So, I have a dilemma...

In my YA work my two POV characters have various magical abilities. Now, they know why they have them and what they can do. So do the other main characters (and the MCs don't want anyone else to know). And I know why they have them and what they can do. But whoever reads the story doesn't unless the summary of the story tells them that these characters are (fill in the blank because I don't feel like telling you. Ha!).

So, the question is do I (1) just gradually let people figure out what these characters are or (2) use some sort of exposition to tell readers what the characters are?

What would you prefer as a reader? And I know I'm being totally vague here so here's an example:

Watching Star Wars, would you rather see Obi-wan moving objects and messing with people's minds without the movie telling you until a good distance in that he's a Jedi or do you want to know up front?

Melissa Marr actually was the impetus for this question. She's got a couple entries on these lines.

College-age detectives?

Can anyone think of any detective series with college-age students as the protagonists? Other than the old Nancy Drew on Campus series?