 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
A Deadly Game of Magic
- By Joan Lowery Nixon
- Genre: Mystery
Common Sense Media says
A unique and truly suspenseful story.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the occasionally unnatural narration and a few odd breaks can't derail the steadily building tension of this truly chilling tale. Plenty of plot twists and scary surprises keep readers guessing all the way through. A sufficiently complex plot (and even a hint of romance) keeps older mystery fans intrigued.
What's the story?
High school junior Lisa fantasizes about becoming a magician, but her parents' ambitions for her have her focusing more on grades than on magic. Little does she know that her knowledge of illusion will be her secret weapon against a killer.
When Lisa and three classmates have car trouble on a stormy night, they stop at a spooky old house to use the phone. When the man who lets them in disappears, the kids wonder if there's something dangerous going on.
As the four explore the house, they find plaster heads and trick cabinets, tools of a practiced magician. Lisa also finds letters and clippings revealing the magician's disturbing history. Soon spooky whispers and moving props make them think someone's playing tricks on them. When the power goes out and the tricks get more dangerous, Lisa must use all her sleight of hand to save her friends.
Is it any good?
"Sometimes the kids don't seem scared enough," was one 12-year-old's reaction to A DEADLY GAME OF MAGIC. True, Lisa and her friends remain remarkably levelheaded after they realize someone's stalking them, even stopping occasionally to fix snacks, tell jokes, and discuss career plans. But, ironically, the characters' amazing calmness is partly what makes the book so scary. If they panicked the moment they found the first plaster head, the story would have nowhere to go. Instead, Joan Lowery Nixon keeps piling on the sinister details, and when the characters finally get frightened, readers will be rushing to lock the doors and turn on more lights.
Lisa herself is the most sensible member of the group, and although readers might grow impatient with how her plans always seem to work when no one else's do, they'll still be impressed with her magic skills and her determination to solve the mystery. Lisa's first-person narrative occasionally seems stiff, but this won't distract most kids, who will be sucked in by the mystery.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about scary stories. What makes this particular tale so spine-chilling? Do you enjoy being frightened by creepy stories?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Magic!
This book was AMAZING!!:) i really enjoyed the mystery behind it. This book might be a bit "scary" but its a book i'd recomend to be shared with everyone. I hope a movie is made.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Perfect fo teens and older but not so much younger kids!
i think that this book was very good! i loved it! I think that parents should only let a child read this book though if the child is in middle school. i think that this book might scare some of the younger kids! but i think that this book and plenty other books by Joan Lowery Nixon are just the best!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
couldn't put it down
This book was very awsome. It seemed like you were really in it. The four people are stuck in a old spookey house that seems to be abondoned. Read on and find out what happens to the four teenagers.....
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
It was okay...
This book wasn't that great. It had a suspenseful plot, but left me hanging at the end, with a bit of disappointment. I wanted to know more! Perhaps some people like that feeling of uncertainty - it gets their imaginations flowing - but I am one who does not. However unique the idea of the story was, the writing style was too generic for my liking.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I READ IN A WHILE
I dont have much to say about this book other than its totaly awesome
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
amazing!!
I have read a few other books by Joan Lowery Nixon and I can't say that I loved them, but this book kept me in supense throughout the entire thing. It was definitely one of the best books I have read in a while!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
March 24, 2012
AGE
Read It! Great Story....
This was a great book! Very creepy, but if you keep in mind that it is 100% fake, you'll be just fine! Anyone who loves fantasy, mystery, comedy, and a little bit of horror should read this!
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Author: | Joan Lowery Nixon |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Mystery |
| Publisher: | Random House |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1983 |
| Number of pages: | 148 |
| Paperback price: | $4.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 11 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
Review It
Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
