I’m a major Mike Chen fan so I had to read Of Sorcery and Science. And this was a fun story about science, magic, and friendship. Talk about a twit on the Chosen One! Keep reading this book review of Of Sorcery and Science for my full thoughts.
Summary
Months after entering a portal, becoming a powerful mage, and saving a distant realm, disgruntled Asian American high schooler Andy Lao returns home to find that absolutely no one believes what happened to him. In fact, things are worse than ever before as his subpar science and math grades make him a target of his parents’ disappointment. But how do you think about tests and college applications when you’re The Chosen One of a magical land?
One day, at the portal’s location, Andy sees a glowing bit of mana on the ground. And with that, magic is possible again. But when a mysterious, surly teen girl comes through the portal, she claims to be the Chosen One . . . and that Andy’s the one who doomed the realm. Together, they’ll save magic—because the answer lies in modern science.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Of Sorcery and Science reminds me why I should have done more chemistry homework. Chen takes the idea of the Chosen One and turns it on its head. It’s one thing to be the Chosen One, to have that adventure, but what happens when we are deposited back where we were and our world has changed, but also stayed the same? How do we deal with having had this grand adventure and magic, and now care about college and chemistry homework? But Of Sorcery and Science examines the importance of school, but also of friendship.
It explores how our legends and stories can be warped, how we can still find meaning in our lives no matter the scale, and how we move forwards. It can feel like a fall of grace, a downfall, but what about our friends, the care of the people who love us? I also loved how Of Sorcery and Science incorporates the past perspective with our new friend. The ways our lives feel insurmountable and over, but to know that something better is coming. Of Sorcery and Science is a great lower YA story about friendship and I think we need way more of that! Find Of Sorcery and Science on Goodreads, Storygraph, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.