Bought at the Friends of the Library booksale ($5 a bag!) Will read and release.

This book is a rather bizarre blend of a historical fiction about World War II and a fantasy about magic.

I found it intriguing because I had never read anything quite like it, but I also felt that it lacked emotion, especially given its subject matter. Although, now that I think about it, many books about the Holocaust do tend to have that numb, removed quality about them -- understandably.

All in all, a very quick read and a worthwhile one, especially for a change of pace.

BOOKRAY! (completed)

Mailed to bulan-purnama. Let the bookray begin!

Received the book today. Will start reading tomorrow. When finish, I'll journal again.

Just finish with this book. What an amazing story. Magic galore, suspense from the start 'till the end. A story of compassion, strenght, determination that the red magician brought to a young girl who almost died in the holocaust.

Beautifully written throughout. Thanks la-sonrisa for sharing.

Sending to Everett-Reader. Enjoy!

Book is on its way to Everett-Reader this A.M. by media mail. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Received as bookring book. Will be starting on very soon.

Finished this book today and will mail by Monday.

I wasn't quite sure what to make of this book. The combination of fantasy and halocaust horrors was unique, but did not leave me with a clear idea of the final message, or how I was supposed to feel about it.

Even so, well written and a worthwhile, easy read.

Came with a huge pile of books today. Looks good :-)

What a powerful story! Told in a very matter of fact way and not overly emotional, Red Magician is a wonderful tale of the power of life over death.
Thank you for sharing!

Arrived in the mail this morning. I've got 2 other bookring books (well, 1 and a half, really) before I get to this one. Shouldn't take me more than a couple of weeks. Thanks for making it available!

Interesting story but I found it rather clumsy. Perhaps that isn't the correct word but I thought it would have benefitted from a greater depth of detail.

I'll send it on as soon as I get buffra's address.

Thanks for making this book available for a ring.

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent off to buffra via surface mail. May take up to six weeks (!!) to get there.

Or it might take less than a week! You just never know about surface mail!

Yup, it's here. Thanks!

Kicsi is a young girl growing up in a small, isolated village in Hungary, with the Czech and Russian borders nearby. Her dream has always been to leave. On the eve of World War II, a wandering magician comes prophesying death. At eleven, Kicsi believes Voros and attempts to help him protect the village. But the local rabbi, who possesses magical powers, insists that the village is safe, and frustrates Voros’s attempts to transport them all to safety. Then the Nazis come and the world changes.
Miraculously, Kicsi survives the horrors of the concentration camp and returns to her village to witness the final climactic battle between the rabbi and the Red Magician, the Old World and the New.
***

A fantasy set during the Holocaust, this is a story about forces at work that we do not understand. It is also a story about magic. As a young girl, Kisci believes in the magic and illusions Voros shows her. However, it and the magic of the rabbi turn out to not be true magic -- not strong enough to prevent the horrors that occur. It isn’t a story that denies the presence of magic, but rather one that shows that the deepest and most abiding magic is found within each person -- in their strength, in friendship, and in love.

A quick read, but no less moving for its simplicity.

Arrived today, safely, thank you!

The weather outside is frightful, so a Bookcrossing book is delightful. Since I've no urge to go (out), let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Finished reading this in about a day. Kisci's relationships with the rabbi and the red magician were compelling. I described this book to a friend and will send it his way next.

I was reminded of the golem sequence in Pete Hamill's novel "Snow in August". Each book is worthy of recommendation. I will look for copies of this to pass onto friends.

RELEASE NOTES:

[R]

Sending to Pyan, prize for Zodiac RABCK Raffle - Pisces.

Received today. Thank you!

This is a compelling tale of a young girl (Kisci) coming of age during the Holocaust. Her life intersects with that of a mysterious red-haired stranger (Voros) who seems to have the ability to predict the future. Although her relationship with the stranger creates turmoil within her family and town, the bond between Kisci and Voros eventually saves both of them from death. Laced with magic, this tale can also be seen as an allegory for the importance of finding strength within yourself and going on with life even when it seems impossible.

RELEASE NOTES:

Requested on PBS.