Advantages: Unique, really unique.
Disadvantages: There aren't enough of them about

...The Books of Magic are a spin-off series. They began life as a comic book by Neil Gaiman about a boy (aged 13) called Timothy Hunter who is introduced to magic by a group of four mysterious men, including John Constantine and the Stranger. Timothy is told he has the potential to be the greatest magician in the world, but he rejects their offer of help. Having done this he finds himself back in a council estate in London. The series picks up around two years later. This is not the first volume, that honour goes to Bindings, but it is part of the start of the series, introducing as it does, two principal characters in Leah and Molly. The plot involves Tim, whose just returned from Faerie (see review on Bindings) being stalked by Martyn, an adept of the cold flame. Martyn uses Leah, a succubus, to attract Tim. He then hopes... Read review

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Advantages: Well, the covers a lovely purple
Disadvantages: No Molly.

...Ok, I like the Books Of Magic and so this isn't going to be as critical as it could be. First things first however, this is one in a series and if you haven't the read the preceding volumes don't start here. I've reviewed some of the others on Ciao, and the first is called Bindings, so I suggest you start at the begining or as close to it as you can get. The brief biog of the characters at the start of the book really isn't enough to give a proper understanding of what the hell is going on so take my advice, if you haven't read the others read them first. Right, with any luck, if your still with me, you'll have at least a passing knowledge of this series. Just in case the basic background is that Timothy Hunter (our hero for want of a better word) is a fourteen year old magician whose destined to be the new merlin. However he has... Read review

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Advantages: good story, humour
Disadvantages: a little disappointing

...The Colour of Magic is a TV series that was produced from the book of the same name by Terry Pratchett. It is the beginning of Prathett's wonderful Discworld novels and goes about creating a weird and wonderful world for us to indulge ourselves in. The world is flat - in the shape of a disc - which rests on the back of 4 giant elephants, which in turn stand on the back of a GIANT turtle; the Great Atuin. The Story In the town of Ankmorpork a tourist arrives whose name is Twoflower. After getting into a spot of bother a wizard called Rinsewind - having just been expelled from the Unseen University - stumbles upon this tourist and his peculiar walking luggage. He notices that the luggage is made of sapient pearwood and is emitting an octave glow - the colour of magic! Yet Rinsewind is not the only one that notices... Read review

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Advantages: Quirky
Disadvantages: Wait for it to come out on TV, Oh it already has.

...The Colour of Magic. ***************** ~Introduction~ Several astro zoo-zoologists are lowered over the edge of the Discworld but are lost into space. The great question is left unanswered, "what is the sex of the turtle 'the great Atuin'? Exactly why we need to know this, who knows? In Ankmorpork there is a tourist whose name is Twoflower. Little does he know but he will soon be involved in determining this (vitally important?) question. In the unseen university is a wizard, of sorts, Rincewind, and he too will soon be swept up into this great adventure. ~Synopsis~ Rinsewind is expelled from the University for failing to reach level 1 of 8 levels in the whole of his 40 years studying there. Rinsewind decides to throw himself into the harbour, but whilst there he suddenly spots Twoflowers walking luggage which is made... Read review

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Advantages: Well Made Colourful and interesting for kids
Disadvantages: None

...One of my mums friends gave her this book; which she proceded to pass on to me, for my little girl. My daughter was in awe of this book, she thought it was really exciting to look at. She was intrigued by the colourful ribbons that pass through every page of the book, until a colourful rainbow is formed at the end. She enjoyed pulling onto the ribbons that weave through each page, and I am pleased to say, that they did not break or tear the book in any way. The book itself is hardback, and the pages are thick card, so it really is a good quality book in every way. The pages have a laminated feel, so they can easily be wiped down if anything gets spilt on them. The book is by Betty Ann Schwartz and illustrated by Dona Turner. The book is entitled "What Makes a Rainbow?" It is about a Little rabbit and his mother... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap Easy to use and friendly
Disadvantages: Not very comfy bus

...Magical Memories with Magic Bus New Zealand is an amazing country but with so much to see and do it is hard to fit it all into 6 weeks, thankfully I discovered The Magic Bus! What is the Magic Bus? The Magic Bus offers affordable 'Hop on Hop off' bus tickets valid for up to 12 months, the passes cover different areas of New Zealand so depending upon your length of stay you can chose the one that's best for you. Passes: Some passes cover both islands and some cover just the north or just the south, I opted for the Wayward Wanderer Pass that covers the two islands. I purchased my pass online before I left the UK but you can also purchase your pass when you arrive, if you book online you do get a discount, my pass cost me $645 NZ which is £240. Magic Bus often have offers like buy one get one free as well so... Read review

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Advantages: Fantastic customer service
Disadvantages: Room a bit tired

...We spent three nights at The Magic Castle Hotel, from 11th to 14th July 2007, and decided it was a great place. The Magic Castle Hotel wasn't our first stop while in the US on this occasion, as we arrived at the Magic Castle from just outside of San Diego, where we'd spent the previous five nights in a four star resort which frankly, we hated. So our disappointment of such a resort may have influenced our judgement slightly of The Magic Castle. The Magic Castle was recommended in the guide book, and, as I was unfamiliar with LA and the trip wasn't booked well in advance, we decided to give it a go. I booked the room via the hotel's own website. As the hotel is attached to The Magic Castle, which, according to their website, is the world's most famous club for magicians and magic enthusiasts, the hotel website has a magical... Read review

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Advantages: easy, direct, personable, and knowledgable
Disadvantages: not especially useful for higher level practioners or non-magical/non-pagan folk

...This book is exactly what it claims to be, a solid beginning for anyone starting down the path of Herbal Magic. The author begins with the basics of defining an herb, gardening and gathering do's and don'ts, as well as a few basics of magical practice. The importance of being grounded and centered, the Law of Three, and the Wiccan "Harm None" principle are all touched upon in the opening chapter. Unlike an herbal remedy compendium, this work deals far more with the magical applications of working with the Plant Nation. In Chapter Two we read about which days are best for which sorts of spells and why. What phases of the Moon are best for drawing something into your life and which are best for breaking bad habits or cycles. Ellen Dugan gives us several Deities, specifically Goddesses, who are reliable helpmates when practicing herbal... Read review

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Advantages: Extremely entertaining
Disadvantages: Nothing to put you off.

...The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl. Illustrated by Quentin Blake. A story aimed at children aged 5 years, plus. I remember this book from my childhood so I was very excited to see it attached , free, to a packet of cereal! Nestle breakfast cereals were promoting Book Week for schools and were giving away lots of different titles with their packets of cereal. I read it that evening and can safely say I am still entertained and impressed by Roald Dahls books. Reading them as an adult is quite refreshing as you can see differents aspects to them. The essence of Roald Dahl is Dahl is Magic and mayhem, and there are bucket-loads in this book. Right from the very first page Dahl captures the child's interest by encouraging them to ask questions and work things out for themselves. The story-teller is a little girl... "What... Read review

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Advantages: good storyline easy to read without getting lost, lots of detail
Disadvantages: If you are thinking of a bedtime read, think again..youll be there all night

...magic for good or bad? And what do they want with Granmary? I have read and re-read this book several times. I even have this book on audio tape and after listening to it while I was ironing inspired me to rewrite this opinion slightly. Ive always believed that some things in our lives are pre-destined, its how we get there, the roads we take, and who we meet. This book really gets to that point. I have experienced this in my own life quite a few times. One house we had a look at down in Kent we stumbled on by mistake. I had picked up quite a few houses at the estate agents. This particular house was at the bottom of the pile and after having a look at it, liked it but Tim didn't. It was a 3 storey town house, 4 bedrooms with a small garden. Tim wanted another house but for some strange reason every time we looked at the pile... Read review

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