Old Magic by Marianne Curley

Title: Old Magic

Author: Marianne Curley

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 317

Reviewed by: Sabrina

Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing, but Kate Warren doesn't know why.

The moment the new guy walks into the room, Kate senses something strange and intense about him. Something supernatural. Her instincts are proven correct a few minutes later when, bullied by his classmates, Jarrod unknowingly conjures up a freak thunderstorm inside their classroom.

Jarrod doesn't believe in the paranormal. When Kate tries to convince him that he has extraordinary powers that need to be harnessed, he only puts up with her "hocus pocus" notions because he finds her captivating. However, the dangerous, uncontrolled strengthening of his gift finally convinces Jarrod that he must take Kate's theories seriously. Together, they embark on a remarkable journey—one which will unravel the mystery that has haunted Jarrod's family for generations and pit the teens against immense forces in a battle to undo the past and reshape the future.

My Thoughts

Kate Warren lives in a small village with her grandmother. When Jarrod, the new kid, conjures a storm inside the classroom, she immediately realizes he has a gift–especially after Jarred somehow blocked her from reading his mind. The thing is, Kate's a witch. Only her friend knows about it. She can probe minds, sense people's emotions and do minor spells.

Despite Kate's efforts to convince him he caused that storm, he thinks she's crazy, along with her grandmother. I would too, if a woman was suddenly screaming and saying she had a vision of snakes on me.

Eventually, certain events cause Jarrod to doubt and become unsure on whether he has powers. He joins Kate on a magical time-travel adventure to unravel the mystery of a curse that runs in Jarrod's family.The book switches from Kate's POV to Jarred's for every chapter.

I liked Old Magic. It was a little better than okay. I wish Kate hadn't told him about his gift so nonchalantly. Jarrod was a bit too wimpy. Some events in the book were confusing and hard to believe. I would talk about more problems I had with Old Magic, but that would be spoiling.