Plot: Set in Italy, 1490s. Mangus, a magician who doesn't believe in magic, and his inquisitive servant Fabrizio, are summoned to the castello in their city to aid the king. A ghost has been haunting the young princess, and Mangus is tasked with freeing her from these visitations. But there seems to be much more beneath the surface, as Mangus and Fabrizio meet a mischievous princess, a sinister count, and a conspiracy threatening their kingdom...
Avi was a favorite author of mine back in elementary and middle school (you know, his actual target age range!). I loved Who was that Masked Man Anyway?, Blue Heron, The Man who was Poe, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Romeo and Juliet - Together (And Alive!) At Last... He's published so many good, solidly entertaining stories for young adults. I haven't read the Crispin or the Poppy stories, but those were published a little 'after my time.' I love too, how his books aren't restricted to particular genres - makes it more fun to see how he's going to treat, say, a medieval ghost story, versus a modern school adventure. So, when a book of his (with a story that would have caught my attention no matter who wrote it) crosses my desk... well, it's hard to resist!
In all fairness, I did see some of the plot twists coming. You start realizing that Rinaldo, the kitchen boy who seems to be opportunely everywhere, might know more than he's telling, and that the ghost might be more natural than supernatural, and so forth. But, you just have to keep in mind that you might be about twice the age of the intended age group. For someone in late elementary or middle school, this probably would be the right amount of mystery to keep them guessing.
The characters are a mixed bunch. Some are pretty believable and well-rounded, not just stereotypes. And Fabrizio is a fun viewpoint from which to watch the story, the right mix of knowing and unknowing that you need in a mystery's narrator. Other characters are pretty flat and rather background-ish; the king and queen for example. But, this is a forgivable flaw, as the key characters are developed well enough to keep the story moving along.
The characters are a mixed bunch. Some are pretty believable and well-rounded, not just stereotypes. And Fabrizio is a fun viewpoint from which to watch the story, the right mix of knowing and unknowing that you need in a mystery's narrator. Other characters are pretty flat and rather background-ish; the king and queen for example. But, this is a forgivable flaw, as the key characters are developed well enough to keep the story moving along.
As an adult, though, this was still a very fun read. Beyond the mystery, the setting is the attraction in this work. The medieval castello with all it's dark and gloomy corridors, and secret passages tucked behind tapestries, and appropriately timed lightning to give the perfect ominous welcome to an unwanted visitor... the setting is just perfect for a ghost story.
Even better, as I was looking for a cover shot for this post, I found a review for Murder at Midnight, the prequel to this work. Murder at Midnight focuses on the trial of Mangus referred to in Midnight Magic, and continues the look at the medieval debate between reason and magic. Now to just get my hands on a copy!
Overall: 4 of 5. As an adult reader, it was a little simplistic, and some of the characters were a little flat. But it's a very fun read, a nice light and quick story to breeze through and feel like a kid again, lost in a world of castles and magicians and people who may or may not know all they are telling. I enjoyed it :)
Overall: 4 of 5. As an adult reader, it was a little simplistic, and some of the characters were a little flat. But it's a very fun read, a nice light and quick story to breeze through and feel like a kid again, lost in a world of castles and magicians and people who may or may not know all they are telling. I enjoyed it :)
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