Words on Fire

At the age of 12, Audra “[knows] magic [isn’t] real” (1), demonstrating her maturity. However, throughout the novel, during times of danger or fear, she frequently does wish for a magical intervention, reminding readers that she still is just a child. Magic has always been a part of Audra’s life because of her father’s work as a traveling magician, but it takes on new meanings for her when she starts smuggling. 

The night of her parents’ arrest is also the night of the summer solstice, which, according to Lithuanian folklore, is full of magic. The magical frivolity stands in stark juxtaposition to the trauma Audra experiences that night; however, by claiming to have found the mythical fern blossom, Violeta is able to use the night’s “magic” to keep Audra safe from Rusakov.

Henri’s magic tricks help Audra feel connected to her father even while they are apart and, as she quickly learns, become a useful tool in book smuggling. Despite her initial self-consciousness, Audra uses magic tricks to convince Lukas to help her to Venska, keep Roze calm during a search, and save Milda from arrest. The skills needed to accomplish magic tricks—thinking creatively, redirecting an