The Carnival of Lost Souls (review)

Jack has spent his whole life being shuttled in and out of foster and group homes, and his main consolation has been his deep interest in stage magic, especially the escapology of his hero, Houdini. When he is placed with the Professor, he imagines that he might have finally found a kindred spirit in this quirky man who offers affection, good food, and insight into Jack's favorite topic. Instead, even the Prof is a deep disappointment, as he sends Jack to take his place with the undead magician, Mussini, to whom the Professor sold his soul decades ago. While there is opportunity for Jack to hone his escape act and genuine friendship with the other kids (some dead, some living) who travel in the other realm with Mussini's magic show, Jack longs to return to the world of the living, and he never lets up his guard in seeking a real, not just stage, escape. Interspersed between chapters are short poems about Houdini, which work effectively as stand-alone pieces but also highlight elements of Jack's own struggle to balance his true emotions and his carefully crafted public character. The richly deserved happy ending (even the Professor finally comes through in a major way) does not come easily, and it is realistically limited—after all, many of Jack's new friends are actually dead, so little can be done to change their fates. Young fans of magic will be as intrigued by the glimpses into the always mysterious and fascinating Houdini as by Jack's compelling quest to not only survive but also find his way to a happy life.