So, confession time - I have The Paper Magician on my TBR list and haven't quite gotten to it yet. After reading this, the book has absolutely jumped up the priority list on my TBR list. I really enjoyed The Plastic Magician. The world building is really creative. The story focuses on Alvie, a young girl who leaves her home in the US for London to train in Polymaking. She is a very focused, fast learner with a high work ethic who is not afraid to take on a challenge in her field of study. It's no wonder she rapidly rises to the top of her field under the guidance of her mentor and comes up with a creative concept for filling a technology gap. This, of course, makes her the target of rivals in the Polymaking field, which brings some trouble. Oh, and in the middle of all this, Alvie is being courted for the first time. Alvie is, for me, a highly relatable character. I was that awkward, nerdy girl who was distracted by the natural world around me. She seemed very genuine to me from how she faced scientific challenges to her awkwardness with her Bennet. Really enjoyed the writing and the pace. I am very much looking forward to reading more in The Paper Magician universe.

A delightful tale, as always. Charlie Holmberg consistently delivers intriguing and imaginative stories for lovers of fantasy with a dash of historical fiction. I'm so glad the Paper Magician Trilogy ended up with more than three books. Holmberg has created a wonderful world of material magic with Folders, Sipers, Gaffers, Smelters, Excisioners and now Polymakers. She creates strong female leads for the book-ish girls of the world.
A little nerdy, a little obsessed with her work, and whip smart, Alvie is a spunky apprentice in the most recent magical field of polymaking - the manipulation of plastic. This story finds her managing groundbreaking research in her field, while coping with, for her, the even more uncharted field of first love. As always, I can thank Ms. Holmberg for writing completely clean fiction, with light-hearted romance.
Readers of the initial trilogy will enjoy a fun cameo from some previous characters, and find themselves hoping, as I did, that maybe their story will continue in the near future.
I thoroughly enjoyed Alvie's story. The story comes to a conclusion, but I must say I hope the stories continue - if not for Alvie, for other magicians and apprentices.

Another fun addition to the Magician universe Holmberg created - I didn't want to put it down! This one is less nuanced than the original series but still enjoyable and could definitely stand alone from the first three. I do hope to see some more stories about different magicians and their skills - it seems like Holmberg has lots of new ideas to offer.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

The main character (and narrator) Alvie is sweet and has a good head on her shoulders. While Ceony often made risky choices (which used to irritate me), Alvie is much more responsible and clever.

My one problem in this book is that I wish there was more time spent on Alvie's character development. We learn a lot about her, but don't witness enough. She's ahead of her time and prefers pants over skirts. She has a head for numbers. Her parents are German immigrants that made something of themselves through innovation and hard work. She's is a strong female lead. There could have been so many interesting scenes built around these characteristics, but they never come to fruition. There are just awkward conversations and strange looks. I wanted more chances for Alvie's gumption to shine. Maybe she'll have her chance in the next book, which I'm looking forward to reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Please note that I received this copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for your trust 47North!

Alvie dreams of becoming a Polymaker, the art of bespelling plastic. She therefore travels to London and becomes the apprentice of the famous magician Marion Praff. Since Alvie is pretty much into Polymaking she studies until late at night and works pretty hard which resembles the behaviour of Magician Praff. Alvie soon forms an idea that could change not only Polymaking but the whole world. Meanwhile she gets to know Bennet who seems to be the first boy ever to like her and on top of that someone tries to steal Alvie's and Magician Praff's new invention in order to take credit for it himself.

First let me say that I did not read the first three books in the Paper Magician Series. This is my first one and I am glad that I picked it up. So from my point of view I would say there is no need to read the first three books before reading this one. The charcaters and the storyline seem to be different.

I enjoyed the Plastic Magician very much. Alvie is such a dedicated character and so much into Polymaking that she fogets time. It goes so far that one day she forgets her date with Bennet. She is just so adorable because she is dediacated, smart and well, she is struggling with herself because of her big glasses which she thinks make her less pretty. Also Magician Praff is the best teacher ever. They make a got team because they are both so dedicated and full of ideas.

The romance builds up slowly but at the right pace and it doesn't consume too much of the story. It fells more like a nice side effect. The focus is on the new invention, the struggle to keep it secret and the person(s) who might want to steal it. I liked the suspense but it became already soon obvious to me who is responsible.

All in all a very nice read. Would not want to miss it. If I find the time I will prpbably read the first three titels in the Paper Magician series as well.

Alvie is a myopic young American thrilled to be apprenticed to a famous English polymaker, or magician specializing in plastic. Her inventive mind finds fertile ground in the new field of polymaking, her mentor Marion Praff is wonderfully supportive, and she even manages to fall for a paper apprentice whose sister inspires Alvie to come up with an entirely novel application for polymaking. The only dark cloud on her bright future is Mg. Ezzell, Mg. Praff's nemesis. He lurks like a vaudeville villain, bent on avenging a perceived slight. Alvie's quirky brilliance and social awkwardness are charming, outshining a predictable plot.

I enjoyed this latest book from Charlie Holmberg. I had previously read the Master Magician, the Paper Magician and the Glass Magician , and enjoyed them a lot. This story revolves around a new character, Alvie, who relocates to England from the United States, to study the new branch of magic, Polymaking. The story has some interesting characters, a little romance , adventure and intrigue. If you liked the first three books, you'll probably like this one, too!

I liked this book. I have read most of Charlie N. Holmberg's books and I enjoy her style of writing. In this book, Alvie, the main character is a lovable and clumsy person who I can relate to in more ways than one! The writer instantly makes you love her and the other characters in the book. I love the love story to it with the lovely Bennett and her friendship with his sister Ethel (i love that name!) It has some amusing bits in it, remarks on the British weather always being wet which is true! My only fault was that I enjoy faster paced books and although I enjoyed reading it I didn't find it a 'page turner'. Sometimes i would get to the end of a chapter and put it down without needing to know what happens next, there's no urgency to it. However, I wanted to finish and see it to the end and I'm glad i did. All in all a great read and I would definitely read any after.

Perfection. This book is perfect. I was a little worried I wasn't going to like it as much as The Paper Magician. However, was I wrong. While this takes place in the same time/world it is a story of its own. I was really happy she decided to go with plastic as the material because it was so new to the magical world. Paper still makes its apprearance and is still captured beautifully. While this book wasn't as "action" as the first, the story development was still very well done. My interest was held throughout the whole book

Alvie. I don't think I could speak enough about how much I love her. She's clumsy, she's blind without her glasses but she is so beyond brilliant. Her personality is scattered which makes her so enduring. I can honestly say that I smiled throughout reading this whole book because of how amazing her character is. All of the other characters just added so much to the story. There was not one moment, one word I would change in this story.

All in all I am so happy with the continuation of this already amazing series and I hope we get to see more of Alvie!!

I was so thrilled to be back in the world of The Paper Magician! I loved this spin off set in the same world (we even got to see a little of Ceony and Emery!!). Alvie was a great character, she was smart, determined, yet incredibly likable and awkwardly adorable. I couldn’t help but root for her throughout the book. Her drive and determination was great and it was refreshing to read about a character who loved to learn as much as I did in school (we really need more characters like Alvie and Hermione!).

I also really enjoyed the relationship Alvie had with her mentor, Praff. He was just as curious as Alvie and really fostered her excitement and drive for the subject while still helping/guiding her to learn what she needed and pulling her back when required without damping her drive to create. Ethel and Bennet were wonderful additions to the story, and I loved seeing how they helped Alvie become more confident in who she was and they were fantastic friends to her throughout the book.

I honestly think I would either want to be a Folder (who works with paper, even though no one seems to want to in the stories) or a Smelter (who works with metals) if I were able to join this enchanting world.

This book comes out May 15th. Do yourself a favor and pick up The Paper Magician Trilogy now but if you don’t have time before this one comes out don’t worry, The Plastic Magician can be read as a stand alone!

Rating 4 /5 – I could gush about these books all day so I’ll spare you and just beg you to pick up this book (or the previous books) and jump into this wonderfully crafted world you’ll never want to leave.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and 47North for my copy in exchange for my honest review!

Mind-tingling and so original. Ever since I read the Paper Magician trilogy by this author, I've been enchanted by her world of magic based on the use of materials such as paper. What an exciting surprise it was to discover a new story in the same world! The Plastic Magician is lovely and stimulating on all levels.

Alvie, the young American female lead, is delightfully obsessed with numbers and measurements, wears pants despite the ladylike norm, and acts innocently awkward in social situations resulting in very funny and endearing scenes. I loved her quick mind, her thick glasses and unconventional beauty, the way she looks at things and sheds a light onto a dark obstacle.

From Ohio to England, she travels to start an apprenticeship and become a magician in a newly developed discipline. I could feel her barely contained enthusiasm for every aspect of her new life. She's both naïve and ambitious, smart and honest. Plastic and paper magic are weaved into small details in daily life, yet reach grandeur when creative minds wield it to change society.

The plot was engaging all along as Alvie learns her new magic and she meets new people that will change both her and her tutor's fates. I loved the scene at the post office and also Alvie's sweetly romantic relationship with Bennet.

Quote: "Technology is the uneducated man's magic." This leads to a great scene full of thoughtful conversation. The author has a subtle and sweet sense of humour.

Along the lessons, Alvie contributes to a special project that involves mechanics, plastic magic, cunning and with, and I enjoyed that so much. The mystery plot revolved around that particular invention and how it would affect people and posterity. It all worked together as well as a oiled motor.

The atmosphere of the story is cozy and fun, and the workings of the magic are truly engaging. The ending is bustling with action, betrayal, ingenuity, Houdini escapism and a satisfying resolution to every plot line. Still, I would love more Alvie, more plastic discoveries and more sense of wonder. Beautiful.

I had really enjoyed the Paper Magician series, so I was pretty excited to see there was a spin off.

I liked Alvie well enough. She’s super smart and passionate and I enjoyed reading her dedication to her magic. Ethel and Bennet were fantastic and supportive secondary characters and I could have read a million more scenes with them. Oh and the brief scene of Ceony and Emery was just perfection.

Plot wise it was just okay. I didn’t get caught up in this branch of magic. And while the idea of getting a discovery stolen made for a good {but quite mild} villain, there wasn’t a sense of urgency. The build up was slow and the confrontation was fairly lackluster.

Overall, it was a quick read and an interesting start to a spin off. I did like it, yet I’m not sure I will be reading any of the others.

**Huge thanks to 47North for providing the arc free of charge**

I was very excited when I saw that the author was returning to the same world as her Paper Magician series and I’m thrilled to report that I loved The Plastic Magician. Alvie is an American who travels to London to begin her apprenticeship in the art of Polymaking. This book is a lot lighter in tone than the Paper Magician series. There is a bad guy who is up to no good but he is far more mortal in the danger he poses and his threat does not overpower the book. This book is far more about Alvie and Polymaking, which is the study of plastics. She is a wonderful character, as our the other characters in the book. Folding has a large presence as well which was great. I sincerely hope that the author returns to this wonderful world she has created (and please don’t make us wait so long for the next edition!). Clear your calendar when you start this because you won’t be able to out it down! I only wish it had been longer.

Alvie is the heroine we were all hoping Ceony would be. She has her insecurities and vulnerabilities that make her a great a character to connect to, but she's also tenacious and bold. Her quirky personality is what set this story apart and made it work.

The world of polymaking and inventing come alive under Alvie's contagious enthusiasm and Charlie's writing. You're invested not only in the character's but their achievements and discoveries.

The intrigue and love story help move the plot and enhance the magic of their world instead of detracting from it. I'm excited to see what's next for this world of magical discovery and candidly hope it only gets better from here.

One of the best books I read all year! Magic, mystery, and adventure come together to create this awesome book. There was also some Romance in the story. An evil villian out to cause trouble. The ending made me smile. A truely must read story!
P.S. You don't have to read the others to enjoy this one but it was nice to see a character from the past

Thanks to Netgalley and 47North for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Holmberg's Paper Magician series did something really cool: it introduced a very unique and very fun magic system. This standalone follow-up/spin-off book follows the adventures of Ceony in the first three books and this time, it's through the very poor-sighted eyes of Alvie, a fledgling Polymaker (plastic magician) who is taking an apprenticeship in England, far across the sea from her home in the US. She's smart as a whip, and she's strong in her own way, but she doesn't suffer from the same quick-to-jump-into-trouble nature as Ceony did. She's logical and methodical, and a very good protagonist.

While the twist wasn't all that shocking (I mean, we'd figured out the twists pretty early on, hadn't we? *wink*), the magic was a fun ride, and the story had some cool ideas.

All in all, I enjoyed it.

I was so excited to get approved for this book. I knew this was the fourth book in a series, so I read the first three to get caught up. Little did I know, this is a companion novel. It doesn’t follow the main characters of the trilogy (although there are cameos, and one of the supporting characters gets a lead role here. Yay!). That said, I think my reading experience was better because I read all four in order.

The Plastic Magician is about Alvie, a magician apprentice arriving in England from America. She’s placed with Mg. Pfaff, who shares her enthusiasm for invention and discovery. Things get a bit slow — there are suggestions of something amiss, but nothing really happens until the last third of the book. If I hadn’t been prepared for the pacing from previous books, I might have dnf’ed this one. But then again, I think the biggest draw of this series isn’t the action scenes, but the sweet, old fashioned romances.

I’m not a huge romance fan, but I like the blossoming romance between Alvie and Bennet. It’s really quite cute. I liked Alvie as a protagonist, although she seemed quite similar to Ceony in several ways.

The villain in this novel is one-dimensional, but that’s following the trend of the previous books, so if you were okay with it before, it shouldn’t bother you here. I did wish we could get to know Mg. Pfaff and Mrs. Pfaff better, however.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

This book could easily be read as a standalone if you’re more interested in reading this than The Paper Magician or you want to read them in a different order. However, for fans of the series, there are enough familiar faces and little nuances and references that make you smile. You could argue that the worldbuilding and the explanation of the magic system is somewhat less than in the trilogy, but I think that this book doesn’t necessarily require that level of detail, there is enough to get you started in this world and then you learn as you go along.

Alvie is a delightful protagonist. I had worried that she would be a cringe-worthy bumbling nerd character, a stereotype which I never appreciate. However, as the book continues it becomes apparent that Alvie is far more complex of a character than one might expect. She does have all the hallmarks of the clumsy awkward girl character but she is also passionate and owns her own ‘shortcomings’ (in inverted commas because it’s far more what society sees as a shortcoming than Alvie herself).

This book is well balanced between the main plot and the romance, I’d say it is roughly 50/50. I went into this knowing that there would be a heavy romance element, it’s the nature of these books, what I wasn’t expecting was how adorable the romance would be, and how much the rest of the book would capture my imagination. I thought that polymaking would lack the beauty and romanticism that came with the exploration of folding in the earlier trilogy, but the passion Alvie has for the subject as well as the way polymaking is shown in the book makes for great reading. It’s a magic much more akin to science than folding seemed to be, which also helps to make this book not feel like a rewrite of The Paper Magician.

Should you read this? If you are looking for a happy, light-hearted, warm and cosy read, perhaps if you have a long flight or if you are going on holiday, this book is worth the time. And if you liked The Paper Magician I am almost certain you will enjoy this book!

My rating: 5/5 stars

The Plastic Magician releases on May 15 so be sure to pre-order if you want to read it ASAP.

I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I read the original series very early on during my Kindle Unlimited membership. What drew me to this author was that even if the entire book is not up to one's taste, the unique idea within the story can easily be appreciated.

This book is a return to the world of Magic described in the Paper Magician series by the author.Magic in this world is not of fairy dust and miracles, it has its roots more in the engineering side of life. Everything has a connection or logic which makes a strange sort of sense. The leading lady in this book is Alvie who has her heart set on becoming a Polymaker, a relatively new field. Man made materials are controlled through 'bonding' and plastic is the new focus. In the non-magic part, science and technology is just rearing its head(probable fodder for future books set in this world). Alvie is very intelligent, but strangely innocent in the ways of the world. The story is of her moving to England to become an apprentice and of discovering new things in her field. Her bungling attempts at the normal parts of life added a bit of flavour to the book. It would be interesting to see what she would do next(hopefully in the next book).

There is adventure, intrigue and excitement all tied up within the story, and although I still rate the paper magician higher, this book is also worth the four stars that I plan to give it.

Another charming addition to the Paper Magician series. A pleasant, easy read.