Special Proper Magic


Young Adult - Paranormal
121 Pages
Reviewed on 08/13/2022
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Michael McAdam is a Canadian author, actor, comedian, voice-over artist and virally famous flight attendant who is never happy doing just one thing. He is the father of two grown children and his own inner child is much more “outer” than inner! He lives in Airdrie, Alberta with his comic book collection and arcade machine.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite

Special Proper Magic by Michael McAdam is a startling young adult paranormal novel about two cousins with special gifts. Adrian Whitingham is a thirteen-year-old boy who possesses a trait that makes him feel unique, and nobody knows about it. He can move things with his mind. Holly Weaver is Adrian's cousin. They're the same age and have never met. Thus, Adrian doesn't know that Holly also has a special gift: she can see and speak to ghosts. He also doesn't know that Holly can't tell the difference between a living person and a ghost. But, now that it is summer break, Holly's parents surprise her with a trip to England to visit her cousin. Will Adrian and Holly discover each other's secrets? How will their gifts help them find the boy that has gone missing?

Special Proper Magic by Michael McAdam is an extremely delightful novel that quickly stole my heart with its unpredictability. It's perfectly paced with just the right amount of mystery, peril, suspense, and adventure. Michael McAdam's world-building is phenomenal. Holly's special trait and its effects on her are highlighted well, which makes the story more appealing and formidable. If you believe that dead people aren't the ones to be scared of, only living people are, Holly will prove you wrong. If you want to go on a short, thrilling, and fun adventure into the realm of the spirits, Special Proper Magic by Michael McAdam is one you won’t want to miss. I highly recommend it and can't wait for the next book.

Jennie More

Special Proper Magic by Michael McAdam is the story of two cousins, Holly and Adrian, who have special powers. Holly can speak to ghosts, and Adrian has the capability of telekinesis, where he can move inanimate objects with his mind. Holly meets her cousin for the first time when she travels from Boston, Massachusetts, to Colchester, England, to spend the summer with Adrian in their mansion. With both of their parents preoccupied with work, Adrian and Holly explore each other’s magical powers and get the opportunity to put them to good use when Adrian finds out that Ethan, the son of his mom’s best friend, has gone missing. Along with their powers, Adrian and Holly are also intelligent and intuitive, and this powerful combination only amplifies their ability to find the missing Ethan.

Special Proper Magic by Michael McAdam is an adventurous, charismatic, and heartwarming story. Even though the story is about Adrian's and Holly’s paranormal powers, it is also about their ability to develop a friendship through their understanding and acceptance of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Adrian and Holly appear to be outsiders, primarily through their choosing, as they don’t feel they fit in, but a brighter side emerges in their personalities when they find each other. Holly becomes less critical and warmer, while Adrian becomes more expressive and open about who he is. Both characters are endearing, and their playful and sweet banter is entertaining, keeping me engaged. I loved reading this imaginative and light-hearted story.

Pikasho Deka

Special Proper Magic is a young adult paranormal novella by Michael McAdam. Thirteen-year-old Adrian Whitingahm lives a peaceful yet somewhat lonely life when he has to spend his summer at his family's mansion, Locksley Hall, in Little Colchester, England. But this summer, it will be different because his cousin, Holly Weaver, has arrived with her parents from Boston, Massachusetts, to spend their holidays in Locksley Hall. Initially circumspect toward each other, Adrian and Holly soon develop a mutual understanding when they discover each other's secret powers. Holly can communicate with ghosts, and Adrian has the ability to move things with his mind. When a young teenager named Ethan goes missing, the cousins take it upon themselves to find the boy and solve the mystery of his disappearance. But standing in their way are some malevolent spirits from beyond.

A combination of magic, mystery, and thrills makes Special Proper Magic an engaging tale well worth spending your time reading. Author Michael McAdam weaves an immersive sleuth story splashed with a dash of the paranormal that has the reader turning the pages, filled with excitement, eager to know what's going to happen next. Both Adrian and Holly are likable characters, with colorful personas that make them pop out of the pages and make an impression on the reader. The evolution of their relationship dynamic from initial skepticism to basically kindred siblings was one of my favorite aspects of the book. I would recommend Special Proper Magic to young adult readers who love paranormal mysteries.