So much fun! I watched the movie first, but decided to buy the screenplay because I don’t usually read screenplays despite my interest in them.

Read: June 29 – June 30, 2024

Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism, Historical
Audience: Middle-grade, General
Book contains: good vs evil, escaped animals, death, implied child abuse

Purchase a copy from Amazon.ca

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Amazing Adventure by Fully Trained Wizards

Newt Scamander is in New York when a single incident with a Muggle (No-Maj in America) causes the accidental release of many of the magical creatures he keeps in his suitcase. He teams up with ex-Auror Tina Goldstein and the no-maj, Jacob Kowalski, to round up his creatures and solve the mystery of the deadly dark wind that’s wreaking havoc in New York.

I watched the movie before buying this book, and I have to say: it was one of the best Harry Potter movies to date. I loved exploring the world—especially the wizarding world of America—with a fully-trained wizard as our main character. It opened up so many doors to the world, and the inclusion of all the wonderful magical beasts was a big plus.

This book was written as a screenplay, meaning it’s split into scenes. It is mostly dialogue with a bit of scene direction thrown in. Despite this, the world was rich and the imagery was great.

I read this book in the hotel room in Edmonton. It was the last book I brought on my road trip, and it was the perfect way to finish off my vacation. Despite reading it the old-fashioned way, I could easily recall the scenes from the movie in my head, so it was almost like having an audiobook.

Newt is socially awkward and super relatable. He is only comfortable when around his beasts, which is why I liked how this storyline challenged him. His beasts are gone and he has to rely on other humans to help get them back. He makes some strong new friendships along the way. Jacob is that “every man” sort of character. He’s not special in any way, and that’s what makes him special. He’s a good person who does what’s right. Tina, the ex-auror, has a strong sense of justice and is a character we don’t really like until we get to know her a bit. Queenie is just a gem from start to finish.

There is friction between these characters at first, but once the gears are properly oiled, the machine runs smoothly. There continues to be new and exciting relationships rising and falling between the characters on page and off—implications to relationships and deeper layers to explore, not only between the main four, but with the side characters as well.

Screenplays are a new style for me, but I loved how the characters came to life on the page. The creatures were astounding to see through Newt’s eyes, and just like Jacob, I felt drawn into this new world through the scenes. The simultaneous storylines melded together on the page in the most perfect way.

The pacing was excellent. Newt arrives in New York and immediately there is the mystery of the dark wind that’s wreaking havoc. He meets Jacob, and the beasts are unleashed on New York. Every time you turn the page, something new is happening, and it’s all wrapped up perfectly at the end.

This is a book I wholly recommend to lovers of the Harry Potter franchise!

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