The Yarlem Magic Masters Players are a renowned group of talented individuals known for their extraordinary magical skills and abilities. They have captivated audiences around the world with their mesmerizing performances and awe-inspiring tricks. With a long and rich history dating back centuries, the Yarlem Magic Masters Players have become synonymous with excellence in the world of magic. Their shows are a perfect blend of skill, creativity, and the element of surprise, leaving spectators spellbound and wanting more. Each member of the Yarlem Magic Masters Players brings their unique talent and style to the group, ensuring a diverse range of performances and tricks. From mind-reading to illusion and sleight of hand, their repertoire is seemingly endless, showcasing the vast array of magical abilities they possess.
Recommended for mature MG and up.
Be forewarned that this novel contains significant deaths including murder , zombies vampires and other undead, grave-robbing, slavery, poaching, starvation, kidnapping, attempted forced child marriage, loss of parents, burning, petty thievery, bullying, beatings, betrayal, political maneuverings, a menagerie, and lots of bats. An executioner s apprentice, an embattled queen of shadows, and a royal hostage join forces toward a common goal-survival in a treacherous world of monsters and magic.
From mind-reading to illusion and sleight of hand, their repertoire is seemingly endless, showcasing the vast array of magical abilities they possess. However, it is not just their skills that make the Yarlem Magic Masters Players special. Their ability to create a captivating atmosphere, weaving stories and narratives into their performances, sets them apart from other magic acts.
Review: Shadow Magic
Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan, illustrated by Ben Hibon.
Disney Hyperion, New York, 2016.
MG fantasy, 324 pages.
Lexile: 540L .
AR Level: 4.1 (worth 11.4 points) .
NOTE: First in a trilogy.
Thorn was just trying to find his outlaw father when he got caught by slavers and was sold to executioner Tyburn of House Shadow. Lilith Shadow was never supposed to rule Gehenna, but then her family was killed.
Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan, illustrated by Ben Hibon.
I picked this one up because of this review. Initially this series didn’t strike me as particularly diverse from reading the blurb, but the author’s commentary on the Middle Eastern inspiration as well as an #ownvoice Muslim reviewer’s thoughts quickly confirmed that this was a trilogy I wanted to read.
The white-guy-being a slave part made me nervous, but it was a small part of the overall story and not poorly done. I did also wish for the House of Shadow to have more skin tone variety, but some information about House Solar covered that to my satisfaction.
Khan invests heavily in three similarly-aged characters, but only two have viewpoints in this book, which was so smart. While K’leef is a main part of the trio and the plot, his motivations and actions ultimately have to be deduced, and the novel manages to be balanced. What I didn’t love, even though I understood it, is the whole arranged-child-marriage thing. Thankfully, Lilly was not afraid to repeatedly call out how ludicrous it was and exercise her own agency to change her situation (not always for the better).
Page 249 of Shadow Magic illustrates a dramatic moment in the book.The magic system is fairly complex, so a good deal of this first book had to go towards introducing readers to the workings of not just the magic, but also the political systems that work around the various types of magic. And also how daily life works in this world and how it is influenced by both politics and magic.
Khan does a good job of parceling out all this information without doing infodumps. He uses situations, like when Thorn angers the wrong noble and the other boys point out that he’s the outsider and they need to stay out of trouble. Of course, Thorn’s isolation combined with hidden heritage make him a good target for Lily’s friendship.
Lily finds that unexpected leadership comes with many more headaches and sorrows than desired. Her arc was all I could have desired, and I especially appreciated that Khan allowed her and Thorn (and K’leef) to be equal partners. Finding out that the character was inspired by Malala Yousafzai made so much sense.
The book is divided into three sections based on the location. Most is set at Castle Gloom, with the first and last sixth in another place. Chapters are kept short and the plot is always moving even when the characters are pinned down, to the very last page! Regular full page artwork is interspersed, which is mostly excellent with a few duds. Gehenna gets a full map with lots of interesting tidbits that don’t come in to this story, and I always appreciate that in a fantasy novel. This was still middle grade, but the plot was less MG-ish than most, which made it far more interesting to an adult fantasy fan.
Pages 128 and 129 of Shadow Magic show one of the full page illustrations as well as the flipbook bat in the upper right hand corner.
The interior pages made a little flipbook of a bat flying. The book as a whole had a interesting design and I appreciated that the letterer and cover designer got cover billing, even if they and the artist, were relegated to the back cover. It has a sturdy matte cover and acceptable pages and binding, which has me perplexed – Disney Hyperion is so inconsistent with paperback quality! I ended up buying a used softcover copy of this first book for expediency and cost efficiency, but maybe I’ll look at new for the others.
Be forewarned that this novel contains significant deaths including murder, zombies vampires and other undead, grave-robbing, slavery, poaching, starvation, kidnapping, attempted forced child marriage, loss of parents, burning, petty thievery, bullying, beatings, betrayal, political maneuverings, a menagerie, and lots of bats. That sounds really dark, doesn’t it? But it’s also a beautiful story about friendship and loyalty and accepting yourself no matter how strange, with serious-yet-campy goth trappings and lots of magic.
Yes, this had more death and gloom than I remember middle schoolers wanting in a fantasy novel. It’s not horror exactly, despite all the murders and zombies and so on. Those are all tied up in the magic and politics of this fantasy world. I think this would work well for kids who are into the School of Good and Evil series, or fans of Hoodoo. Simply because of said murders and horror trappings (plus very mild romance) I’d put this at the upper end of MG or a high-low read for teens.
Recommended for mature MG and up.
Be forewarned that this novel contains significant deaths including murder, zombies vampires and other undead, grave-robbing, slavery, poaching, starvation, kidnapping, attempted forced child marriage, loss of parents, burning, petty thievery, bullying, beatings, betrayal, political maneuverings, a menagerie, and lots of bats. That sounds really dark, doesn’t it? But it’s also a beautiful story about friendship and loyalty and accepting yourself no matter how strange, with serious-yet-campy goth trappings and lots of magic.
Every trick is carefully choreographed to create a sense of wonder and mystery, keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats. The Yarlem Magic Masters Players also prioritize innovation and constantly push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of magic. They are known for introducing new and groundbreaking tricks that leave audiences astounded and questioning what they just witnessed. Their dedication to their craft and relentless pursuit of excellence make them pioneers in the field of magic. Furthermore, the Yarlem Magic Masters Players are not limited to stage performances. They have also ventured into television and other media platforms, bringing their magic to a wider audience. Their television specials and appearances have garnered immense popularity and have made them household names in the world of magic. In conclusion, the Yarlem Magic Masters Players are an extraordinary group of magicians who have earned their place as legends in the world of magic. Through their exceptional skills, captivating performances, and constant innovation, they continue to amaze and inspire audiences worldwide. Their legacy will forever remain as a testament to the power of magic and its ability to captivate our imagination..
Reviews for "How Yarlem Magic Masters Players Prepare for their Performances"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Yarlem magic masters pkayers". The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The acting was also subpar, with some actors clearly struggling to bring life to their roles. Additionally, the special effects were mediocre at best, making the magic scenes look cheesy rather than awe-inspiring. Overall, this film failed to capture my attention and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Yarlem magic masters pkayers" was a complete waste of time. The plot was generic and predictable, with no originality or surprises. The dialogue was poorly written, making it difficult to connect with the characters or care about their journey. The pacing was also a major issue, as it dragged on without any real purpose or direction. I was hoping for an exciting and magical experience, but instead, I got a tedious and lackluster film that I regret watching.
3. Michael - 2 stars - As a fan of fantasy films, I was excited to watch "Yarlem magic masters pkayers", but it ended up being a major letdown. The world-building was shallow, and there was a lack of attention to detail in creating a believable magic system. The performances were underwhelming, with most of the actors failing to deliver engaging or convincing portrayals of their characters. The overall tone of the film was also inconsistent, veering between lighthearted moments and dark themes without finding a cohesive balance. In the end, "Yarlem magic masters pkayers" failed to leave a lasting impression and fell short of its potential.
4. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't stand "Yarlem magic masters pkayers". The plot was convoluted and poorly executed, making it difficult to follow what was happening on screen. The characters were unlikeable and lacked any real development, leaving me indifferent to their fates. The visual effects were also cheap-looking and unimpressive, failing to create a sense of awe or wonder. Overall, this film was a complete disaster and one that I would not recommend wasting your time on.
5. David - 2 stars - "Yarlem magic masters pkayers" had potential, but it ultimately fell flat. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked a clear direction, making it hard to stay engaged. The performances were average at best, with some actors struggling to deliver their lines convincingly. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, hindering any chance of emotional connection with the characters. Although there were a few impressive visual moments, they were not enough to salvage the overall disappointment of this film.