Available Formats
Something Close to Magic
By (Author) Emma Mills
Simon & Schuster
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
16th August 2023
United States
Young Adult
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Relationship stories
Childrens / Teenage general interest: Girls and women
813.6
Hardback
384
Width 140mm, Height 210mm, Spine 36mm
485g
A bakers apprentice reluctantly embarks on an adventure full of magic, new friendships, and a prince in distress in this deliciously romantic young adult fantasy thats perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Gail Carson Levine.
Its not all sugar and spice at Basils Bakery, where seventeen-year-old Aurelie is an overworked, underappreciated apprentice. Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesnt dare to dream biguntil a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. In a country where Seeking was old-fashioned even before magic went out of style, its a rare skill, but Aurelie has it.
The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelies help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwoodwhich sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the someone turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named prince, Aurelies careful life is upended. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest filled with magic portals, a troll older than many trees (and a few rocks), and dangerous palace intrigue.
Even more dangerous are the feelings shes starting to have for Hapless. The more time Aurelie spends with him, the less she can stand the thought of going back to her solitary but dependable life at the bakery. Must she choose between losing her apprenticeshipor her heart
Emma Mills is the author of several young adult novels, includingFoolish Heats,First & Then, andSomething Close to Magic. When she is not writing, Emma can be found editing scientific manuscripts, tending to her large collection of succulents, and deep diving into various fandoms. Emma lives in St. Louis with her dog Teddy, who is best described as a big personality in a tiny package. You can find Emma on Twitter and Instagram (@Elmify) or at EmmaMillsBooks.com.