Jun 1, 2023

Australian fantasy fiction: How to survive your magical family by Clare Rhoden

Australian fantasy fiction

book cover title, "how to survive your magical family by Clare Rhoden". Black stylised illustration of a seated cat looking up and to the right. — How to survive your magical family by Clare Rhoden

Blurb:

Toby's family is magic, but his only talent is talking to cats. When his mother's vengeful enemy kidnaps him, his rescue cat and his schoolfriend Mia try to save him. The magic world and the flat world are more connected than most people know, because we can’t see the miniscule intersections of natural forces. Intuition, feelings, talents, skills, gifts - or plain natural magic?

Sixteen-year-old Toby has no magic, apart from communicating with cats. A flat kid in a magic family, he’s determined to be the best flat he can be. When Toby and his sister rescue some cats from a street accident, they find a long-lost arch-cat. They suspect something is about to go very wrong, because arch-cats only appear in times of need.

Ten years ago, Toby’s mum disappeared after giving evidence in a court case against a corrupt developer. Now the criminal is out of jail and out for revenge.

My thoughts: I ordered in, How to survive your magical family by Clare Rhoden, at my local library. I had no particular plans to read it. It's classified as Young Adult fiction and I'm not a young adult. A lot of novels branded YA lately have not been to my reading taste (I read the best ones when I was a teenager. Now I like something more grown up). Yet, when the library sent me a text to say it had landed on their doorstep, I popped in and borrowed it. My ordering and borrowing helps the author through the Australian Public Lending Rights Scheme. What could it hurt?

The next step was a quick peek, followed by a comfy spot to read the whole 202 pages.

The story has excellent narrative with strong pace and rhythm, and relatable themes. It is individual, quirky and contains a few twists and turns. Plus, the protagonist can communicate with cats. Enough said!

The characters are well developed, and the story is well laid out. There are no over-the-top magical moments, and the teenage angst is minimal. The magical realism is spot on. The author's deft treatment of the magical characters gives them authenticity. Her storytelling and world building skill connects them with their (non-magical) community.

Toby (main protagonist) thinks of himself as the black sheep of the family. Everyone but him has a talent for magic. His father and sister support him as best they can. Yet Toby doesn't believe he'll ever rise to the abilities of the rest of his family. What use is there in communicating with cats?

Mia (Toby’s best friend) is loyal, smart, and broad minded. The magical realm of her ordinary world comes to the fore when a rogue bus-driver kidnaps Toby. She calls in the reinforcements (Toby's family) who call the Police. Together, they hunt the kidnapper down.

Along the way, Mia learns that mystery (and cats) surround Toby's family. Toby had thought his mother had left them, but the mystery runs much deeper than that.

I'd recommend How to survive your magical family for any reader young adult and up. No need to limit yourself if you've passed that age bracket. Clare Rhoden is an excellent author. Her storytelling will draw you in. An afternoon of entertaining reading pleasure awaits you.

My only disappointment is that I've since attempted to communicate with the cats in my life, to no avail. My magical abilities do not include this talent. Guess I'll have to keep on trying.

About the author:

Clare Rhoden is a writer, blogger and book reviewer. Clare writes thoughtful stories about characters with heart and soul. From immersive world-building in science fiction and fantasy, to well-researched details in historical novels, Clare's books pivot on hope and love in the darkest of times.

Clare lives in Melbourne Australia with her husband and their very clever spoodle.