Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 stars)
Audio Book Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 Stars)
Total Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.25/5 stars)
The talent show is approaching, but tensions between the Magic Misfits are high. With Callaghan’s threat on the horizon, Theo Stein-Meyer feels the stress between his friends. They’re constantly bickering, and when a famous ventriloquist arrives, and a girl named Emily asks to spend time with their little group, the Magic Misfits are threatened to be torn apart.
In the third book, we once again join the Magic Misfits. But things aren’t quite so magical with them. They keep arguing and disagreeing, and their tensions are clearly high. Theo desperately wants to be the peace keeper between his friends, and with his oldest friend, Ridley, constantly triggering the disagreements, it leaves him between a rock and a hard place. It doesn’t help that everything is colliding at the same time: his siblings want him to participate in their talent show act, he’s experiencing his first crush, and there is a ventriloquist setting up creepy dummies throughout town. But these tensions are necessary; friendship isn’t always completely happy. There will be fights, and this will show children that sometimes fights are OK. In fact, they might even be healthy to keep the friend group stronger.
This book deals with some darker prospects that the previous book: there’s a devious villain, disturbing ventriloquists and dummies, and betrayal that was not evident in the previous books. Once again, Neil Patrick Harris has woven a tail that is both entertaining and engrossing, for adults and children alike! Each piece that led to the twist is constructed in detail, and I am sure once the identity of the notorious Callaghan is revealed, all the pieces will come together.
Yet, with the tensions, some of the magic is lost. The conflicts are constantly in repeat, as arguments among friends often are, which became tedious in parts. Overall it doesn’t detract from the story, but I think having a falling out and seeing them come back together slowly might have led to less repetition. But…that isn’t always happens in the real world.
I really do recommend this series to both adults and children alike. It is so much fun, with a wide array of diversity and characters. Mostly anyone will be able to connect with these misfits.
That being said, I am eagerly awaiting the last installment in September! I’ve already preordered the audio book and I am so excited!
What’s it about?
Theo Stein-Meyer loves being part of the Magic Misfits. Armed with his trusty violin bow, he completes the team with his levitation skills, unflappable calm, and proper manners. But when a girl named Emily begins to spend time with the group, Theo is surprisingly drawn to her. She seems to understand the pull he feels between music and magic, between family and friends.
Then a famous ventriloquist arrives in town, and the Misfits are sure he (and his creepy dummy) are up to no good. With their mentor, Mr. Vernon, suddenly called away and tension simmering among the friends, can they come together to stop another member of the villainous Emerald Ring? It’s time for Theo to make a choice about where–and with whom–he belongs.
Join the Magic Misfits as they discover adventure, friendship, and more than a few hidden secrets in this unique and surprising series. Whether you’re a long-time expert at illusion or simply a new fan of stage magic, hold on to your top hat!
E.S. Barrison 