Yes it’s a love story. Yes it’s a coming-of-age story. But it is so much more. Richly developed characters allow the reader to experience life for a young Vaclav and Lena who meet when they are 5 years old and bond over their shared Russian heritage and their struggle to acclimate to life in New York. The story begins with their friendship at age 10 where Vaclav is a budding magician and Lena his lovely assistant. Their world is still charmed because they are so young, because they believe in magic, and because Vaclav’s mother is there to watch over them. They spend hours together perfecting their show while Vaclav’s mother circles about, worrying and wanting to protect them both. But Lena must go home each night to a motherless home of disarray, and we are slowly allowed a glimpse into her pain. One day Lena does not show up to school and Vaclav spends the next several years saying goodnight to her like a silent prayer in his room. On Lena’s 17th birthday Vaclav discovers just how strong a bond of friendship and love can be.