The Wizard's Way (Adventures in O'Mirra)

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Author(s)

Lisa Kelly

Publisher Name

Magic Light Press

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

January 15, 2026

ISBN13

979-8999184702

ISBN10 or ASIN

Magic runs in her blood. She just didn’t know it yet.

Twelve-year-old Katie didn't expect much from a summer at her grandfather's creepy old mansion, certainly not strange voices echoing up the fireplace or a magical scroll that opens a portal to another world. But when her grandfather disappears, Katie is drawn into the hidden realm of O’Mirra, where magic is real, danger is rising, and her family’s past holds powerful secrets.

Joined by her cautious younger sister Jenny, an impulsive apprentice wizard named Aiden, and Spunky, a loyal (and humorous) wolf pup companion, Katie embarks on a perilous journey across cursed swamps and through encounters with twisted magical creatures. As she searches for her grandfather, Katie must also confront her own fears, anxieties, and emerging magical abilities.

Rich with humor, heart, and vivid world-building, The Wizard’s Way weaves adventure and enchantment with emotionally resonant themes of family, sibling bonds, courage, and self-belief. With relatable characters, expressive illustrations, and a story that balances magic with real-life challenges, including loss and change, this fast-paced middle-grade fantasy will captivate readers who love immersive worlds and brave, emotionally complex heroes. The adventure ends with tantalizing hints of more to come in the Adventures in O’Mirra series.

Editor review

1 review

Battling self-doubt and an evil wizard

May 04, 2026 (Updated: June 04, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

What worked:
Divorce is very relevant to the girls’ problems. Katie and Jenny’s father left the family, and they don’t know why. With no explanation, the girls suspect that they are the reason. More specifically, Katie feels certain that her headstrong, rebellious behavior is the cause of her father’s anger and absence. She remembers what she did on the day he left, and the way he talked about her. This internal conflict plagues the girls as their adventure to O’Mirra unfolds. Their father makes an appearance in O’Mirra, in a way.
Katie learns her mother and grandmother are witches, and that she is one, too. She first notices her amulet is vibrating against her chest, and she sees her deceased (missing?) grandmother in the scrying mirror. Readers will have questions about her family. Where is her grandmother? Why doesn’t her mother seem to have any knowledge about magic and O’Mirra? Katie has moments of insecurity about her abilities, but she really displays an aptitude toward casting spells. She feels responsible and protective of her younger sister, but Jenny often offers her support and flashes of bravery. Their mettle will be tested by a magical plague that feeds on fear, anger, and self-doubt.
What didn’t work as well:
Katie’s magical learning curve is very quick, as performing spells isn’t overly complicated. It’s a matter of possessing the ability and reading spell words from a scroll. At times, it seems that the most difficult part of casting magic is unrolling the scrolls and reading in pressure situations. It’s a little odd.
The final verdict:
The book shares a fast-paced adventure in a magical world. The plot’s format is familiar, but the author includes twists to make it unique. I recommend you try the book for yourself.