. While I would have liked for her to have a spunky sidekick character to follower on her journey, ultimately this uplifting and inspiring story is one I'm glad I've read.

I do hope Ms. Gale will dive back into this world. I'd love to see more stories about story magic and possibly the next journey for Kaya.

Story Magic was an enjoyable read.

The story is about Kaya trying to save her brother,Hob, but in doing so she finds out she can tell amazing stories to the Listeners and create magic just as well as anyone else. Not just great magic, but she can also become friends with these mysterious and gentle creatures.

The story starts out a little stilted but grows in word flow and building just as Kaya's stories do. I loved to see her grow and change and realize her self worth and ability to shine.

What a great read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Jolly Fish Press/NorthStar Editions for the earc copy to read and review of Story Magic written by Laurel Gale.

This is the best book I’ve read so far this year, what an amazing magical adventure from first line to the last line.

I loved Kaya what an incredible protagonist, she was so brave, so talented beyond her own understanding, she did so much more than she ever dreamed she could, she was filled with determination and what an adventure she went on. Her magic got stronger the more she dared use it and soon realised it wasn’t as bad as she’d always been told.

I loved the concept of this book with stories being told to get the listeners to help, I really loved how each story she told got better and better as she learnt how to tell a story in different ways, when she dared step away from her comfort and try a new story. I really loved that within this story we got so many other magical stories.

I enjoyed learning of these listeners, they were a fascinating creation and really hooked you as you needed to know more about them. I feel we still have more to know about them too.

This book takes you on such a thrilling journey as you travel with Kaya to save her brother, each step she faced something or someone that tested her and scared her but each time she rose above it and showed how strong and brave she was.

This book honestly is one I’m going to read over and over again, it’s an amazing adventure, it’s filled with magic and wonder, it a story so gripping you need to read on to know what is happening next and where the journey will take her. It’s such a wonderfully written book and I recommend that you read it, if you like adventure and magic you’ll love this book.

I do hope that we may get another book in the future it certainly seemed hinted and I would love more of Kaya’s adventure and learning more of her magic stories and of the Listeners.