Laurie Faria Stolarz Reviews

Added January 21, 2005

Silver Is for Secrets

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: February 2005
Genre: Young Adult: Paranormal/Suspense
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $8.95
ISBN: 0-7387-0631-0
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus
Rating: 7.5 Gargoyles

This summer was going to be Normal. Just enjoying the sun and fun with the rest of the gang: Drea, Chad, Amber, PJ, and Jacob. Well, at least that's what Stacey's hoping for. Then she wakes up from a nightmare with a bloody nose and she worries that once again, her precognitive skills are feeling that bad things are about to happen. Then they meet a neighbor, the young Clara-- and Stacey knows that she's got to help because if she doesn't Clara is going to die. Though Stacey doesn't understand everything that's being shown in her dreams, she knows she needs to help Clara, even if Clara seems to have penchant for stealing other girls' boyfriends. But the dreams don't warn her of the consequences of saving Clara's life-- consequences that will haunt Stacey forever.

Silver is for Secrets is the next book in the colour series by Laurie Faria Stolarz. I've been enjoying the series since I was first introduced to White is for Magic. This first person Point of View story is well written and as intriguing as the first book she wrote. I love how everyone interacts with Stacey and how she handles her unusual friends. Though she's a practicing witch, and one dedicated to doing good, it's nice to see her handle some things not just with good basic magic, but also with finesse. Will Stacey save Clara? I won't tell you the answer, but I can say that the twist at the end tore at my heart and though on some level it's solid, I couldn't believe the author allowed it to happen. For me, it was like the last straw that broke the camel's back. There are good reasons for the ending, but at the same time--I felt Stacey was being gypped out of something she deserved after two years of emotional trauma.

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Added May 2, 2004

White Is for Magic

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: May 2004
Genre: Young Adult: Paranormal/Suspense
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $8.95
ISBN: 0-7387-0443-1
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Be popular, pass your classes and get into a good college... a normal teenage dream, right? For hereditary witch Stacey Brown, a dream is all it will ever be. After her junior year at boarding school where she had dreams of someone murdering one of her roommates, Stacey would like nothing better than to concentrate on her studies and boyfriend Chad. Only problem is she having nightmares again.

Not just any nightmares either, these nightmares feature the ghosts of people who were brutally murdered. And the nightmares are accompanied by vomiting. The year before she had similar nightmares accompanied by gross bodily functions. Stacey's learned from experience that whenever her nightmares are accompanied by body functions, she'd better play close attention.

These nightmares are frightening than before because they are predict her death. Something or someone is after her and if she doesn't decipher the meaning in time, she could very well end up dead. Deciphering the dreams is a lot harder than is sounds. Mix in the fact she and her boyfriend keep fighting, the "ghost groupies (new students who only enrolled because of last year's events), the doors and windows mysteriously locking and unlocking and the stress of dealing with school and it's a complete wonder she can even get up in the mornings.

As she scrambles for spell ingredients and answers, she is aided by her roommates, who while not believers themselves are willing to do whatever it takes to help Stacey figure out the meaning of her dream. When she senses the presence of another student who not only practices magic but also is obviously trying to help her, will she be able to trust him? And what happens when she begins to have romantic feelings for this person?

Will the answer to Stacey's dream reveal itself or is she doomed to watch the past repeat itself?

White Is for Magic is a fast paced novel that portrays witchcraft in a positive light and how easily it can be incorporated into every day life. Stacey doesn't hide the fact she's a witch and while her friends may roll their eyes and make funny comments, they don't hesitate to lend a helping hand or ask questions trying to understand the reason behind certain things. It's rare to find a novel that portrays witchcraft as an everyday part of life without it becoming too fantastical or campy.

Even in the midst of the suspense and magic, I never forgot Stacey was a teenager and was impressed at how true to life the characters were. Ms. Stolarz has gained a loyal fan and I look forward to reading her next book Pink Is for Promise and will be picking up the first Stacey novel, Blue Is for Nightmares. Don't miss White Is for Magic; it's a definite keeper.

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