Blog Tour/Review: Luminescence by Braden Bell

Luminescence (Middle School Magic #3), by Braden Bell
2014, 309p, Middle-Grade Fantasy
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the author/publisher for an honest review

Determined to rescue their favorite teacher, Conner, Lexa, and Melanie confront their worst fears and use their powers in unexpected ways to defeat Lady Nightwing, the treacherous Darkhand leader. But when the trio makes a terrible choice to save Dr. Timberi, their powers may not be enough to keep everyone alive. A thrilling conclusion to the Middle School Magic series!

If you haven't read about this series before, you can read my thoughts on the first two books here.

I enjoyed the first book, liked the second book better and absolutely love the third book!! What a great middle-grade series! 

At the end of the second book, it is believed that Dr. Timberi is dead but Lexa declares to everyone that he is, indeed, alive! Some believe her and some don't. Conner, Lexa and Melanie believe he is so it's up to them to rescue him from the torture they believe he's enduring.

Conner, Lexa and Melanie learn the power and strength they have when they actually work together. They've had a lot of emotional ups and downs and their relationships are strengthened. Lexa was pretty snotty in book two but was given opportunities to reevaluate her behavior towards the end and she redeems herself in book three.

Questions are answered! We learn the truth about The Stalker. I got this series for my daughter (more on that below) and she couldn't wait to start reading it. She started before I finished and she was asking me about The Stalker. I told her he's still around in book 3 and she was asking if he's good or bad. I hadn't finished yet so I was honestly able to tell her that I didn't know. She believes he's good so those of us that know won't confirm or deny. 

There's so much to love about this series and there's lots of wisdom interspersed throughout. There are Discussion Questions at the end of book 3 but there aren't any in books 1 and 2. This is a series I want to read with my children because it will generate some great discussions!

If you're ready to get these books right now, there's a great deal going on. I got the paper copies for my daughter for her birthday and she was excited (and so are some of her friends). The deal for those is that you purchase Luminescence at regular price and then you can get The Kindling and Penumbras for $1.00 each! This offer is only good through the Cedar Fort website. Put all three books in your cart and then when you check out, use this code: MSM0314 (that's a zero between the "M" and the "3"). That will bring the price of the other two books to $1.00 each. I have purchased these so I know it works! You can also get ecopies of books 1 and 2 for $.99 each. For those instructions, click here. You'll need to hurry, though, this deal ends March 31st!!

Here are the buy links in case you miss out on these great deals!

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Cedar Fort

During his middle school years, Braden Bell was the least-stable, lowest-achieving student in the history of the world. He shocked every former teacher by graduating from high school and college, and then going on to earn both a Master’s degree as well as a Ph.D. A teacher by day and a parent by night, he is around teenagers 24/7. He teaches music and directs plays at a private school, much like Marion Academy in The Middle School Magic series. Whether he fights evil after hours is something he cannot disclose.

Braden Bell holds degrees in theatre from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. from NYU. A committed educator, he has been directing plays and teaching school now for over twenty years. Braden lives with his family on a quiet, tree-lined lot outside of Nashville, TN, where he teaches theatre and choir at a middle school. The author of The Road Show, The Kindling, and Penumbras.

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