The Last Halloween (Misfit's Magic #1) by Fred Gracely

What worked:

The setting is a small town in the Northeast. The author presents the backstory through the eyes of Goff as he tries to complete an article about Spraksville and its history of witchcraft. The eerie atmosphere is created through the numerous gargoyles found around town and the old, creepy cemetery next to Goff’s foster home. His foster life is awful, as he sleeps on a mattress among spiders in the dusty attic, his only companions being a scraggly, old dog named Brak and a “taxidermied” cat he calls Maxim. With no one around that Goff can call friends, his life at home and at school is hell. Readers will know the climax nears when sunshine is replaced by eerie red skies and doom and gloom take over the setting.

Goff is portrayed as a victim which will help readers envision him as an underdog character. He’s bullied by older kids in a pizza place, and they manage to get him banned from the restaurant for defending himself. Another kid likes to punch Goff due to his nerdiness (he says he has no choice, it’s the law) and Goff wearing a sorcerer’s hat and cape doesn’t help matters. Goff’s just gotten new foster siblings and the brother and sister like nothing better than to torment him. Even his foster father bullies Goff, as the man says he never liked the boy and that Goff is a nothing. The author repeatedly stresses Goff’s dismal life to set the groundwork for his improbable role as the unlikely hero battling an overwhelming, powerful wizard. Through it all, he’s honest, loyal, and displays empathy for others, and these qualities will become keys to his success.

Goff knows nothing about the magical world and there’s really nobody able or willing to help him learn. Harkland Mathers is a powerful wizard antagonist but he’s obviously not going to assist Goff. Goff’s first allies are Brak, Maxim, and a skeleton named Bones, but he also finds aid from two human classmates. Lydia has an enthusiastic interest in strange theories, while Halstrom is the large, intelligent, overly logical character. Halstrom adds a taste of humor through his intolerance for double negatives and statements that are vague or illogical. He’s the first one to suspect Goff possesses magic since no other explanation fits his observations and reasoning. Goff’s group slowly grows but it appears his abilities as a wizard are far from what will be needed to defeat an enemy that has had centuries to prepare for the final battle.

What didn’t work as well:

I’m sure Goff would agree that his failures and constantly being told he’s worthless become tiresome. Of course, this description is the basis for the whole story so it shouldn’t bother readers that much.

The Final Verdict:

A kind heart has its own magic. This book exceeds my expectations and it checks off many boxes of an outstanding story. A protagonist who is an overwhelming underdog with absolutely no chance of success will appeal to a wide audience. The cast of supporting characters adds humor and heart to the book and makes the whole story more entertaining. I highly recommend you give it a shot.