But when her lie is exposed, she’ll have to confront her illness and her choices head-on to save her father-and herself. The story lags a bit in the middle, but its strengths more than make up. The Lightness of Hands by Jeff Garvin Critics Opinion: Readers Opinion: Not Yet Rated First Published: Apr 2020, 400 pages Paperback: Aug 2021, 400 pages Genres Young Adult Rate this book Write a Review Book Reviewed by: Rory L. Garvin’s (Symptoms of Being Human, 2016) portrayal of Ellie’s bipolar experience is exceptional the world of magic is also superbly rendered. With the help of her online-only best friend and an unusual guy she teams up with along the way, Ellie makes a plan to stage his comeback. Ellie is a talented magician herself but is afraid of the effect performing has on her brain, and the trip itself takes a toll. Then Ellie receives a call from a famous magic duo, who offer fifteen thousand dollars and a shot at redemption: they want her father to perform the illusion that wrecked his career-on their live TV special, which shoots in Los Angeles in ten days.Įllie knows her dad will refuse-but she takes the deal anyway, then lies to persuade him to head west. Now Ellie lives with her dad in a beat-up RV, attending high school online and performing with him at birthday parties and bars across the Midwest to make ends meet.īut when the gigs dry up, their insurance lapses, leaving Dad’s heart condition unchecked and forcing Ellie to battle her bipolar II disorder without medication. Her father was a famous stage magician until he attempted an epic illusion on live TV-and failed. Sixteen-year-old Ellie Dante is desperate for something in her life to finally go right. The Lightness of Hands by Jeff Garvin HarperCollins /Balzer + Bray. Perfect for fans of Adi Alsaid, David Arnold, and Arvin Ahmadi.

When my second book, The Lightness of Hands, was scheduled for release, I couldn’t wait to continue the tradition but then, COVID. A quirky and heartfelt coming-of-age story about a teen girl with bipolar II who signs her failed magician father up to perform his legendary but failed illusion on live TV in order to make enough money to pay for the medications they need-from the author of Symptoms of Being Human. THE LIGHTNESS OF HANDS The publication of my debut novel, Symptoms of Being Human, was a milestone in my life, and I marked it with a tattoo.