Megan O'Russell

Megan O’Russell’s YA novel, How I Magically Messed up My Life in Four Freakin’ Days, instantly drew my attention because of its title and its colourful cover art. However, the following lines in the blurb really got my attention. “I found a magic cell phone, opened an app I shouldn’t have, burned down the set shop for my high school’s theatre, and it was all downhill from there. A drag queen seer who lives under a bridge is my only hope for keeping my mom alive, and I think the show more cops might be after me for destroying my dad’s penthouse.”

I just had to read it!

For me, the mark of a good writer is one who, within the first few pages, grabs your attention and holds it, but also hits you solidly with a character’s “voice” and gives you a good glimpse into the character's nature and some of the issues that are important for that individual. O’Russell did this extremely well.

Bryant is a teenager whose mind constantly wanders and daydreams. He is the smart geek who’s too shy to speak to the girl he admires and who has a handsome best friend who is his opposite and epitomises all that is cool. From the first page the quips and one-liners keep going throughout the entire novel; several times I found myself laughing out loud as I read.

Bryant’s troubles start when he finds a cell phone in a cab and decides it’s safer for him to return it to the owner rather than have it disappear into lost and found at the cab company. Innocently unleashing a series of magical disasters, being pursued by evil wizards and a group of deranged witches becomes par for the course in Bryant’s life and his dealings with the “Rasputin of phones.”

O’Russell sets a cracking pace from the beginning of the book all the way through to the end. This was an extremely enjoyable, fast read and I highly recommend it for MG readers all the way through to adults.

I hope O’Russell writes more adventures of Bryant Adams, because I’d love to read them and you will too.

Four Stars! show less

With magic, action, discovering new worlds and tons of adventure, this is an exciting tale which promises to become the first step in a great series.

Maggie is dead. Or so she thinks. Killed in battle, she's not surprised to find herself in the world of the dead, but she quickly learns she hasn't landed in the Underworld at all. Rather, she's been yanked away into the mythical Siren's realm. Magic is the currency, and Maggie is smart enough to want to hold onto hers. Hiding it, she works to show more survive like a non-magic person, using her hands and strength to trade for needed goods. Except one person seems to have caught on to her secret. Little does she realize that this man is about to open up more adventure to her than she ever dreamed possible.

In some ways, this reminded me of Doctor Who, except from the stand point of the Doctor's assistant. Maggie's unexpectedly pulled into a world, where an unseen, very powerful Siren dictates existence. The reader discovers the rules of this world along with Maggie, a place where a mere wish becomes reality, a paradise for most. But Maggie is a practical person, who knows not to trust anyone or anything at face value. She has a big heart, and a very good moral compass. Her determination and down-to-earth decisions make her a heroine to cheer for the whole way through.

The Doctor (in my comparison) is a strong magic wielder who has been in the Siren's realm for quite awhile, Bertrand. He's a mysterious man, older (so no romantic interests per say), holds a polite air, and comes across as wise...but maybe not always as right as he appears to be. The relationship between Maggie and him isn't simple, but he's the one who opens up the wonders of traveling between worlds and is her 'guide'. His aloft attitude and constant words of wisdom add a wonderful contrast to Maggie's character to form a duo worth a series.

The plot itself is refreshing and full of surprises. The author takes time for Maggie to find her place in the Siren's realm, letting this complex world develop fully before taking Maggie onto the main adventure. Maggie's character is fully unfolded, letting the reader get to know her well while keeping a high level of mystery, adventure and tension. Then, the next world takes hold and the next adventure kicks in, which offers another developed world, more interesting characters, and, for Maggie, even a possible, romantic relationship.

It's refreshing to enter a series, where there isn't one main plot line, but rather changing ones as Maggie encounters new adventures. The characters change as well, but that doesn't mean that they come across shallow. Rather, they gained their own depth and uniqueness. Each one has their own relationship with Maggie and leaves an impact on her (and the reader). It's constant development with the promise of much more to come. And all of this is wrapped up with constant discovery, tense moments of action, unexpected surprises, and constant high-stakes with life on the line. I can't wait to see where Maggie and Bertrand go next.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed reading this so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts. show less

How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin’ Days by Megan O’Russell
The Tale of Bryant Adams series #1. YA fantasy. (Reads as middle grade though the main character is 16.) 1st person.
Bryant lives with his mother in New York, goes to a public school and has one friend, Devon. He has a crush on Elizabeth, and is set up with her by his mother during a theater rehearsal, as a math tutor. He is a nerd after all. His father lives on the top floor of a building overlooking Central Park show more but he’s not in town often so Bryant is able to use the apartment for quiet study time. Bryant and Devon find a phone in a cab when things go off the rails. Turns out the phone can throw flames, cast spells and lots of other wizardly things and Erik, who lost the phone, is just the person to help Bryant, Devon and Elizabeth travel the underworld in and under the tunnels in Manhattan.

A geeky fun adventure of magic, next level trouble, and a missing millionaire father that leaves his wallet open for his son to use as needed. Bryant keeps his nerd sidekick character in place as Erik trains him for a wizard level future.
The adventures have just started. 3 more books to conquer the New York demons.
Fun for natives of NY with lots of familiar locations mentioned. show less

I found the story entertaining enough, but ultimately not good enough to continue the series or even to remember what the plot line was about 12 months down the line. The story does make me reflect (again) on what is the right tack to take - tell someone what's going on but put them at risk, or keep someone safe and in ignorance. In Ena's case, her brother's actions didn't ultimately result in her safety. I enjoyed watching Ena face her situation bravely.