Midnight Magic Break Me Up: Late at night when the world is silent, there is a magical energy that surrounds us. It is during this time, when the clock strikes midnight, that the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Midnight magic has a way of breaking us free from the chains of reality and immersing us in a world of possibilities. In the wee hours of the morning, when everyone is fast asleep, the moon and stars cast a bewitching glow upon the earth. It is as if a veil has been lifted, revealing a hidden realm filled with enchantment and wonder. This is when midnight magic takes hold, beckoning us to venture beyond the boundaries of our imagination.
This is when midnight magic takes hold, beckoning us to venture beyond the boundaries of our imagination. As the clock strikes twelve, the world becomes a canvas waiting to be painted with the strokes of midnight magic. Ordinary objects come to life, and the mundane becomes extraordinary.
Blog Tour: Midnight Magic
I’m a huge fan of Michelle Harrison’s middle grade books (see my reviews of A Pinch of Magic and A Sprinkle of Sorcery for why!) so I was really excited to be invited onto the blog tour for her first foray into chapter books – Midnight Magic is a rhyming tale of a girl and her pesky magical cat, told in verse and beautifully illustrated by Elissa Elwick!
Book: Midnight Magic by Michelle Harrison, illustrated by Elissa Elwick.
Read before: No
Publication date: 1st October 2020
Ownership: Review copy sent free of charge by Little Tiger Books. All opinions my own.
Midnight Magic is the tale of one very special black kitten – born at the stroke of midnight, she has magical powers! We follow Midnight as she discovers her magic, loses her family, and finds a new home with a little girl named Trixie, with plenty of hilarious magical adventures along the way. Every page has fabulous purple, black, and white illustrations, which add a real sense of fun to the various tricks Midnight does, from bubble acrobatics to broom-riding! This is unusual in being a chapter book told in verse – there are four chapters, but each chapter is broken down into four-line verses that should make this feel less daunting. The story bounces along with a great sense of rhythm and rhyme, helped out by the fun formatting, with some lines larger, in bold, or swooping around the page – this would be a delight to read aloud together! It would also be a great book for a reader gaining confidence to read by themself, too – the strength of the verse should really help them to get a good sense of the flow of the text. Between the verses and the fully illustrated pages, this would be a wonderful way to coax a picture book lover into a slightly more substantial book.
It’s a joyful read that will have kids gasping and laughing at each new bit of mischief Midnight gets up to. The magic is well-pitched to fit into that line between reality and fantasy – Midnight makes the flowers in Trixie’s wallpaper grow, for example – so it’s easy to imagine how that magic could come into your own life! However, there are some sad moments too, as Midnight’s mother and siblings abandon her to avoid getting into the trouble they think she will create. While the narrative doesn’t linger on this, and things soon perk up for Midnight when she finds Trixie, it’s an interesting moment of darkness in a book that is otherwise fun and zany – I thought it was a really clever way to show the prejudice that many black cats face due to superstition. I know this is a subject close to Michelle’s heart, and one of the major influences for the book, and I was really pleased to see the note at the back which explains that black cats are often the last to be chosen from shelters. This note asks readers, if they want a cat, to consider adopting a black one, and I think this is a really great message – there are so many kitties out there in need of love.
The whole story really feels filled with love – love for cats, certainly, but also family love, as Trixie, her dad, and her nan are a really sweet family unit. It’s great to see a mixed race family so clearly depicted in the illustrations; it’s never made an issue of, which is lovely. It’s also lovely to have a non-nuclear family shown to be so loving and secure with themselves – although there’s a bit of tension created by Trixie’s dad, who thinks neither little girls nor cats should be doing magic, he’s not horrible about it, just wanting to be safe, and does end up trusting Trixie and her nan. I just really loved the sense of warmth I got from them!
I’m always looking for books about cats and about magic, and Midnight Magic combines the two perfectly into a fun, exciting read full of heart. I’m really looking forward to more books in this series – I can’t wait to see what mischief Midnight and Trixie are going to get into next. I can see this becoming a Halloween reread favourite – five out of five magical cats!
yannikhenry
The streets become illuminated with a mysterious light, revealing secrets that only the night holds. Shadows dance playfully, whispering secrets to those who dare to listen. Midnight magic has the power to break us free from the monotony of everyday life. It is a catalyst for inspiration, igniting our creativity and fueling our passions. In the quiet of the night, our minds become untethered, allowing us to explore the depths of our thoughts and ideas. During these enchanted hours, anything is possible. Dreams come alive, and wishes are granted. It is as if the universe conspires to grant us that one thing we long for most. The midnight hour is a magical gateway where reality blurs with fantasy, and the boundaries of what is possible are stretched. But midnight magic is not just about wishes and dreams. It is also a time for introspection and self-discovery. The silence of the night provides the perfect backdrop for reflection and contemplation. It is during these moments that we can truly understand ourselves and what we desire in life. As the night gives way to dawn, the spell of midnight magic begins to fade. The world gradually returns to its normal rhythm, and the enchantment dissipates. Yet, the memories of that magical time remain, guiding us through the days to come. So, when the clock strikes midnight, do not fear the darkness. Embrace the mystical energy that surrounds you and let midnight magic break you free from the confines of reality. Allow yourself to be transported to a world of endless possibilities, where dreams come true and the extraordinary becomes the norm. Let midnight magic beak you up and set your spirit free..
Reviews for "Breaking the Spell: Overcoming Obstacles in Midnight Magic"
1. John - 1 star - I was expecting so much more from "Midnight Magic Break Me Up" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story was confusing and the characters were unrelatable. I found myself struggling to finish the book because I just couldn't connect with the plot. The writing style felt disjointed and lacked depth. Overall, I was really disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Midnight Magic Break Me Up" but it just didn't live up to the hype. The storyline was predictable and cliché, making it hard for me to stay engaged. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, leaving me feeling indifferent towards their fates. The author's attempt at creating suspense fell short and it felt like the book was dragging on. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
3. Sarah - 1 star - "Midnight Magic Break Me Up" was a complete disappointment. The plot was confusing and unclear, making it difficult to follow the story. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. The writing style was amatuerish and the dialogue felt forced. I found myself skimming through pages, hoping for some sort of redemption, but it never came. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging story.