Unbidden Magic Series

Author: Marilee Brothers
Rating:

      A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime.

     Allie's life has always been far from ordinary, her grandfather actually named her Alfrieda Carlotta Emerson. That alone is cruel and unusual, throw in that her mother has given up on life and at 15, Allie has to take care of them both in a 24 foot trailer parked outside of her step-uncle's house. That's a lot for any person to handle let alone one so young.

      So far, this series is four books, but I have a feeling a 5th one is in the works. Each book introduces us to a new aspect of Allie's crazy life.

       In Moonstone, Allie gains the Moonstone, meets her father and begins to learn her story. She is THE Star-Seeker from the prophecy. She will either save or destroy the world with one crucial decision (but what is she deciding?). Does it have to do with her sworn enemies, theTri-marks? Is is about her interest and trust in the ultra-charming Junior Martinez? This book started a little slow, but by the end I couldn't put it down!

      

    

      In Moonrise, Junior (our love interest) is off in Mexico doing God-knows-what and Allie is at home carrying an awfully heavy burden she just can't seem to shake. Enter Beck Bradford and his twin sister Nicole. Beck is actually a spiritual healer who is hiding a secret much like Allie's. Through the course of the novel, the pair become close and  we seem to have ourselves a whole new love interest. Allie has a lot on her plate here, there is a new school counsellor who has taken a strong interest in Allie and her recent trauma. Another new relationship for her mom (maybe this one will be better?) and an old enemy takes on a new face.

         In Moon Spun, Allie begins to speak to her absentee grandfather and bonds with a strange little boy named Chad who can see creatures other people cannot. On a personal note, Allie now has too many boyfriends to choose from. Junior is back bearing gifts, Beck is off to college, but as sweet as ever. Plus, there is a handsome new stranger named Ryker working on Uncle Sid's farm. What do the three have in common? The answer's lie in Allie's past, one her mother has conveniently forgotten and is about to bite Allie square in the butt. A new enemy is named, and it's got everyone one edge!

        All of the elements introduced in the previous novels are woven together in the third novel, Shadow Moon. For these challenges, Allie must seek out an enlist a new ally, but where does one find a person who does not want to be found? This book takes us on the road trip of doom, we see some old faces made terrifyingly new and make some revelations more shocking than any Allie has seen before. Of course, we make new enemies and a new prophecy is told (rather, another piece is added to the original). Allie faces all of these challenges with her signature wit and optimism. No matter how bleak the circumstances, Allie puts her best foot forward and comes out on top. In this novel, things are not always as they seem. The moon is a tricky mistress and one must be careful about what she believes.

       Overall, I enjoyed the series. It was a quick read and the characters were loveable (jury's still out on Junior). If you are looking for the next American Literary Classic, this book is not for you, but if you want a light hearted book full of paranormal phenomenon and more than a few Pixie shenanigans... Step right up and get started on the Unbidden Magic Series by Marilee Brothers. You won't be disappointed that you did. :)