Published: 20th September 2018 (print)/29th November 2018 (audio) 
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books/Hodder Children’s Books
Pages: 384/5 hrs and 36 mins
Narrator: David Tennant
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Junior Fiction Fantasy
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars
This was once the story of a young boy Wizard and a young girl Warrior who had been taught since birth to hate each other like poison.
But now, the boy Wizard and girl Warrior have been brought together in the Badwoods and they have witnessed the shocking consequences of the Stone That Takes Away Magic. They will need to cast aside their differences once more–for an Evil Spell has broken free.
It’s up to Xar and Wish to find the ingredients. But it means entering dangerous territory unannounced…
After the dramatic conclusion to the previous book, Xar and Wish must face the consequences of the actions in the previous book but also know they must get on with the next stage of their quest. I love the reality that while these two children can go on magical quests and face danger and uncertainty, they also still have to answer to their parents and do regular everyday things.
We are shown more backstory regarding the feud between the witches and the warriors and the complexity of the whole situation is only increased by Wish and Xar working together. I loved the extra details we’re given about how each society is run through Xar and Wish and their relationship with their parents. Cowell’s managed to create two characters who are trying to do the right thing, but through good intentions and poor decisions also cause chaos in their wake.
Cowell’s humour and her imagination are commendable once more and now with an understanding of these characters and the world it is easy to fall back into the story and continue on with the next stage of their journey. The new dangers, old dangers, mysteries and curses that follow them bring suspense and excitement and Cowell is very clever in balancing the level of danger with the humour as well as showing there are real consequences in this world despite it being a silly book. There are different types of baddies, some which pose greater threats than others, and we also see our little band of heroes grow in determination and confidence as they try and do the right thing.
As expected, Tennant as the unknown narrator is sublime. His different accents, his voice work for all the different characters is incredible and the singing! Who doesn’t love David singing in funny voices? With the audio experience there are also a range of sound effects and noises scattered throughout which add to the narrative. Bangs, crashes, and magical noises add a little something and are a reasonable substitute for missing out on the illustrations.
What I love about the unknown narrator is that they make little statements about the characters and their behaviours and it’s wonderful how they can point out how foolish the adults and being and it’s up to the children to do something to save the day while also acknowledging the same children can be foolish and reckless. It’s a fantastic balance that doesn’t idolise or demonise one side over another, something Cowell also shows in her writing remarkably well.
The glossary at the end tells you all about the words, creatures, and spells that have been introduced in the book and while the unknown narrator interrupts in their usual capacity with explanations throughout the story, I love that there is still a glossary which stops the main story from requiring any long explanations, especially since we’re to believe the characters are familiar with the world and thus only are unaware of new things they come across.
Once again with a conclusion that leaves you hanging Cowell makes you want to jump into the next book. As this story goes on more is revealed but more is also still unanswered. Knowing how Cowell can create a story of epic proportions from a deceptively simple story I am enthusiastic for what awaits in book three.
You can purchase Twice Magic via the following
QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository
Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson
Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible
Alba loves her life just as it is. She loves living behind the bakery, and waking up in a cloud of sugar and cinnamon. She loves drawing comics and watching bad TV with her friends.
‘Look in the water, Ma!
Agatha Raisin joins Dembley hiking club to pursue handsome Cotswold neighbour James Lacey. Angry member Jessica targets wealthy landowner Charles Fraith, who retaliates with tea invitation, but her body is found dead on his grounds. Agatha and James investigate the crime, the group ready to kill.
Once there was Magic, and the Magic lived in the dark forests.
