Magid after dark is a concept that represents a shift in the way that the magician interacts with their audience. Traditionally, a magician would perform their tricks and illusions on stage, in front of a crowd of spectators. The performance would be carefully choreographed and rehearsed, with the magician carefully controlling the environment to create the desired effect. However, magid after dark takes a different approach. Instead of performing on a stage, the magician instead interacts with their audience in a more intimate setting. This could be a private party, a small gathering of friends, or even just a casual social event.
“I didn’t realize it was possible to be strong and yielding at the same time.”
Certain genres tend to pair best with certain writing styles, and Kemmerer managed to find the perfect middle ground so this book could feel grounded in both worlds. My only issue with these characters is that it did take some time for me to really connect with them , and even by the end there were still a few characters I should have cared about that I didn t as much.
This could be a private party, a small gathering of friends, or even just a casual social event. The magician moves among the guests, performing their tricks and illusions up close and personal. The close proximity allows for a greater sense of wonder and amazement, as the audience can see the magician's every move.
A Curse So Dark & Lonely (Cursebreakers #1) by Brigid Kemmerer – Im So Glad I Finally Read It!! (Review)
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 4/5
Review in a Nutshell: A Curse So Dark and Lonely deserves the hype it’s been getting. This book is a refreshing take on a familiar tale with political intrigue, magic, and, of course, romance.
“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.”
// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Suicide Mention, Suicide, Self Harm Mention, Rape Mention, Pedophelia Mention, War Themes, Mental Illness, PTSD, Kidnapping/Abduction //
Release Date: 1/29/2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Page Count: 484
Premise:
A Curse So Dark and Lonely follows Prince Rhen, and Harper. Prince Rhen was cursed, forced to live through the same fall again and again, with each season ending in him turning into a monster focused solely on destruction. The monster has destroyed everything, but, he could escape this curse if only a girl falls for him. Harper lives in Washington, D.C., with her brother and dying mother, that is, until she gets dragged into a fantasy world by a stranger. She isn’t going to be charmed by the prince, but when she sees how the people of his kingdom are faring, she decides to use her time in the enchanted land to help.
““Rhen,” she calls after me.
I pause in the doorway and face her.
“I’m not going to fall in love with you,” she says.
Her words are not a surprise. I sigh.
“You won’t be the first.””
“We are all dealt a hand at birth. A good hand can ultimately lose – just as a poor hand can win – but we must all play the cards the fate deals. The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.”
Writing & Setting
I have to give Brigid Kemmerer’s writing a lot of credit here, because her style lends itself so well to our world, where Harper is from, and the enchanted land of Emberfall. Certain genres tend to pair best with certain writing styles, and Kemmerer managed to find the perfect middle ground so this book could feel grounded in both worlds. Speaking of worlds- I love the settings she created for this story. D.C. and Emberfall felt so distinct, yet equally realistic despite their intrinsic differences. Emberfall is especially well developed, with fantastic world building that feels accurate and real without having heavy exposition or info-dumps. Kemmerer clearly worked hard on flushing out this world so that the politics, magic, and military strategies used all seemed more than reasonable.
”This was never a curse to be broken. This is a death sentence. The true curse has been the thought that we might find escape.”
the true curse was the friends we made along the way
Plot
So, you can probably guess that this book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. There have been a lot of retellings of this story, and while it is my favorite fairytale, I’ll admit I’m a little sick of them. There are only so many versions of the same story you can read before it gets boring! That said, this one was not boring at all. I really could not predict where it was going, and what was going to happen. And the combination of the world, writing style, and characters made it stand out even more.
The plot itself, outside of the typical Beauty and the Beast story beats, felt unique and original. It was a perfect mix of politics (which were extremely interesting and well done), action, and character moments. The pace was fast, but not ruthless, perfect for reading in one sitting!
“I didn’t realize it was possible to be strong and yielding at the same time.”
Characters
This book has some good characters, and I especially loved the character interactions between those who come from different worlds- they were so fun. Harper is a strong protagonist. I absolutely loved the disability representation- she has cerebral palsy, and while it’s mentioned and it is a big part of her life, as disabilities are, it doesn’t take over her character. It’s really way too common authors to make their character’s disability their entire personality, but that is definitely not the case with Harper and I’m so grateful for that. Prince Rhen is another great character, and I especially enjoyed his growth throughout the book. Let’s face it- I’m trash for angsty princes who slowly grow as people. I can see why people may not ship him with Harper, but I adored their dynamic. Then there’s Grey. He’s a fantastic character and I wish we had more time with him (thank god we do in the sequel!). My only issue with these characters is that it did take some time for me to really connect with them, and even by the end there were still a few characters I should have cared about that I didn’t as much.
“Failure isn’t absolute, just because you couldn’t save everyone doesn’t mean you didn’t save anyone.”
Magid after dark also allows for a greater level of interaction between the magician and the audience. The magician can engage with individual guests, asking them to participate in a trick or illusion. This creates a sense of engagement and involvement, making the experience more memorable for the audience. In addition to the change in setting and interaction, magid after dark also often incorporates a different style of magic. While traditional magic typically relies on large-scale illusions and grand tricks, magid after dark is often more intimate and subtle. Close-up magic, which focuses on tricks performed right in front of the audience, is a popular choice for these types of performances. Sleight of hand and misdirection are often used to create the illusion, adding to the sense of mystery and wonder. Overall, magid after dark offers a unique and captivating experience for both the magician and the audience. The intimate setting and close-up interaction create a sense of wonder and engagement that is difficult to replicate on a traditional stage. Through this new style of magic, magicians are able to connect with their audience on a more personal level, creating a truly memorable experience..
Reviews for "Hidden Gems: Discovering Magid's Midnight Hotspots"
1. John - ★★☆☆☆
I must admit I was quite disappointed with "Magid After Dark". The storyline felt forced and the characters lacked depth. The attempts at humor fell flat and didn't resonate with me at all. The pacing was also off, making the film drag on unnecessarily. Overall, I couldn't connect with the film and found myself bored throughout.
2. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I regret spending my time and money on "Magid After Dark". The plot was incredibly predictable and the dialogue was cliché. The acting was subpar, with awkward deliveries and lackluster performances. The attempts at comedy were cringe-worthy, and I found myself rolling my eyes more than laughing. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone looking for an entertaining or thought-provoking experience.
3. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
"Magid After Dark" was a disappointment for me. The plot lacked originality and felt like a rehash of other films in the same genre. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story, as it failed to capture my attention. The film had potential, but ultimately fell short in delivering a memorable experience.
4. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
I couldn't wait for "Magid After Dark" to end. The storyline was confusing and didn't make much sense. The pacing was all over the place, with some scenes feeling rushed and others dragging on. The attempt at blending multiple genres was a complete miss, leaving me feeling detached and disinterested. The film had potential, but it lacked cohesion and failed to deliver a satisfying viewing experience.
5. Peter - ★★☆☆☆
"Magid After Dark" had its moments, but overall, I found it to be underwhelming. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters and their motivations. The humor felt forced and didn't land most of the time. I believe the film tried to tackle too many themes at once, resulting in a messy and disjointed narrative. Unfortunately, "Magid After Dark" didn't live up to my expectations.