It Makes You Feel Happy Like An Old-Time Movie

Expected Publication: February 1st, 2013

The Return of Abracadabra (Hocus Pocus Hotel # 2)

By: Michael Dahl

Stone Arch Books

ISBN-13: 9781434247216

Charlie Hitchcock figured out that Brack is really Abracadabra, the missing magician. But as Brack prepares to unveil his true identity to the rest of the world, magical mysteries continue to unfold at his hotel. Charlie and Tyler Yu have solved challenging tricks here before, but can they do it again before time runs out for Brack . . . and the hotel?

Review

     Charlie Hitchcock, class geek and Tyler Yu, class bully are stuck in a tentative friendship after solving the mysteries happening at the hotel Tyler's family owns so Tyler could buy the motorcycle he had been saving up for.  Now the elevator operator Brack (who is really the famous missing magician, Abracadabra) is planning to put on a show at the hotel and reveal his secret identity to the press and the rest of the world.  The only problem is that the currently famous magician Theopolis comes to the hotel and performs some seemingly impossible feats of magic - all at the same time.  Can the boys figure out how he managed it, or was it really magic after all?  And will Theopolis succeed in stealing the show and Brack's part of the hotel right out from under him?  This was a good follow-up to the first novel, which had Charlie and Tyler solving the mysteries of the hotel itself.  This time they have to find out Theopolis' secrets before Brack loses everything.  To me the illustrations were the best part, just like in the first book.  It was a cute book about friendship and mystery, but I felt like it was lacking some of the magic in the original.  The description and following picture of Brack's secret room on top of the hotel was awesome.  And the answer to the mystery was plausible, but predictable.  I think this book would have been a lot more fun if I was still under 13 years old and loved magic tricks.  Overall, a fun book that was just a good fluffy, middle-grade read to give my brain a break from all the YA and Harlequin angst.  I would recommend this to middle-school and late elementary teachers for reluctant readers and young boys.

VERDICT:  3/5  Stars

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is February 1st, 2013.*

Magic In Your Eyes

Published: August 1st, 2012

Hocus Pocus Hotel

Written by: Micahel Dahl, Illustrated by: Lisa K. Weber

Stone Arch Books

ISBN-13: 9781434242532



Ever since it was built by the great magician Abracadabra, the hotel Tyler Yu lives in has had its share of mysterious events. Ghosts wandering the halls, a magician who vanishes into thin air – Ty can’t figure these things out on his own. But Charlie Hitchcock, with his photographic memory, might just be the partner the school bully needs. Together, they’ll solve magical mysteries beyond your wildest imagination.

Review

   Charlie Hitchcock is a total geek, with a photographic memory.  Tyler Yu, the school bully, is saving up to buy a motorcycle working in his parents' hotel (called the Abracadabra).  But Mr. Madagascar, one of the tenants, has gone missing without paying his rent.  He is a retired magician and most of the hotel guests are former performers of some sort or another.  With the help of a very curious Charlie, the elevator operator Mr. Brack and the uncovering of some illusions that are too 'magical' to possibly be actual magic, can the boys find the missing magician in time to get the rent before Tyler's parents notice?  This was a fun book for me, as someone who never really read mysteries as a kid - it's something that I've gotten into a lot more now that I'm an adult.  But I loved the illustrations and Tyler's inept bullying, that isn't quite mean-spirited enough to be taken seriously.  Mr. Brack was alternately creepy and a wise old man who is still sharper than a tack.  The story was fun, even if the mirror set-ups do make it a little over complex to try any of the tricks at home.  The ending was cute and I look forward to future books in the series, just to see what places Charlie and Tyler go next.  Although, as an older reader I like a little bit more of an intricate plot to my stories nowadays.Overall I'd recommend this mostly for elementary and middle school aged readers and their teachers.

VERDICT:  3/5  Stars

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book was published August 1st, 2012.*