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.

I've recently been craving something that could give me a sense of magic and secrets all with the mystery of something the likes of "Caraval"
and "Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre" did not disappoint. With a unique magic system, set against a backdrop of war and conscription for those with power, we focus in on a theatre filled with mystery, family and the fantastical.

The backdrop of an illusionist theatre created a fantastical and whimsical feel. and the characters within truly have the most heartwarming relationships. Im obsessed with the friendship and family tensions, and the themes of found family, I also loved how both sisters went on a journey of self acceptance and discovery. Whilst the romance within these pages is heartwarming, what I really adored was the development of the sisters relationship.

Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre is a fun, immersive and magical read but oh my is it emotional at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and CamCat books for the ARC!

Magic at the Grand Dragonfly theater is a fun and easy read, but it also manages to pack an emotional punch.

The world and setup of this story are both very clever. The magic system is easy to understand, which it needs to be because within 300 pages there is only so much explaining that can be done, but the author manages to explain the system clearly within a chapter. Within that same chapter it also immediately becomes clear to us what is at stake, and it is also one of the most tense chapters of the whole book, dragging you in right away. Well done to the author there!

While both sisters have love interests, the real story in this book is about the love they have for each other and the love of family, both found and real. The romance subplots were interesting in and of themselves, but also manage to be relevant for the plot.

The excerpts from different pieces of writing that exist within the world we're in at the start of the chapters are a fun and clever way to learn a bit more about the world.

Some things that were mentioned in the story seemed to have no further relevance. An example of this is when Iris gets remarks about being unchaperoned as a young woman in the city, this doesn't seem to have any further bearing on the story and could've been left out. This my only real critique of the book though, and it is alltogether small.

The story wraps up nicely and left me satisfied. At the same time there's more than enough material for a possible sequel, which I would definitely read if it ever happens! There is more world to explore here.

Good for fans of:
- YA
- Standalones with a clear and satisfying ending
- Found family
- Romance subplots with real relevance and consequences for the plot

I ultimately DNF'd at 50%. The magic system was interesting, the theatre being incorporated with the world was fun, and the premise was intriguing. However, in execution, it fell flat for me. The romance is what really led to me DNFing it, because it was so weak, yet was the crux for the biggest conflict. Likewise, the story just felt one dimensional, despite being 50% in. I agree with other reviewers' complaints that the writing was basic, which contributed to this issue.
I think this book could have benefited from expanding the characters and the world, which would have lent itself to a more well rounded story.

This story was, in a word, magical! The magical system of the world was intriguing, a split of illusions and conjuring. The backdrop of a horrible long on-going war that forces those with conjuring magic into servitude of the crown sets an ominous feeling.

The world definitely pulled in elements of the late 1800's. The setting on the small isle and within the Dragonfly Theatre itself was picturesque and beautiful, while the city was cold and industrial.

The cast of characters at the Dragonfly are like a family of misfits that blend together and make it a magical space. Each has their own talent and delightful personality. The dynamic of Violet and Iris's relationship is wonderful, truly the epitome of sisters.

The plot was both cozy and mysterious, there was so much tension, danger, and delight. Just a wonderfully delightful story.

☆ 4/5 ☆

With its stunning cover and magical synopsis, I was immediately drawn to this book —and I’m so glad I picked it up. Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre is a whimsical and immersive read that completely pulled me into its world.

I’m obsessed with how Brandie June seamlessly blends theatre life and magic throughout the story. The inclusion of newspaper clippings about the ongoing war, characters’ diary entries, and excerpts from the Grand Dragonfly Theatre’s screenplays added such a creative and engaging layer to the narrative. The illusionist theatre performances were fascinating, and the characters were equally compelling.

I especially loved the heartwarming themes of found family and the strong sisterly bond at the center of the story with Iris and Violet. The subtle romantic threads—through the sisters’ connections with Harmon and Alec—were sweet and well-paced. I also appreciated the thoughtful inclusion of themes like self-acceptance, chosen family, and coming of age.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves magical theatre, rich world-building, and heart-filled fantasy. Fans of the Night Circus would love this book!

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an absolutely wonderful read! I love this book dearly, and feel so thankful to have been able to read it early. The characters, their stories, and the mood of this book have stuck with me since I finished reading it. I could honestly speak about it all for a long time, but for now these are my overall thoughts:

Story
First off, I really enjoyed everything about this story! Many elements of the story felt real and relatable in some way. I was invested in the world and the stakes each character was up against. The ending was satisfying, but skillfully left me thinking about the characters and their stories after the book was finished.
I felt that the magic was written well and fit very nicely into the world. The stakes and character-building based on the magic system were effective. I really enjoyed the concept of different magic users and what that meant for each character!

Characters
I enjoyed all of the characters! I cared about them and felt very connected to them. Many of the characters were relatable in one way or another, and I was invested in their stories and the conflicts they were facing. I wouldn’t have minded more attention paid to secondary characters, and more interaction between the main and secondary characters. However, what was present in the book was still effective!
Something that is important to me in books that I read is that the antagonist is written well, and I thought the author did an excellent job with this! Even though I had strong feelings about the antagonist, I was excited to have them in a scene because I knew it was going to be interesting.
I thought that the romance was given a good balance with the rest of the relationships and the story. It was not the main focus, and instead developed along with the characters and the story. To me, the romantic relationships were satisfying, fit the characters, and written well!

Setting
I really love the setting and mood of this book! I thought it fit the story nicely, and the feelings of the environment (the weather, the theatre, the house and gardens) have stuck with me. I mostly wish we had gotten more detailed descriptions, such as details of the interiors. What we did have in descriptions gave me a strong idea of the mood and setting, I just would have loved more details to get a better vision. Beyond this, there was certainly still many effective ways in which the setting was developed. I still felt immersed in the world through descriptions of the world around the characters, beautifully described outfits, etc.!

Writing
I enjoyed the writing style! It felt easy to read, and I was able to follow along with everything that happened. I thought that the pacing was well done, I didn’t feel stuck in one part for too long or that something moved along too quickly. Each character had their own voice, and I could tell that great attention was given to bringing each character to life. Personally, I loved the vignettes and excerpts at the beginning of each chapter! They added a great deal to the world-building, and felt relevant to story every step of the way.

Oh this book! This book is a masterpiece! Brandie June is a total genious! Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre is a masterpiece of a book.

I love a found family, but it is just as good - and perhaps even rarer - to have a blood family that love each other. A healthy sibling relationship in stories is sadly so unusual. Iris and Violet truly love each other, and while they bicker at times, it is clear that they would do anything for the other. Just as rare is the parent-child relationship the sisters have with their uncle. It's great to have a family that care about each other, protect each other. They are a delight to read. Some of the side characters are not as fleshed out as they could be; some were paper thin, which is a shame because they all had the promise to be so much more.

Alex was a refreshing take on the MMC, poor, down on his luck and determined to do whatever he had to in order to protect his own family and make good.

The twist as to what is actually going on behind the curtain at the theatre is a delight and like any good end of act, tilts everything you think you know and forces you to look anew at what is going on. The magic, the blurring of 'illusion' and 'Illusion' was a delight.

The ending is hopeful but not perfect, and all the better for it. This world still has plenty of story to tell and I hope the author comes back to this world if not these characters exactly.

A fun, fast little book that was a delight.

This has Where Dreams Descend and Caraval vibes. There’s a haunted theatre, gothic vibes, low fantasy/magical realism. I really felt transported. The character embarks on a really coming of age journey that felt authentic. The illusionists were fascinating and Alec is WOW.

This book was awesome. I started because the cover iw gorgeous and I stayed for the magical realism! Violet and Iris were fantastic, Alec was dreamy! The secrets and scheming and magic were awesome.

Reviewer’s note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre is a delightful mix of mystery, self-discovery, and soft magic set against the backdrop of a glamorous, slightly haunted theatre. Brandie June creates a rich atmosphere with velvet curtains, masked performers, and secrets hidden in every wing of the stage.

The protagonist’s journey is heartfelt and sincere—a coming-of-age story that explores identity, acceptance, and finding one’s voice in a world full of illusions. The theatre setting is gorgeously realized, brimming with personality and just the right amount of eerie charm. I especially loved the theatrical metaphors used throughout the narrative—clever and meaningful without being heavy-handed.

While I was completely drawn in by the setting and the emotional arc, I would have liked a bit more clarity and development around the magic itself. The story leans more into whimsical atmosphere than structured fantasy, which works, but left me curious for a little more detail. A couple of the side characters also felt like they had untapped potential.

Still, this is a beautifully written, gently magical tale perfect for readers who enjoy stories about performance, personal growth, and the quiet courage it takes to be seen.

Recommended for fans of:
• Magical realism with a theatrical twist
• Found family and identity journeys
• Lush, cozy, slightly gothic settings
• Character-driven fantasy with heart

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars) |
Thank you NetGalley, CamCat books and Brandie June for providing me with a copy of Magic at the Dragonfly Theatre.

I really enjoyed Magic at the Dragonfly Theatre. It was such a great story with strong writing. I could not put it down! The magical elements made the story so interesting. The characters and the development of the plot kept me engaged for the entire book. I was happily surprised a few times throughout this book. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys standalone fantasy stories.

Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre is, quite fittingly, magical. It’s a whimsical and heartfelt story about two sisters, Iris and Violet, who live with their uncle in the enchanting (and infamous) Grand Dragonfly Theatre—a place where illusions captivate the audience and create unforgettable performances.

In this world, illusionists craft shows through magical illusions, which are harmless and legally accepted. Conjurors, on the other hand, can create real, tangible objects—magic with weight and consequence. Because of their abilities, Conjurors are required by law to serve a five-year term under King Edmund IV.

Iris believes she has no magical gifts, while Violet believes she is a Conjuror—at least, that’s what their uncle has led them to believe. As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that Iris is actually a Prism, a rare and powerful individual who can amplify the magic of others—particularly illusionists.

Meanwhile, Alec, a young man who starts working at the Grand Dragonfly, is secretly helping a bounty hunter track down a suspected Conjuror. But as his connection to Iris deepens and he begins to question his mission, he finds himself caught between duty, love, and loyalty.

This story is full of charm, wonder, and emotional depth—a perfect read for anyone who enjoys magical realism, sibling dynamics, and richly imagined worlds.