Wyrd & Wonder – Three interesting magic systems

I already read two fantasy books this month! About those books I will write in another post. I am currently reading The Crimson Skew, the last part of the Mapmakers trilogy. This trilogy is so unique! In the first book, The Glass Sentence, we read that some parts of the world are flung in different time periods. That’s why maps are crucial to navigate. Not only paper maps. Mapmakers can use all kinds of materials to make maps, for example glass. Before a map can be read, it has to be activated. This means that people can hide maps. A glass map that isn’t activated looks like a regular piece of glass. How a map is activated also depends on the material of the map. S.E. Grove did a great job when creating this magic system!

Another book with an interesting magic system is Akata Witch. The main character is the twelve year-old Sunny who lives in Nigeria. When Sunny discovers that she is one of the Leopard people, she is also introduced to a secret society. Akata Witch is clearly inspired by Harry Potter. But there are differences. Every Leopard has other powers, based on their personality. Interesting enough it is someone’s weakness that becomes their greatest power. So Sunny’s power has something to do with the fact that she is albino. Knowledge is highly valued. Learning new things as a Leopard will grant you magical money. I also loved that Nnedi Okorafor based the vivid magical world on Nigerian myths.

Finally, I want to talk about His Dark Materials. The idea of everyone in Lyra’s world having a daemon is wonderful! This is a manifestation of the soul in the form of an animal. Daemons from children can shapeshift. The form depends on emotion or convenience. At a certain age the daemon will take a permanent form. This animal represents the personality of their human. How Philip Pullman describes daemons is amazing. I would almost believe it. I’m certainly dying to know what mine would be! Another thing I love about this trilogy is that we are introduced to more new worlds in the second and third book.

What is your favourite magic system? Tell me in the comments!