Moira Fowley-Doyle’s sophomore novel tells the story of eight teenagers from a small Irish village who are all searching for something different. After the town’s annual bonfire, things- clothing, keys, voices, people- start to go missing. Olive loses her jacket, a shoe, a hairclip, and possibly her best friend Rose. Hazel, squatting in an abandoned house with her twin brother Rowan and friend Ivy, has very little left to lose already. Laurel and her friends Ash and Holly go to the bonfire to recover their lost diaries; there they cast a spell that promises to “call for the lost to be found.” Olive, Hazel, and Laurel share the narrative as they all find what they have lost and lose what they have found.

Part mystery, part fantasy, and part coming of age, Spellbook of the Lost and Found lies in the grey area between magic and reality.  Doyle paints a vivid picture in her descriptions, so that you can feel the magic prickle your skin as you read. A unique take on magical realism, Spellbook suggests that things may be more than what they seem.

As if magic wasn’t enough to contend with, the characters go through the things normal 17-year-olds go through as well. In between the enchanted occurrences the teens must face the very real issues of abuse, heartbreak, and love. Doyle approaches these issues with great thought and compassion. Despite the magic these stories are distinctly real. Spellbook follows the teens through their first loves and losses as they help one another find themselves in an uncertain world. Along the way they learn that some things are better lost than found.

While immensely engaging, Spellbook of the Lost and Found is not an easy read. The paths in this novel weave around each other into knots that are difficult to untie. This is the kind of book that keeps you up at night thinking about the secrets it holds, and it stays with you long after you turn the final page. With so many strings, it’s impossible to tie up every loose end, and that’s okay. Doyle leaves you with questions that keep you wondering, but nothing feels unfinished. The things left unanswered feel right and real in the world of the lost. Spellbook of the Lost and Found is an incredible read, the kind of book that’s perfect for a quiet night when everything is still. It is a beautiful image that brings the magic you catch in the corner of your eye right in front of you.