Misfit's Magic: Twisting in Time

Misfit's Magic #3

by Fred Gracely

“Be thankful for the Verlokken who lives in your town, but maybe a few streets over or a couple of blocks down…”

“…a perfect balance of humor, heartbreak, and high stakes…” K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite (five stars)
“…a must-have for anyone who loves fantasy novels about self-discovery, courage, and friendship…” L. Nyakansaila, Readers' Favorite (five stars)
“A riveting, otherworldly tale of magic, monsters, and unwavering friendships.” -Kirkus, Our GET IT
"...lush and intricate, filled with talking animals, ancient spells, secret societies, and morally complex magic...will appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy grounded in emotion and told with warmth and creativity." C. Thompson, Readers' Favorite (five stars)
“Fast-paced fantasy brimming with magic, friendship, and heart…young, enthusiastic heroes—imbued with wit and heart—jump from one mystery to the next while striving to help the innocent and preserve their friendship.” -BookLife

Goffren (Goff in modern times) is the “ghost of Slaathwick,” an orphaned teenage Verlokken boy with a complex and treacherous relationship with the magical realm. It causes him to end up in the thick of the worst of it, and he drags anyone foolish enough to be friends with him along for the ride. People stay clear of him, and he stays clear of them, living alone in a small broom closet in the Royal Kitchen with his pet rat, Felix. He’d found a family once, a brief stint of feeling loved and happy, but a Verlokken doesn’t get to be happy. It ended in a horrible tragedy, thanks to him. Now, he keeps to himself, determined to never let that happen again.

When he reluctantly forms a friendship with a boisterous girl who performs at Royal Festivals and a stoic boy who is an apprentice Royal Magician, he pulls them along on a perilous effort to solve the mystery of strange murders at shimmering Castle Charmont and children being abducted from Slaathwick village and the outer Wicks.

On their fast-paced and treacherous adventure, they are almost eaten by a giant sea creature, barely escape a dark wizard’s castle, are nearly killed by winged lizards, flee from a wizard-hating mob, travel through magical portals, and are marked for execution. Ultimately, in his darkest hour, when all hope seems lost, Goffren must cast his fate to the wind and embrace the full, immense, terrifying extent of his Verlokken nature as his only hope of avoiding horrible tragedy. Again.“…a fantasy tale that draws you in right from the first page. The characters are excellent, developed to the point where you feel like you know them well, and the plot is unique, filled with twisting action all the way through.” A. Reynolds, Readers' Favorite (five stars)

"Misfit’s Magic is a highly recommended and charming fantasy that ups the stakes with every turn and has plenty of peril, suspense, and adventure along the way." L. Konkel, Readers' Favorite (five stars)

Genres: Middle Grade, Horror

320 pages, Paperback

Published July 13, 2025

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Mystic DreamClouds · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

Honestly speaking I know I enjoyed reading books one and two in this series but I cannot recall them well. The plot is fuzzy to me so I was glad that this installment doesn’t rely heavily on events that occurred in the previous books. This can surprisingly be read as a standalone, which is a plus!

The story follows Goffren and friends who regress into a historical time period. There they start afresh, meeting each other again and building their relationships, while trying to thwart the evil plans of the antagonists. The plot isn’t unique and honestly not very memorable since the suspense and buildup are lacking. Also, the romantic feelings expressed in this book are sudden developments but I’m guessing it’s because they are leveraging on the build up in the previous two books.

The writing in this book is not my favorite and that’s fine. I still enjoyed the story although I felt the words didn’t invoke any emotions. Yes, the characters mention their emotions and it’s clear what emotions they are going through, but I didn’t feel it from the writing. I didn’t feel a sense of urgency, fear, or happiness. I did however, feel sad at the end but that’s because we’ve been viewing this story from Goff’s perspective since book one, so I kind of don’t want to see anything happen to him or make him sad.

Goffren, Lydianna and Halstrohm’s adventure in this book was engaging and entertaining. I liked how the story builds the mystery, expertly weaving in hints before bringing it all together in the end. I also liked how each character helped contribute to the mystery by either adding details or ruling out a potential lead.

The characters are what build this story and keep it engaging. Goff is a relatable character. With his stubborn, insecure and genuine personality he’s sure to win any reader’s heart. Lydianna and Halstrohm were also comedic characters with their constant banter. I’m still surprised they didn’t end up together since book one! I felt like their moments created a fun atmosphere in the sometimes dark and trying times. I was glad to see Bones and Maxim back in this installment too, although they weren’t a large part of it. The other supporting characters didn’t really stand out to me, as their roles were kept to a minimum. The antagonists also didn’t feel very dark or evil. Instead, they felt somewhat misguided. Also, I personally felt that the character names in this book felt hard to remember and pronounce.

Overall, this was a fun adventure mystery with a happy ending! The book relayed a strong, yet heavy message that time keeps moving and doesn’t stop for anyone or anything. So no matter the ups and downs in life, you’ll have to carry them and move forward, hopefully with the help of friends and family.

Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf

[Mark Buxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What worked:
Bones, a character made of bones, fiddles with a magical object and sends Goff and his friends disappearing into a new story. Bones and Maxim can observe what happens to Goff, and the author occasionally inserts their observations. Putting characters into unfamiliar situations probably makes it easier for readers who haven’t read the previous two books in the series. The new characters bear strong resemblances to earlier books with similar names and personalities. Goff becomes Goffren, but he can still communicate with nature. Halstrom is now Halstrohm, and he’s still a know-it-all who takes everything literally. Halstrohm and Lydianna have constant, humorous banter over his misunderstandings of her figures of speech and her confusion when he uses big words.
Goffren is a Verlokken, so he’s afraid to become close to anyone else. The lines in a minstrel song from the book’s opening warn that if a Verlokken stays with a person too long, “Forever your life… Will treacherous… And complicated be.” His self-image as a Verlokken creates a large mental hurdle when it comes to accepting assistance. He helps Lydianna with two bullies, but he’s surprised when she calls him “Friend”. Halstrohm rescues Goffren from captivity, but he’s still reluctant to acknowledge Halstrohm’s friendship. Goffren is eventually forced to recognize he has two new companions, whether he likes it or not. The author periodically has Goff/Goffren keep a mental journal where he reflects on events, thoughts, and feelings. Readers may develop deeper connections with characters when Goffren has them share their innermost fears and worries.
Goffren suspects someone is using dark, illegal magic. Goffren is accused of murdering a baron after the man is turned to stone, and that must be a sign of dark magic. Goffren witnesses a wizard using illegal magic to open a hidden door, and he later learns a sorceress is using it to create horrible creatures. Halstrohm is apprenticing as a wizard, and he’s reluctant to believe Goffren’s observations. Children are also disappearing around the realm, and readers will wonder how everything fits together. Do the murders and missing kids have anything to do with what Goffren and his friends find on a frightening island? The king and queen seem incompetent, and the head of the guards wants to have Goffren executed, so it’s unclear whom the characters can trust.
What didn’t work as well:
There are many characters to remember, especially those living in the castle. Goffren moves back and forth through the kingdom, and it might have helped to include a map somewhere in the book.
The final verdict:
With the cast of characters transported to a setting in the past, readers new to the series can jump in without missing a beat. Previous relationships are reintroduced, and backstories are recreated. This series is highly entertaining, and I recommend giving all the books a shot.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisting in Time tells the story of Goff, a boy who desperately wishes to live a normal life but finds himself constantly dragged back into a world of magic, danger, and tangled loyalties. At Amworth Academy, what should have been quiet moments with friends and his first love quickly unravel into chaos as strange forces whisk people away, shadows stretch into monsters, and visions of looming battles return. The story swings between his present struggles and the origins of his curse in Slaathwick, where he is burdened with being a Verlokken, a kind of outcast whose magic is feared as much as it is needed. Through duels, betrayals, and heartbreaking losses, Goff keeps stumbling forward, hoping for safety and love, yet always being pulled into another storm.

What I liked most was the way the book balanced whimsy with darkness. There are scenes filled with warmth, like meals shared, jokes between friends, even the sweetness of Goff’s awkward romance with Joy, that made me smile. But just when I started to settle in, the story twisted into something darker. The shadows, the grotesque enemies, and the way time itself bends gave me a pit in my stomach. The writing has a playful rhythm in places, almost silly at times, and then suddenly sharp, reminding me of how childhood wonder collides with the dread of growing up. It kept me off balance, which I liked, because it mirrored Goff’s own unease.

Goff is both stubborn and insecure, and that mix makes him feel real. He longs to protect his friends, yet he keeps secrets, pushes people away, and sometimes gives in to anger. I wanted to shake him, but I also wanted to hug him. That kind of emotional pull is rare. The author’s choice to lean into food and cooking as recurring motifs was lovely too. Those moments grounded the story. A dish described in detail, or a meal shared, often felt more magical than spells or battles. It made me feel like magic wasn’t always in wands or words but sometimes in butter, lavender, or a loaf of bread.

By the time I reached the end, I felt both drained and hopeful. The book is heavy with loss and with the idea that time doesn’t really heal so much as twist and fold, carrying pain forward in new ways. Yet it’s also filled with small sparks of loyalty and friendship that remind you why the characters keep fighting. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy fantasy that doesn’t shy away from sorrow but still knows how to laugh at itself. It’s for anyone who wants a coming-of-age story tangled with monsters, magic, and heartache, but also with friendship, food, and flickers of joy that make the struggle worth it.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle grade read, and entertaining to this adult, a humorous fairy tale adventure mystery. Lots of fun with one liners and banter to amuse. New friendships, and misunderstanders are to be found in Goffren/Goff’s path trying once more to avoid a horrible tragedy. A happy ending is hoped for!
I’ve read all the books previous books in this series and this certainly helped understand the story. So with expected joy I dove in. It took me a few chapters to understand what was going on, even with my pre-knowledge of some of the characters. But once again I was rewarded with an enjoyable read. More is expected from Goff in the near future. Thank you to Bisket Press, LLC and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Katie E Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this has to be my fave so far! Chefs kiss!

I am very happy to have been a part of these misfits adventures! This one was so interesting that I had to keep re-reading parts cause the kiddos but omg I absolutely loved this one. Simply my favorite one so far. I loved how the end was only the beginning and the story circled back and Touched back to Frank's introduction.. I cannot wait to see what's in store for my favorite misfits! Thank you so much to the author for sending me this one and hopefully many more in the future! I promise if you like magic and adventure you're missing out if you don't read this series!

[Jason Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really really amazing. I was able to Beta Read it and it was so much fun. It was a great story that started and went non stop. It had really great themes of family in it. I highly recommend this book to others.

[BookswithLydscl | · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5* rounded up

Didnt work as well for me - more fantasty than fantasy horror - found the first two more interesting stories