A witch and her monsters live here. They inhabit a dark, eerie castle surrounded by a dense forest. The witch's name is Morgana, a powerful sorceress skilled in dark magic. Her monsters are a quaint bunch, all with unique and frightening characteristics. First, there is Fang, the werewolf, with his sharp claws and howling presence. Then, there is Luna, a vampire with pale skin and blood-red eyes.
"Full of wonder and real-life enchantment, Amy Ephron's Carnival Magic is a charming adventure that will make a believer out of anyone!" —Rachel Vail, author of Well, That Was Awkward and the Friendship Ring series
Internationally bestselling author Amy Ephron returns with a companion novel to The Castle in the Mist and creates a magical tale filled with adventure, mystery, fantasy, family, and fun. Before Tess can shake herself out of the hypnosis, before Max can do anything, they seem to be traveling--along with the rest of the carnival--too quickly for the two of them to jump out.
Then, there is Luna, a vampire with pale skin and blood-red eyes. Thirdly, there is Rocky, a Frankenstein-like creature made up of mismatched body parts. Lastly, we have Hocus, a mischievous imp who can shape-shift into various forms.
Carnival Magic
Tess and Max are back in England for another summer with their Aunt Evie--this time by the seashore in South Devon. And they're incredibly excited about the travelling carnival that's come to town. There are rides, games, acrobats, The House of Mirrors--and even a psychic, with a beautiful wagon all her own.
In a visit to the psychic's wagon, while Tess is being hypnotized, the wagon seems to move. Before Tess can shake herself out of the hypnosis, before Max can do anything, they seem to be travelling--along with the rest of the carnival--too quickly for the two of them to jump out. But where are they going and what awaits them? Will they be caught in a world different from their own? And do the Baranova twins, acrobats who miss their sister almost as much as Tess and Max miss their family, hold the keys to the mystery?
Internationally bestselling author Amy Ephron returns with a companion novel to The Castle in the Mist and creates a magical tale filled with adventure, mystery, fantasy, family, and fun.
Praise for Carnival Magic:
"Full of wonder and real-life enchantment, Amy Ephron's Carnival Magic is a charming adventure that will make a believer out of anyone!" —Rachel Vail, author of Well, That Was Awkward and the Friendship Ring series
"Tess is a thoroughly modern heroine: She's athletic, impulsive, and fearless . . . The siblings are authentic children [and] the fantastic elements are the stuff of daydreams. Perfect for classroom read-alouds." —Kirkus Reviews
"The short chapters filled with mystery and action will have readers eagerly continuing to discover the secrets that await them. . . . Fans of the first book will be eager for this fun middle-grade fantasy with a classic sensibility." —Booklist
"The setting is contemporary—yet the language and tone feel distinctly nostalgic. This novel, which works as a stand alone, will captivate readers who enjoy their whimsy with a dash of risk." —School Library Journal
"[Carnival Magic is] a softer otherworldly take on childhood mystery, reminiscent of classics like A Secret Garden . . . [it] is in itself an escape. Tess especially follows in that lineage of strong, intelligent female characters – a sort of Lucy Pevensie/Hermione Granger hybrid who is a leader, who believes in magic." —Teen Vogue
"Amy Ephron has always been a magical storyteller. . . . In Carnival Magic, the companion book to Ephron’s successful The Castle in the Mist . . . Tess and Max are teaching children and their parents about the power of thoughtful decision-making, loyalty, and self-confidence. Life lessons and carnival rides . . . the perfect beach read for all ages." —Parade
“Ephron renders this magical world with such assertive beauty that readers of all ages, who are fortunate enough to believe in the power of magic, will enjoy immersing themselves in the roller-coaster fun of these stories, and come to trust, even if for a short time, that in this ‘alternate universe’ it is possible for us to come together and ‘touch the sky.’” —Jewish Journal
On sale: May 1, 2018
Age: 8-12 years
Grade: Grades 3-7
Page count: 0 Pages
ISBN: 9780525625377
Run time: 6 Hours and 0 Minutes
Amy Ephron (www.amyephron.com) is a bestselling author of books for children and adults. The Castle in the Mist, her first book for young readers, was nominated for a SCIBA Award, and was followed by Carnival Magic and The Other Side of the Wall, all part of the Other Side series. Ephron is also the author of several adult books, including A Cup of Tea, which is an international bestseller. Her novel One Sunday Morning received the Booklist Best Fiction and Best Historical Fiction of the Year awards and was a Barnes & Noble Book Club selection. She also writes for TIME magazine and Air Mail Weekly and was a contributor at Vogue, Vogue.com and The New York Times T Magazine. Her work has appeared in numerous other publications as well. She was Executive Producer of Warner Bros.’ A Little Princess. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband. Between them they have five children. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @AmyEphron.
Praise for Carnival Magic:
"Full of wonder and real-life enchantment, Amy Ephron's Carnival Magic is a charming adventure that will make a believer out of anyone!" —Rachel Vail, author of Well, That Was Awkward and the Friendship Ring series
"Tess is a thoroughly modern heroine: She's athletic, impulsive, and fearless . . . The siblings are authentic children [and] the fantastic elements are the stuff of daydreams. Perfect for classroom read-alouds." —Kirkus Reviews
"The short chapters filled with mystery and action will have readers eagerly continuing to discover the secrets that await them. . . . Fans of the first book will be eager for this fun middle-grade fantasy with a classic sensibility." —Booklist
"The setting is contemporary—yet the language and tone feel distinctly nostalgic. This novel, which works as a stand alone, will captivate readers who enjoy their whimsy with a dash of risk." —School Library Journal
"[Carnival Magic is] a softer otherworldly take on childhood mystery, reminiscent of classics such as The Secret Garden . . . [it] is in itself an escape. Tess especially follows in that lineage of strong, intelligent female characters – a sort of Lucy Pevensie/Hermione Granger hybrid who is a leader, who believes in magic." —Teen Vogue
"Amy Ephron has always been a magical storyteller. . . . In Carnival Magic, the companion book to Ephron’s successful The Castle in the Mist . . . Tess and Max are teaching children and their parents about the power of thoughtful decision-making, loyalty, and self-confidence. Life lessons and carnival rides . . . the perfect beach read for all ages." —Parade
“Ephron renders this magical world with such assertive beauty that readers of all ages, who are fortunate enough to believe in the power of magic, will enjoy immersing themselves in the roller-coaster fun of these stories, and come to trust, even if for a short time, that in this ‘alternate universe’ it is possible for us to come together and ‘touch the sky.’” —Jewish Journal
Audiobook Download $18.00 May 01, 2018 | 360 Minutes | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780525625377 --> Buy
Together, they are Morgana's loyal and fearsome companions, protecting their fortress and carrying out her wicked schemes. The castle itself is an ominous sight, with its looming towers and ivy-covered walls. Inside, the air is heavy with spells and potions, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere. The witch's room is filled with ancient tomes and spell ingredients strewn across the tables, evidence of her never-ending pursuit of power. Morgana's monsters have their own quarters, personalized to suit their unique natures. Fang has a gloomy den with animal bones strewn across the floor, while Luna's coffin sits elegantly in a chamber adorned with black velvet curtains. Rocky's area is cluttered with laboratory equipment and discarded limbs, reminding anyone who enters of his creation. Hocus, being the mischievous imp, has no fixed room and can be found in unexpected places, ready to cause chaos. The castle is a place of both terror and fascination, drawing curious explorers and those seeking dark magic. Its inhabitants, the witch and her monsters, instill fear in the hearts of many, but also inspire awe at their supernatural abilities. For those brave enough to venture inside, caution is advised, as encountering Morgana and her loyal monsters may have grave consequences..
Reviews for "A witch's fantastical menagerie: exploring the creatures that share her home"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "A Witch and Her Monsters Live Here" to be a pointless and dull read. The plot was confusing and scattered, with no clear direction or purpose. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, which made it difficult to care about their outcomes. Additionally, the writing style was flat and uninspiring, failing to engage the reader in any meaningful way. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
Despite the intriguing title, "A Witch and Her Monsters Live Here" fell short for me. The story was slow-paced and dragged on unnecessarily. The descriptions were overly detailed and often repetitive, creating a monotonous reading experience. Moreover, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, hindering the development of the characters and their relationships. I was unable to connect with the story or immerse myself in its world, ultimately leading to my disappointment in this book.
3. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "A Witch and Her Monsters Live Here," but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The storyline was predictable and lacked originality, following common tropes and cliches of the fantasy genre. The pacing was inconsistent, with long periods of tedious exposition followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked the complexity necessary to make them relatable or interesting. Overall, this book felt like a missed opportunity and left me feeling underwhelmed.
4. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
"A Witch and Her Monsters Live Here" was a complete disappointment. The writing style was convoluted and hard to follow, making it a struggle to comprehend the story's events and themes. The world-building was weak, leaving many gaps and unanswered questions. Additionally, the characters were unlikable and lacked any redeeming qualities, making it impossible to form a connection with them. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating and unenjoyable read, and I would not recommend it to others.
5. David - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "A Witch and Her Monsters Live Here" to be a poorly executed novel. The plot was disjointed and hard to follow, with numerous plot holes and inconsistencies. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, hindering the development of the characters and their relationships. Furthermore, the pacing was slow and dragged on unnecessarily, leading to a lack of engagement with the story. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book.