This is the first book in the Magic or Madness series. Reason Cansino has lived in the Australian outback with her mother since she was born, constantly moving from place to place to avoid her grandmother Esmeralda. Throughout Reason’s childhood her mother has told her horrible stories about how Esmerelda practices magic and dark rituals. So, when Reason’s mother has a mental breakdown and Reason is sent to live with her grandmother, she’s terrified. However, once she gets there she finds out that not everything is the way her mother told her it would be. For the first time, Reason begins to doubt her mother, while also starting to admit to herself that maybe magic could be real…

Magic or Madness is written in a clear, easy-to-read style, with fairly well-developed characters. I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a light read and a different take on magic, since Magic or Madness has a very unique premise for how magic works in Reason’s world.