Bad Magic (The Bad Books, 1)

Rating: 2.5I love this author's writing style. It is very conversational. In the second book, we learn that this story is actually told in first person by one of the characters sometime in the future. How he gets into the mind of other characters is beyond me, but I really enjoy this style. It makes for a quick read.The pacing of this books is quite fast. The main character gets in trouble at school, so his parents decide to send him to a summer camp for troubled youth. This camp happens to be on an island with a volcano. The cast of characters is quite unique. One of the girls pickpockets, but she always returns the items she steals. Another guy is an arsonist. Basically, they are all criminals in the making. But Clay didn't commit a crime, he just couldn't prove his innocence.Clay works his way into the group, but over time, he becomes suspicious. A lot of the events that take place remind him of the Tempest by William Shakespeare. Could all of the teens be actors? You'll have to read to find out.This book is a solid middle grades story. So why the low rating? Though I liked all of the characters, I didn't love any of them. This can be contributed to two factor: 1) I'm a 25 year old woman, so I'm not the intended audience. 2) There was no romance, and I typical only "connect" with characters in a romantic situation because I have something to root for. With this story, I was seeing it, but I wasn't emotional involved. I wasn't expecting to be since it's hard for a middle grades story to make my stomach flip or make me cry. This books also failed to make me laugh. With all that being said, it wasn't boring. I think I would have liked this book more had I not rushed through it. I had my kindle read it to me, which caused a slight disconnect that could be to blame for my less than ecstatic response.If you like this book, I do recommend reading the next book in the series. I liked Bad Luck Bad Luck by Pseudonymous Bosch slightly more, and I do have high hopes for the third book in the series.If you want to read another camp story, there is a book called Help! I'm Trapped in the First Day of Summer Camp by Todd Strasser Help! I'm Trapped in the First Day of Summer Camp that might be good. I own it, but have read to read it, so take this recommendation at face value.

this book was one of the most books I've enjoyed reading, like any other pseudonymous bosch book, it's mysterious and you can't expect where it ends, and when it does, it always leaves you wanting more.

His writing has not faltered a bit. Nor has his humor! I remember reading his Secret Series way back in elementary and now, as a Junior in high school, I crave for that kind of innocent reading that only PB can provide. This is a great pause -or break- from the required reading that my classes force me to read. Even though I do enjoy them (except for Hemingway) reading for pleasure gives me a sort of happiness that can't be found anywhere else. I'm excited to see what Clay is up to (and Cass, Yo-Yoji, and M-E) in the next books. Great great great!

It was a gift for my granddaughter. She loved i

Amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing such a great book for anybody I loved it so much!!!Addendum: this review was written by my 10 yr old son, the one who read the book. I was surprised to see he took it upon himself to log in to Amazon to write something about it.

Bad Magic is an entertaining book with twists I didn't see coming. Poor Clay seems like a good kid from a dysfunctional family that can't seem to get a break. His sense of adventure keeps the book quite engaging. Almost from the beginning we're caught up in the mystery of what is going on and how something just happened.If you enjoy a good read, yes even a children's book, you should really check this out.

The book is great. The plot was a little confusing (and a little strange), but the book was still good. It had a good combination of old and new characters. You should read this book if you liked the other books by this author.

I was very excited to read another book by Bosch and was not expecting it to be another book that follows the events in the Secret Series. His writing has improved since the very first book and I can't wait until the next installment of this series is published! A good read for all ages.

My daughter (age 10) really enjoyed this book, and she thinks it is great. I think it is good for people who are 8+. The 3 words I would use to describe this book are: mysterious, magical, and you-must-read-now!!!!! PB is a good author and all of his books that my daughter has read, she has enjoyed.

My 10 year old daughter loves all these books, well written, original and funny.

I loved this book so much as I love how it links to the Secret Series which I have already read. I would recommend it for readers 8-11.

Love it was very good

This book is amazing. It is funny,gripping and full of adventure.