Pure Dead Magic

Pure Dead Magic introduces the eccentric StregaSchloss family who live in their ancient Italian mansion with a host of unusual creatures and characters. The story centers on siblings Titus and Pandora as they deal with their missing baby sister and a crisis involving their father's experimental computer. The household runs on a combination of traditional magic and modern technology, managed by their nanny Mrs. McLachlan and a collection of unique staff members. When things go wrong, Titus and Pandora must navigate both magical and technological challenges to set things right. The book combines elements of fantasy, family dynamics, and humor in a contemporary setting. Themes of loyalty, courage, and the balance between tradition and progress emerge through the children's adventures.

Readers describe this as a quirky, dark comedy for middle-grade audiences that blends magic with modern technology. Positives: - Creative combination of ancient magic and contemporary gadgets - Strong sibling relationships between characters - Scottish setting and folklore elements - Humorous situations and dialogue - Appeal for both children and adults Negatives: - Plot pacing issues, particularly in early chapters - Too many characters introduced quickly - Some found the dark elements inappropriate for younger readers - British terminology confusing for some American readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ ratings) Multiple reviewers compared it to Lemony Snicket's work but noted it has more whimsy. One reader called it "Addams Family meets Harry Potter." Several parents mentioned reading it successfully with 8-12 year olds, though some noted explaining Scottish terms. Critics most commonly cited the slow start as their main issue.

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🌟 Author Debi Gliori wrote this book while living in Scotland, where the story is set in a sprawling gothic mansion called StregaSchloss. 🔮 The novel blends traditional Scottish folklore with modern technology, featuring both ancient magic and a computer system named S.T.E.W. (Specialized Training for Evil Wickedness). 📚 This book is the first in a series of six Pure Dead novels, each containing increasingly outlandish magical adventures of the Strega-Borgia family. 🐲 The story includes an unusual array of magical pets, including a yeti, a griffin, a dragon named Ffup, and a crocodile that lives in the dungeon. 🎨 Before writing novels, Debi Gliori was already an established children's picture book illustrator, having created over 75 books, including the popular "No Matter What."