Cover

Also by Allie Therin

Also available from Allie Therin
and Carina Press

The Magic in Manhattan Series

Spellbound

Starcrossed

And look for the next magical adventure from Allie and Carina Press, coming in 2022!

Content Warning

Content Warning

Wonderstruck deals with topics some readers might find difficult, such as child abuse and involuntary institutionalization.

Dedication

For my readers, for taking a chance—and this journey—with me.

Author Note

Author Note

The Italian phrases in Wonderstruck were translated, with many thanks from me, by Cristina Massaccesi. Any errors that may have resulted from the use of her translation work are mine.

Although the Magic in Manhattan books are works of fiction, real history also runs through these stories. This series would not be possible without the hard work of historians and librarians to make the archives of the past available to the public.

Chapter One

The coffee wasn’t right. Oh, it had been expertly brewed and served in some of the finest china Montreal had to offer. But it wasn’t strong enough, and it wasn’t hot enough, and it didn’t taste as good as—

“Something wrong with your drink?”

Arthur looked up from where he was, admittedly, frowning at the small cup he held in one hand. “No, it’s fine.”

Across the wooden table, Zhang snorted. “Sure. That’s why you’re glaring like it insulted your throwing arm.”

Arthur huffed. “It’s a lovely cup of coffee,” he said. “It’s just when Rory makes coffee, he makes it stronger, and sometimes he heats up milk or adds sugar...” He trailed off, eyes narrowing at Zhang’s amused expression. “You can wipe that smirk off your face. I am aware of how ridiculous I sound.”

“You bought an Italian phrasebook this morning,” Zhang said simply. “I don’t think you’re ridiculous; I think you miss him.”

Arthur sighed and set the coffee down. The March afternoon was really too chilly to sit comfortably on the terrace, but chilly wasn’t snowing, and after being back in America for an endless New York winter, Arthur wanted to be outside.

Though, to be fair to New York, the search for a way to destroy the mind-enslaving supernatural pomander they’d acquired had kept them apart for nearly a month. First a wild goose chase to small-town Maine, which had plenty of beautiful forest and rocky beach but unfortunately no helpful magic. Zhang’s family contact, a fisherman in Kennebunkport, had pointed them to Burlington, Vermont, where they’d found a middle-aged nurse who sent them to find her paranormal sister in Quebec.