The Use of Magic, by Elizabeth Kay
One of the main issues with magic is that it has to have rules, otherwise every problem can be solved with no effort and the plot has gone up in a cloud of smoke – probably very pretty smoke, with a few bangs and flashes and an intoxicating smell, but it’s removed every obstacle the hero faces. It takes time to explain these rules, though. Don’t do it all in one chunk, because info dumps are really boring. Drip feed it. In the world of The Divide , magic is real and science is a myth. Felix is from our world, and Betony is a sort of elf. Starting with a fai rly trivial demonstration can be a good way of introducing the concept. “Can you do magic?” “Not much,” Betony confessed. “I hate school.” “Isn’t there anything you can show me?” “I come from a family of herbalists, and that’s what I’m meant to become when I grow up. It’s really boring . I can cure bruises.” “I’ve got one on my knee,” said Felix, remembering. “Oh, right,” said Betony. She glanced r...