The Backstagers and the Final Blackout

The Backstagers #3

by Andy Mientus, Rian Sygh (Illustrations)

Based on the show-stopping graphic novels, the Backstagers return for more action-packed, paranormal theater adventures!

The Backstagers are back for a thrilling third act! They've dealt with the ghost haunting their theater and faced o against the sinister siblings trying to steal the famous Designer's Journal during their production of Tammy, but now, a mysterious masked man has taken all the ancient theater artifacts that they've collected. They don't know what he wants or how to stop him--but the Backstagers will have to use all their skills and know-how to solve the mystery and save the day! Each Backstager brings their own unique skills to the team: Mischievious Sasha can always spare a smile; no-nonsense Aziz keeps everyone on task; over-caffeinated Beckett is organized like no other; flirtatious Hunter is their official stage manager and unofficial leader; sweet Jory can work his way through any problem; and clever Reo is an expert on all things spooky. Effortlessly inclusive and full of fun, The Backstagers and the Final Blackout is sure to get a standing ovation!

Genres: Middle Grade, Graphic Novels, Queer, Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBT, Fiction

Hardcover

First published September 24, 2019

About the author

Andy Mientus is an actor, musician and writer best known for starring in the Broadway musicals Spring Awakening, Les Miserables, and Wicked, and on television in the NBC musical drama “Smash” and as Hartley Rathaway aka The Pied Piper in the hit CW series “The Flash”. Andy co-wrote the new musical Burn All Night which had its world premiere at Oberon/American Repertory Theater at Harvard University.

Reviews

[elle vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

these books and characters make me so happy this was so good <33

[Kristel (hungryandhappy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ending for this super cute theater trilogy. I loved the magic component of the story, how real the issues the characters went through were, how they are just kids going through high school and what means to have passions, friends, new loves, a future to think of, challenges.

I'm going to miss the Backstagers gang but also a few of the on stagers we got to meet. I wish there were more books and more of the graphic novels. I loved them so much.

I had so much fun reading about real musicals but interpreted differently here. Like the musical Bats instead of Cats. And Les Terriblest instead of Les Miserables. I loved it so much. Put a huge smile on my face.

I'm not a theater nerd. I love musicals, and every time I can, I try going to see one. I've seen Cabaret and Les Mis in NYC when I went on a trip there with my younger sister. I saw The Lion King with my sister and a friend she we went to London together for the first time. I saw Hamilton just last year and loved every single minute of it. I already knew the songs. Not by memory, but by heart. I can't wait to have more musical experiences in the future.

The theater is indeed magic, and the backstagers are essential to bring that magic into the stage and to us!

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

OMG THIS WAS THE BEST ENDING TO THE MOST AMAZING COMIC/BOOK SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so sad that this is over, but I know this world is going to be one I revisit over and over again. It's just such a feel-good world full of magic and love and queerness and acceptance. It's brilliant.

The way this world was wrapped up was done wonderfully and we FINALLY got answers to how and what the Backstage really is. I thought the mythology of it was wonderful and the artefacts were really cool.

SASHA IS THE HERO OF EVERY STORY BUT OHMYGOSH I LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Aziz, oh that hurt having him beg for his best friend. The power of platonic soulmates is endless.

I love the treasure hunt vibe of this one, of searing for the artefacts and having to pass the tests, that was all super freaking cool. But the main point was about working together and the strength of their friendship which was really beautiful.

Everything was done really wonderfully and I really want to go watch a bunch of theatre shows now!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling adventure for Jory, Hunter and their fellow Backstagers. The evil Thiasos Organization returns with designs on taking the theatre artifacts that are being kept in the Backstage of Genesius High. Will the gang let them get away with their dastardly scheme? Who knows? (I do).

[Eliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Backstagers and the Final Blackout
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.57/10 overall

Characters - 7

Atmosphere - 7

Writing - 7

Plot - 7

Intrigue - 6

Logic - 6

Enjoyment - 6

[Holly Letson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there had been more books in this series. This last one was my favorite of the trilogy.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing ending, this is a perfect book to read (Or listen to, as I did), during quarantine, it sends a really powerful message about how arts can move on even during the hard times, and that's because the arts unite people, it made us feel full, just like I did listening to this story, it reminded me why I do theatre. And everything accompanied by a good amount of laughs, Andy's creativity to reference popular stories never fails to amaze me.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Mientus brings his Backstagers story to an explosive conclusion, bringing all of the plotlines he's introduced over the last two books to a big finale, with the same amount of heart and love for both the characters and the concept of the theatre that he's shown throughout. Great stuff.

[abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

SASHA IS BABY AND THE BRAVEST BOY IN THE WORLD

[Kathleen]

Queer content: as in previous installments, multiple queer characters, couples, a trans character, etc. among the group

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun! A little disappointed that Rep didn’t get quite the character arc that he so clearly deserved, but I DIED laughing at all the musical references. BATS hahahaha

[Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series, along with the graphic novels, is something I will forever love and, don't make fun of me, I almost cried while reading the epilogue. It was perfect.=)=)<3<3

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great final for the Backstager's adventures!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discuss my thoughts about this book in this BookTube video.

[Austin Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this was a great ending for a book series. The branches all tied together in a nice little ending. Over all I do think that I would read the series again.