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Community comment are the opinions of contributing users. These comment do not represent the opinions of Daniel Boone Regional Library.
May 01, 2012melwyk rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Vaclav and Lena are children, living in Brooklyn, at the beginning of the book -- they hang out at Vaclav's house practicing magic tricks because Vaclav is going to be a famous magician when he grows up. They are both from Russian immigrant families: Lena with a confused sense of where she came from and a neglectful aunt who "cares" for her in a laissez-faire kind of way, and Vaclav with a strong mother who mothers them both. The middle of the book goes more deeply into darkness as Lena disappears, and Vaclav only finds out why years later when they reconnect. Overall, this was an enjoyable read. The setting, the characters, even Vaclav's fascination with stage magic, all made it entertaining. The author's voice was lively, with an original perspective. I was absorbed in this story for a full day and found it well worth the time invested.