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Vanishing Trick
'A thrilling, original, evocative and eerie tale - I adored it!’ Michelle Harrison , author of A Pinch of Magic'A thrilling page-turner. Madame Pinchbeck is a gloriously Dickensian villain’ Abi Elphinstone , author of Sky Song'Ghosts, gadgets, likeable villains and unlikely The Vanishing Trick is a dark and dazzling adventure’ Emma Carroll , author of Letters from the Lighthouse'A completely enthralling tale, oozing with atmosphere and originality’ Catherine Doyle , author of The Storm Keeper's Island'Jenni Spangler is the next big voice in children’s magical history novels’ Lucy Powrie , author of The Paper & Hearts Society ' Deliciously dark and atmospheric … I couldn’t get enough' Nizrana Farook , author of The Girl Who Stole An Elephant 'A spectacular heart-stopping adventure in a dark and dangerous Victorian world' Tamsin Winter, author of Jemima Small Versus the Universe 'An eventful gothic adventure full of secrets and surprises' Sunday Times Book of The Week?Step into a world of secrets, folklore and illusions, where nothing is as it seems and magic is at play… Madame Augustina Pinchbeck , travels the country conjuring the spirits of dearly departed loved ones... for a price. Whilst her ability to contact ghosts is a game of smoke and mirrors, there is real magic behind her tricks too - if you know where to look. Through a magical trade, she persuades children to part with precious objects, promising to use her powers to help them. But Pinchbeck is a deceiver, instead turning their items into enchanted Cabinets that bind the children to her and into which she can vanish and summon them at will. When Pinchbeck captures orphan Leander , events are set into motion that see him and his new friends Charlotte and Felix , in a race against time to break Pinchbeck’s spell, before one of them vanishes forever…#TheVanishingTrickA historical adventure with a magical twist from an outstanding debut talent. Perfect for fans of Michelle Harrison, Sophie Anderson and Emma Carroll.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
17 people are currently reading
1023 people want to read
About the author
Jenni Spangler
8 books28 followersTheatre school drop out, ex-999 operator and occasional forklift driver, Jenni writes children’s books with a magical twist. She loves to take real and familiar places and events and add a layer of mystery and hocus-pocus.
She was part of the first year of the ‘WriteMentor’ scheme, mentored by Lindsay Galvin, author of ‘The Secret Deep’. As well as her magical middle grade novels, Jenni writes short contemporary YA stories for reluctant and struggling readers, including Torn and Wanted for Badger Learning.
Jenni has an Open University degree in English Language and Literature, a 500 metre swimming badge and a great recipe for chocolate brownies. She lives in Staffordshire with her husband and two children. She loves old photographs, picture books and tea, but is wary of manhole covers following an unfortunate incident.
She was part of the first year of the ‘WriteMentor’ scheme, mentored by Lindsay Galvin, author of ‘The Secret Deep’. As well as her magical middle grade novels, Jenni writes short contemporary YA stories for reluctant and struggling readers, including Torn and Wanted for Badger Learning.
Jenni has an Open University degree in English Language and Literature, a 500 metre swimming badge and a great recipe for chocolate brownies. She lives in Staffordshire with her husband and two children. She loves old photographs, picture books and tea, but is wary of manhole covers following an unfortunate incident.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
April 18, 2020
A Gothic, Dickensian middle grade that felt very Dorian Gray meets Oliver Twist.
Leander is a thief who has no family to protect him, so when Madame Pinchbeck offers him a life with her in exchange for his locket, he jumps at the chance. Except, this sort of offer is a trick. Now, Leander finds himself trapped where Pinchbeck can summon and banish him at will like a ghost. He's not the only child she has taken either, so we follow Leander's, Charlotte's and Felix's desperate attempts to escape the villainous woman.
The plot and atmosphere in this is SO good. Following Leander, who is such a hopeful optimist it's hard not to root for him. It's not long before we are introduced to our other two heroes, Charlotte and Felix, who become very well developed, you will know them inside and out by the end of the book. They each carry with them a story of their past that's interesting to find out, and seeing all the threads come together was so fun to watch unfold.
One of the true highlights of this book is Madame Pinchbeck, an absolute character who has been described as a Dickensian villain and I totally agree with that statement. She doesn't always come across as a villain which is my favourite type of villain, because then I start questioning myself. The premise of her power is very intriguing and one that kept the stakes so very high throughout the book - I didn't know what our heroes could do! I felt helpless alongside them!
The atmosphere in this is fantastic and it's so well written, with moments of spooky brilliance with graveyards and seances. A definite recommendation from me if you fancy yourself a darker middle grade.
Leander is a thief who has no family to protect him, so when Madame Pinchbeck offers him a life with her in exchange for his locket, he jumps at the chance. Except, this sort of offer is a trick. Now, Leander finds himself trapped where Pinchbeck can summon and banish him at will like a ghost. He's not the only child she has taken either, so we follow Leander's, Charlotte's and Felix's desperate attempts to escape the villainous woman.
The plot and atmosphere in this is SO good. Following Leander, who is such a hopeful optimist it's hard not to root for him. It's not long before we are introduced to our other two heroes, Charlotte and Felix, who become very well developed, you will know them inside and out by the end of the book. They each carry with them a story of their past that's interesting to find out, and seeing all the threads come together was so fun to watch unfold.
One of the true highlights of this book is Madame Pinchbeck, an absolute character who has been described as a Dickensian villain and I totally agree with that statement. She doesn't always come across as a villain which is my favourite type of villain, because then I start questioning myself. The premise of her power is very intriguing and one that kept the stakes so very high throughout the book - I didn't know what our heroes could do! I felt helpless alongside them!
The atmosphere in this is fantastic and it's so well written, with moments of spooky brilliance with graveyards and seances. A definite recommendation from me if you fancy yourself a darker middle grade.
March 15, 2021
Step into a world of cards, magic and miracles!
This made for an enjoyable, suspenseful read with stolen children and magic tricks. Or are they?
This made for an enjoyable, suspenseful read with stolen children and magic tricks. Or are they?
December 24, 2019
Stardust meets Aladdin in this thrilling, evocative and eerie tale.
Sometimes you pick up a story and you know from the very first line that it's special. This is one of those stories. Three children: Leander, Felix and Charlotte, are held captive by the cruel Madame Pinchbeck, a charlatan medium who preys on the bereaved in her fake seances. By trapping the children's souls in objects dear to them, Pinchbeck is able to summon or banish them at will, creating a ghostly illusion to convince even the most sceptical of critics. But as Pinchbeck's ambitions and greed grow, so does the risk of the captive children vanishing for good. Can they work out a way to free themselves from this dark magic?
Everything about this story - the 1870s setting, the seances, the tarot card links and chapter titles and most of all the beautiful writing - demanded to be read. I’ve neglected almost everything over the past couple of days to sit and devour it (I now have a mountain of wrapping up to do)! When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. I loved the concept of the enchanted objects, and how the magic in the story is ‘contained’ in this way, which for me always makes magical stories more believable.
Jenni Spangler is a bewitching talent, and this is an accomplished debut. I adored it.
Sometimes you pick up a story and you know from the very first line that it's special. This is one of those stories. Three children: Leander, Felix and Charlotte, are held captive by the cruel Madame Pinchbeck, a charlatan medium who preys on the bereaved in her fake seances. By trapping the children's souls in objects dear to them, Pinchbeck is able to summon or banish them at will, creating a ghostly illusion to convince even the most sceptical of critics. But as Pinchbeck's ambitions and greed grow, so does the risk of the captive children vanishing for good. Can they work out a way to free themselves from this dark magic?
Everything about this story - the 1870s setting, the seances, the tarot card links and chapter titles and most of all the beautiful writing - demanded to be read. I’ve neglected almost everything over the past couple of days to sit and devour it (I now have a mountain of wrapping up to do)! When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. I loved the concept of the enchanted objects, and how the magic in the story is ‘contained’ in this way, which for me always makes magical stories more believable.
Jenni Spangler is a bewitching talent, and this is an accomplished debut. I adored it.
March 16, 2020
I loved this middle grade book set in the victorian period . Delighted. Highly recommend . The villain is a witchy child-snatcher and I think it would be better if you read it without reading the synopsis first ( that's what I did and it was fantastic ). The writing is phenomenal , characters are interesting and plot twist after plot twist ! Wow.
*I received an e-ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received an e-ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2020
Ok this was so good! It was so dark & amazing. It’s set in the 1870s Victorian era-so of course, I loved all of that lol our 3 main characters Leander, Felix, & Charlotte were all great. Leander was so in need of love & being accepted & belonging somewhere. Felix was such a gentle soul, mature beyond his years. Always missing & searching for his lost brother. Charlotte was feisty, sassy, strong, & determined. I loved each of their backstories, & how different they all were, & each way was also different of how Madame Pinchbeck captured them. Then how they all weaved together. Each magical object different to each kid was so creative, & the way the author had the magic contained was brilliant. I love how an old fairytale played into this story too, that was amazing. This was what my gothic MG loving heart needed! So mysterious, dark, eerie, adventurous, & magical. I loved how the story came together-fit together perfectly in place, wrapping up so nicely! I didn’t know how it would end, & it was amazing what the author came up with. I loved everything about the ending-expect being done & wanting more!😆 I highly recommend this! I can’t wait to have more from this author!!💜💜Beautiful cover too! So gorgeous!!😍😍
October 5, 2020
I know this is probably sacrilege, but I enjoyed this more than Coraline! **flees**
Seriously, this book was EVERYTHING!! A gothic horror story, a fairy tale, a MG book, whatever you want it to be.
I can’t wait to see what Jenni Spangler does next!! She has a wonderful writing style, timeless, imagery..
My only regret is that there were no illustrations to go along with THAT COVER!!😍😍
Seriously, this book was EVERYTHING!! A gothic horror story, a fairy tale, a MG book, whatever you want it to be.
I can’t wait to see what Jenni Spangler does next!! She has a wonderful writing style, timeless, imagery..
My only regret is that there were no illustrations to go along with THAT COVER!!😍😍
March 5, 2020
The Vanishing Trick was magical and unique. It wasn't like any other middle grade books I've read before. The magical touch in this book made me keep on reading. You know it's a good book if you feel like this.
This book is about three children which are Leander, Felix and Charlotte. They are held captive by Madame Pinchbeck who is very cruel and greedy. She did so many dark magic including trapping the children's souls. And with that she can summon and banish them as she likes. She became greedy. Leander, Felix and Charlotte need to find their way to escape her dark magic.
The plot is in neat and the writing is beautiful. The magical element in this one made me want to watch some magical movie that involved children. The pace was fast and a lot of things happened were really exciting especially the twist. The concept of using enchanted object was brilliant!
A lot of things that children or anyone can learn from this book. For example how to be brave and how to figure out the way to settle any problems that we face or always find a way to help people that are in need. The message in this book is very important.
Thank you Pansing for sending me a copy of The Vanishing Trick in return for an honest review. This book will be available on April onwards.
This book is about three children which are Leander, Felix and Charlotte. They are held captive by Madame Pinchbeck who is very cruel and greedy. She did so many dark magic including trapping the children's souls. And with that she can summon and banish them as she likes. She became greedy. Leander, Felix and Charlotte need to find their way to escape her dark magic.
The plot is in neat and the writing is beautiful. The magical element in this one made me want to watch some magical movie that involved children. The pace was fast and a lot of things happened were really exciting especially the twist. The concept of using enchanted object was brilliant!
A lot of things that children or anyone can learn from this book. For example how to be brave and how to figure out the way to settle any problems that we face or always find a way to help people that are in need. The message in this book is very important.
Thank you Pansing for sending me a copy of The Vanishing Trick in return for an honest review. This book will be available on April onwards.
August 3, 2020
My first children’s book for many months was… all right? There’s certainly a very cod-Aiken vibe to its supposedly Victorian but much more generic-fantasy-feeling setting, and the horrid Madame Pinchbeck, who traps children’s souls in household objects, is a clear descendant of Miss Slighcarp. I couldn’t help feeling, though, that three child narrators (all in an undifferentiated third person) was at least one too many, and Spangler compounds the issue by spelling out emotion and motive instead of building up character through behaviour and letting us deduce it. The Vanishing Trick is definitely fun, but you can’t compare it to Reeve or Hardinge or Robin Stevens.
May 26, 2020
A great story with an appealing magic core and a strong premise that I can see easily becoming a film, and probably doing very well with its target of middle-grade (9-12) readers. For me though it had some challenges, starting with Leander, one of the three children.
The story opens with Leander and the first chapter is exciting. Leander, starving, steals a pie to eat and ends up hiding in a strange carriage with weird contents - and an encounter with a threatening woman who tricks him into giving up control of his life to her. It seems Leander is the intended hero, a sort of Artful Dodger type who survives on his wits. Yet, as the story develops, he doesn't quite pull it off, being rather wishy-washy at times and hard to cheer on. (There's an episode where he tries and fails to steal a crucial item, which the children get later anyway. Nobody ever knows about his attempt and I was left wondering why that scene was even in the book.)
Then there's the endless internal debate each child has about their captor, Pinchbeck. Initially the two other children Charlotte and Felix explain to Leander the dangerous situation they're in, but after that and for most of the book, each child has his or her own doubts which they repeatedly churn over to themselves in their own minds - sometimes wavering from one page to the next - which starts to get irritating and repetitive. It's so obvious to the reader that Pinchbeck is evil that the children's vacillation between trying to escape to save their lives and loyalty and guilt about doing this makes it hard to get deeply involved with them. (I found this mixed message of them reminding themselves repeatedly of "kind" acts, like provision of food and clothes, by their evil kidnapper, almost to the end of the book, rather disturbing; perhaps it's intended to show the children have empathy for Pinchbeck, but should you have empathy with your abuser who you believe has killed other children?) From a purely storytelling standpoint it takes away a lot of the tension as the children try to escape.
I found the multiple points of view between the three children problematic. This jumps as often as a page apart and is signalled by a little scroll with the child's name above it. The result is a lot of telling the reader what each child is thinking, rather than showing through action or conversation, and there's a lack of jeopardy despite the threat of one of them vanishing for ever. They do a number of things separately and only towards the end does this start to get coordinated so though we're told they think of each other as family, I didn't really feel that emotional bond.
Finally, I didn't understand why Pinchbeck, who can pull off the amazing magic of the vanishing trick, apparently can't perform any other magic. There are other disconnects too, which I won't describe as it would give away the story.
There a few proof-reading and editing issues as well - Isaak's name appears as Isaac in the fairly crucial caption for the illustration of his brother, for example, and in one place we're told something ostensibly for the first time but we'd been told the same thing just a few pages before. All the characters present as white.
Despite these things it's a wonderfully imaginative story and I'd love to see it as a film.
The story opens with Leander and the first chapter is exciting. Leander, starving, steals a pie to eat and ends up hiding in a strange carriage with weird contents - and an encounter with a threatening woman who tricks him into giving up control of his life to her. It seems Leander is the intended hero, a sort of Artful Dodger type who survives on his wits. Yet, as the story develops, he doesn't quite pull it off, being rather wishy-washy at times and hard to cheer on. (There's an episode where he tries and fails to steal a crucial item, which the children get later anyway. Nobody ever knows about his attempt and I was left wondering why that scene was even in the book.)
Then there's the endless internal debate each child has about their captor, Pinchbeck. Initially the two other children Charlotte and Felix explain to Leander the dangerous situation they're in, but after that and for most of the book, each child has his or her own doubts which they repeatedly churn over to themselves in their own minds - sometimes wavering from one page to the next - which starts to get irritating and repetitive. It's so obvious to the reader that Pinchbeck is evil that the children's vacillation between trying to escape to save their lives and loyalty and guilt about doing this makes it hard to get deeply involved with them. (I found this mixed message of them reminding themselves repeatedly of "kind" acts, like provision of food and clothes, by their evil kidnapper, almost to the end of the book, rather disturbing; perhaps it's intended to show the children have empathy for Pinchbeck, but should you have empathy with your abuser who you believe has killed other children?) From a purely storytelling standpoint it takes away a lot of the tension as the children try to escape.
I found the multiple points of view between the three children problematic. This jumps as often as a page apart and is signalled by a little scroll with the child's name above it. The result is a lot of telling the reader what each child is thinking, rather than showing through action or conversation, and there's a lack of jeopardy despite the threat of one of them vanishing for ever. They do a number of things separately and only towards the end does this start to get coordinated so though we're told they think of each other as family, I didn't really feel that emotional bond.
Finally, I didn't understand why Pinchbeck, who can pull off the amazing magic of the vanishing trick, apparently can't perform any other magic. There are other disconnects too, which I won't describe as it would give away the story.
There a few proof-reading and editing issues as well - Isaak's name appears as Isaac in the fairly crucial caption for the illustration of his brother, for example, and in one place we're told something ostensibly for the first time but we'd been told the same thing just a few pages before. All the characters present as white.
Despite these things it's a wonderfully imaginative story and I'd love to see it as a film.
April 25, 2020
This was creepy in the best possible way. The lore of magic and folktales was so intricately weaved, our villain, Pinchbeck, complex and dangerous and horrible, and our heroes clever, determined and resourceful. Set in Victorian England, THE VANISHING TRICK immediately captured the essence of the time period–and I think it was this skilful world building that helped make the magic seem real.
I thought the whole concept of using Spiritualism (a VERY trendy religious movement at the time) as a cover for Pinchbeck’s real-life magic was HIGHLY original. The use of herbs, tarots and other witch-y elements added to the eerie-ness of the whole book, and made Pinchbeck a formidable villain.
Our heroes, Leander, Charlotte and Felix each had POV sections throughout the book, and I really enjoyed getting to know all their inner thoughts as Pinchbeck’s scheme’s got progressively more danger-filled. I thought the development of their friendship was done brilliantly, and I have a serious soft spot for Charlotte–she initially lashed out because she was so furious with her lot in life, but this anger was only a mechanism to protect herself.
The plot was fast moving and unpredictable, and the lurking sense of danger throughout the story made ME terrified about the fate of our heroes–there was a constant feeling that anything could happen. This debut is an OUTSTANDING historical fantasy, and I can’t wait to read what Jenni writes next.
I thought the whole concept of using Spiritualism (a VERY trendy religious movement at the time) as a cover for Pinchbeck’s real-life magic was HIGHLY original. The use of herbs, tarots and other witch-y elements added to the eerie-ness of the whole book, and made Pinchbeck a formidable villain.
Our heroes, Leander, Charlotte and Felix each had POV sections throughout the book, and I really enjoyed getting to know all their inner thoughts as Pinchbeck’s scheme’s got progressively more danger-filled. I thought the development of their friendship was done brilliantly, and I have a serious soft spot for Charlotte–she initially lashed out because she was so furious with her lot in life, but this anger was only a mechanism to protect herself.
The plot was fast moving and unpredictable, and the lurking sense of danger throughout the story made ME terrified about the fate of our heroes–there was a constant feeling that anything could happen. This debut is an OUTSTANDING historical fantasy, and I can’t wait to read what Jenni writes next.
March 2, 2021
Well.... urgh. That was a slog of a read. It started quite well. I like the time period and the basic concept behind the story. But goodness, the plot just become so convoluted, and not in a good way! Instead, it was relentlessly plodding, ill judged and tedious, and not at all helped by the characters. This is an issue I’m finding quite a lot with recently-published children’s books – the protagonists are cardboard-cut-outs, devoid of any flare or originality. All three main characters in The Vanishing Act bored me. There was nothing flawed or authentic about them. Moreover they didn’t feel like they belonged to the time period at all. It seems that protagonists these days have to tick a set of boxes which instantly make them bland to my pallet. I don’t want yet another feisty girl, or a brave boy who’s initially lacking in confidence. I see from other reviews that the antagonist in this book is liked by some – I would highly disagree! I found her really boring. Bad for the sake of being bad. The “surprise” at the end of especially poorly handled too.
July 29, 2020
The mystery, magic, superstition and unexpected twists are perfectly cloaked in a richly portrayed Victorian society with fascinating characters who grabbed my attention from the beginning.
The atmosphere in this Gothic, Dickensian middle grade is fantastic and is so well written.
I loved the concept of the enchanted objects, and how the magic in the story is ‘contained’ in this way, which for me always makes magical stories more believable.
Madame Pinchbeck is a truly horrifying villain, and I loved her mixture of showmanship, manipulation and control. It was done so cleverly that it would be quite believable.
The fairy tale elements were woven in skillfully, with the background slowly being revealed in a way that kept me enthralled, as the novel built up to a dramatic and exciting peak.
I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anybody interested in spooky stories. It's one of the darkest, creepiest middle grade books I've read!
The atmosphere in this Gothic, Dickensian middle grade is fantastic and is so well written.
I loved the concept of the enchanted objects, and how the magic in the story is ‘contained’ in this way, which for me always makes magical stories more believable.
Madame Pinchbeck is a truly horrifying villain, and I loved her mixture of showmanship, manipulation and control. It was done so cleverly that it would be quite believable.
The fairy tale elements were woven in skillfully, with the background slowly being revealed in a way that kept me enthralled, as the novel built up to a dramatic and exciting peak.
I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anybody interested in spooky stories. It's one of the darkest, creepiest middle grade books I've read!
October 8, 2020
Initially I was provided an ARC by the publisher via netgalley. I appologise for not reading this. I have just finished the copy I preordered along with the audiobook.
The plot and atmosphere in this story was so believable. Leander who we meet first has such an optimistic outlook. It does not take long before we meet Felix and Charlotte. All heroes in the making and it was a joy to watch them grow, shine and become a family despite all odds. Our villain Madame Pinchbeck keeps you on your toes, even sometimes wondering if she really is bad. The magic used is something I have never seen before and really was intriguing. I have to say I enjoyed every page and this really is a well rounded story.
I read along in the book whilst listening to the audiobook and this is another outstanding performation/narration by Nicky Diss who is fast becoming one of my favourite children's narrators.
The plot and atmosphere in this story was so believable. Leander who we meet first has such an optimistic outlook. It does not take long before we meet Felix and Charlotte. All heroes in the making and it was a joy to watch them grow, shine and become a family despite all odds. Our villain Madame Pinchbeck keeps you on your toes, even sometimes wondering if she really is bad. The magic used is something I have never seen before and really was intriguing. I have to say I enjoyed every page and this really is a well rounded story.
I read along in the book whilst listening to the audiobook and this is another outstanding performation/narration by Nicky Diss who is fast becoming one of my favourite children's narrators.
August 7, 2020
What a deliciously dark and twisting story! This is one that will remain with me for a while. I raced through this because I just absolutely had to know what was going to happen next. Leander, who falls under Pinchbeck’s spell, is so trusting to begin with and I felt for him with his mother. I caught on reasonably quickly about Charlotte and it was interesting to see how the others interacted with her, knowing who she was. However, it was Felix that really caught me. He was so torn throughout the story and it was truly devastating for him. Pinchbeck was a completely creepy and twisted villain who fascinated and intrigued me. I wanted to know more and to understand the nature of her magic and she was what made this book truly unputdownable.
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May 8, 2020I persanly haven't got a chance to read it on my kindle but I have got the book at home.I only just started it and I really enjoy it - I think that when I have finished I will read it all over again☺.Evan though I have only just started it I instantly fell in love with it-😍 so I would highly recommend it for anyone who can get hands on it,or read it on kindle I find that Amazon kindle "good reads" is a amazing app to use!!!this book totally rules!😉
June 20, 2020
Read- June 2020 for the MakeYourMythTaker Readathon (Fae- foiled cover) and KPOP Readathon (SHINee-I Say-Random book from your TBR)
- I didn't love this story but I'm still so glad that I picked it up. My main issue with this book is that nothing really got explained, you just kind of had to accept things that were happening with no explanation. I did love the characters though and I just wanted to protect them.
- I didn't love this story but I'm still so glad that I picked it up. My main issue with this book is that nothing really got explained, you just kind of had to accept things that were happening with no explanation. I did love the characters though and I just wanted to protect them.
May 26, 2020
A great idea that just didn't quite work for me. As someone else here said, it just felt a bit wishy-washy. There was no real tension, even at the end when it should have been nail biting. There was almost a lack of cohesion between the characters. I'd like to see a movie version of it, I think it could work really well.
February 21, 2024
4.5 stars~ This was a wonderful middle grade adventure! Delightfully creepy, with a cast of enjoyable characters, and a few twists that I didn't see coming. I listened to the audiobook of this, and it was excellent! While I'm sure that reading the book would be excellent as well, I do think that the narration enhanced my experience of the story and the setting!
January 5, 2021
I really felt for Leander and the other children. Madame Pinchbeck is awful, evil that acts like its doing you good. The worst kind of all.
This is read by my favourite narrator which is partly what caught my eye.
This is read by my favourite narrator which is partly what caught my eye.
August 1, 2023
What an unexpectedly delightful read! I loved the Gothic Dickensian style, but it was far more charming and far less grim, making it enjoyable all the way through! I was especially impressed by how quickly I came to like the three main characters. With so little time to develop them, I was surprised how endearing they were! Also, I really liked the audiobook version, Nicky Diss was a perfect choice for this.
March 13, 2020
It's one of the darkest, creepiest middle grade books I've read!
Madame Pinchbeck is a truly horrifying villain, and I loved her mixture of showmanship, manipulation and control. It was done so cleverly that it would be quite believable (and almost as horrible) even without the magic. One element I particularly liked was her relationship with Felix, one of the trapped children who had been with her the longest. The expression of Stockholm Syndrome was really believable and powerful and made his character particularly interesting in its complexity. Similarly, the relationship between Leander and Charlotte was complex and fascinating, with their different upbringings reflected in their attitudes to stealing, for one thing.
The fairytale elements were woven in really skillfully, with the background slowly being revealed in a way that kept me enthralled, as the novel built up to a dramatic and exciting climax.
I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anybody interested in dark fairytale stories. Exciting, scary, fantastic.
Madame Pinchbeck is a truly horrifying villain, and I loved her mixture of showmanship, manipulation and control. It was done so cleverly that it would be quite believable (and almost as horrible) even without the magic. One element I particularly liked was her relationship with Felix, one of the trapped children who had been with her the longest. The expression of Stockholm Syndrome was really believable and powerful and made his character particularly interesting in its complexity. Similarly, the relationship between Leander and Charlotte was complex and fascinating, with their different upbringings reflected in their attitudes to stealing, for one thing.
The fairytale elements were woven in really skillfully, with the background slowly being revealed in a way that kept me enthralled, as the novel built up to a dramatic and exciting climax.
I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anybody interested in dark fairytale stories. Exciting, scary, fantastic.
April 30, 2020
This utterly mesmerising tale ensnared me like a willing moth to a flame and held me in its dark enchantment from start to finish. The mystery, magic, superstition and unexpected twists are perfectly cloaked in a richly portrayed Victorian society with fascinating characters who grabbed my attention from the opening.
Leander has recently been orphaned and is finding his new life a real struggle, sometimes having to resort to stealing in order to stave off his desperate hunger. After one such theft, he finds himself running from his pursuer and, eager to escape, discovers a rather unusual carriage – and the enigmatic Madame Pinchbeck. She offers to help him by buying his mother’s locket but, after an intriguing warning, he refuses to sell it.
Dire circumstances, however, lead him back to Madame Pinchbeck. She preys on his desire to speak to his mother again, telling him that she can make his dearest wish come true as she is a medium. Unable to resist and desperate for some kindness, Leander hands over his most precious possession, and finds himself cruelly caught by Pinchbeck’s magical ability. Too late, he realises that he has made a terrible mistake, and finds himself vanished into his mother’s locket which is now his prison (known as a ‘cabinet’) where a piece of his soul has been trapped, leaving him vulnerable and at the mercy of Madame Pinchbeck.
Leander is not the only child trapped by this dark magic. He soon meets Charlotte and Felix who apprise him of his new situation. They are inextricably bound to Madame Pinchbeck who uses them as part of her act to trick her rich Victorian clients during seances. So begins an incredibly atmospheric, tension-filled, dark and dangerous tale as the children race to escape from the clutches of Madame Pinchbeck before one of them might disappear forever …
Oh my goodness! I was instantly captured by the absorbing plot which is enticingly intricate and intriguing and so very, very clever! My heart was racing as I turned the pages to find out how all the layers were woven together and I was not disappointed. I don’t want to go into details for fear of giving away spoilers but, suffice to say, this is a story that will take you on an enthralling and sinister adventure, revealing secrets, twists and shocks galore along the way. I am in awe of how all the threads in this story came together so perfectly and with such heart-warming satisfaction.
The Victorian setting for the story is richly imagined with its portrayal of the lives of the rich and poor in society and its dual fascination with spiritualism and technology, both used to sinister effect by Madame Pinchbeck.
What can I say about Madame Pinchbeck? She is a deliciously dark and complex villain who appears sugary sweet in her fake sincerity on the outside in order to ensnare her victims, but has an insidious darkness inside: vengeful, sinister and hungry for riches and fame. She is a child snatcher on par with the Pied Piper of Hamelin and the Child Catcher.
The three children, Leander, Charlotte and Felix, are incredibly endearing and courageous. They are all suffering from heart-breaking loss, are desperately searching for something which is precious to them and, having found each other, come to develop wonderfully sincere friendships full of trust, loyalty and love. They work as a team in order to survive, supporting and helping each other despite the great risks they take and their terror of their captor. My heart broke for them, but was also filled with warmth as I understood that, even in their moments of greatest danger, they would never give up on each other.
The Vanishing Trick is an utterly gripping mystery brimming with peril, eeriness and spine-tingling darkness, but also with friendship, warmth and hope. This really is a must-read which I cannot recommend highly enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for an e-ARC of this story in exchange for my honest opinion.
Leander has recently been orphaned and is finding his new life a real struggle, sometimes having to resort to stealing in order to stave off his desperate hunger. After one such theft, he finds himself running from his pursuer and, eager to escape, discovers a rather unusual carriage – and the enigmatic Madame Pinchbeck. She offers to help him by buying his mother’s locket but, after an intriguing warning, he refuses to sell it.
Dire circumstances, however, lead him back to Madame Pinchbeck. She preys on his desire to speak to his mother again, telling him that she can make his dearest wish come true as she is a medium. Unable to resist and desperate for some kindness, Leander hands over his most precious possession, and finds himself cruelly caught by Pinchbeck’s magical ability. Too late, he realises that he has made a terrible mistake, and finds himself vanished into his mother’s locket which is now his prison (known as a ‘cabinet’) where a piece of his soul has been trapped, leaving him vulnerable and at the mercy of Madame Pinchbeck.
Leander is not the only child trapped by this dark magic. He soon meets Charlotte and Felix who apprise him of his new situation. They are inextricably bound to Madame Pinchbeck who uses them as part of her act to trick her rich Victorian clients during seances. So begins an incredibly atmospheric, tension-filled, dark and dangerous tale as the children race to escape from the clutches of Madame Pinchbeck before one of them might disappear forever …
Oh my goodness! I was instantly captured by the absorbing plot which is enticingly intricate and intriguing and so very, very clever! My heart was racing as I turned the pages to find out how all the layers were woven together and I was not disappointed. I don’t want to go into details for fear of giving away spoilers but, suffice to say, this is a story that will take you on an enthralling and sinister adventure, revealing secrets, twists and shocks galore along the way. I am in awe of how all the threads in this story came together so perfectly and with such heart-warming satisfaction.
The Victorian setting for the story is richly imagined with its portrayal of the lives of the rich and poor in society and its dual fascination with spiritualism and technology, both used to sinister effect by Madame Pinchbeck.
What can I say about Madame Pinchbeck? She is a deliciously dark and complex villain who appears sugary sweet in her fake sincerity on the outside in order to ensnare her victims, but has an insidious darkness inside: vengeful, sinister and hungry for riches and fame. She is a child snatcher on par with the Pied Piper of Hamelin and the Child Catcher.
The three children, Leander, Charlotte and Felix, are incredibly endearing and courageous. They are all suffering from heart-breaking loss, are desperately searching for something which is precious to them and, having found each other, come to develop wonderfully sincere friendships full of trust, loyalty and love. They work as a team in order to survive, supporting and helping each other despite the great risks they take and their terror of their captor. My heart broke for them, but was also filled with warmth as I understood that, even in their moments of greatest danger, they would never give up on each other.
The Vanishing Trick is an utterly gripping mystery brimming with peril, eeriness and spine-tingling darkness, but also with friendship, warmth and hope. This really is a must-read which I cannot recommend highly enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for an e-ARC of this story in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 31, 2020
Wow. What can I say other than I absolutely loved this book!
I really enjoyed the setting. I'm liking historical fiction more and more. I think it can be particularly hard to capture the time period when writing for children, as they may have little understanding of this time, but I felt there was enough historical detail for them to understand.
Then there was the premise of the story set around the dark, sinister world of the seance and being able to see and talk to spirits of past loved ones. This was utterly believable. The introduction of the early camera was portrayed well and the whole mysteriousness of the 'other world' had a real sense of foreboding, even though we know, as readers, it was all done through magic. Yet, we're not actually sure how the magic works! Love that element.
This story follow Leander, an orphan and street child who just about scrapes through life stealing morsels of food and sleeping wherever he can, as he gets duped into believing Augustina Pinchbeck when she says she will give him a job and food in exchange for him working for her.
I thought the character of Leander was totally believable. Despite where he has ended up in life, he has good morals. He knows right from wrong (even though he steals) and he believes that there is good in everyone. Just before he agrees to work for Pinchbeck, we get a mysterious glimpse of Charlotte, who we later find out also works for Pinchbeck, as she tries to stop him making the wrong choice. That section of the book in itself was a mystery as we feel ourselves asking the same questions as Leander.
Leander soon discovers that all is not as it seems. He learns to trust Charlotte and Felix (the third child) as together they try to stop Pinchbeck fooling the rich as she tries desperately to become a famous medium.
Pinchbeck reminded me of the child catcher. The author really worked her magic in making us, as well as Leander, believe that she is just looking out for him. Yet soon, we see her other side. A side that encompasses magic, stories, evil, darkness, greed and trickery. The more I read the book, the more I hated her but I just couldn't quite work out why things were happening. I just had to keep reading!
The book was full of suspense and a sense of fear for the children. Would they die? Would they survive? Would they be locked away forever? A fantastically written story that takes the reader on a heart stopping journey. There were times when I found myself reading quicker and quicker. I could feel my heart thumping as I was totally sucked in to the plights of the children.
For me, this book stands out as one of a kind. The setting, the characters and the plot all were different to anything I've read at middle grade before.
I'd highly recommend this book to children of about 9 upwards. It may be a little too tense for lower key stage 2. It easily fits within the Victorians topic and further research could be done in class to enhance the children's understanding of the time period. There would be so much to look into: clothes, development of the camera, travel, beliefs etc.
This has to be the easiest 5 stars I've ever given.
I really enjoyed the setting. I'm liking historical fiction more and more. I think it can be particularly hard to capture the time period when writing for children, as they may have little understanding of this time, but I felt there was enough historical detail for them to understand.
Then there was the premise of the story set around the dark, sinister world of the seance and being able to see and talk to spirits of past loved ones. This was utterly believable. The introduction of the early camera was portrayed well and the whole mysteriousness of the 'other world' had a real sense of foreboding, even though we know, as readers, it was all done through magic. Yet, we're not actually sure how the magic works! Love that element.
This story follow Leander, an orphan and street child who just about scrapes through life stealing morsels of food and sleeping wherever he can, as he gets duped into believing Augustina Pinchbeck when she says she will give him a job and food in exchange for him working for her.
I thought the character of Leander was totally believable. Despite where he has ended up in life, he has good morals. He knows right from wrong (even though he steals) and he believes that there is good in everyone. Just before he agrees to work for Pinchbeck, we get a mysterious glimpse of Charlotte, who we later find out also works for Pinchbeck, as she tries to stop him making the wrong choice. That section of the book in itself was a mystery as we feel ourselves asking the same questions as Leander.
Leander soon discovers that all is not as it seems. He learns to trust Charlotte and Felix (the third child) as together they try to stop Pinchbeck fooling the rich as she tries desperately to become a famous medium.
Pinchbeck reminded me of the child catcher. The author really worked her magic in making us, as well as Leander, believe that she is just looking out for him. Yet soon, we see her other side. A side that encompasses magic, stories, evil, darkness, greed and trickery. The more I read the book, the more I hated her but I just couldn't quite work out why things were happening. I just had to keep reading!
The book was full of suspense and a sense of fear for the children. Would they die? Would they survive? Would they be locked away forever? A fantastically written story that takes the reader on a heart stopping journey. There were times when I found myself reading quicker and quicker. I could feel my heart thumping as I was totally sucked in to the plights of the children.
For me, this book stands out as one of a kind. The setting, the characters and the plot all were different to anything I've read at middle grade before.
I'd highly recommend this book to children of about 9 upwards. It may be a little too tense for lower key stage 2. It easily fits within the Victorians topic and further research could be done in class to enhance the children's understanding of the time period. There would be so much to look into: clothes, development of the camera, travel, beliefs etc.
This has to be the easiest 5 stars I've ever given.
October 21, 2020
Most likely more of a 3.5 star rating, but I rounded up because so many people rely on me to provide accurate ratings of books, not because GR doesn't allow 1/2-stars, because they do allow it for me, and me alone. Hah! OK, actually I rounded up because it is definitely better than a 3-star book, though not quite wondrous enough for me to feel confident giving 4 stars without a caveat.
As an aside: This does not read like a MG book at all. I did copious research on the demographics of "what is MG anyway? And how do authors decide to label a book MG?", and this doesn't fit. OK, actually I just google-d "age range for MG book" and in less than .0000034981 seconds I was shown "8-12 year olds". This may be written to capture "MG book sales/popularity/something I can't quite think of, and MG meat bags may be much better versed in grave robbing, sin, seances, and the like than I was at that age, but I am going to bet not many 8-12 year olds will be able to grasp the finer details of this tale. Probably.
So... Review, huh? I enjoyed this tale, though I never got emotionally invested, creeped out, scared, or slightly concerned about the way things would play out for our plucky protagonists. I loved the idea of someone who could do what Augustina Pinchbeck could do, but I felt it was rather a complicated and involved process that never got explained (which could explain, pun intended, why the book is plugged to 8-12 year olds who couldn't care less about the inner workings of soul stealing processes...) which did give the writer much leeway in just doing whatever with it, huh? Leander (a rather Hero-ic character, hahahaha! so schizophrenically mythological in a way...), Charlotte, and Felix are a mixed bag of things but never quite developed enough for me. I wasn't invested in their survival, which is quite morbid for a MG tale, isn't it?!? Hah! Their interpersonal dynamics were awkward, and at times confounding and annoying. They seemed to figure things out too quickly, or with no apparent hypothetical testing (again, maybe that's the hallmark of MG, shit just happens/works/is and the reader just says "why the hell not?!?"; science and rational thought processes are for the YA set, maybe?). Thematically not scary or creepy or eerie or gross or sad or heartwarming. rather even-keeled, which is odd considering the occult leanings of the action. Still, a fast-paced and well-written tale, but I still say 8-12 year olds are going to be lost in the vocabulary and concepts used. It's not uber-complex, but also not MG-simple. Not to cast aspersions on the MG set, but this is beyond your ken, Tiny Humans. After all that, maybe this is a 3-star book? Doubtful my loyal follower on GR will hold my waffling against me. It was fun and intriguing at least. Just lacking in any kind of wallop (blood pies, love cakes, or tear-filled balloons, to name a few wallop-y item of note...). My suggestion: simpler thematics and more magical-fun-crazytown, or better detailing and bump it up a reading grade. But what do I know?
As an aside: This does not read like a MG book at all. I did copious research on the demographics of "what is MG anyway? And how do authors decide to label a book MG?", and this doesn't fit. OK, actually I just google-d "age range for MG book" and in less than .0000034981 seconds I was shown "8-12 year olds". This may be written to capture "MG book sales/popularity/something I can't quite think of, and MG meat bags may be much better versed in grave robbing, sin, seances, and the like than I was at that age, but I am going to bet not many 8-12 year olds will be able to grasp the finer details of this tale. Probably.
So... Review, huh? I enjoyed this tale, though I never got emotionally invested, creeped out, scared, or slightly concerned about the way things would play out for our plucky protagonists. I loved the idea of someone who could do what Augustina Pinchbeck could do, but I felt it was rather a complicated and involved process that never got explained (which could explain, pun intended, why the book is plugged to 8-12 year olds who couldn't care less about the inner workings of soul stealing processes...) which did give the writer much leeway in just doing whatever with it, huh? Leander (a rather Hero-ic character, hahahaha! so schizophrenically mythological in a way...), Charlotte, and Felix are a mixed bag of things but never quite developed enough for me. I wasn't invested in their survival, which is quite morbid for a MG tale, isn't it?!? Hah! Their interpersonal dynamics were awkward, and at times confounding and annoying. They seemed to figure things out too quickly, or with no apparent hypothetical testing (again, maybe that's the hallmark of MG, shit just happens/works/is and the reader just says "why the hell not?!?"; science and rational thought processes are for the YA set, maybe?). Thematically not scary or creepy or eerie or gross or sad or heartwarming. rather even-keeled, which is odd considering the occult leanings of the action. Still, a fast-paced and well-written tale, but I still say 8-12 year olds are going to be lost in the vocabulary and concepts used. It's not uber-complex, but also not MG-simple. Not to cast aspersions on the MG set, but this is beyond your ken, Tiny Humans. After all that, maybe this is a 3-star book? Doubtful my loyal follower on GR will hold my waffling against me. It was fun and intriguing at least. Just lacking in any kind of wallop (blood pies, love cakes, or tear-filled balloons, to name a few wallop-y item of note...). My suggestion: simpler thematics and more magical-fun-crazytown, or better detailing and bump it up a reading grade. But what do I know?
March 28, 2020
The Vanishing Trick by Jenni Spangler is the kind of story you might want to consider for your middle grader if you want to introduce them to mystery, fantasy and some spooky elements.
The Plot
This is a short tale consisting of 291 pages (in my book proof edition), easily read by middle graders and I daresay younger children too. The writing is very straight forward without making sentences too tricky yet whimsical and enjoyable. It focuses more on the characters and their traits. The story flow is very smooth, I find that it is easily read in one sitting as the story a fast-paced thrilling story set in the Victorian era.
The Characters
OK, I may or may not have a super soft spot for all the 3 children in the book. They are all so special and just, UGHHHHHH, need a long warm hug. We have:
Leander: He is an orphan boy whose mother was once the cook in a Lord's house. After his mother passed away, there were no instructions as to the oversee of her son so Leander had to survive on his own. Mrs Smart, the housekeeper lets him stay in the house in secret only if Leander pays the greedy woman money. Money which was up to him to earn on the streets as a beggar boy or take up chores. On the surface, he may be overlooked as a beggar thief but he is a loyal and humble boy that tries to make his way in the world with honour that most men lost since they were boys.
Felix: My heart goes out to him the most. He is undoubtedly a Hufflepuff. The boys are Hufflepuffs. Felix especially. He plays voilin like he was born to do it, his music is the most enchanting sound in the book, it serves him well in his adventures and his love for music is profound through the entire book. He doesn't give up easily and gets attached to someone quickly. He's also such a softie and an older brother to Leander. I find one of the most defining moment for the two boys and their brotherly relationship was when Felix was helpless and it was up to Leander to take care of them both, the little ones stepping into the role of the leader to save his brother. *shed tears*
Charlotte: A fine gracious young lady that is far too clever at her age. She's kinda like the responsible adult in the trio. As the niece of a Lord, she is raised to be a high society lady. Kidnapped at a young age, she has served Pinchbeck for years. She is a character that I really like because she is quick on her toes and selfless. My poor heart goes out to her.
If you like found families, you will love "The Vanishing Trick", it is about strangers who became friends and slowly grew into a family as they have each others' back in the face of danger and evil. Thank you to @definitely.books for sending me an ARC, this book will be available in all good bookstores in April. #pansing
The Plot
This is a short tale consisting of 291 pages (in my book proof edition), easily read by middle graders and I daresay younger children too. The writing is very straight forward without making sentences too tricky yet whimsical and enjoyable. It focuses more on the characters and their traits. The story flow is very smooth, I find that it is easily read in one sitting as the story a fast-paced thrilling story set in the Victorian era.
The Characters
OK, I may or may not have a super soft spot for all the 3 children in the book. They are all so special and just, UGHHHHHH, need a long warm hug. We have:
Leander: He is an orphan boy whose mother was once the cook in a Lord's house. After his mother passed away, there were no instructions as to the oversee of her son so Leander had to survive on his own. Mrs Smart, the housekeeper lets him stay in the house in secret only if Leander pays the greedy woman money. Money which was up to him to earn on the streets as a beggar boy or take up chores. On the surface, he may be overlooked as a beggar thief but he is a loyal and humble boy that tries to make his way in the world with honour that most men lost since they were boys.
Felix: My heart goes out to him the most. He is undoubtedly a Hufflepuff. The boys are Hufflepuffs. Felix especially. He plays voilin like he was born to do it, his music is the most enchanting sound in the book, it serves him well in his adventures and his love for music is profound through the entire book. He doesn't give up easily and gets attached to someone quickly. He's also such a softie and an older brother to Leander. I find one of the most defining moment for the two boys and their brotherly relationship was when Felix was helpless and it was up to Leander to take care of them both, the little ones stepping into the role of the leader to save his brother. *shed tears*
Charlotte: A fine gracious young lady that is far too clever at her age. She's kinda like the responsible adult in the trio. As the niece of a Lord, she is raised to be a high society lady. Kidnapped at a young age, she has served Pinchbeck for years. She is a character that I really like because she is quick on her toes and selfless. My poor heart goes out to her.
If you like found families, you will love "The Vanishing Trick", it is about strangers who became friends and slowly grew into a family as they have each others' back in the face of danger and evil. Thank you to @definitely.books for sending me an ARC, this book will be available in all good bookstores in April. #pansing
May 17, 2020
Captivating, compelling, dark and eerie. This is an intense, spine-tingling read from debut novelist, Jenni Spangler. Jenni sets her novel in the fascinating period that is Victorian Britain but twists it into a highly original story by adding a magical element.
Leander's life as a street urchin is desperate and tough. So when he meets the beautiful but commanding Augustina Pinchbeck, who offers shelter and a job in exchange for his mother's necklace, he jumps at the chance. But Leander soon realises he has made a big mistake when he meets Charlotte and Felix, fellow children who have been captured and enchanted by Pinchbeck. Trapped in a magical cabinet, Leander has no choice but to help Pinchbeck and the others pull off a sinister séance. But as pieces of Pinchbeck's plan start falling into place, Leander and his friends must race against time to save themselves from the magic that binds them to their villainous captor.
There is so much to love about this tale. The mood and settings transports you into a world which oozes threat and mystery, shrouded in a gothic darkness. The trio of children are enchanting next to Pinchbeck's formidable form, whilst the mystery of the magical cabinets compel you to read on.
The whole book is superbly plotted. The pieces of the puzzle slot perfectly into place at the right time before the story rushes towards a fast-paced, all action ending. The burst of emotion at the end caught me off guard and some tears were shed.
Pinchbeck is a phenomenal character, deliciously dark but drenched in sinister charm. I loved her complexity as an antagonist and the way the children were desperate for her approval and love. She worked brilliantly as a woman and rivals villains such as Fagin, Bill Sykes and the White Witch. I also loved how Jenni based the whole story on a fairytale, which added real depth and intrigue to the book. I would have loved the story of 'The Rat King' to have been fully encompassed somewhere in the novel, as I was enthralled by this tale and was hungry to know it from beginning to end. Because only snippets of the story were told, however, I didn't wholly understand Pinchbeck's motivation for capturing children and how the magic actually affected her. The layer of magical enchantment did take this historical novel to a whole new level for me though.
For history fans like me, The Vanishing Trick also offers a fascinating insight into the changes and trends which emerged during Victorian Britain. The introduction of photography and the thirst for seances and ghostly sightings all play a part in the plot of this story. In fact, I'm not sure there was anything this novel did not deliver on. Fantastic characters, a fiendish plot and devilish deception and sorcery make this a winning read.
Leander's life as a street urchin is desperate and tough. So when he meets the beautiful but commanding Augustina Pinchbeck, who offers shelter and a job in exchange for his mother's necklace, he jumps at the chance. But Leander soon realises he has made a big mistake when he meets Charlotte and Felix, fellow children who have been captured and enchanted by Pinchbeck. Trapped in a magical cabinet, Leander has no choice but to help Pinchbeck and the others pull off a sinister séance. But as pieces of Pinchbeck's plan start falling into place, Leander and his friends must race against time to save themselves from the magic that binds them to their villainous captor.
There is so much to love about this tale. The mood and settings transports you into a world which oozes threat and mystery, shrouded in a gothic darkness. The trio of children are enchanting next to Pinchbeck's formidable form, whilst the mystery of the magical cabinets compel you to read on.
The whole book is superbly plotted. The pieces of the puzzle slot perfectly into place at the right time before the story rushes towards a fast-paced, all action ending. The burst of emotion at the end caught me off guard and some tears were shed.
Pinchbeck is a phenomenal character, deliciously dark but drenched in sinister charm. I loved her complexity as an antagonist and the way the children were desperate for her approval and love. She worked brilliantly as a woman and rivals villains such as Fagin, Bill Sykes and the White Witch. I also loved how Jenni based the whole story on a fairytale, which added real depth and intrigue to the book. I would have loved the story of 'The Rat King' to have been fully encompassed somewhere in the novel, as I was enthralled by this tale and was hungry to know it from beginning to end. Because only snippets of the story were told, however, I didn't wholly understand Pinchbeck's motivation for capturing children and how the magic actually affected her. The layer of magical enchantment did take this historical novel to a whole new level for me though.
For history fans like me, The Vanishing Trick also offers a fascinating insight into the changes and trends which emerged during Victorian Britain. The introduction of photography and the thirst for seances and ghostly sightings all play a part in the plot of this story. In fact, I'm not sure there was anything this novel did not deliver on. Fantastic characters, a fiendish plot and devilish deception and sorcery make this a winning read.
April 6, 2020
I’m always drawn to those books which contain magic. The constant search for a sprinkle of magic to enlighten my world led me to be intrigued by The Vanishing Trick, and I was lucky enough to be granted early access. Right from the off, Leander captured my attention and my heart, a young orphan stealing to get by but fighting his conscience every step of the way—a character with heart, just fighting to stay alive in an “Oliver Twist” Victorian-style setting, a character the reader is immediately rooting for. His last hope for a few coins is a stranger, a traveller staying in a nearby inn who has taken a peculiar interest in his only possession—his mother’s locket.
But this stranger cannot be trusted, and soon Leander finds himself part of Madame Pinchbeck’s travelling crew, along with a talented violinist, Felix, who is searching for his missing brother, and a well-to-do young girl, Charlotte, clearly from a wealthy family. This band of misfits must earn the approval of their keeper by assisting in staging her elaborate séances, where she claims to be able to conjure the dead.
Madame Pinchbeck absolutely makes this book. A seemingly-kind woman who persuades children to part with precious possessions, and in turn, their souls, is the most sinister of villains. The strained relationship between the children, flung together through their sheer misfortune, changes and evolves throughout the story with more than a few twist, turns and shocks. And the relationship each of the children has with Madame Pinchbeck is so heart-wrenching and alarming as they seek a mother and a guardian, but wrestle with knowing how controlling and evil that guardian is. But is there even a way out for the children? Will Pinchbeck’s past misdeeds come back to haunt her? Or will her unfortunate wards be trapped under her spell forever?
My favourite book of the year so far, this enticing debut from Jenni Spangler kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved the fairy-tale link, the eerie historical setting, and most of all the well-written characters. Perfect for magic lovers, fans of Michelle Harrison or historical fiction. Sinister magic lurks on every page, and not everything is as it seems in this thrilling page-turner. I can’t wait to see what else Jenni has up her sleeve!
But this stranger cannot be trusted, and soon Leander finds himself part of Madame Pinchbeck’s travelling crew, along with a talented violinist, Felix, who is searching for his missing brother, and a well-to-do young girl, Charlotte, clearly from a wealthy family. This band of misfits must earn the approval of their keeper by assisting in staging her elaborate séances, where she claims to be able to conjure the dead.
Madame Pinchbeck absolutely makes this book. A seemingly-kind woman who persuades children to part with precious possessions, and in turn, their souls, is the most sinister of villains. The strained relationship between the children, flung together through their sheer misfortune, changes and evolves throughout the story with more than a few twist, turns and shocks. And the relationship each of the children has with Madame Pinchbeck is so heart-wrenching and alarming as they seek a mother and a guardian, but wrestle with knowing how controlling and evil that guardian is. But is there even a way out for the children? Will Pinchbeck’s past misdeeds come back to haunt her? Or will her unfortunate wards be trapped under her spell forever?
My favourite book of the year so far, this enticing debut from Jenni Spangler kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved the fairy-tale link, the eerie historical setting, and most of all the well-written characters. Perfect for magic lovers, fans of Michelle Harrison or historical fiction. Sinister magic lurks on every page, and not everything is as it seems in this thrilling page-turner. I can’t wait to see what else Jenni has up her sleeve!
April 10, 2020
This is a fantastically creepy debut by Jenni Spangler! Perfect for fans of 'A Place Called Perfect' or 'A Pinch of Magic'
The story is set in Victorian England, where mediums, ghosts and tarot cards were the popular thing and new tricks with cameras and photography meant that people could 'see' spirits.
We first meet Leander running away with some food to feed himself as he is an orphan. He finds a hiding place in a black carriage with many strange things in jars. Said owner soon finds him. Madame Pinchbeck at first looks like a nice kind woman however there is a coldness about her, something underneath that is not right. She is a medium and makes Leander believe she can contact his mother, who passed away a few months ago, in exchange for her locket, all he has left of her.
Leander is desperate and alone so he agrees. Just as quick as the deal is done do two other children spring out from seemingly no where. Charlotte, short tempered and annoyed, and Felix, calm and kind, begin to explain to Leander what has really happened. He has been tricked, taken and bound to Madame Pinchbeck to be used in her seances and can be summoned or vanish into his locket, now a magical cabinet, as if he was a real ghost.
I love the relationships that forms between Leander, Charlotte, and Felix. They grow in the short time they know each other and really learn to trust in each other as they cant with Madame Pinchbeck. The three children are against the clock to try and break her spell on them before one of them vanishes for good.
The atmosphere is truly eerie, even though we learn of her parlor tricks used to make people believe there is always something sinister about madame Pinchbeck behind her showmanship that makes her the perfect villain.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's UK and Netgalley for an early eArc of the book.
The story is set in Victorian England, where mediums, ghosts and tarot cards were the popular thing and new tricks with cameras and photography meant that people could 'see' spirits.
We first meet Leander running away with some food to feed himself as he is an orphan. He finds a hiding place in a black carriage with many strange things in jars. Said owner soon finds him. Madame Pinchbeck at first looks like a nice kind woman however there is a coldness about her, something underneath that is not right. She is a medium and makes Leander believe she can contact his mother, who passed away a few months ago, in exchange for her locket, all he has left of her.
Leander is desperate and alone so he agrees. Just as quick as the deal is done do two other children spring out from seemingly no where. Charlotte, short tempered and annoyed, and Felix, calm and kind, begin to explain to Leander what has really happened. He has been tricked, taken and bound to Madame Pinchbeck to be used in her seances and can be summoned or vanish into his locket, now a magical cabinet, as if he was a real ghost.
I love the relationships that forms between Leander, Charlotte, and Felix. They grow in the short time they know each other and really learn to trust in each other as they cant with Madame Pinchbeck. The three children are against the clock to try and break her spell on them before one of them vanishes for good.
The atmosphere is truly eerie, even though we learn of her parlor tricks used to make people believe there is always something sinister about madame Pinchbeck behind her showmanship that makes her the perfect villain.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's UK and Netgalley for an early eArc of the book.
October 26, 2020
Jenni Spangler impressed me greatly with her highly entertaining debut The Vanishing Trick which is ideal for kids at the top end of primary school looking for a spooky read, which is not going to scare them too much. The fast-moving story also has a convincing Victorian era setting which combines sad orphan children, the Victorian’s interest in seances and a supernatural touch which gives us an evil villain in the same ballpark as Oliver Twist’s Fagan. Arguably, the evil Madame Pinchbeck steals the show by using her magic to con rich folks into losing their wallets, during and after her seances which use the children she controls with her games of smoke and mirrors. Although she was a great character, the story is not seen from her perspective, instead it is told from the viewpoint of three children who have been tricked into her service and are used as slaves.
Orphaned thief Leander is our main character; however, he is quickly outfoxed by Pinchbeck when he is conned into a magical trade; she persuades children to part with precious objects, promising to use her powers to help them. But Pinchbeck is a liar, instead turning their items into enchanted Cabinets that bind the children to her and into which she can vanish and summon them at will and use them in her seances and effectively as slaves. As the story develops the action is also seen from the point of view of Charlotte and Felix and we realise that Pinchbeck may be responsible for the disappearance of many other children and they must fight to break the spell. Because this was aimed at younger kids you always knew things were going to work out in the end, but it was great fun, with larger than life characters and a great introduction to supernatural fiction, blended with a convincing historical setting. AGE 9+
Orphaned thief Leander is our main character; however, he is quickly outfoxed by Pinchbeck when he is conned into a magical trade; she persuades children to part with precious objects, promising to use her powers to help them. But Pinchbeck is a liar, instead turning their items into enchanted Cabinets that bind the children to her and into which she can vanish and summon them at will and use them in her seances and effectively as slaves. As the story develops the action is also seen from the point of view of Charlotte and Felix and we realise that Pinchbeck may be responsible for the disappearance of many other children and they must fight to break the spell. Because this was aimed at younger kids you always knew things were going to work out in the end, but it was great fun, with larger than life characters and a great introduction to supernatural fiction, blended with a convincing historical setting. AGE 9+
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