From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Magic Mansion

Jordan Castillo Price

Start date: June 1, 2012

Finish date: June 30, 2012

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Apr 15, 2012 J.L. Merrow rated it it was amazing

There are books you race through, desperate to find out what's going to happen in the end. And then there are books you find yourself reading more and more slowly, because you never want them to end.

This was definitely one of the latter kind. Classic JCP. ...more

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May 21, 2012 Francesca rated it liked it

It was a fun read: two magicians, and main characters, decide to enter a talent show and during the challenges they fell in love.
Reading the introduction I knew I would have liked it: I love magicians, and I love how the Price write her characters. But I had some problems reading this story: in the beginning I found the descriptions of the challenges long and a bit boring too and the choice to set everything in a reality show was a bit turnoff for me. Because reality shows are anything but magic ...more

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Sep 30, 2012 SueM rated it really liked it

Shelves: pnr, magic, age-difference, ipad-stanza, bingo-challenge, coming-out

This novel was born out a short story JCP was going to enter in a contest, yet it ended up being initially published via her newsletter, with a new chapter being published with each newsletter. And while the format of the novel reflects those beginnings, it also rather echoes the episode format of a reality television show, which is what Magic Mansion is all about.

John Topaz, an aging magician who is facing financial difficulty, is struggling to find work. At 63, no one is willing to take him on This novel was born out a short story JCP was going to enter in a contest, yet it ended up being initially published via her newsletter, with a new chapter being published with each newsletter. And while the format of the novel reflects those beginnings, it also rather echoes the episode format of a reality television show, which is what Magic Mansion is all about.

John Topaz, an aging magician who is facing financial difficulty, is struggling to find work. At 63, no one is willing to take him on, yet on hearing a TV commercial asking for applicants to enter a reality show to find the grandmaster of magicians, John manages to find a place on the show, but not before undergoing a daunting audition.

Ricardo at 35, is a younger man, one who once trained for the Winter Olympics but now aspires to be a magician. He too, has to audition, and it is there that he finally meets his hero - the magician known as Professor Topaz. The attraction between them is instant, and each hopes the other makes it to the final 12 selected to compete in Magic Mansion. And it's no surprise to find that they do.

Being a competition as well as a television show, these two men struggle to communicate, particularly when they end up being in other teams. Yet they do manage to grab a few moments here and there, and their relationship slowly evolves into something more.

This is a slowly built romance, despite the insta-lust, with much of the storyline being built on gaming strategy, as well as the other members of the team. Although the main characters of John and Ricardo are strong, the secondary characters are also strong, and play a significant role in the story. Sometimes though, I did feel the whole TV show/competion sections were a little drawn out, and the development of their relationship was a bit too simple. Yes, it was a sweet May-December romance that manages to work despite the 28 year age difference, but I admit I would have liked to have seen more of their interactions and a little less reality TV show. Overall though, it's still a good read, particularly if you feel in the mood for something without a whole lot of sex. ...more

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Mar 21, 2014 Chris, the Dalek King rated it really liked it

Shelves: mc-pairing-mm, magic-and-supernatural, dancing-and-the-stage, hollywood, unusual-jobs

I am extremely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It has been on my TBR for ages, and honestly I'm not exactly sure what prompted me to stick it there in the first place. Magicians are not exactly something I go out of my way to read about...and I kind of hate reality shows. Like really really hate them. They grate on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. So color me shocked when I started reading this, and just couldn't put it down. Jordan Castillo Price did an excellent job of shaping ...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Josephine Myles rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, contemporary, favourites-to-read-again, 2012-reads

Fabulous! This is already on the list of my favourites from 2012. This felt like a bit of a departure from JCP's usual subject matter as there's only a smattering of paranormal content, no horror whatsoever, and not much sex. I'm not complaining, though. This reality tv extravaganza was almost impossible to put down. All the characters were beautifully observed, and I loved the way my opinions of them changed as the story progressed.

You have to read this book. I'll be reading it again soon, and ...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Lora rated it really liked it

Someone reviewed this book and stated that it was a great book and it took a long time to finish. I don't see that. Yes, it was a great book. However, I finished it in less than a day. Why? Not because it was short, but because it was so engaging.

Loved it!
second reading: not quite as fast this time, mostly because I still have to work for a living. Still loved it! ...more

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