Midnight Magic by Avi enchants readers with its engaging plot and historical setting. The book excels in character development and maintains suspense throughout. Some readers find the resolution predictable, but the engaging narrative and magical elements captivate a young audience. Overall, it’s a thrilling blend of mystery and fantasy that appeals to middle-grade readers.

Readers who enjoy Midnight Magic by Avi typically appreciate historical fiction intertwined with mystery and intrigue. Fans of The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz or Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett will likely be captivated by its suspenseful plot set in Renaissance Italy, featuring clever twists and gothic elements.

In Midnight Magic by Avi, set in Renaissance Italy, a young person named Fabrizio, who serves the skeptical magician Mangus, is tasked with uncovering a courtly mystery. The pair investigates ominous events in a royal castle, blending magic and intrigue, as Fabrizio's courage and wits are tested in their quest for truth.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Fantastical / Adventurous / Challenging

- Midnight Magic was published in 1999 and combines elements of historical fiction and mystery, set in an imaginary kingdom that evokes the Renaissance period.
- The author, Avi, is well-known for his diverse range of works spanning different genres, having won the Newbery Medal for his novel Crispin: The Cross of Lead in 2003.

**Fabrizio**  
A 12-year-old servant living in the house of Mangus the Magician, who respects Mangus's powers and hopes for a better future for him, while navigating challenges at the Pergamontio court.

**Mangus**  
A magician who has renounced magic to save himself and acts as a father figure to Fabrizio, guiding him with reason and logic while under house arrest.

**Princess Teresina**  
The 10-year-old daughter of King Claudio and Queen Jovanna, residing in the castello, who has a changeable demeanor and uses her royal status to influence others.

**Count Scarazoni**  
An adviser to King Claudio with a desire for power and a severe appearance, who is central to the novel's conflict with his manipulative schemes.

**Queen Jovanna**  
The wife of King Claudio and mother of Lorenzo and Teresina, who, feeling powerless within the castello, works with her children on a plan for justice.

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Chapters 1-7

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Chapters 8-15

Midnight Magic Chapters 8-15

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Chapters 16-21

Midnight Magic Chapters 16-21

Chapters 22-28

Midnight Magic Chapters 22-28

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