Review of Misfit's Magic

Francis Omotayo Aderogbin · Post by **Francis Omotayo Aderogbin** » 19 Aug 2022, 06:26

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Misfit's Magic" by Fred Gracely.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Are you looking for another fantasy novel to satiate your appetite for a fantastic read? Misfit's Magic: The Last Halloween by Fred Gracely is just the book for you!

Goff is a kid of about 13 who is constantly bullied by his foster siblings, Pam and Ben, and every other kid in school. He is the typical loser American junior high school kid with no friends. He lives in Spraksville with Frank, his foster father. Spraksville is a historic town decorated with several gargoyles (beneath which are mysteries unknown to many who now live there).

Things take a dramatic turn for this young lad when he embarks on research capable of helping him win the Journalism Scholarship to Amworth Academy—his ticket out of his 'cruel, moronic foster home' and Spraksville's kids' bullying. Pushed by this determination to get out of his pitiful existence, he ventures into the Spraksville cemetery adjacent to Frank's house to perform a spell as part of his research. He does not believe in magic or this spell, but he does it anyway to ensure his paper is laced with some authenticity. What he discovers stretches him, tests the limits of his friendship and changes his life forever. How does he respond to this twist of fate?

I love nearly everything about this book. Is it how the author brings us into and keeps us in the mystical world of magic? Or is it how Goff transforms beyond the loser that even his destiny fashioned him to be? It was all fantastic. Gracely's use of scientific jargon showed the depth of research he conducted to actualize this work. I learned new words in the process. His constant reference to the moves made in the game of Chess makes me consider him very intelligent. Each chapter has a unique title—another indication that the author put a lot of effort into structuring the novel. The twists at different points in the narrative are also great. This is what makes it truly interesting. Just when you think Goff has no way out, a way suddenly appears, and the story goes on, completing a bigger intriguing picture.

The sketches at the beginning of each chapter are also clear and soothing. Themes of friendship, hope against the most hopeless of situations, courage, deceit, trickery, and lies permeate the plot. Life as an orphan and foster child is also illuminated (the Social Service has so much work to do). It also emphasizes that anyone can become something significant, even if they come from a long ancestry of failure. The story progresses very gradually, but it did not slow down the fineness of the book for me. The main character (Goff) is adequately developed. The other characters are also developed but not as much as Goff. Halstrom is one intelligent character who is worthy of note.

I wouldn't say I liked that I found many of the chapters' titles in the body of the narration. It felt a little too obvious. We can easily deduce the title from the situation that produced it. I felt Gracely could have let us decide, say, decipher or figure out where the title came from in the course of the narration in each chapter instead of slipping it into the dialogues of the characters or mentioning it. I was also perplexed about what happened to Mathers and Geoff Von Grettel at the end. I get the whole cliffhanger thing in books, but this was sacrosanct for our knowledge. It left me feeling that Goff had just saved everyone temporarily, even though he had access to the most extraordinary magic ever. Apart from this, the book was wholesomely interesting.

The book was professionally edited because I found only two errors in it. And they did not hinder my comprehension of the narrative in any way. It also contains minor profanity. From the bottom of my heart, I rate this work four out of four stars because of the points mentioned above. I recommend this book to readers of adventure and fantasy novels. It would also be a good read for teenagers who have faced bullying, intimidation, or extreme teasing. They certainly have a lot to learn from Goff.

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Misfit's Magic
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Nwaka Chukwuemeka · Post by **Nwaka Chukwuemeka** » 20 Aug 2022, 08:44

Misfit's Magic is a book I will advise every young person to read. Goff pass through a lot of humiliations and failures from his friends and siblings but his lifestyle taught me alot. Great review.

Chiwendu Ikechukwu · Post by **Chiwendu Ikechukwu** » 20 Aug 2022, 08:46

Nice review u gat there. This is exactly myou kind of book. Kudos.

Isaac Oh · Post by **Isaac Oh** » 20 Aug 2022, 08:47

The summary of this book is lovely. I hope Goff discovers powers that will help him stand against those bullies. I love that this book was not draggy. I can't wait to grab a copy. Nice review!

Chimereucheya Okoroafo · Post by **Chimereucheya Okoroafo** » 20 Aug 2022, 08:51

I am in for the hidden mystery. Don't really like the protagonist's personality but I'd like to see how it all unfolds. Nice review.

Oluwapelumi Rachael · Post by **Oluwapelumi Rachael** » 20 Aug 2022, 09:00

I really enjoy fantasy books so I’m sure I’ll love this. The book has an interesting description and i wonder what goff discovers when he casts that spell.

Excellent writing skills Francis.

Jerry Anozie · Post by **Jerry Anozie** » 20 Aug 2022, 09:04

I ve been reading magical books for a while now. Something seems so special about this. This review has a fascinating plot. Thanks for the review.

Jelly_J · Post by **Jelly_J** » 20 Aug 2022, 09:22

This is a very enticing review which enjoyed reading. I wonder what kind of spell Goff performed in the cemetery; I look forward to reading this book. Great review.

Oyedeji Funmilayo · Post by **Oyedeji Funmilayo** » 20 Aug 2022, 14:06

I use to think that destiny can't be changed. It is thrilling to read about the story of a young lad who turned his life and destiny around. I enjoyed reading through your review and look forward to reading the book. Wonderful review, Welldone

Chiamaka Ogadimma · Post by **Chiamaka Ogadimma** » 20 Aug 2022, 15:06

Wow, I would like to know if his spell worked and what he turn out to be in the end. This intrigues me to read this book. Great review sir

Ozioma Miriam · Post by **Ozioma Miriam** » 21 Aug 2022, 04:56

This book sound very interesting. I like to read thrillers like these. Your review is wonderful.

Not available anymore · Post by **Not available anymore** » 21 Aug 2022, 15:47

Seeing the situation around Goff I really do pity him Great and well detailed review

Precious Oba · Post by **Precious Oba** » 21 Aug 2022, 16:00

This is another magic-filled story close to Harry Potter. It is great. It is interesting. It is beautiful. I love the growth that Goff, Lydia, Halstrom and even Pam experienced eventually.

Junior Gesuka 1 · Post by **Junior Gesuka 1** » 22 Aug 2022, 11:25

I enjoyed reading this fantasy tale. The antagonist is incredibly powerful, and all Goff, our young hero, has in his favour is a couple of eccentric friends, plus an animated skeleton and preserved cat as advisors who just want an easy life, and a tiny spark of purple magic called Majesty who wants to serve Goff, so it was a good depiction of the little guys against the big powerful enemy.
I really liked how dark the villain's scheme is, although that makes the story more upper middle grade/teen. The other plot element that really appealed to me was the fact that the answer lies in the past and I really enjoyed how the author handled this (I'd say more but I'm trying to avoid giving spoilers!).
My favourite character was Majesty though I loved Brak, the dog, too.