Adam the Roof Beam Reader is organising a Magical March challenge: To read and review works of Fantasy, Science-Fiction, or Magical Realism during the month of March.*
*Adam says: “Any Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Magical Realism books will qualify. This means you can read Young Adult, Dystopian, Steampunk, or Alternative Histories.”
There are 4 levels of participation, ranging from reading 1-2 books to a 8+ category. I’m joining at the lowest level, as I have (quite) a few other reading commitments in March – the Magician’s Class.
I’ll be choosing to read 2 books from the books below, which are all on my shelf:
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami (dystopian)
Blameless by Gail Carriger (steampunk)
The River King by Alice Hoffman (magical realism)
The Pearl Savage by Tamara Rose Blodgett (dystopian, steampunk)
Will you be reading Magic in March?
Novroz
January 25, 2012 at 12:20
Yeah…I’d love to know your opinion on Battle Royale
I think i will join this too,thank you for sharing about this challenge
Leeswammes
January 25, 2012 at 16:48
Nice, Novroz. Have fun finding books for the challenge.
Novroz
January 28, 2012 at 18:23
Yes
I have 2
BookGoddess
January 25, 2012 at 16:23
I join in
Always nice that kind of small challenge 
But have no idea yet what I will read.
Leeswammes
January 25, 2012 at 16:48
I found more than enough books on my shelves, BookGoddess. I’m sure you’ll have a few that fit the challenge. Nice to see that you’re joining in.
BookGoddess
January 28, 2012 at 15:07
I think I have enough of them too but the problem is, I read them all already
Leeswammes
January 28, 2012 at 15:11
BookGoddess, it’s more fun if you read new ones. I had a few on my shelves. You could try the library or skip this challenge and read the pile that you still need to read.
BookGoddess
January 28, 2012 at 15:17
I go for the new ones, go the library but I do have loads of E-books that I ahven’t read and there a I think some in it. Tweeted you to ask something. No intention to skip this challenge
Leeswammes
January 28, 2012 at 15:41
Hurray! I’ll “see you around” at this challenge, then. Don’t forget to sign up at Adam the Roof Beam Reader’s blog.
BookGoddess
January 28, 2012 at 16:42
Already done that!
Roof Beam Reader
January 25, 2012 at 17:29
YES! I am THRILLED to see Battle Royale on your list – I do hope you’ll get to it. That book, along with Lord of the Flies by William Golding, is what inspired the majority of today’s Young Adult Dystopian fiction. Yet, hardly anyone ever reads the originals.
Glad you’re joining us!
Leeswammes
January 25, 2012 at 19:23
I’ve had *Battle Royale* for a while now, so it’s about time I read it. I think Novroz told me originally about the connection between it and The Hunger Games. Another original (in my mind) is The Crysalids by John Wyndham (1950ish). I would think this is a 20th Century version of The Knife of Never Letting Go. Very, very readable.
Chinoiseries
January 25, 2012 at 21:13
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on Battle Royale too. It’s one of Novroz’ favourite books I think. Maybe I’ll read along with you in March (because yes, sigh, Adam’s got me hooked on another challenge too
)!
Leeswammes
January 25, 2012 at 21:42
Hurray, Chinoiseries! Nice that you’re also be reading Magic in March. Adam has that way of drawing people in, doesn’t he?
Roof Beam Reader
January 25, 2012 at 23:14
Woo hoo!
Lenasledgeblog.com
January 25, 2012 at 21:37
Can’t wait to read your thoughts on the River King. I’ve been eyeing that book myself. Good luck and happy reading on your read along.
Leeswammes
January 25, 2012 at 22:02
I hope to get round to *The River King*, Lena. I’m quite curious myself.
Leslie
January 26, 2012 at 00:33
Since I’m doing the Dystopian Challenge and already have some books picked out for it I suppose I can read a few of them in March. This would actually be doable for me and I can work from the TBR pile.
Leeswammes
January 26, 2012 at 08:11
Sounds a bit like cheating, Leslie. On the other hand, it helps you along with the dystopian challenge AND it’s nice to drop in and see what other people are reading in Magical March, so go for it!
Roof Beam Reader
January 28, 2012 at 16:02
Totally works – as long as the books are read and reviewed in March. I’m using one from my TBR Pile Challenge, but the others are new/specific to the Magical March challenge.
Leslie
January 30, 2012 at 18:56
Ok, since it’s officially not cheating, I’ll be signing up for the challenge.
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)
January 26, 2012 at 03:50
This sounds like a fun challenge. I’m really curious about Battle Royale, although I haven’t read it myself.
Leeswammes
January 26, 2012 at 08:12
Kim, do join in! I’m curious about Battle Royale too. I think it’s pretty gruesome, maybe more so than The Hunger Games.
Roof Beam Reader
January 28, 2012 at 16:01
Definitely moreso than The Hunger Games. It’s not really “YA.”
layen
January 30, 2012 at 12:29
Like other commenters, I’m interested to read your opinion on Battle Royale. I haven’t been able to finish it (lost interest early on) and also haven’t read The Hunger Games. Probably dystopian fiction is not for me.
Leeswammes
January 30, 2012 at 12:54
Layen, dystopian fiction is totally my thing, so hopefully I will enjoy it. Pity you didn’t get very far. But if it’s not your genre, then it’s sometimes hard to enjoy the book.
Nish
February 1, 2012 at 14:46
Best of luck with this challenge. You have selected an interesting set of books. Looking forward to your reviews
. Maybe next year I will participate in this challenge (if it is there).
Leeswammes
February 1, 2012 at 19:56
Thanks, Nish. Yes, hopefully next time you’ll be able to participate.