A Question of Magic

by E.D. Baker

"I love the folklore elements in this fantasy novel featuring an energetic main character who knows exactly what she wants. This title is great for readers who have recently discovered middle grade novels with more intricate story lines." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor Serafina was living the normal life of a village girl, when she gets a mysterious letter--her first letter ever, in fact--from a great aunt she's never heard of in another village. Little does 'Fina know, her great aunt is actually a Baba Yaga, a magical witch who lives in an even more magical cottage. Summoned to the cottage, Serafina's life takes an amazing turn as she finds herself becoming the new Baba Yaga. But leaving behind home and the boy she loves isn't easy, and as Serafina grows into her new and magical role answering the first question any stranger might ask her with the truth, she also learns about the person she's meant to be, and that telling the future doesn't always mean knowing the right answers. In her inimitable and bestselling way, ED Baker has crafted a funny and romantic story that combines some fabulous details from the original Slavic tale, with an all new spin!

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fairy Tales, Romance, Retellings, Magic, Childrens

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

E.D. Baker made her international debut in 2002 with The Frog Princess, which was a Texas Lone Star Reading List Book, A Book Sense Children's Pick, a Florida's Sunshine State Readers List pick & a 2006 Sasquatch Book Award nominee. The Frog Princess inspired the Disney's Princess and the Frog!


E. D. Baker was born in Buffalo, New York and spent most of the next eighteen years in the Town of Tonawanda with her older brother and her parents. She married her husband while in college, and had two children a few years after graduating from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. When her son was four, the family moved to the state of Maryland. With two young children at home, E.D. worked part time in her husband’s business and took writing classes at the local community college. She continued taking writing classes after the birth of her second daughter, but when she and her husband divorced, she went back to school and entered the SIMAT (School Immersion Masters in the Art of Teaching) program at Johns Hopkins University. After graduating, she taught fifth grade until her parents’ health began to fail. Her son had already graduated from college when E.D. and her daughters moved north to be closer to her parents. Having gained a new perspective on what is important in life, E.D. decided that it was time to believe in herself and devoted her time to writing. Her first book, The Frog Princess, was published in 2002. E.D. has written 25 books to date and has no plans to quite writing anytime soon.

Currently E. D. Baker lives on a small farm in Maryland where she and her family breed Appaloosa horses. They also have dogs, cats and goats.

If you have a question or a comment for E. D. Baker regarding her books, you can e-mail her at [email protected] and she will try very hard to reply to your e-mails. (Just keep in mind it may take a while before she responds, because she is working on a new book for you to enjoy!) For updates, announcements on upcoming books and daily posts by E.D. Baker be sure to follow her on Facebook.

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adaptation of Baba Yaga mythology was absolutely fantastic! The heroine was smart, conflicted, creative, and REAL. The plot was exciting and well-developed, and the cat was stupendous. I loved every bit of this tale and look forward to rediscovering new magic in its pages in the future!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading her “Frog Princess” series(which is my favorite series) years ago, I really wanted to read more from her. I’ve had this book on my shelf for years and decided to finally read it for the Reading Rush. I’m glad I finally read it. It wasn’t as good as “Frog Princess” but it was a cute, quick read. I love her writing, and her characters. This book was a combination of the “Frog Princess” and “Howl’s Moving Castle”. I’ve never read the original Baba Yaga story so it was interesting to learn about her. I didn’t give this a five because it was very repetitive and I didn’t get to see her family and boyfriend much. I know that’s the point of the story with her moving in a cottage and answering people’s questions all day but it was repetitive. As the reader we don’t get to see her family much even though they are mentioned throughout the book. I just wanted to read more about her normal life with her family. Thankfully she reunited with them at the end. The romance was also very cute. I also love when the author includes talking animals/creatures in her books. Who wouldn’t love a talking cat? So overall this book was good and cute. I would recommend it but please read her “Frog Princess” series first because it is a lot better. I really wish this was a series instead of a standalone because I loved the characters and want to see more of them. I can’t wait to read her other books next!

[The Winter Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Slavic mythology so I was excited to read this one when I saw the description. A girl gets transformed into being the next Baba Yaga? I'm in! However, while the concept was interesting, the execution was disappointing.

The basic story is that young Serafina gets a letter from a long lost aunt informing her that she has an inheritance which she must come to collect. When Serafina shows up, she discovers that the "inheritance" is all she is tricked to become the next Baba Yaga - a woman forced to answer the first question anyone asks her. The questions are always true but they come with the price of aging Serafina each time. She has to find a way to reverse the aging process or risk dying of old age when she is really only a teenager.

Unfortunately there's really not much more to this book. It doesn't particularly seem to have much of a Slavic feel to the world other than the names and the fact that it features the Baba Yaga. Furthermore, Serafina herself does very little in the story beyond answering people's questions. Her "victory" is achieved by other characters, off-screen robbing her of any real agency in her own story. The pacing is slow and tedious and has little in the way of rising and falling action. The writing is alright but bland. There is nothing that really hooked me about this book and it ultimately felt very lackluster.

It's not a terrible book, but I think the concept was wasted on stale storytelling. I'm sure others might like it more than me, but I found it boring. A real shame because I was so excited by the concept. Ah well.

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful retelling of the legend of Baba Yaga. Serafina is a sweet and unsuspecting girl that goes to meet her long lost great aunt after receiving a letter about an inheritance. She is unknowingly heading to a lifetime of answering questions as the truth telling Baba Yaga.

I had never heard of Baba Yaga until I read this book, and I think that helped me enjoy the story more. The writing is easy to read and entertaining. Getting sucked into this story took zero effort on my part as I was quickly swept away into the imaginary world that E.D. Baker created. This is precisely the type of book that I love and would gladly recommend to middle grade and teen readers. It is clean, engaging, and sweet. It has the predictably happy ending that I was hoping for.

Content: clean

My blog:

[Camy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a cool read. Wih this myth, there exists the potential to take a story about Baba Yaga much further than was done herein. Thus, just okay.

[LG (A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serafina is a happy 14-year-old whose greatest wish is to one day marry Alek, her handsome and wonderful boyfriend. However, that dream may prove impossible. When Serafina receives a letter from a great aunt she didn't know she had, she goes to visit the woman and soon finds herself caught up in terrible magic. She has now become the next Baba Yaga, cursed to truthfully answer questions (only one per person, the first question they ask her). Each question physically ages her, and she has no control over what sorts of questions she answers or the kind of answers she gives. Can she somehow find a way to break the curse and return to her old life with Alek?

This is another one of my old conference ARCs that I never got around to reading. Better late than never.

This wasn't bad, I guess, but it also wasn't particularly great. Serafina and Alek were a cloyingly sweet and perfect couple, so I actually preferred it once Serafina was under the Baba Yaga curse and cut off from him and the rest of her family. Maks the cat and the talking skulls that protected Serafina and her house were more enjoyable characters.

My knowledge of Baba Yaga is limited to vague memories of one or more picture books my mom read to me when I was little. I remember the house with chicken legs and that's pretty much it. It was interesting watching Serafina figure out the details and limitations of her Baba Yaga abilities, and there were a few great moments, like when Maks managed to trick a visitor into asking a useless question. The people who visited Serafina had all kinds of motivations, and sometimes the answers she was required to give made her happy while other times they horrified her.

Unfortunately, Serafina had very limited control over everything going on around her. There were only a couple times when she (or Maks) herded her visitors into asking particular types of questions - instead, she relied more heavily on just leaving when the questions she was being asked worried or upset her, or when she was being asked too many questions and was worried that she was aging too much. She made a few friends here and there, and that helped, but the story was designed so that, in the end, it was others who had adventures and brought the results to her door. For example, Alek had many adventures, all of which happened off-page and were explained to Serafina in a brief summary near the end of the book. It was disappointing.

I noticed one major error near the end of the book that I hope was fixed prior to publication. Someone asked Serafina a question and, although they'd never previously asked Baba Yaga a question, she didn't answer in her Baba Yaga voice. It happened during a pretty important part so, again, hopefully it was caught and fixed.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serafina follows the instructions she receives in a letter from her great-aunt, telling her how to collect her inheritance. Little does she know, she has inherited the job of being Baba Yaga! She has no control over her ability to answer questions truthfully for people, even when she is kidnapped an forced to answer questions so that others may charge for her services and get rich. Her travels in the hut on chicken legs carry her throughout the surrounding kingdoms. She meets fairies, nymphs, giants, and kings, but all she really wants is to become the girl she once was and marry her sweetheart. Can she ever find the answer to her own question of how to return to her former life?

E.D. Baker has a knack for writing fairy tales that pull elements from the traditional stories and presenting them in a way that appeals to modern audiences. Those who have enjoyed her other books such as The Frog Princess, Dragon Breath, or Once Upon a Curse will be happy to see another story of the same quality from her. If you haven't tried a book by E.D. Baker yet, but you like movies such as "Tangled" or "Brave," then this may be a new favorite author for you.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Tiffany Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastical and cozy middle grade fantasy!

***SPOILER FREE REVIEW***

Oh how fun this Baba Yaga fairytale retelling was! I truly enjoyed everything about it....The characters are all so wonderful and I especially loved Serafina, Maks (the cat) and Dielle. From start to finish, I found myself engrossed in the story and enjoyed being whisked off on such a heartwarming adventure!

Some of the elements and tropes within this narrative are:

- Curses
- Forests/Woods
- Magic
- Retelling (Baba Yaga)
- Animal Companions
- Found Family
- Friends to Lovers

If you are looking for a warm hug of a magical fantasy, I recommend this one! It will leave a smile on your face and in your heart!

[Chanel Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom and I loved this book! It was first off this is a tale about Baba Yaga. YES BABA YAGA! Those are hard to find. Believe me mom and I have looked. Mom thought the spin on the Baba Yaga tale was amazing. The heroine was beautiful human, and the curse she carried was truely humbling and thought provoking. The relationship between her and the hero did not take up most of the book, but the parts it partock in were so sweet and had some definite relationship goals. (Mom loved how heroine aging did not detract from who she was.) It was a great book and if you don’t read than mom and I say you are truelly missing out on an amazing tale.

[Alise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good, despite the fact that serafina almost died😬☠️ I totally recommend this book, it is an awesome read!!!

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess I haven't read any of E.D. Baker's books previously, so I went into A Question of Magic without expectations. The idea of taking the story of Baba Yaga and turning it into a full length story was an intriguing idea. Serafina has a quaint and sweet life for the most part, when her great aunt calls her to claim her inheritance. She gets stuck with her brother in law Vicktor to travel with, when she would rather be with the dashing love of her life.

So when she approaches her great aunt's cottage, with bones as a fence and only a cat inside, he bails on her, leaving her to her fate as the new Baba Yaga. Serafina soon finds a variety of villagers visting her, she can answer their first question truthfully but sometimes that is not enough. She finds that the cat and the house will protect her in these situations.

Her real trouble begins when she finds that she is aging with each question. Serafina finds a special tea within the house that reverses the aging, but when attacked by vagabonds, the house forces them out and in turn, things break, including the jar holding the tea. Without it, she can never return to her normal life. But her life isn't that bad, helping others, making a friend in a young girl and getting to know the talking skulls and cat in her house.

I really enjoyed this story, although it was a bit bothersome at first that she was already in love, as it takes away a bit of the magic of a fairy tale. It played into the story, so I become less perturbed by the relationship. In fact, it is necessary to the ending of the book, which wraps up everything neatly such as a fairy tale often does. The story of Baba Yaga really set apart this book and was a new flair as a fairy tale with a happily ever after ending.

Final Verdict: A Question of Magic is an interesting retelling of Baba Yaga, that toes the line of fairy tales and although it didn't blow me away, it was a good read.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - 3 stars

I loved the Baba Yaga aspect - the idea that the evil witch of Russian legend cursed a young girl who had dared to come to her to ask a question to save a loved one. And then Baba Yaga died. Now that girl had to answer any question asked of her truthfully, but only one per person. With each question answered, she ages. The fairy that cursed the original Baba Yaga gives a magical tea brew to the Baba Yagas to allow them to age normally.

Well, Serafina is just an ordinary young lass living in a village with her family when she receives an unexpected inheritance from her unknown great-aunt Sylanna. She was the Baba Yaga and she has now passed the mantle to Fina.

Once Fina understands what has happened, she realizes that she cannot go home yet. She needs to learn how to stop being the Baba Yaga so that she can live the life she wants. Marry her childhood sweetheart. War comes and adds more complications and in an attack on her, Fina loses the precious age-defying tea. She will die quite an early death if more cannot be found...


Again, I loved the Baba Yaga aspect! I liked Fina and the skulls. I liked how her dilemma was solved.

I was not overly impressed with her family and esp. the semi-evil brother-in-law which could have been fleshed out. Fina and her lovely beau were fine and all but they would have been stronger as a couple if we could have seen them together more or had more time to see them in the beginning. Her motivation to get back to him does not carry the same weight that it could have without better knowing him and why she loves him. I know they are friends since childhood, but that is merely something that we are told. We are not shown the depth of their friendship or affection for one another.

Definitely worth a read for fans of fairytales and anyone who has enjoyed E. D. Baker's other works:)

[Fi's Journey · Rating 3 out of 5]

"She couldn't even tell them about her day-to-day life when that was so beyond anything they could understand."

This was a simple, yet entertaining read. I liked this retelling of Baba Yaga as it is quite different to The Door by the Staircase.
In The Door by the Staircase we actually get to meet the real Baba Yaga but in this story, the real one, is already gone. There are though new Baba Yaga's, as they are taking over the role from the first one to begin with. The real Baba Yaga was a nasty witch but the newer one's are of pure heart and friendly.

I'm not going to say more otherwise I will spoil the story-line but If you are a fan of fairy tales and retellings, give it a try!

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread May 9th, 2020
I've not read this book in years, but I put in my reread pile that I made whilst rearranging my bookshelves last month, and I picked it up because I wanted a book that was good but not going to take more than a couple of hours to read. This fit the bill!

A Question of Magic was a fast read, with an exciting and interesting plot, a good amount of emotion and intrigue woven in, and a likable main character. I also liked the side characters, such as Alek, Dielle, and Maks. The book was funny in all the right places. I would say that it took me a couple of chapters to connect with the story, as initially the writing style didn't click for me, but once I got into the book, I finished it in one sitting. I'd reread this for a third (maybe fourth?) time, for sure. Check it out! 4.5 stars.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very much the kind of book that gets my imagination going, and that is a good thing. From the cover of the book to the premise of the story, my attention was captured. The way that the author weaved the story was superb! I loved everything about it. She drew me in with her word pictures, leaving an air of mystery at every angle. Excellent!!! This one is truly a keeper for those of us who adore magic, fantasy, and of course romance.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Nani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by E.D. Baker.

[Duffy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read with my daughter. Meh...

[Alyssa Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It was really cute! Not one of my favorites, but cute all the same!

[Audrey Light And Smell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une réecriture de conte…

L’auteure nous propose une réécriture de conte qui met en scène une figure traditionnelle des contes russes et plus généralement slaves, Baba Yaga. Je connaissais vaguement ce personnage pour l’avoir découvert enfant, mais je n’en gardais pas un grand souvenir.

J’ai donc effectué quelques petites recherches sur cette sorcière ce qui m’a permis de constater que si l’auteure nous offre sa propre version du conte, elle en a toutefois conservé quelques éléments.

Si vous désirez en apprendre plus sur cette sorcière, cet article du Courrier de Russie pourrait vous intéresser.

L’histoire…

Seraphina est une jeune villageoise qui vit entourée de sa famille et de son ami d’enfance, presque fiancé. Jeune fille curieuse et instruite, l’une des rares à avoir appris à lire et à écrire, elle voit sa vie chamboulée par l’arrivée d’une lettre provenant d’une mystérieuse grande-tante dont personne n’a le souvenir. Elle est ainsi invitée à venir récupérer son « héritage » sans que ne lui en soit dévoilée la nature.

Et le cadeau se révèlera plutôt fardeau puisque Serafina va devenir la nouvelle Baba Yaga et devoir apprendre, par elle-même, l’étendue de ses capacités et de ses obligations. Maintenant liée à un cottage qui se déplace sur des pattes de poulet, elle va voguer de lieu en lieu pour répondre aux questions des personnes la sollicitant ce qui ne sera pas sans conséquence sur sa propre santé….

Les personnages…

Livrée à elle-même, Seraphina pourra heureusement compter sur l’aide de personnages les plus attachants les uns que les autres à l’instar de ces crânes qui parlent et qui vont devenir ses amis. Elle prendra bien soin de les polir et eux de la soutenir, une jolie coopération en somme. Elle partagera également sa vie avec un chat qui parle, même s’il se révèle plutôt bougon et que ses paroles sont souvent plus sibyllines que limpides. Mais cela fait partie de son charme…

Durant son apprentissage du rôle de Baba Yaga, Seraphina rencontrera, bien sûr, des personnes malintentionnées, souhaitant tirer profit de ses capacités. Mais elle fera surtout la connaissance de personnes qui lui apporteront, directement ou indirectement, leur soutien.

Quant à Seraphina, difficile de ne pas s’attacher à cette jeune héroïne d’une grande gentillesse et pleine de bonne volonté. Malgré son envie de retrouver sa vie d’avant et son fiancé, elle fait de son mieux pour assurer son nouveau rôle et ceci sans se lamenter sur son sort.

Deux petits points…

J’ai beaucoup aimé cette histoire mêlant magie, amitié, découverte de soi, amour (mais de manière très légère)… Enfant, je pense que ce roman aurait été un coup de cœur ! Cependant, deux points pourraient gêner certains lecteurs même si cela n’a pas été le cas pour moi.

D’abord, il y a une certaine redondance de l’action puisque la nouvelle vie de Seraphina est assez répétitive : elle va dans un lieu grâce à son cottage magique, répond aux questions de personnes et change de lieu… Heureusement, des péripéties et surtout la quête de l’héroïne pour retrouver sa vie d’avant viennent se greffer rendant l’intrigue intéressante et pleine de rebondissements.

Ensuite, des thèmes comme la mort, la guerre mais également la question de savoir si toutes les vérités sont bonnes à entendre sont abordés. Mais nous restons dans un roman jeunesse avec une histoire toute gentillette. De la même manière, la fin est assez convenue, mais elle correspond à tout point à ce que l’on peut attendre de ce genre de livre.

En résumé, si vous avez envie de découvrir une jolie réécriture de conte traitant du personnage de Baba Yaga, A question of magic devrait vous plaire. L’histoire est mignonne à souhait et tout le monde se révèle attachant, ou presque, de l’héroïne aux personnages secondaires. Une très jolie découverte qui devrait vous offrir un joli moment de magie… un peu comme un Disney version papier.

[Celestial · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. I wasn't quite certain at first but this book completely drew me in.

I think this book is a mixture of something Diane Zahler or Patricia C. Wrede would write, along with some of Howl's Moving Castle. This book is basically similar to a lot of my favorite fantasy authors/book.
I love the story. Serafina was a very likeable character as well as all her friends. I love each character, and they fit into the book and story perfectly. The house she lives in is completely pecular starting with the skulls all the way to the talking cat (which I just loved :).
I have never read a fantasy book involving a Baba Yaga so that was completely entertaining. For those who worry about this book having weird witchcraft stuff in it (I was slightly worried myself) I can reassure that it does not. There are two witches mentioned who are evil and captured/killed. The main character Serafina is not a witch and does not become involved in witchcraft at all. As Baba Yaga she merely speaks the truth to those who ask, and does not predict the future from a crystal ball. There are mentions of other magical creatures such as fairies, giants, and nymphs.

I give this book 4 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would recommend this book to kids 11/12 and up.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this retelling of Baba Yaga and felt it was just as magical as Baker’s other works. I just didn’t love how rushed the ending/resolution was or the fact that the major plot element was a romance when this book is written for children. The characters were old enough, but the writing style and audience was definitely younger and doesn’t need to be concerning themselves with romance.
I would have loved to see this written for young adults/adults in general, especially as the characters were definitely young adults themselves, maybe with dual points of view for Serafina and Alek (her best friend and love interest) to better explore their forced separation and what it takes to bring them back together.

[Sean Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whatever the question of magic may be, the answer in this case is exceedingly dull. It was just not a book that I as the reader ever felt involved in or a part of. It was uninteresting and at no point was it compelling to me. I persisted and got over the line, but it was tough going for such a short read really.

[Celeste]

i had taken this book off of goodreads because i forgot my rating of it but i'm adding it back because i am making a baba yaga shelf. i incorrectly labeled egg and spoon as the blueprint but really this book was. after i read it for the first time i was OBSESSED. i don't remember a lot but i do remember BABA YAGA! and this was the first baba yaga book that i read. :)

[1mayosh1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

To start off, please do not shame me for not remembering everything in this book to compose a well-written review about it. The more I recall the events of the book, the more detail I will add onto here. Something to keep in mind is that I have read this book over two years ago, and never really touched it again ever since.

Due to the fact that my memory is serving me quite well, I remember that I truly enjoyed the whole plot and story. The characters were somewhat captivating, and so was the character development. The fantasy aspects in it were also worth reading.

Another point/aspect I quite liked about the story is the romance and how dedicated the main female character was to her male interest (forgive me for I do not recall his name)

The reason I am rating this low is because of how I find it slightly childish, but then again it's meant for the younger ages with wide imagination. Overall, it was a good read, but not my type of read.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a young girl who gets a letter from a mysterious aunt. She shows up and unbeknownst to her, she is the new Baba Yaga. This is a lady that practices magic. It means that she'll have to leave her previous life behind. I found the story interesting and engaging, and I think most older elementary, middle schoolers will as well.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a girl named Serafina. I never liked the character of Serafina. She was insufferable, although she does undergo needed character development, and her name was too fancy for a village girl like her.

This story was also badly paced, and not Russian enough for a story about Baba Yaga. I enjoyed the fantasy elements of this book, but it was otherwise weak.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very different than any I have ever read. I was kind of grossed out by the slulls and bones at the start of the book, but by the end I love them as characters in the book. I loved Fina and really cared for her character. What an interesting story and a fun read.

[Sugarrr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short little book I found entertaining. A lot more could have been done with the story and I did feel like something was missing because we don't get to meet and talk to the original Baba Yaga but it was still a good book.

[Shawna Hufendick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute read aloud and my girls liked it ...I thought plot wise there were some parts of the story that were kind of random and the pace of the story unfolding was uneven--some slow parts and then a million things happened at once at the end

[Ryan Thalman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this outloud to my six-year old.