The Time of Green Magic

A modern family adjusts to life together after Abi's father Max marries Holly, bringing stepbrothers Louis and Theo into their home. When finances force them to move into an ivy-covered house in North London, Abi finds herself drawn into unnaturally immersive reading experiences. Louis struggles with missing his mother while trying to find his place in the blended family. Meanwhile, a mysterious presence begins visiting Theo's bedroom at night, leading to mounting tension in the household. Magic and reality blur as the three children navigate their new family dynamics and confront the strange occurrences in their house. The story centers on how they maintain their bonds through uncertainty and change. The novel explores themes of belonging, the power of imagination, and what makes a family real. Through both supernatural and grounded elements, it examines how children process major life transitions.

Readers describe this book as a slow-building family story with magical elements woven throughout. Many say it takes time to develop but rewards patient readers. Readers appreciated: - Authentic portrayal of blended family dynamics and sibling relationships - Atmospheric descriptions of the ivy-covered house - Balance of realism with subtle magic - Character development, especially Abi's growth - McKay's writing style and vocabulary Common criticisms: - Pacing feels too slow in first half - Fantasy elements take too long to emerge - Some plot threads left unresolved - Target age group unclear (too mature for middle grade, too young for YA) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (120+ ratings) Kirkus Reviews: Starred review Reader quote: "Like ivy growing up a wall - starts slow but creates something beautiful and slightly unsettling by the end." - Goodreads reviewer

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🌿 This enchanting novel weaves together elements of magical realism with the real-world challenges of blending families, marking a departure from Hilary McKay's previous strictly realistic fiction. 📚 The book was shortlisted for the 2020 Costa Children's Book Award, continuing McKay's track record of award recognition following her Costa Children's Book Award win for "The Skylarks' War." 🏠 The mysterious ivy-covered house in the story was inspired by real London properties McKay observed during her walks, particularly those in Hampstead and Highgate. 🐱 The magical cat in the story draws from multiple cultural traditions where cats are seen as mystical creatures, including Celtic folklore and Japanese mythology. 📖 McKay wrote much of the book while experiencing a period of serious illness, which she credits with helping her tap into the dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere of the story.