Book:  Secondhand Charm
Author:  Julie Berry
Published:  October 12, 2010 from Bloomsbury
My edition/number of pages:  ARC/352

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Publisher
Series?:  No.

In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy’s charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason’s apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king’s carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .

Secondhand Charm is a fantastic new book from Julie Berry.  I haven’t read her first book, The Amaranth Enchantment, yet but after reading this one, I have to check it out!

Evie has always been good at healing but she doesn’t think she will ever be able to take it further.  Women are allowed at University but Evie doesn’t think she has a chance.  When the young king’s footman falls ill, Evie realizes that it may be her only chance to make her dreams come true.  With the help of the boy-next-door, Aidan, she just may make it to University.  The only thing is, Evie has powers and with the gypsy’s charms they become even more.  Will she make it to University and her dream or will her power prove to be too much?

Evie was great.  She was young but she was brave and smart.  In fact, she was pretty much brilliant.  She was also very calm under pressure.  She helped heal the sick around her village and deliver the babies, sometimes with the help of a midwife, sometimes alone.  She was much smarter than her years.  She wanted to be a physician but she knew that she would never get the chance unless she went to University.  The ill footman just proved to be the perfect chance for her.  Aidan helped, of course.  He was sweet, funny, and kind.  I genuinely liked him.  He was just an all around good guy.

Secondhand Charm is a historical fiction book but it doesn’t read like one.  It was a lot faster than I ever expected.  The chapters were also rather short which made it seem faster than it was.  I really liked that about it.  It didn’t drag and I was constantly wanting to read more.  =]

Overall,  Secondhand Charm is a wonderful sophomore novel from Julie Berry.  I can’t wait to read The Amaranth Enchantment and whatever else Julie Berry plans on writing.  If you haven’t already checked this one out, add it to your list!

First line:  “What will you do when school is done, Evie?”

Writing:  5


Characters:  4

Plot:  4

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  23=A

Cover:  4=B-