Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Finale pulls into the station with adventure and heart.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In MIDNIGHT TRAIN: ENCHANTER'S CHILD, BOOK 2, Alex and Benn are hiding in a cave to avoid the king's frightening Jackal guards and know it's only a matter of time before they're caught. Meanwhile Alex's enchanter father, Hagos, uses some of his magic to release him from the dungeons and makes a pact with the king to keep rooms in a tower instead. This is where Alex finds Hagos when she's captured by the Jackal and escapes by turning her and Benn invisible. Alex immediately senses she's home and wishes she could stay, but there's work to be done. She tries to convince her father to find the last book of three magic books – together they can rid the land of the Twilight Hauntings the king forced him to create – but Hagos believes the last book is gone. That doesn't stop Alex from hoping, especially since she feels the last book calling to her.
Is It Any Good?
Quirky, sweet-natured characters and lots of adventure make this story chug along in a fun way, even if some of the magical elements get off track. Here's one of those rare series that surprises readers with an early wrap-up -- just two books. Author Angie Sage wrote seven hefty books in her popular Septimus Heap series. But the magical characters in Midnight Train are given a simple task by the end to save the land -- a bit too simple, even for such a compact read. Still, there are other surprises along the way, and lots of kidnappings and escapes, and Sage's usual emphasis on characters that are always curious and never too cruel. Even if you're not a fan of Zerra, Alex's foster sister, she's full of mischief in a really funny way and makes some discoveries about herself that keep her from ever seeming too terrible. Even the king is a silly character and is only mean because he's a fraidy-cat.
The title of the book will have readers waiting for the train to arrive. It's an exciting element in the story, but could have been weaved in more, earlier to make its appearance more of a show-stopper. Still, overall, this series is a delightful, brief ride for fans of magical fantasy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the silly king in Midnight Train. What does he fear? Why is his cowardice so dangerous? How did he manage to turn his whole country upside-down with the help of his fears?
How does Zerra, Alex's foster sister, change during the course of the book? Is she a better person by the end? Are the characters in this book easily split into heroes and villains? Or is there something to like and dislike about each one? What other books do you read have harder-to-like characters like Zerra? Do you prefer books that make it easier to tell the good folks from the bad folks?
Would you read more about the characters in this series? Were you surpised when the series wrapped up in only two books? Could the author have made this a trilogy? How?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Transportation ( Trains )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Katherine Tegen Books
- Publication date : February 2, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 352
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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