Order of the Majestic by Matt Myklusch: Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Joey Kopecky didn't expect his test scores would cause an uproar at his school and home. Nobody suspected he would test at a genius level. At twelve-years-old, all Joey wants to do is escape into his comic books, not be sent to a special school where they don't even break for summer. However, his parents convince him he must jump at the opportunity for a full scholarship at the school for budding intellectuals.

His visit to the school requires one last test. To Joey's surprise, he lands mysteriously into an old theater where he meets Redondo the Magnificent, a magician from earlier decades whose last act included the disappearance of a child and a fire at the theater. Joey finds himself finding the truth means he must fight to keep magic alive. However, the dark forces of the Invisible Hand who want to use magic for evil try to thwart him.

What starts out as a gripping middle grade novel into the magic forces of good and evil gets bogged down in places by the length of the novel. However, the novel will strike a chord for Harry Houdini and magic fans for those who are patient enough to make it through.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Aladdin (May 7, 2019)

Ages 8-12

ISBN: 978-1-534-42487-6