WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

PLEASE READ THE FIRST BOOK BEFORE READING THIS REVIEW!

Middle School

Things are finally looking up for Amelia Jones: she’s officially a Mystwick student. She even has a teacher to help her learn how to use her rare Composing magic. When Mystwick enters an international magic competition, it’s Amelia’s chance to Compose something that will help them win the day. The only problem is that she still doesn’t understand how her powers work. But then she hears about a super-exclusive Midnight Orchestra—half performance, half magical black market—and Amelia is sure that’s where she’ll find the answer to her Composing problem.
But the Midnight Orchestra is far more sinister than it initially appears. If Amelia can’t unlock her Composing powers, not only will Mystwick lose the musicraft competition, but she won’t be able to rescue her friends from the danger unleashed in this thrilling adventure.

Now, this is fantasy at its best! You know a book is terrific when it gets you all worked up. This was so much more intense than the first one, addressing topics like parental abandonment, insecurities, guilt, anger, etc. So many twists and turns, a few I guessed right, but there were a couple of twists that I did not see coming, and I loved it!

For those of you who have read the first book, do you remember how Amelia got into Mystwick? Because another girl named Amelia Jones died in a boat accident, and her school acceptance letter got sent to our Amelia by mistake? And did you catch the hint at the end of the story that the Other Amelia might have survived? Well, she did. And that is a whole other conflict our Amelia has to deal with. On top of having the entire school counting on her to Compose a mind-blowing original piece and the sinister Midnight Orchestra causing trouble, the Other Amelia is bullying her. The Other Amelia, in my opinion, is not a likable character. Even after her reason for not liking our Amelia is explained, the things she says to our Amelia are inexcusable.

On a happier note, someone playing bagpipes did make an appearance. In my opinion, when played well, bagpipes aren’t so bad.

The story ends with a few hanging questions, which means this beautiful music series will continue! YAY!