Ths I you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for giving me the ARC for review.

Interesting concept and interesting magic system. I enjoyed the world and the storyline enough but none of it pulled me in and kept me crazy engaged but it was enjoyable enough.

This book had a charming concept and a touch of whimsy that I appreciated, but overall, it landed as just fine for me. The magical elements and the theatre setting were fun, and there were definitely moments that sparked my interest. That said, I didn’t feel especially pulled in by the plot or characters. While it had potential and a unique atmosphere, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I struggled to stay fully engaged.

This book is centered around a sister's love. Iris and Violet have been waiting for the next shoe to drop after losing their mother, after she was discovered to be a Conjuror. Ever since they have been living with their uncle Leo at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre.

Years later Alec is hired to work at the theatre but he has ulterior motives... He is looking to find out if Iris is also a Conjuror but little does he know, there's more to Iris and her sister Violet than he can even imagine.

2.5 stars. The concept was intriguing, but unfortunately I didn’t feel a connection with any of our main characters. There was an overall lack of tension that it could’ve benefitted from and I think that comes from knowing all three of our main characters POV. It’s not a bad book by any means, it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and CamCat for providing me with an advance copy of Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre. All opinions are my own.

For me, this was a 3.5 star read. The novel presents a charming and imaginative world where magic and theatre intertwine. The unique magic system, divided between conjurors and illusionists, adds depth to the story. The inclusion of excerpts from Violet's play and historical documents at the beginning of chapters enriches the world-building, offering readers a glimpse into the broader universe. The writing style initially felt repetitive, with a tendency towards telling rather than showing. However, as the narrative progressed, I found myself more engaged and appreciative of the author's voice. The pacing was steady, and I was consistently eager to return to the story. Violet and Harmon's relationship was particularly endearing, and I found myself loving for their connection. I also rooted for Iris and Alec. Their beach scene together stands out as one of my favourite moments in the book. Secondary characters lacked depth, which slightly impacted the emotional weight of certain events.

Tropes include:
-Sister bond
-Hidden magic
-Dark secret
-Reluctant allies to lovers
-Friends to lovers
-Magical theatre
-Found family
-Redemption arc

Overall, Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre is a delightful read that offers a blend of magic, romance, and personal growth. While it may not have been groundbreaking, it was an enjoyable and satisfying experience.

ˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝟜.𝟝 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤, 𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕕 𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕥𝕠 𝟜

Wow. I was honestly not expecting this book to be this good in any way, but it was!! It had the perfect amount of romance, great worldbuilding, and the descriptions? It just felt... beautiful, the way the settings were described, the sets in the plays, the outfits, everything. I'm really starting to get into fantasy more now, and I'm so glad I am, because I was really missing out. I definitely recommend this book, it was so good! And the cover is absolutely gorgeous, I might actually buy a physical copy when its released (I got an ARC) because it's so pretty.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕
౨ৎ 𝘈𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
౨ৎ 𝘍𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥
౨ৎ 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺
౨ৎ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
౨ৎ 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
౨ৎ 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦
౨ৎ 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴-𝘵𝘰-𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴-𝘵𝘰-𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴-𝘵𝘰-𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 (𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘰𝘭)
౨ৎ 𝘔𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘖𝘝

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

𝘗𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯 ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Ages 12+

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔
౨ৎ Language- H*ll used a few times, possibly other minor swears that I forgot
౨ৎ Romance- Kissing, characters are in love, nothing bad really
౨ৎ Violence- Mentions of war and torture (not descriptive), arson, two characters are shot and there is blood (one dies), the bones of Prisms (people with a specific type of power) are used to burn Conjurers (another power lol)
౨ৎ Other- Death of an uncle

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼

Violet
⤷ She was such a great character! I loved her chapters, and she was actually a kind of relatable character; quiet, smart, doesn't want to be the center of attention.

Iris
⤷ She was also a great character, I absolutely loved reading her chapters too

Alec
⤷ So I love him but... the whole betrayel thing made me a bit mad. I know it wasn't his fault at all, but idk because of that the other characters are better to me

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓭

⤷ The writing style- Entertaining and fun to read, but also so so descriptive and beautiful, I could literally see everything in the book while reading it!

⤷ The plot/concept-It felt unique, but then again I haven't read many fantasy books lol

⤷ The characters- I loved them all, they all had so much personality and character developement

⤷ The setting- it was so beautiful!! I loved it so much!

⤷ The plot twist- while I guessed it a few chapters before it happened, it was still great

⤷ The world building- Just perfection


.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓭𝓲𝓭𝓷'𝓽 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮

⤷ There were a few boring parts- I loved it, but it still got a bit boring at times

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Overall, it was a great book, and I loved it so much! I have read better books, but I still really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it!


.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

This book reads like a whimsical blend of Caraval, The Museum of Extraordinary things and Howl's Moving Castle, with a magical theatre at its heart and a story full of secrets, sisterhood, and quiet political intrigue. I was quickly swept into its dreamy world. The Grand Dragonfly Theatre itself sparkled with the same enchanting energy as Howl’s bedroom in Howl’s Moving Castle. The way the author describes color and setting is beautifully immersive.

The magic system is simple yet layered, and I loved the little excerpts from records and official documents scattered throughout the chapters. They added texture to the world without bogging it down in exposition. The narrative strikes a nice balance between wonder and danger, and while the political conflict wasn’t always the most compelling element for me, it served the story well.

The relationships—especially between Iris and Violet, and Iris and Alec—were a highlight. The romance was tender and slow-burn, with just enough yearning to tug at the heartstrings, and the family dynamic (blood and found) added emotional depth. That said, there were moments I wished the pacing had been tighter, and some reveals felt a bit too telegraphed to be truly shocking.

Still, the book has a charm that’s hard to resist. It’s cozy, mysterious, and at times deeply bittersweet. I didn’t fall head over heels, but I was definitely intrigued—and would return to this world again if given the chance. If you're a fan of magical realism with theatrical flair and strong character bonds, this story will likely cast its spell on you too!

I was given a chance to read an ARC of this book via Netgalley by the author and the book's pubisher CamCat books in exchange for my honest opinion. Many thanks for the trust!

3.5 ⭐️

thank you to the author and publisher for granting me ARC access!

this was a fun and quick read for me. I didn't love the prologue but the rest of the book was fun. three POVs made it sometimes feel a little rushed or cramped with all we were seeing from each person but it did make the plot move along quickly which I appreciated because the book gives you a deadline for the climax of everything pretty quick. I wish we had gotten to see a bit more of the side characters that were meant to be deeply important to the main cast, and I wish we got to see a bit more personality from Violet than sad shy girl. I feel like she starts off very strong then lost a little bit of nerve throughout the book. I liked Iris and Alec a lot and overall thought it was an interesting magical system they had created. I wish we got to see more snippets of the plays too! I basically wanted more from this book which is better than wanting less, but I still had a good time and would recommend this to younger readers (teens) who are interested in fantasy.

There's a little bit of romance in this book , I think it's the perfect amount.

I love that it isn't similar to any other book I've read, it kept me on my toes and I really enjoyed it

4.5*

I loved this book so much. It did give me Caraval vibes and I loved the writing and characters so much! It pretty much kept a steady pace throughout with only a couple slow spots. I highly recommend this book. It was truly magical! Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of an arc in return for an honest review!

Brandie June's Magic At The Dragonfly Theatre is an enchanting and whimsical middle-grade novel that sparkles with imagination and heart. Perfect for young readers (and those young at heart), this book invites you into a world where illusions are real and the stage holds more secrets than tricks. June creates a delightful setting in the Dragonfly Theatre, a place brimming with quirky characters and a genuine sense of wonder. The characters are relatable and charming, navagating challenges and discovering their own courage amidst magical mishaps and theatrical adventures. The story is full of clever puzzles and heartwarming moments, all delivered with a light touch and an engaging pace. The book is an ideal choice for anyone who loves stories about magic, friendship, and finding your place. It's a testament to the power of imaginaction and collaboration, making it a truly joyful read.

Imagine if Caraval and Six Of Crows had a child, that's what would come out.

I really enjoyed the magic part cause it was not very overwhelming but also complex in a way I won't say from the ending chapters (🤫) and how there would be bits from their official records on how rare each class was and how they "dealt with them" as frustrating it was to read about the Crown, it was well written.

The world building was so beautiful, obsessed with how she describes colors and the scenery! especially the theatre of course, it has exactly same whimsical energy as Howl's room in my opinion, and how each play was described was so dreamy 10/10

The romance was actually so well done in my opinion, especially Iris and Alec. I liked the pacing of it, and a VERY specific scene I won't mention here had me giggling so bad, absolutely love how it was written (yearning)

And the family dynamic was so bittersweet honestly (this includes the entire theatre even if not blood related), they're very loyal to each other and the parts between Iris and Violet made me want to cry and how they were willing to talk things out as soon as something went bad </3 and I won't even start on THAT one part further in the book...

Thank you Netgalley and CamCat Books for this ARC!

An enchanting story that takes you to a different world full of wonder and magic! This is a story about two sisters, the people they come to see as family, and the intriguing world they live in. It’s a charming story about a world full of magical humans that are unfortunately drawn into a political conflict. This book is ideal for readers who enjoy a little bit of magic, unexpected romance, intriguing revelations, and captivating scenes.

This is exactly the type of story that makes a reader get lost in its world, its inhabitants, and wonder what comes next for our characters. I was immediately intrigued by the world and its history in the story. I wanted to learn more about the lore and the political unrest that is occurring during the story. I purposely took my time reading it because I didn’t want it to end.

This is a magnificent story that makes you wish you could slip away and visit the Grand Dragonfly Theatre in real life just to catch a glimpse of its shows. If you love stories that lure you in and make you feel like you’re behind the scenes of a grand production, I highly recommend you read it. The story, the world, its secrets and resolution all made this book one of my new favorites.

Final notes, for fans who enjoy magical worlds with mysterious beings and the secrets they keep, this book is for you!

5/5 stars - Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher of this book for the ARC!
This was a wonderful surprise of a book! I wasn’t sure how mixing theatre with magic was going to work as a story, but it works!
Magic, found family, love, tragedy — so many feelings! And I was not expecting the twist! This story was cozy and fresh with lovable characters (and a hated villain). The magic system was simple but effective with a little twist that worked well. The intros to each chapter gave nice insight into the world and events to tie everything together without having to explicitly explain the politics of everything, which I think kept the story running smoothly.
This story was very satisfying and would love to read more by this author!

Welcome to the Grand Dragonfly Theatre
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book! It had such a magical, mysterious vibe that pulled me in right from the start. The theatre setting was so vivid and atmospheric and I could totally picture the velvet curtains, hidden passageways, and that sense that something deeper was going on behind the scenes.

Violet and Iris were such a great sister duo. I really felt for Violet when she was trying to stay hidden with her dangerous magic and Iris doing everything she can to protect her. Their relationship was messy and emotional in all the best ways: loyal but complicated.

And Alec? Loved him. He brought this sneaky and dangerous edge to the story and watching his connection with the sisters grow (especially with a certain someone 👀) was so satisfying.

It took me a moment to get into this story, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The comparison to "The Night Circus" is very accurate but not in a bad way. It's lighter in tone, since this is geared towards the younger side of YA, and the plot is not as complicated. The chapters rotate between three perspectives: Violet, Iris, and Alec. They were all pretty solid in their voices, though I think that Violet stood out the most as fully individual character. I really enjoyed watching her come into her own throughout the story and learn how to step out of the shadows.

My only gripe is that the writing felt basic at times, and not in a way that was just geared towards a younger reading demographic. It overexplained how characters were feeling or repeated things multiple times in the same page/paragraph, which did the narrative a disservice and pulled me out of the story.

If you enjoy more light fantasy worlds, I recommend this book.

What a treat this was. Magic, theatre, spying, it’s got it all.

The relationships in this are all so healthy, it makes a massive change. The sibling relationship was really well written, the entire friendship group interacted so well, and the romance was subtle at times which was nice.

It was beautifully written, with an interesting plot, and a few twists I didn’t see coming. The setting of the theatre was lovely, especially seeing the inner workings, and I really liked how we got to see the play they were doing with the little snippets of it as chapter openers.

This was a solid 4.5/5, rounded up to 5.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

two sisters—one with real magic, one with stage tricks—facing secrets that could impact everything around them

4/5 stars
Read via NetGalley

Plot – 3.5/5, the story was intriguing and had beautiful descriptions, with a great theater setting that really added flavor. However, the pacing sometimes felt abrupt, like flipping through pages quickly to make a moving picture—some plot points and relationship developments didn’t get the attention they deserved.

Characters – 4/5, Violet and Iris, the sister duo, were my favorite—they felt relatable and had distinct personalities that reminded me of me and my own sister. Alec was good but could have used more mystery. Also, why am I still thinking about his mom more than him? Love her. Most characters were fun and full of personality, though a bit caricatured (not that I mind, it's theater after all!). Beyond the sisters and their dark past and teenage history, the relationships didn’t develop as deeply as I’d hoped.

World-Building/Magic – 3/5, the world and magic system were hinted at, explained a bit, but never fully explored. I wanted to know more about the magic, the history of the world, and the darkness lurking beneath it all. The brief bits at the start of chapters weren't enough! This book felt like just one snapshot of a larger story, with lots left to discover.

Tone/Vibes – 3.5/5, the vibe suggested a darker tone, especially with the forced conscription of conjurers, but emotionally it never dove that deep. That juxtaposition was interesting at times, especially when taking place in the angst of teenage-dom. It stayed lighter than I expected given the premise - nothing super nitty gritty here, folks!

Enjoyability – 4/5, Overall, I enjoyed the read, especially the sister relationship and the theatrical setting. I’m hoping for a sequel or prequel to flesh out the world and characters more.

I felt the magic at the grand dragonfly theatre, but I would never say so. Your secrets are safe with me, sisters.

Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre - Brandie June
⭐⭐⭐.75

This was a beautiful Theatre setting with forbidden Magic. The ragtag team is the definition of found family. And let's not forget the redemption arc.
I was super charmed by the setting and the writing.