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Crystal Cestari
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The Best Kind of Magic (Windy City Magic, 1) Hardcover – May 16, 2017

by Crystal Cestari (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 80 ratings
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Amber Sand is not a witch. The Sand family magical gene somehow leapfrogged over her. But she did get one highly specific bewitching talent: she can see true love. As a matchmaker, Amber's pretty far down the sorcery food chain (even birthday party magicians rank higher), but after five seconds of eye contact, she can envision anyone's soul mate.

Amber works at her mother's magic shop -- Windy City Magic -- in downtown Chicago, and she's confident she's seen every kind of happy ending there is: except for one--her own. (The Fates are tricky jerks that way.) So when Charlie Blitzman, the mayor's son and most-desired boy in school, comes to her for help finding his father's missing girlfriend, she's distressed to find herself falling for him. Because while she can't see her own match, she can see his -- and it's not Amber. How can she, an honest peddler of true love, pursue a boy she knows full well isn't her match?

The Best Kind of Magic is set in urban Chicago and will appeal to readers who long for magic in the real world. With a sharp-witted and sassy heroine, a quirky cast of mystical beings, and a heady dose of adventure, this novel will have you laughing out loud and questioning your belief in happy endings.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    12 years and up
  2. Book 1 of 3
    Windy City Magic
  3. Print length
    336 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    7 and up
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  7. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    May 16, 2017
  9. ISBN-10
    1484752724
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1484752722
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 7–10—Amber Sand comes from a family of highly respectable and powerful witches. Except Amber isn't a witch. She's a matchmaker, down on the lower end of the supernatural scale. Amber enjoys giving people the news they want to hear—that they will not end up alone—and she works out of her mother's magic shop. Unfortunately, she can't see her own perfect match. Not helping matters is her best friend Amani, who can see into the future but won't give Amber any hints. The mayor's son, Charlie, asks for her help. His dad's girlfriend has disappeared. While the mayor wants to find her, Charlie wants to break them up. Amber agrees to help, and they are soon making their way through Chicago's supernatural world. The teens start to develop feelings for each other, but Amber knows they're not meant to be. What good is it to date someone when you know you won't end up together? Though initially this fun read seems to be another cutesy supernatural tale, it also explores the question of fate. Amber is a strong heroine who refuses to back down from bullies and struggles with her relationship with her mother. There is a bit of mystery with the missing girlfriend, but it's solved well before the end. The conclusion and the characters will leave readers wanting more. VERDICT This is a perfect light summer read and a good addition to most libraries.—Faythe Arredondo, Tulare County Library, CA

About the Author

Crystal Cestari lives just outside Chicago with her daughter. Her hobbies include avoiding broccoli and wandering the aisles at Target. She holds a master's degree in mass communication, and writes all her stories in longhand. She is the author of the Windy City Magic series and Super Adjacent.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (May 16, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1484752724
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1484752722
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.12 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 80 ratings

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Crystal Cestari

Crystal Cestari

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
80 global ratings
She absolutely loved it. The story captivated her and she couldn’t ...
5 Stars
She absolutely loved it. The story captivated her and she couldn’t ...
I purchased this book for my 11-year-old daughter. She absolutely loved it. The story captivated her and she couldn’t put it down. She tends to read at a very high-level but some content in YA is too mature for her. This book most definitely isn’t. I picked it up and read it also and thought it was fantastic.
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Top reviews from the United States

Meghan Sharkey
5.0 out of 5 stars Amber is Sweet & Slightly Salty, the best combo there is
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
Such a fun read! As a Chicago-area native, it’s refreshing to read a story that’s set in the city where the author understands The City and does her justice. From the touristy Navy Pier to bougie Lincoln Park, the settings of The Best Kind of Magic are wonderfully descriptive & familiar to this Chicago girl. That alone makes this book special, but the characters & story are what makes it truly wonderful. Amber lives between several worlds, never feeling like she fully fits in at school or in the magical lineage into which she was born. She’s your typical snarky teen, a whip smart and sassy a la Veronica Mars and Buffy Summers, juggling mystery & magic while getting through typical high school life. This is such a fun read, if you’re a fan of YA, magic, or mystery this is definitely worth the read.
One person found this helpful
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CPorter
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story of magic and love.
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2017
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I'm kind of a cynic when it comes to love but magic saved my life as a kid. This book was fun but had its serious moments and I am so looking forward to the next installment of the series!
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J. Dieterle
4.0 out of 5 stars Cute fantasy/magic story
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2019
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Cute! LOVE Amber's voice. She's fantastic. The feel of this book reminds me of the adult series Enchanted Inc., which I loved. The magic in this is more occultish (Wiccan) than I prefer in my fantasy books, but I enjoyed the story and the characters.
2 people found this helpful
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Emma W
3.0 out of 5 stars It's A Decent Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
The book arrived on time and in great shape. Can't complain there!

I'm a fan of magical realism, but this book wasn't exactly what I expected. I'm not a huge fan of the story, which seems to try to be serious at points but doesn't quite get us there. The "mystery" about the missing woman (not a spoiler, you can read this bit on the cover) didn't grab my interest at all. Regardless, it was a quick read, and it had it's funny and romantic moments--even though the ending left me with far more questions than answers (is there a sequel coming out? That might explain it.)

I'd recommend this book if you aren't looking for something to get too invested in, or if you like teen angst and magical creatures but don't have time for backstory or character development. Maybe it's right up your alley! I can't say it was bad, just simply not for me.
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Stephanie Rawa
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2018
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Loved this book, read it in about a day. It's the perfect mix of magic and young adult romance. I highly recommend it!
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RACHEL GOTTLIEB
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute!
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2020
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Really cute book/series! Clean enough for my strong twelve year old daughter to enjoy with me-
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Amberlight
5.0 out of 5 stars Nailed Chicago Knowledge
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
Author got all the details right through all three books about Chicagoans and the city. The books were fantastic and so enjoyable. Storylines very well put together. I ust love all the right details about the city.
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Brooke
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020
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I bought it used and it's still great
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Top reviews from other countries

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Geovana S.
5.0 out of 5 stars apaixonada!
Reviewed in Brazil on June 17, 2022
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Estou apaixonada no livro ❤
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