An excellent read. I enjoyed the characters, the way the plot unfolded, and the conclusion. The setting is the Middle Ages, during that time when magic and science were intertwined. Fabrizio, the main character is outstanding, engaging and lively. The relationship between him and Magnus the Magician is wonderful, touching and unexpected.

Middle Readers points: a satisfying happy ending, no sex, minimal violence, and lots of cleverness. ( )

sequel to "Murder at Midnight". Fun characters. Solid plot. ( )

Magnus the Magician has sworn not to do magic, after having been brought to trial and threatened with death if he were to do magic again. Now he has been ordered to the castle by the King to prove or disprove if the Princess is being haunted by a ghost. His life is once again at stake.

Accompanied by his young assistant, Fabrizio, the two try to discover if the appearances are real or hoax. If the ghost is real, the young Princess will not be forced to marry the Count Scarazoni, but if it is all not real she will marry the evil Count.

While investigating the matter, charges come up that the Princess' brother has been murdered while on a journey to visit the Pope, and that the perpetrator is Count Scarazoni. Also there is the matter of the kitchen worker, Rinaldo, who has interest in the mystery and helps show Fabrizio the secret passages that abound within the castle.

I've read a number of books by Avi and have more on my shelves waiting to be read. He writes in an inviting way and moves the story along at a good and even pace. Written for the juvenile audience, he is enjoyable for the adult looking for a quick read that isn't childish. ( )

Simply one of my favourite books ever. Read it as a kid and still like to go back to it every few years - especially on stormy summer nights. ( )

Midnight Magic is an “on the edge of your seat” novel about medieval friendships, magic, and betrayals. Magic is banned in the Kingdom of Pergamontio. Mangus the Magician and many others have been forced to repent magic and promise never to practice it again in order to avoid execution. Fabrizio, Mangus the Magician’s servant, still practices magic in secret, but not true magic, just tricks and illusions as Mangus used to do. One night while Fabrizio is casting his master’s fortune in secret someone knocks on door and summons Mangus the Magician to the castle. Disaster has struck the kingdom, the prince has gone missing and may be dead, and the princess is being haunted by his “ghost”. Desperate, the King, has called upon Mangus the Magician, the only one who can free his daughter from a terrifying ghost. Fail and he shall face execution, succeed and he may live life as a free man. Join Fabrizio as he searches for answers that could save his master’s life.
Prepare to be amazed as Avi takes you back in time to the age of magic and surprises you with every new twist, turn, and of course cliff-hanger. Avi’s writing style grasped my attention and had me guessing the solution to this magical mystery until the very end. The main character Fabrizio was hard to relate to due to the vast differences between medieval and modern times, but I connected with Princess Teresina almost instantly. Very rarely did my attention stray from the book as it often does when reading Avi’s other works. Although the plot could have been a little more exciting in the middle, the ending could not have been better. Overall I give Avi 3 out of 5 stars for Midnight Magic. ( )