Half Magic is a charming and hilarious children's novel written by Edward Eager. The story revolves around four siblings - Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha - who stumble upon a magical coin that grants half of whatever they wish for. At first, they are thrilled by their newfound powers, but soon realize that half magic can be quite tricky. The children's wishes are always granted, but only halfway. For example, when Jane wishes for a luxurious holiday, they end up half transported to a desert island with only half of their clothes and half of their provisions. They learn that in order for their wishes to be fulfilled completely, they need to wish for double what they actually want.
"I thought I'd never work again; I still get shivers thinking about it," said Taylor-Joy. "It was just the worst feeling of, 'I have let down the people I love most in the world. I didn't do it right.' "
Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Fango meets with Taylor-Joy, looking hardly recognizable from her Puritan-garbed Witch turn, on a gray and rainy winter day that seems appropriate, given the gloom that hangs over her breakout movie.
They learn that in order for their wishes to be fulfilled completely, they need to wish for double what they actually want. As they continue to explore the possibilities of half magic, the children encounter various adventures. They meet a talking cat, travel back in time to King Arthur's court, and even encounter a bully named the White Persian.
Anya Taylor-Joy Thought She'd 'Never Work Again' After Watching Debut Performance in 'The Witch'
Jen Juneau is a News and Movies Staff Writer at PEOPLE. She started at the brand in 2016 and has more than 15 years' professional writing experience.
Published on June 22, 2021 02:56PM EDT Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015). Photo: A24 / Everett CollectionAnya Taylor-Joy is a household name after her award-winning turn in The Queen's Gambit and recent Saturday Night Live hosting gig, but there was a time she thought her acting days were numbered — barely after they began.
Chatting with The Hollywood Reporter for an interview published Monday, the 25-year-old actress recalled feeling "devastated" while watching The Witch, which marked her film debut, shortly before an audience screening.
"I thought I'd never work again; I still get shivers thinking about it," said Taylor-Joy. "It was just the worst feeling of, 'I have let down the people I love most in the world. I didn't do it right.' "
She added, "And I'm quite verbose — I like to talk, I like to communicate. I did not talk; I just cried. I couldn't handle seeing my face that large."
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Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015). A24 / Everett CollectionHer audition for The Witch came shortly after she tried out to play the part of the young version of Maleficent in the 2014 film of the same name.
"Oh, I wanted it so badly," Taylor-Joy admitted. "It was Disney and I love Angelina [Jolie]. I look nothing like her, so I was never going to get it, but I was naïve and I thought, 'Miracles happen.' " (Isobelle Molloy and Ella Purnell were eventually cast as the child and teenage Maleficent, respectively.)
She was asked to audition for The Witch afterward "but just never thought I would get it, because the character Thomasin was described as plain," the actress said of her lead role in the film: an oldest sibling dealing with the supernatural in 1630s New England.
"And I just thought, 'Okay, there's a lot of things that I can do, but I can't really change my face that much,' " Taylor-Joy said.
Anya Taylor-Joy. Rodin Eckenroth/WireImageRELATED VIDEO: Emma. Star Anya Taylor-Joy Feels Like She "Kinda Got Kidnapped by the Movie"
Between her gigs in Emma., The Queen's Gambit, the upcoming psychological thriller Last Night in Soho and more, Taylor-Joy told THR that she "worked for a year" straight.
"I had, collectively, a week off that entire year; it was crazy, and I was already starting off at an emotional space where I was like, 'Oh, I don't know if I can do this,' " she admitted.
But despite being "completely overwhelmed" and "tapped out" to the point of considering quitting acting altogether, the silver lining for Taylor-Joy was that it was "the year that has most changed" her — for the better.
"I just fell in love with my job again," she said. "I'd forgotten that the job feeds me. I felt like I'd been feeding it for a little while."
Through it all, they learn important lessons about friendship, bravery, and the power of imagination. Edward Eager's writing style is whimsical and playful, making Half Magic a delightful read for both children and adults. The characters are relatable and endearing, and their magical misadventures will keep readers entertained from beginning to end. One of the key themes in Half Magic is the idea that magic can be both wonderful and dangerous. The children quickly discover that their wishes can have unintended consequences, leading to hilarious situations. This teaches them to be careful with their desires and consider the potential outcomes before making a wish. It also underscores the importance of working together as a team and being mindful of the needs and wants of others. Overall, Half Magic is a delightful children's book that combines humor, adventure, and the power of imagination. Through the magical adventures of the four siblings, Edward Eager reminds us of the joy and wonder that can be found in the smallest of things. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, even half magic is enough to make dreams come true..
Reviews for "Unleash Your Inner Magician with Half Magic and Gtippie Brow"
1. Karen - 1 star - Unfortunately, I found "Half magic gtippie brow" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was underdeveloped and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself struggling to care about what happened to them. Additionally, the writing style was confusing and hard to follow. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with this book.
2. John - 2 stars - "Half magic gtippie brow" had an interesting premise, but it fell short in execution. The story jumped around too much, making it difficult to keep track of what was happening. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the pacing was uneven. The characters were forgettable and lacked development, and I never felt invested in their journey. I was hoping for an engaging and captivating read, but unfortunately, this was not the case.
3. Samantha - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Half magic gtippie brow," but I was left unimpressed. The writing style was overly simplistic, and the story lacked depth and originality. The characters felt one-dimensional, and their actions often didn't make sense. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book and was ultimately left disappointed. I would not recommend this to anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafted story.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Half magic gtippie brow" was a confusing and poorly written mess. The plot was convoluted, and the narrative jumped around without clear direction. The characters were flat and uninteresting, making it difficult to care about their fates. The writing was full of grammatical errors and inconsistencies, and it was a chore to read. Overall, this book was a disappointment, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
5. Jessica - 2 stars - I found "Half magic gtippie brow" to be quite underwhelming. The story lacked originality and had predictable plot twists. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, and the characters were poorly developed. There were also several inconsistencies and plot holes throughout the book that detracted from the reading experience. Overall, I was left feeling unengaged and unsatisfied with this novel.