At twelve years old, Suli knows right from wrong, but will soon learn that not everything is so clear cut in The Third Kind of Magic by Elizabeth Forest. Suli comes from a long line of magic users and hopes to become a wise woman like her grandmother. Unfortunately, she accidentally uses advanced magic in public and must leave the village or live with the name of 'witch.' Leaving home to live with her cousin, who is also a wise woman, Suli wonders what she will learn. Frustrated about not learning real magic, Suli spends her days tending to the garden, goats and geese while hearing about what magic can and can’t do. When Tala disappears one day, it is up to Suli to get help from the creatures who have become her friends. A wise crow teaches Suli what she needs to know about the third kind of magic which can be very dangerous, depending on how it is used. This feeds Suli’s fears about being called a witch, but she will do what is necessary to help her cousin and prepare for an eventual showdown with the real witch who lives on the mountain.

Elizabeth Forest’s debut fantasy novel for children, The Third Kind of Magic, is a delight to read! The writing style brings to mind old fairy tales and is easy to follow. There are plenty of opportunities for children and YA readers to laugh, be nervous, and join Suli in wondering what is right and wrong and how to deal with the issues that fall somewhere in between. Suli is a wonderful character with plenty of strengths, but also vulnerabilities, and watching her learn and grow with the help of a marvelous assortment of unique characters provides teachable moments for anyone. A great story with the right blend of humor, nerves and growth. Great concept and wonderful characters. The Third Kind of Magic is a book well worth reading for enjoyment and some valuable life lessons. Look for more from Elizabeth Forest in the future as well!

The Third Kind of Magic (Crow Magic) by Elizabeth Forest is a children’s fantasy tale that is filled with magic, talking animals, and wonder. This is a book that would appeal most to an audience of young readers who enjoy a mix of magic, life altering decisions, and female protagonists in their books. Suli is a twelve-year-old girl who is a natural magic user; her accidental use of advanced magic forces her to become an apprentice to a wise woman by the name of Tala. Yet, Suli’s magical training takes a bad turn when a witch kidnaps her teacher. Will young Suli rise to the challenge and save her home and Tala from the witch or will she crumble under the pressure?

The Third Kind of Magic (Crow Magic) by Elizabeth Forest is a well-written book that felt a lot like some of the older fairytale stories. I found Suli to be an interesting character in how she handled all of the big changes that affected her and her future throughout the story without breaking down. The author did a spectacular job in making Suli into a character that young girls could relate to as Suli is not some sort of unbeatable super child, but instead is a young girl whose life was turned upside down due to an accident. I personally found the story to be rather endearing and, when I finished reading it, I was left hopeful that the author will write a sequel quickly!