Review Detail

A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic by Philip C. Stead was a wildly clever, laugh-out-loud adventure that completely played with my brain and I loved every second of it!

From the very first page, I was thrown into a kingdom where a castle stands on the backs of twenty-four goats yes, goats, and somehow that’s not even the strangest part. Following Bernadette on her quest to retrieve a runaway goat felt like chasing a story that refused to stay in one place in the most chaotic, magical way.

The chapters are out of order, the narrator literally inserts himself into the story, and the ending loops back on itself like a clever little riddle. At times I felt delightfully disoriented but that’s kind of the point. This book leans all the way into absurdity, breaking the fourth wall and sprinkling in humor that feels both childlike and surprisingly sharp.

And can we talk about the vibes?? It gave me cozy fairytale energy mixed with quirky, almost Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland chaos. Add in a forgetful wizard, a boat that refuses to grant wishes, and 24 morals that may or may not help you and you’ve got a story that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

What I loved most is how this book celebrates storytelling itself, the messiness, the magic, and the way stories can twist into something completely unexpected.

If you’re looking for a traditional, linear fantasy this is NOT that. But if you want something imaginative, funny, and totally unique, this one is pure magic.

Thank you Holiday House and Philip C. Stead for sharing A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic with me!