Shadows

Shadows by Robin McKinley, 356 pages

Maggie lives in Newworld, where there is no more magic, only science. Anyone with magic has had the gene removed and everyone is monitored to make sure that no magic gets through. But Maggie’s mother has just remarried and her new stepfather, Val, is surrounded by shadows that don’t fit his shape. Maggie can’t figure out what they are, but hey scare her, despite the fact that her dog, Mongo, doesn’t mind them. Val is from Oldworld, where magic is still in use but he couldn’t have crossed the border if he still had magic. Right? This was a really great fantasy book that a lot of teens would like. I think it’s one of McKinley’s best, with plenty of magic and adventure and just the right amount of humor to keep the story fun.