Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Misfit's Magic #2

Shades of Winter

Rate this book
He thought he was done with the world of magic for good, but the world of magic wasn’t done with him. Finally feeling like he had a home while attending the boarding school of his dreams, Goff and his friends are dragged into a diabolic plot to create a new magical empire funded by rich and powerful people. If he can’t find a way to stop them, everyone he loves will be destroyed. Full of humor, magic, boarding school drama, epic battles, monsters, memorable characters, and surprising twists and turns, Shades of Winter will delight fans of urban fantasy, young and old.

312 pages, Paperback

Published November 24, 2023

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Fred Gracely

4 books66 followers

I've been a misfit all my life. I have enough dyslexia that left and right occasionally don't exist, and I have a long history with ADD, bullying (receiving end), and social anxiety. I grew up in Pennsylvania and now reside outside Boston, Massachusetts. After attending six different colleges and studying many subjects (English composition, art, electronics, computer science, psychology), I earned a B.S. in Psychology from Framingham State University and, later in life, an M.A. in Human Relations, Specializing in Holistic Counseling Psychology from Lesley University (psychology is one of my passions).

I don't write for any specific age, but I'm young at heart, so my books are pure escapism wrapped up in lots of bantering and humor. I'm delighted that my readers range from 4th graders to mature adults. There are several reasons for this. First of all, I write meaningful books with a clear message and theme. Secondly, my love of psychology results in my books often dealing with deeper concepts and presenting sophisticated views of the internal worlds of humans. At the same time, my love of exciting, unique, and atmospheric stories keeps them fun and engaging. So, there is a lot in there for readers young and old.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
55 (52%)
4 stars
44 (41%)
3 stars
4 (3%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Miguel Jr..
Author 17 books53 followers
March 20, 2024
Imaginative.

Goff continues his adventures with his two sidekicks, Halstrom and Lydia. On top of keeping his grades high at school, he fights against an evil scheme to resurrect this world's version of the Dark Lord. Goff's magical realm portrays a darker version compared to Harry Potter.

Pros:
1. The book cover is fantastic.
2. The illustrations are a splendid addition to this book.
3. Creative story.
4. Vivid descriptions.
5. Fred Gracely is a talented writer.
6. High-quality novel.
7. Great for YA enthusiasts.

Cons:
1. I had to force myself to continue reading to finish it.
2. Unrealistic ending.
3. No desire to re-read it in the future.
4. Bones and Maxim.
5. The editing could be better.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Viking Jam.
1,389 reviews24 followers
December 12, 2023
Review: This is a good series. Well balanced characters, interesting quests and unexpected turns make for a fun read. The world is inventive in a genre loaded with Potter wannabes. It still follows the same formula and characterization yet with a grounded approach.

I will continue.
1,587 reviews26 followers
November 7, 2023
What worked:
The opening scene offers an effective hook as Goff awakens from a horrible dream that seems like more of a premonition. He sees a mysterious “mosaic man” making plans with a gargoyle and saying the kids got lucky last year. They won’t be a problem this time. This vision really shakes up Goff and will immediately create tension for readers. His school life is complicated when Goff discovers some entitled classmates acting suspiciously and he fears magic is making its way back into his life. However, he’s sent off on a secret mission with his “team” before he can fully investigate the terrible thing brewing on the school’s campus. Much of the plot takes place across the world where Goff uncovers a nefarious plan of dark magic that spans generations.
Goff’s team mostly consists of his roommate Halstrom and a loyal friend named Lydia. Halstrom contributes humor to the story through his overly literal, analytical mind. Ironically, one of his first funny scenes comes when he tries to get Lydia to understand that she’s using the word literally incorrectly. Lydia isn’t so concerned with details but the author introduces a twist to her character. Something unexpected happens when Goff is hit with a blast of dark magic in the first book that has a game-changing effect on Lydia. Curiously, Goff lived with foster siblings named Ben and Pam, who enjoyed bullying him in the previous book, but Pam has now become an ally and Halstrom’s girlfriend. Pam and Ben become key factors in the plot but for totally unexpected reasons.
The concept of magic comes in various forms and sources. Goff is separated from his magic but that may be confusing for readers. He’s still able to connect with elements of nature and use the connections to perform “magical” deeds but this isn’t considered magic in the context of the story. The plot also includes things called nexi that help Goff, Lydia, and Halstrom with their magical shortcomings. Goff’s feelings about these small balls of light and their helpful actions actually boost them to the level of friendly characters. The evil characters perform traditional magic spells with sacrificial offerings and group chanting. Human sacrifice is not out of the question which amplifies the suspense.
What didn’t work as well:
The story makes a big point of describing how Goff lost his connection with magic however he’s still able to manipulate nature. I’m not able to reconcile the idea in my mind that Goff’s connection to nature isn’t considered magic. That inconsistency doesn’t work as well but most readers can probably disregard this concern.
The final verdict:
It’s not required that you read the first book but it wouldn’t hurt. Goff’s insecurities about being a leader and his loss of magic make him more endearing and add drama to the story. The whole conflict boils down to a resurrected battle between Goff and an ultimate evil and I recommend you give it a shot.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
224 reviews23 followers
November 21, 2023
This book has all of the YA/adult urban fantasy vibes, but is more appropriate for the younger crowd with no bad language and no spicy content. I personally find that many books that try for that vibe take it a bit too childish, and it becomes more of a twisted fairytale. This book is NOT that. It does have a few dark elements that might be disturbing for very young children depending on maturity, but would be great for the upper elementary and middle school crowd!

Before I get into my review, I'd like to say that I went into this one without having read the first book (this is book 2). While there are a few slight references to events in book 1, I felt that I was able to read book 2 without feeling lost or as if I had missed tons of information. I also didn't feel as if anything that I read in book two gave away massive spoilers from book one, so if I went back to read the first, I would likely still thoroughly enjoy it.

And now for my thoughts on the actual book/story...

I really enjoyed this! I loved the creatures that the author dreamed up, and that the nixies were given names to humanize them a bit more. I love the banter between the characters that provides a very good glimpse into how middle school friendships appear in the real world. They're always teasing and prodding at one another in a fun and sarcastic way! While I missed some of the magic in this book, that was kind-of the point, as Goff (who I kept calling Geoff in my mind) had lost his magic. That said, the magic from the other creatures came into play to make things interesting. And that ending! I did not expect it to go the way it did!

Would I recommend???

Absolutely! Especially to tweens and teens who may not be ready for the super heavy stuff, yet want a well-developed, not babyish storyline! I have already recommended this book to my daughter, and look forward to sharing it with others.

Side note: I am really liking the grouchy gargoyles, and will have to watch for more books to get more of them!

🧚🏻Thanks so much to NetGalley, Bisket Press, and author Fred Gracely for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for BookswithLydscl |.
1,187 reviews
November 19, 2023
4.25*
Thank you to NetGalley and Buskett Press LLC for a digital review copy of "Shades of Winter" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

YA fans of Harry Potter and Groosham Grange will undoubtedly enjoy this well written and surprisingly dark magical fantasy that celebrates individuality, friendship and found family.

This is book 2 in the series and this instalment sees Goff and friends Lydia and Halstrom now at Amworth Academy, hoping that the events in Spraksville are long behind them as they look to the future. But - nothing is ever that simple and so our heroic trio are dragged into a diabolic plot to create a new magical empire funded by rich and powerful people!

Much like with Book 1, I was so surprised at how dark and close to horror this book got with the use of very black magics, and eerie and effective settings making for a highly entertaining and spooky read.

This time the story wasn't quite as intense on the horror side and was more magics focused so will probably be a bit more comfortable for most in the YA/Middle Grade audience however it still had an edge that meant it isn't a soft magical book like the earlier book in the Harry Potter series are and definitely read closer to the later books in that series.

Much like Book 1 this story was a little overlong with some of the build-up probably being able to be cut down a little and I found Halstrom more annoying this time round however his banter with Lydia is very believable. This reflects on the rest of the characters as a whole who are generally very well rounded and three dimensional,and Goff especially is a likeable lead. Also we have again, truly bad baddies, and the final showdown was vividly written and action-packed.

I would recommend to read the books in order to get to know the characters plus several plot points directly relate to book 1. You can still absolutely read it out of order but I think you'll get far more enjoyment from starting at the beginning. A recommended and magical read.
Profile Image for Rachel.
1,033 reviews17 followers
December 3, 2023
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

This is a great follow-up to the first Misfit book. It refers back to events in the first without rehashing everything that occurred and continues to develop these characters. Quick note - if you haven't read The Last Halloween you probably want to before starting this as it provides a lot of the background you will need in order to follow everything that happens and is discussed. I liked getting to see the characters of Goff, Lydia, and Halstrom continue to work as a team in taking on whatever evil plots they find themselves in. The humor in the book (especially the banter between Lydia and Halstrom) keeps the story from getting too dark. I'm assuming the characters of Sam and Joy will play a role in future books because I didn't think they added much of anything to this one. I actually thought Goff and Lydia's feelings for those characters came on a little too quickly (this was more the case with Joy and Goff). The big reveal about Dempsey was a nice surprise and I look forward to seeing what he gets up to in future books. The villains keep the stakes high and turned out to be even worse than expected. Sometimes the second book in a series don't live up to the first, but I found this to be a perfect sequel. As I mentioned previously, it continues the already established story while moving the characters and larger plot forward. I can't wait to see what happens next with the main trio, but also what future books have in store for Pam and Ben (that reveal was definitely a game changer). Looking forward to book 3 next fall!
Profile Image for Mystic DreamClouds.
540 reviews12 followers
January 14, 2024
Special thanks to the author(s), publisher, Goodreads and/or NetGalley for the review copy. All views and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

The story opens with a frightening dream-like premonition. Goff would soon later realize this was the beginning of his days back into magic.

A little bit into the future from the events of the first book, we’re introduced to Goff, Lydia and Halstrom’s life at their new boarding school. It felt a little unnatural but somehow it worked altogether. We don’t delve into their school life a whole lot except their standings, strengths and weak subjects. Although, I think the one school scene was a bit random and didn’t contribute to the overall story. Besides Halstrom and Pam’s relationship, it was also awkward how both Goff and Lydia had romantic interests now because it was a sudden development.

The story has a lot of twists and turns. Some are really well done while others seem a little rushed and sloppy. The plot is quite similar to the first book with another attempt at resurrection with Goff somehow saving the day. I still thoroughly enjoyed it but what stood out for me the most was Goff’s growth.

We could understand and see Goff’s care for his friends and his ability to put things together. While I was not a fan of everyone relying on him and some of the friendship dynamics, I think Goff did a great job in trusting in himself and being honest with his friends.

There are a lot of new and recurring characters in this book. I wasn’t particularly attached to any of them, but they did contribute to the story in different ways. Whether they were being a villain, comedic relief or just supportive they each had a purpose. That said, none of the villains are portrayed as too dark or vicious even though the story does touch on elements of dark magic quite heavily.

Overall, this was a fun adventure mystery. All events tie up cleanly at the end and although the mystery took a while to start, it was engaging once it did. This book does hint at a mystery surrounding Goff, so I’m looking forward to the next book!

Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
Profile Image for Amy Wolford.
145 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2023
Just want to start with that I did not read book 1 before reading book 2. I did not feel like I needed to read the first one to be able to understand this one. There are references to the events of book 1 but I did not feel lost by it. And it doesn't give too much away where I cannot go back to read book 1.

With that said, I did enjoy this book. The world is imaginative and I love the creatures that the author have created. The gargoyles are not the usual gargoyles I have seen in other books. The three friends( Goff, Lydia, and Halstrom) are written so believably. They banter and tease each other that made them real as I read through the book.

I was nicely surprised by the darker elements in the book. I liked that this story does not dumb down the material to its intended audience. It is a good read for young middle grade readers.

I do recommend this for readers who live urban fantasy with relatably characters.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Buskett press for an eARC of Shades of Winter.
2,380 reviews38 followers
February 29, 2024
Goff thought he was done with magic when he set foot in the dormitory of the boarding school. Goff and his friends Halstrom and Lydia are dragged into another evil plot to create a new and different magical empire. Why? If he doesn’t find a way to stop this, all the people he loves and care about will die. Will Goff be able to do it? While he looks for the answer to stop it, he runs into “the Mosiac Man” who haunts his dreams. It worries him.

The author has written this book as a sequel to his previous book “Misfit’s Magic the last Halloween.” The book is filled with magic, humor, boarding school magic, and monsters. There are surprising twists and turns in their adventure. Ont of the things that surprised me was his visit with a gargoyle. I enjoyed his conversation with it. It is a delightful urban fantasy.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Therearenobadbooks.
2,113 reviews109 followers
December 2, 2023
I was drawn to this book because of the cover it gives us dark fantasy/mystery vines and feels like the three will face many dangers and it didn't disappoint. Also, the colorful tiny lights hint at Christmas a great sequel to the first book (that I believe has Halloween vibes - I haven't read the second and didn't notice there was a second because the author crafted this volume well to stand on its own). The end is satisfying and joyful and my favorite thing is their link of friendship that makes the team strong and confident to save the world.
The author has great scenes well described and easy to visualize, some are dark others are magical and splendurous.
Fun urban fantasy with lots of action and creative characters.
My favorite character is Goff.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this e-ARC.
Profile Image for Kirstyn (readwithkirstyn).
863 reviews24 followers
December 22, 2023
"Misfit's Magic" is a delightful young adult novel that effortlessly weaves fantasy elements into an engaging narrative. This book is a joyous exploration of the unexpected and the extraordinary, making it a perfect read for those who love a touch of magic in their stories. The characters are endearing, and their journey is both captivating and relatable. As the plot unfolds, the reader is drawn into a world filled with whimsy and wonder, making it difficult to put the book down. The novel's blend of adventure and charm makes it a quick and enjoyable read, leaving readers eagerly anticipating where the characters will go next. "Misfit's Magic" is a testament to the author's skill in creating a compelling young adult fantasy that entertains and resonates with readers of all ages.
Profile Image for Katie E Higgins .
62 reviews3 followers
July 11, 2025
the misfits thought they were all done with the magical world when they saved theirs but they slowly find their way back into another plan that was created before they were born and race to stop the evils of dark magic taking over the world again... you must return with goff to try and stop these new and old forces from destroying everything they know and love. highly recommend this YA Fantasy series to all who live for fictional fantasy characters to love!
Profile Image for Renee Winter.
468 reviews18 followers
January 4, 2024
I'm so glad that I got this one for my grandson! It's fun, full of humor, magic and monsters! Everything he loves! The story plot is engaging. Rich characters that are well developed. We bot found this one a delight! Thanks #Netgalley and #BisketPressLLC for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine
Profile Image for Mindy.
35 reviews
February 14, 2026
So the book is advertised as being similar to Harry Potter, but I think it borrows from HP just a teeny tiny bit. I like the trilogy and I read all three. It's a great book for kids and adults who like books for kids...Like Harry Potter, which I do. My favorite was the first, but the other two are very good as well. I recommend reading them all.
Profile Image for Becky Rice.
248 reviews44 followers
December 14, 2023
This is the second book in the series.
A really enjoyable middle grade story with a good plot. I love any series that is well written and has fantasy/magic elements.
5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC
184 reviews7 followers
November 13, 2023
This is a fun story. Dark but perfect for kids. I enjoyed the characters and the premise. Well done.
Profile Image for Jeanine Norman.
20 reviews
February 14, 2024
Read book 1, which was good. Book 2 was not disappointing. Still jumping in and out of situations. It had interesting plots and twists. I wish there was a book 3.
3 reviews
September 23, 2025
If you loved Harry Potter…..

You will definitely love this series! I can’t wait to read the next book! I feel like a kid again traveling to another world! See you there!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews