This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
John Kovacich, born in Oakland, Ca, started out playing music at age two, and moved on to singing and acting in grade school. High School introduced writing and film making followed by drawing and photography in college. In other words, he had a VERY LIBERAL arts education.
John published some poetry and some india ink drawings in literary magazines while in college, won critical acclaim for his acting in a cabaret theater, but was faced with a decision to pick out the arts he wanted to pursue.
Of all the available opportunities, music and song writing won the first round when he found himself performing with legendary stars of the sixties and seventies.
Round two began years later, after leaving California for Arizona. It all started with a blank piece of paper and the question, "how can I possibly write more than eleven thousand words for a single story?" A valid question which was followed up a year later with, "How did I ever write 160,000 words?"
Now, the writing comes much easier, but still there are questions like, "How will I ever get all these ideas written down?" followed closely by, "How many times can I edit the same book?"
John currently lives in Colorado with his ex-wife and his bird Tweety.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Lost Art of Magic is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy genre. It is aimed at young adults, though I should warn that the book infers a scenario involving sexual violence that may be upsetting to some readers. Penned by John Kovacich, the story follows a young woman named Destiny, who discovers that magic is real and has been lost for generations. When she unintentionally releases it back into the world, the descendants of those who once wielded it gain access to the great power, and some will use extreme measures to hold on to their new gifts.
The Lost Art of Magic is chock full of exciting story elements and plot twists, from magic to time travel to changes of allegiance at pivotal moments in the plot. Destiny is a wonderfully relatable teenage protagonist, and her journey was very compelling reading, helped in no small part by the excellent prose writing of John Kovacich. The storytelling device of having Destiny enter the memories of her ancestors was a great way to provide exposition but keep the plot moving forward and exciting at all times. The scale of the story was ambitious but well-executed with great characterization keeping me invested in Destiny, Blake, Michelle, and even Nana as their fates slowly intertwined. The Lost Art of Magic is a wonderful take on fantasy literature that grounds its fantastical elements in a flawed but likable protagonist. I’d happily recommend this book to fans of young adult fantasy.
