The Midnight Carnival

by Kenny Gould

Ladies and gentlemen, griffins and gnolls... the carnival is OPEN!

Max Plank is a down-on-his-luck handyman with no job, no prospects, and no plan. But when he discovers a million dollars hidden beneath his bathtub, he does what anyone would he buys a haunted, defunct amusement park.

Now the reluctant ringleader of the Carnival of the Sun, Max finds himself swept into a world of monstrous politics, angry dryads, and flamboyant wargs. With the help of several unlikely allies, he sets out to rebuild the carnival, bridge the widening gap between humans and monsters, and maybe even find a little joy along the way.

If you

- Cozy fantasies
- Whimsical worldbuilding
- Found family
- Second chances
- Funnel cake
- A little danger wrapped in a lot of comfort... then grab your ticket and join the fun!

Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Spirited Away, The Midnight Carnival is a cozy fantasy full of spooky fun, heartfelt friendship, and just enough danger to make you hug the blanket tighter on a cold night.

Genres: Fantasy

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2025

About the author

Kenny Gould is the founder of Hop Culture Magazine and a food and beverage writer for Bon Appetit, Thrillist, Time Out New York, and more. He also writes fantasy fiction. Follow him on Instagram at @thekennygould.

Reviews

[Skyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc!

This book is the definition of a cozy fantasy read. If you love Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree then The Midnight Carnival is right up your alley. I will say I am not the biggest fan of cozy fantasy genre, however this one was a good read. We follow Max a down on his luck adult who finds a million dollars under his bathtub and buys a rundown carnival. The world is filled with different creatures and monsters some known as being good and some being extremely dangerous to humans. There was one monster that was mentioned throughout the book that we never got to see or meet which kind of disappointed me. I thought it would bring this climatic moment to the book but alas not. The story feels like a warm hug with a side of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows.

[Jordy Rousse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cozy, fun read.
Love Gould's writing style and will read anything he writes.

[Kisha Quiñones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step right up—because apparently all it takes is a million dollars under your bathtub to buy yourself a haunted carnival.

The Midnight Carnival by Kenny Gould is one of those books that just feels like a rainy afternoon read with a cup of coffee. It’s cozy, whimsical, and a little bit quirky in the best way. The setup is hilarious and perfect: Max Plank, who’s basically at rock bottom, finds a million dollars hidden under his bathtub and does what any sane person would do—buys a haunted amusement park. From there, you’ve got monsters, friendship, and a whole lot of carnival charm.

The best part for me? The vibes. Gould really nailed that warm, “found family” energy. I also really liked how the book touched on deeper stuff—like humans vs. monsters and prejudice—without losing its overall cozy tone.

Now, onto my nitpicks:

1. The romance? SUPER slow burn. I liked the subtlety (I’m a sucker for those soft moments), but I do wish it had been fleshed out just a tiny bit more—it felt like a simmer that never quite reached a boil.

2. Some of the worldbuilding felt surface-level. The carnival itself was well-done and whimsical, but outside of it, I wanted it to be more grounding. Sometimes it felt like there was a bigger, richer world waiting just off the page.

But honestly, those are small things compared to how much I enjoyed the heart of this story. It’s hopeful, it’s charming, and it’s the kind of book you reach for when you want comfort with just a sprinkle of magic. Definitely recommended if you love cozy fantasy or if Spirited Away left a little nostalgic imprint on your heart.

Closing thought: This carnival might be haunted, but reading it felt like a ticket to something warm, magical, and quietly joyful. I’ll be first in line if Gould writes a sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Matt Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun read with a great message to it!

[Kenny Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote the darn thing. And I love it. I can’t say that about everything I write, but this one is special to me.

[Rachael Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max has been going through it with life, but as he is doing some renovations on his home, he uncovers a hidden space underneath the bathtub. N the space, he finds a million dollars in cash and the same day, a carnival he loved as a child goes on the market for the exact price. Since it was an unexpected windfall, he hesitantly takes the deal and finds himself the owner of The Carnival of the Sun.

After signing on the dotted line, he finds out his rival (and guy who stole his girlfriend) wants to buy the property. To spite him, Max goes to his office and acts as though he is willing to entertain the offer which would make him about 5 times the amount he just spent. But Max decides he wants to see the Carnival succeed again rather than sell to the jerk.

It's such a cute cozy fantasy and I agree with the thought that it's a good ft for Legends & Lattes. It's low stakes and whimsical. There's a little bit of tension but nothing too heavy. We've got some supernatural creatures and many people who want to help the carnival succeed. I didn't care too much about the hints of romance. I kind of felt like we could have left it out. I would love to see this carnival grow or maybe we can get a book for various season like Halloween or Christmas and various things which may come from that. Such a quick adorable read and I highly recommend.

[Lady Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it looks nothing like it, except for its being red, the cover reminds me of Something Wicked This Way Comes, which is also about a midnight carnival.

I love the map of the carnival at the beginning. It's so cute! I do wish there were a map of the area, though.

I like the short chapters. They give me opportunities to put the book down for good reasons: to go to the bathroom, eat a meal, or ring in the new year with family, good stopping places. I like the large margins that make for easy holding of the book. I do wish it had a table of contents.

I like how very little of it feels threatening/suspenseful. I don't know that revenge is a good reason to do anything, really. There are a TON of things sweeter than revenge.

I love the sentiment of this sentence from chapter six, that I don't think really spoils anything, but really speaks to real life. "He talked about making the city more beautiful, yet he couldn't see the beauty in what was already there."

When Rigsby threatens Max, telling him it will be dangerous, I expected a Rigsby threat, but it never came, and I think that was a bit of a missed opportunity.

This book is written with humor and charm, which makes some of its more serious topics more approachable.

The grammar, spelling, and punctuation could be improved.

It is interesting that it is written in first person, and I'd love to know more about that choice. I guess the best person to ask is the author, himself.

I love the emphasis on teamwork and trust in your team members.

"It's not easy to act in good faith, because the rotten among us will always take advantage of kindness," but let's not let that stop us, as humans (and/or monsters) to improve things for ourselves and others.

[Carrie Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenny Gould said in his acknowledgements that he set out to write a cozy fantasy which felt like a warm hug. He definitely accomplished this in The Midnight Carnival. I loved Max's charming story and learning about this contemporary fantasy world. Some of the best parts of the book were getting to know the many different creatures and seeing how they were willing to work together to get the carnival in shape for its opening.

Kenny balanced the lighthearted scenes along with the heavier topics, such as the way many humans are trying to separate themselves from the monsters. I enjoyed getting to see their various perspectives on what was going on. It would be interesting to see other tales set in this world.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

[SoulfulVidaDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpected and fantastic cozy feel good experience this book was. I loved that although it was fantasy, the character was very human and was experiencing a very human part of life that everyone understands, loss and a lack of purpose. The book managed to address issues of equality, tolerance, empathy and carve a very strong message that said, "all is not lost if we can learn to treat others with dignity and respect regardless of where they come from, and what they look like." So fitting in a time where all we see is violence, intolerance and division. This was such a lovely book full of hope. Def recommend it and I think its a wonderful read for kids as well because the themes are so clear and easy to follow for both adults and children.

[Paula Lappin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. It was really enjoyable reading how Max was able to find a purpose after multiple personal tragedies. Not only did he find purpose for himself, he was able to help others find theirs. In the process he builds a community around The Midnight Carnival. The book also touches on a few topics like confronting your own prejudices and taking care of your emotional wellbeing. I love how Kenny wrote about these topics but still kept the book light. It was a really comfortable read, one where I knew there were stakes at risk but I did not have to worry about if there would be a happy ending or not. I will definitely be rereading this one. Crew

[Max I Like Fantasy Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2

I really enjoyed this. Thematically, this does a lot more than some of the other cozy fantasies and this story is refreshing for it. It takes a very serious and wide spread issue (racism, or in this case specieism) throws it into a "low stakes" story with cozy vibes.

I will also say that when your read the synopsis and begin reading this book I had certain expectations or really intuitions about where the story will go. It doesnt. And I really liked it. I think I would go on a road trip with Max and Crew check out more of this world.

Until then, bring on The Castle with 1000 Doors.

[Sabrina Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you discovered a million dollars hidden in a secret space beneath the house you once shared with your ex? Would you use it to buy the carnival from your childhood—the very one that just went up for sale at the same price?

That’s exactly the choice Max makes. With the help of his estranged friends—and even a few local monsters—he sets out to breathe new life into the Midnight Carnival.

Whimsical, heartwarming, and delightfully low stakes, The Midnight Carnival is a sweet, short fantasy that feels like pure magic.

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book promises a cozy, heart-warming yet suspenseful story with interesting characters, and it truly delivers. I loved the nostalgic carnival setting, the quirky life stories of the different people involved, and most of all the inclusive message of the book. The found family trope was very well done, and Max is a great narrator. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a short delightful read that leaves you with more hope and happiness.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for provoding me with an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story sounded so intriguing from the initial blurb ad I have always been a big fan of cosy fantasy having thoroughly enjoyed Legends and Lattes as well as other cosy fantasy stories- however I wasn't able to fully get into or jive with this story. It saddens me to say that I got as far as the halfway mark before making the difficult decision to DNF it as it wasn't grabbing me at all- not the book for me as an avid fantasy reader.
Thankyou to Net galley and Spider head Press for an arc copy.

[Emy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max Plank is a struggling handyman who finds a million dollars hidden under his bathtub. He proceeds to buy a haunted amusement park and becomes the leader of the Carnival of the Sun, spending his energies rebuilding the carnival.
This was a slow burn romance with heart warming interesting characters. I found it to have limited world building but despite that I found it to be an easy read and perfect for the autumn

[Giniro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whimsical and cozy read. THere is something about the magic of amusement parks that doesn't really go away if they are in top shape or run down. There are so many things to discover, things to fix, rides, monsters, friends, a project that isn't about the project but about yourself somehow.

Found family takes center stage with hints of romance. The small quiet moments just nestling in around the characters. A lovely book to read during a rainy day.

[Jay Goebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried a Cozy Fantasy before and I thought they weren’t for me. Well, I saw such good stuff said about this one I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed. I loved this. It was easy to read, it had an engaging story, and the characters were loveable. Definitely recommend this to others who might be on the fence about Cozy Fantasies.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this whole book! Definitely a cozy fantasy. Great messages of different groups of characters all getting along. I audibly said “aww” several times near the end of the book when several of the loose ends from the start of the book came back around for a happy ending. Would definitely recommend this story! I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Jaclynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
First, I would like to say thank you for allowing me an ARC copy of this book!

This is my first book by Kenny Gould. I love reading cozy fantasies, especially during the cozy months! This book delivered, I adored the characters, and it was absolutely cozy. I enjoyed this book.

[Deanna Crago · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute but just not my absolute favorite the story was interesting and fast moving but it just didn’t hook me as much as I wanted it to. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Amy Moors · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*

[Kim Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super cute, cozy read! This is such a great one for anyone who appreciates their fantasy on the whimsical side.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun, cozy read! Great characters and world building.

[Joy Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun cozy fantasy! Great job Kenny! The characters were fun and memorable, plot was fun and not too predictable. Don’t have time for more now, but enjoyable YA read.

[Quin Meiseles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly was a warm hug of a book. I really enjoyed this read!

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Midnight Carnival feels like a cozy-ified Night Vale, or maybe a spookier cousin of Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold with a touch of Onward. Add in a dash of Howl’s Moving Castle’s fantastical logic and cynicism of reality, and you’re close to the atmosphere this book conjures.

It’s a short, charming read (easy to dip in and out of) and it’s full of delightful little asides about the world. The narration unfolds the way people tell stories aloud, digressing into extra tidbits and context before circling back. That approach gave the book a timeless, fireside-story quality, as if you’re listening to a friend spin a tale at a traveling fair.

Reading it actually brought back memories of the first time I went to a steam fair, in that strange in-between space where antique machinery met modern lights. The evening felt like its own magical pocket, bittersweet, nostalgic, and enchanting all at once. This book gave me a similar balm: whimsical, a little spooky, and ultimately comforting.

I do wish it had been illustrated—the world begs for visuals—but what’s here still shines. The story combines Howl’s mysterious backstory, Terry Pratchett-esque magical logic, and a gentle gothic coziness that feels perfect for autumn nights. Best of all, there’s a moment near the end when a very minor furry character makes a return. It’s such a small detail that many authors might have overlooked it, but its inclusion delighted me and tied the whole “all’s well that ends well” vibe together.

Kenny Gould set out to write a light, cozy-spooky tale, and he completed his mission.

Thank you Spiderhead Press for sending me an arc through Netgalley!

[Adam L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun cozy novel. Fans of Legends and Lattes, Legend of Uh, or Guard in the Garden are going to love this. Found family, amazing story, just feel good vibes all the way.

Must read for all