GUEST WRITER SUMMER GRANT RECOMMENDS MIDNIGHT AT THE HOUDINI BY DELILAH S. DAWSON
“We think we know what’s possible, but the role of the magician is to prove otherwise.”
If you’re looking for an eerie, yet magical tale that mixes intrigue with a sense of wonder, Midnight at the Houdini just may be for you. The author, Delilah S. Dawson, shares the story of a 16 year old named Anna, who finds herself in a strange and unique hotel called the Houdini. Once the clock strikes midnight though, she will be trapped there forever, unless she can unveil the hotel’s biggest secrets on time.
If you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland, imagine that iconic story but in a hotel: it’s a place full of secrets where Anna is drawn deeper into its magic corridors. As she tries to uncover the truth behind the hotel and its strange inhabitants, the story unfolds with many twists and turns. As she encounters the residents of the hotel, she discovers their own stories, motivations, and secrets, which leads to chilling revelations.
Dawson’s writing captures the story’s lush and whimsical atmosphere, and brings a sense of uneasiness you can’t help but feel throughout the story. She has a talent for building magical, yet unsettling environments. From the moment Anna steps into the Houdini, readers are drawn into a rich and atmospheric world where reality bends. This book is more than just a fantasy novel. It explores deeper themes such as identity, freedom, and the human desire for control. The main character’s journey becomes a journey of self-discovery. I personally adored every page of this book simply because the author was able to take a complex idea of a magic hotel and make it an enjoyable experience for the reader. I could clearly picture the setting and atmosphere of the scenes. It was almost like I created a movie in my head as I was reading through it. I did not want it to end.
Summer Grant is a UNB student in the 10-month Education Program and is slowly making her way towards obtaining her teaching license. Once she achieves her goal, she hopes to teach in Montreal city. She loves crocheting, napping, cuddling with her cats, and movies. After a long day, you will find Summer hanging out with nature.