Storms and First Sight

Kate, a high school outcast with secret magical abilities, is instantly drawn to Jarrod, the awkward new student whose presence stirs something unearthly. On his first day, a freak storm erupts in their science class, triggered by Jarrod's uncontrolled emotions. Kate senses his latent power and tries to connect, but Jarrod, desperate to fit in, recoils from her and the supernatural. Their fateful meeting sets off a chain of events, as Kate's curiosity and empathy for Jarrod's pain grow. The storm marks the beginning of their intertwined destinies, hinting at the old magic and ancient curses that will soon upend both their lives.

Secrets in the Forest

After the storm, Kate takes Jarrod to her grandmother Jillian, a healer and practicing witch, hoping to help him understand his powers. Jillian's vision of snakes surrounding Jarrod signals danger and a curse. Kate's home, nestled in the forest, is a haven of magic and secrecy, but Jarrod's skepticism and fear of the unknown keep him at arm's length. Their walk through the woods reveals their shared loneliness and family wounds, but also the gulf between belief and denial. Kate's longing for connection and Jarrod's desperate need for normalcy clash, setting the stage for deeper revelations.

The Witch's Heir

Jillian recognizes Jarrod's immense, untapped magical potential and the darkness shadowing him. She warns Kate that Jarrod's power, if left uncontrolled, could be catastrophic. Kate, both fascinated and frustrated, tries to help Jarrod accept his gift, but he resists, clinging to logic and the safety of denial. The community's suspicion of Kate and Jillian as witches isolates them further, but also binds them together. The sense of an ancient inheritance, both blessing and curse, hovers over Jarrod, as Jillian urges Kate to uncover the truth behind his family's misfortunes.

Unleashed Power

At a local café, Jarrod's anger at the bullying he and Kate endure triggers a supernatural earthquake, nearly destroying the building. The incident leaves Jarrod drained and catatonic, forcing Kate and Jillian to care for him. The pattern of accidents, storms, and disasters intensifies, convincing Kate that Jarrod's family is cursed. Jarrod's inability to control his power, and his refusal to accept it, endangers everyone around him. The emotional toll deepens the bond between Kate and Jarrod, but also drives them apart, as fear and shame keep Jarrod from embracing his true self.

The Curse Revealed

Kate and Jarrod delve into his father's heritage book, tracing a pattern of misfortune, broken bones, and untimely deaths through generations of Thorntons. The discovery that Jarrod is the seventh son, after six brothers lost in infancy, confirms the existence of a powerful ancestral curse. Jillian's research into ancient magic reveals that only the death of the original sorcerer, or a direct confrontation, can break the curse. The weight of history and fate presses down on Jarrod, forcing him to confront the possibility that his family's suffering is not random, but the result of old magic gone awry.

Fractures and Friendships

As Jarrod is drawn into the popular crowd at school, Kate is left on the margins, her feelings for him deepening into painful longing. The social divide between them widens, fueled by rumors, bullying, and the manipulations of their peers. Kate's only confidante, Hannah, urges her to move on, but Kate's sense of responsibility for Jarrod—and her own heart—keeps her tethered. The fracture between belief and skepticism, magic and normalcy, becomes a chasm, threatening to swallow both Kate's hope and Jarrod's chance at redemption.

The Gathering Storm

A near-fatal accident befalls Jarrod's younger brother, Casey, plunging the family into crisis. The truth about Jarrod's six lost brothers comes to light, confirming the curse's grip. The community rallies around the Thorntons, but Jarrod is consumed by guilt and a sense of responsibility for his family's suffering. Kate, determined to help, pushes Jarrod to accept his powers and confront the curse. The emotional storm within Jarrod mirrors the literal storms he unwittingly unleashes, as the stakes grow ever higher.

The Icehouse Incident

At a crowded café, Jarrod's suppressed rage and pain explode into a supernatural earthquake, endangering everyone present. Kate rescues him, but the incident leaves the town shaken and suspicious. The pattern of magical disasters escalates, and Jarrod's denial becomes untenable. Jillian warns that time is running out: as Jarrod's powers grow, so does the curse's strength. The need for a solution becomes urgent, forcing Jarrod to choose between running from his destiny or facing it head-on.

Denial and Distance

Overwhelmed by fear, guilt, and the burden of expectation, Jarrod distances himself from Kate and the world of magic. He clings to the illusion of normalcy, even as evidence mounts that his life is anything but ordinary. Kate, heartbroken but resolute, refuses to give up on him. Jillian proposes a desperate plan: to send Jarrod back in time to confront the source of the curse. The rift between belief and denial, love and fear, reaches its breaking point.

The Family's Hidden Past

With his father's suicide attempt as a catalyst, Jarrod finally agrees to Jillian's plan. Kate and Jarrod, armed with magical amulets and medieval garb, are sent back to the Middle Ages, to the origins of the Thornton curse. They arrive in a harsh, superstitious world, where power and cruelty rule. The keepers of Thorntyne are both kin and strangers, and the shadow of the sorcerer Rhauk looms over all. The past is alive with danger, and the only way forward is through the heart of darkness.

The Seventh Son

In the medieval world, Jarrod and Kate discover the full story: Rhauk, the illegitimate half-brother, cursed the family out of jealousy and unrequited love. The curse, woven into a sweet wine, has haunted the Thorntons for centuries. Rhauk, a powerful shapeshifter and sorcerer, is both seductive and terrifying, and his obsession with Kate threatens to repeat the tragedy of the past. Jarrod's lineage, as the seventh son, marks him as both victim and potential savior. The weight of destiny presses down, demanding sacrifice and courage.

Acceptance and Resolve

As Rhauk's interest in Kate grows, Jarrod is forced to accept his magical heritage and begin training in earnest. With the help of allies and the reluctant trust of his medieval kin, Jarrod hones his abilities, learning to control the elemental forces within him. The bond between Kate and Jarrod deepens, tested by jealousy, fear, and the ever-present threat of Rhauk's magic. The time for denial is over; only acceptance and resolve can break the cycle of suffering.

Spell in the Night

Rhauk's machinations escalate, culminating in Kate's abduction and imprisonment in Blacklands, his haunted stronghold. Drugged and chained, Kate becomes both bait and weapon in Rhauk's plan to destroy Jarrod. The lovers are separated, each facing their own trials: Kate, the loss of her magic and autonomy; Jarrod, the challenge of rescuing her and confronting his own fears. The night is thick with enchantment, and the outcome is far from certain.

The Failed Cleansing

Attempts to break the curse through spells and rituals fail, as the true solution lies not in incantations but in confronting the source. Betrayal and intrigue swirl around Jarrod, as allies become enemies and the line between friend and foe blurs. The cost of magic becomes clear: it demands not just power, but sacrifice, trust, and the willingness to face one's deepest fears. The path to freedom is fraught with peril, and the price of failure is death.

Jillian's Plan

Jillian's wisdom and love guide Kate and Jarrod, even across centuries. Her plan—to send them back to the origin of the curse—offers hope, but also risk. The journey through time is both literal and metaphorical, forcing the protagonists to confront not just external enemies, but the shadows within themselves. The power of old magic, the strength of love, and the resilience of the human spirit are tested to their limits.

Journey to the Past

In the world of Thorntyne and Blacklands, Kate and Jarrod navigate a landscape of suspicion, violence, and ancient enmities. They uncover the truth of the curse, the nature of Rhauk's power, and the legacy of pain that binds their families. The past is both a mirror and a crucible, forging them into the people they must become to break the cycle. The journey is perilous, but also transformative, as love and courage are forged in the fires of adversity.

The Sorcerer's Shadow

The final confrontation with Rhauk looms, as Jarrod challenges him to a duel at dawn. The battle is not just of swords and spells, but of wills and destinies. Kate, weakened but unbroken, becomes both witness and catalyst. The cost of victory is high, and the line between triumph and tragedy razor-thin. The shadow of the sorcerer threatens to consume them all, but the light of love and self-acceptance offers a path to redemption.

Duel at Dawn

On the cliffs between Thorntyne and Blacklands, Jarrod and Rhauk face off in a battle of magic and steel. With Kate's life and the fate of generations at stake, Jarrod draws on all he has learned, embracing his power and his love for Kate. The duel is fierce, the outcome uncertain, but in the end, courage and sacrifice prevail. Rhauk is defeated, the curse broken, and the lovers return to their own time, forever changed. The legacy of old magic is transformed, not by spells, but by the strength of the human heart.

Characters

Kate Warren

Kate is a sensitive, fiercely intelligent teenager raised by her grandmother Jillian after her mother's abandonment. Marked as a "witch" by her small town, she possesses psychic gifts—empathy, telekinesis, and the ability to sense and influence emotions. Kate's longing for belonging and love is matched by her courage and loyalty. Her relationship with Jarrod is both a source of hope and pain, as she struggles to help him accept his powers and break his family's curse. Kate's journey is one of self-acceptance, sacrifice, and the realization that true magic lies in love and connection.

Jarrod Thornton

Jarrod is a new student, awkward and desperate to fit in, haunted by a lifetime of accidents and family tragedy. Unbeknownst to him, he is the seventh son in a line cursed by an ancient sorcerer. Jarrod's latent magical power is immense, but his fear, denial, and lack of confidence make him dangerous to himself and others. His journey is one of painful self-discovery, as he learns to accept his heritage, harness his abilities, and confront the darkness within and without. Through love, loss, and courage, Jarrod transforms from a victim of fate to its master.

Jillian

Jillian is Kate's grandmother and mentor, a practicing witch and healer who embodies the best of old magic—compassion, wisdom, and restraint. She guides Kate and Jarrod with patience and love, teaching them the responsibilities and dangers of power. Jillian's own history of hardship and resilience shapes her approach to magic and life. She is the architect of the plan to break the curse, and her faith in her granddaughter and Jarrod is unwavering. Jillian represents the enduring strength of family and tradition.

Rhauk

Rhauk is the illegitimate half-brother of Jarrod's ancestor, a powerful shapeshifter and master of dark magic. Consumed by jealousy and unrequited love, he curses the Thornton line, weaving his vengeance into a sweet wine that dooms generations. Rhauk is both seductive and terrifying, his obsession with Kate echoing his past with Eloise. His power is immense, but his soul is twisted by pain and rage. Rhauk is the shadow that must be confronted and overcome for healing to begin.

Lord Richard Thorntyne

In the medieval past, Richard is the lord of Thorntyne Keep, a man of strength, cruelty, and deep loyalty to his family. His inability to protect his brother and the woman they both loved haunts him, fueling the cycle of pain and revenge. Richard's relationship with Jarrod is complex—both kin and stranger, ally and obstacle. He embodies the weight of tradition and the dangers of power wielded without compassion.

Malcolm

Malcolm, Richard's son, is initially suspicious and resentful of Jarrod, seeing him as a threat to his inheritance. His envy and fear make him vulnerable to manipulation, but ultimately, Malcolm's loyalty and courage emerge. He becomes a crucial ally in the final confrontation, risking his life to help Jarrod and Kate. Malcolm's journey is one of growth, as he learns the value of trust and the cost of betrayal.

Emmeline

Emmeline, Richard's daughter, is a product of her time—bored, ambitious, and desperate for escape. Her infatuation with Jarrod and rivalry with Kate add tension and complexity to the story. Emmeline's fate, as revealed by Jillian, is one of unfulfilled dreams and heartbreak, a reminder of the limits imposed by history and circumstance.

Ellen Thornton

Jarrod's mother, Ellen, is a figure of quiet resilience, having endured the loss of six children and the ongoing trials of her family. Her love and determination anchor Jarrod, even as she struggles with her own pain and fear. Ellen's story is one of survival and hope, a testament to the power of maternal love.

Casey Thornton

Casey, Jarrod's younger brother, is a symbol of innocence and vulnerability. His near-fatal accident is the turning point that forces Jarrod to confront the reality of the curse and his own responsibility. Casey's survival and recovery are both a source of relief and a reminder of what is at stake.

Pecs

Pecs is the school bully, a source of torment for both Kate and Jarrod. His aggression and insecurity are a microcosm of the larger forces of fear and exclusion that shape the protagonists' lives. Pecs's role is both antagonist and catalyst, pushing Jarrod toward self-acceptance and action.

Plot Devices

Dual Narrative and Shifting Perspectives

The story unfolds through the alternating first-person perspectives of Kate and Jarrod, allowing readers to experience both the internal struggles and external events from intimately different viewpoints. This dual narrative structure heightens emotional resonance, reveals misunderstandings, and builds suspense as each character's secrets and vulnerabilities are exposed. The shifting perspectives also mirror the theme of duality—magic and normalcy, past and present, love and fear.

Time Travel and Ancestral Memory

The central plot device is the magical journey back to the Middle Ages, where Kate and Jarrod must confront the origin of the Thornton curse. This time travel is both literal and symbolic, forcing the characters to face the roots of trauma and the consequences of history. The use of ancestral memory, magical amulets, and the recreation of medieval life grounds the fantasy in emotional reality, making the quest to break the curse a journey of self-discovery and healing.

Magical Realism and Elemental Forces

The supernatural elements—storms, earthquakes, shapeshifting, spells—are both plot drivers and metaphors for the characters' emotional states. Magic is portrayed as a force both wondrous and dangerous, requiring discipline, acceptance, and responsibility. The elemental nature of Jarrod's power (wind, fire, rain) reflects his internal turmoil and growth, while Kate's empathy and psychic abilities symbolize the power of connection and understanding.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The recurring imagery of snakes, storms, and wine foreshadows the unfolding of the curse and the challenges ahead. Jillian's visions, the pattern of accidents, and the symbolism of the seventh son all build a sense of inevitability and fate. The use of ancient texts, family heirlooms, and magical artifacts grounds the fantasy in a rich tapestry of history and meaning.

The Power of Choice and Sacrifice

Despite the weight of prophecy and curse, the story emphasizes the importance of choice, courage, and sacrifice. Kate and Jarrod are not merely victims of fate; their decisions—to accept their gifts, to risk love, to confront evil—shape the outcome. The narrative structure, with its focus on internal conflict and moral dilemmas, reinforces the theme that true magic lies in the willingness to face one's fears and fight for what matters.

Analysis

Marianne Curley's Old Magic is a coming-of-age fantasy that weaves together themes of identity, trauma, and the redemptive power of love. At its heart, the novel is about the struggle to accept oneself in a world that fears and misunderstands difference. Through the intertwined journeys of Kate and Jarrod, Curley explores the legacy of generational pain and the possibility of breaking cycles of suffering. The use of magic and time travel serves as both metaphor and mechanism, allowing the characters to confront the roots of their wounds and claim agency over their destinies. The story's modern resonance lies in its portrayal of outsiders—those marked as "other" by society—and the courage it takes to embrace one's gifts, even when they bring danger and isolation. The lessons of Old Magic are clear: healing requires both self-acceptance and the willingness to face the darkness within and without; love is the most powerful magic of all; and the past, while inescapable, can be transformed through courage, empathy, and the choices we make.

Last updated: December 29, 2025