Magic at Midnight by Courtney Millecam- An Atmospheric YA Fantasy
- Tea&Prose
- May 13
- 2 min read
3.5 Stars -- Release date 05/12/2026
The Lowdown:
Magic at Midnight starts out strong with a strong premise; magic versus science — specifically steam-powered inventions — giving this YA fantasy a Jules Verne-style atmosphere that stands out from more standard fantasy settings. Add memory loss, outlawed magic, and layered mysteries, and this had all the ingredients for a really immersive read.
What’s it about?
Gemma washes ashore on a magical island with no memories of who she is or how she got there. Meanwhile, her form of magic allows her to read other people’s memories. Hoping to uncover the truth about herself, she travels to the mainland — where magic is forbidden — meets a boy who hates magic, and they become wrapped up in several mysteries.
What works:
The strongest aspect of this book is easily the atmosphere. The blend of magic and steam-powered inventions creates a unique world that feels slightly whimsical and adventurous while still carrying darker undertones. The beginning is highly readable and does a great job setting up the mystery surrounding Gemma later on.
What Doesn't Work:
Unfortunately, the story never fully developed in the way I hoped it would. While the setup promises layered character development and bigger reveals, the pacing begins to drag in the middle portions of the story. Some plotlines felt underdeveloped, and because of that, I never became fully emotionally invested in the characters.
Why is this worth it?
...Still, the premise itself remains interesting enough that readers who enjoy an atmospheric YA fantasy and softer-paced mystery stories may still enjoy this one.
Read Magic at Midnight by Courtney Millecam if you like:
Magic versus science worlds
Steam-powered fantasy settings
Memory-loss mysteries
Forbidden magic
Atmospheric YA fantasy
Slower-paced mystery plots
Jules Verne-style vibes
Final Thoughts
This book had a really compelling setup and a unique atmosphere that kept me reading, even when the pacing slowed down. While I wanted more depth from the plot and characters, the magic-versus-science premise gives the story enough originality to make it memorable.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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