My kids LOVE Brandon Mull. We have read every book he has written. This one was a fun surprise because we didn’t know the Candy Shop War would turn into a series. The characters are likable and the imagery is masterful. I especially like that there is a lesson for the kids (as well as my hubby and I) to learn and reflect on. My kids especially like that the teens are saving the town. They have to watch out for everyone else and save them from the carnival!

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

This book was so adorable me and my son both sat down and read it together he loved it so much that I bought it for him and the other two. This is how we spent my downtime during chemotherapy weeks last year reading books. So for him to enjoy this book so much it made my heart skip a beat. So thank you so much, Brandon Mull, Netgalley, and Edelweiss Plus for this wonderful Earc read.

Callie's Teen Review: I had read the first book in this amazing series for a book report. Then when my mom got the offer to read this book as a pre-read she let me read the book. So I flew through the second book so I could read this one and it was so worth it! The book was much faster paced than the first book and had a lovely number of twists and turns. I loved how Mull added some new characters and concepts to the book. It made the book stand out from the others in the series. I also loved getting to know about the White Families past. I would recommend this book and this series to any kid or kid at heart. I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was another magical series from Brandon Mull, I assume this is the last book in the Candy Shop Wars series as each book focused on one of the White siblings and Camilla was the last sibling but I could be wrong as there were a lot of year between Arcade Catastrophe and Carnival Quest. I love how the Blue Falcons were able to turn the contest around on the Swindler. I also loved Camilla's reveal, I anticipated Zach's reveal but I have a feeling that it will be more of a shock to younger readers. Now I need to start reading the Dragonwatch series to see what is happening in the Fablehaven universe.

A flash-bang finish to a wonderful series! I've been reading these books almost from the beginning and I've loved reading each book and joining in these adventures.

The carnival setting was especially fun for this book, and Brandon Mull always does an amazing job of creating new magic systems. Though we get the magic candy that started this series and we all love, we also got new twists and crazy new situations that call for something a little extra. I still love these characters and also loved the new additions to the cast in this story.

My son has loved this whole series (age 15). So fun and imaginative. These books are well written and perfect for any age!
We have read and enjoyed almost everything Brandon Mull has written. Best of all his books are clean and wholesome so I never worry that my kids will read something I would not approve of in his books.

I was ecstatic to see a new Candy Shop award book. Brandon Mull has a talent for magical, imaginative stories feeling realistic. There are so many great discussion points with this book. I loved the main theme of the story. It is better to live in a flawed world than a fake dreamlike world. I can’t wait to introduce this to students.

This was such a fun read. I first read the candy shop war when I was in third grade so when I saw this on NetGalley I immediately requested it for nostalgia's sake. I loved seeing all of the characters and all of the adventures that they went on together. I loved how fast-paced it was. There was the perfect mix of mystery, magic, action, and adventure. Overall I am very satisfied with the close of this series and cant wait to read it with my younger sister.

Carnival Quest has been the long-coming finale to The Candy Shop War trilogy. It’s been many years since I’ve read the first and second books and I was able to easy jump right back into the world. Despite being a middle grade reading level, I was engrossed in and excited for the adventure that Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon found themselves on. The premise of the carnival reminded me so much of Meow Wolf in Santa Fe (which I absolutely love): secret maps, doors leading to new worlds, special coins that give the rider an usual attraction experience. I can see kids loving this story and parents (or adults with no kids!) enjoying it along with them. This goes for any of Brandon Mull’s books though, I can’t recommend them enough.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun book and continuation of the Candy Show War Series! The magic was more engaging and changing to keep the reader interested. Loved seeing these characters again. What’s not to love about a magical carnival with hidden secrets?

Yet another success by Brandon Mull! Colson is a town of magic, and one children across the world would love to live in. In this finale to his exciting series, the Blue Falcon crew battles their most mind-boggling foe yet. I had hoped to see Roman and the others from Arcade Catastrophe, but the new characters filled that original void. Overall, this is one more favorite to add to my shelf by Mull.

Carnival Quest is a fun addition to the series. Not everything is as it seems. New characters and alliances bring more to the story. Teamwork, trust, and understanding are valuable lessons for life.

A fun ride.
Would you like to live in a world where dreams become reality? Or have magical candy that gives you special powers for a short time? Interestingly, the author didn’t intend The Candy Shop War to be a series but so many fans of the first book kept asking for more, according to the acknowledgments.

Nate, Trevor, Summer and Pigeon are now in 6th grade and attend middle school where they meet new friends Zac and Benji. A theme park comes to town with games, rides, and creepy evil clowns. Something suspicious is happening with the carnival so the kids investigate along with some help from Mozag, Victor and Ziggy Battiato, John Dart, Lindy, and Mr. Stott. They have the same magical candy plus some new ones, but it plays a lesser role.

This book takes place shortly after book 2 ends. For it to make the most sense, you will want to read the books in order. Carnival Quest has a little different feel from the previous two books. Some of it takes place in an abstract dream world and there are deep thoughts about how you use your life and being in control of your mind. This is a great end to the series with lots of surprises. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to use for my review.

This series is such fun! I've been looking forward to the third book for a long time and it didn't disappoint! There were definitely some unexpected twists and turns which was amazing! My one small complaint was there weren't very many new candies. But the ones that were introduced were awesome! Something I love about this series is the unique ideas! I love that it's set in a time and place that's possible. What sets this story apart from the rest of the series is the fact that it deals with new ideas and they are crazy big ideas! I also thought the ending wrapped the series up well, but also left it open to possibly more books if that were to happen. But if it doesn't then it's not loss because it is wrapped up so well! Once again Brandon cast a spell with his writing and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!

I received this book as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and the author for an honest review.
The novel is a Middle Grade Book, which is one of my favorite genres and a third installment of ‘The Candy Shop Wars’ series. Usually I can follow the story, even though I’ve never read the previous books. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and I struggled through the book hoping to follow the story and to get to know the characters.
My difficulty has nothing against the novel or the author. Brandon is a fabulous writer, his characters are fun, and the situations they get into are humious.

Y’all this was the best ending to the saga! There’s magical candy, adventure, suspense, hilarious dialogue, and the most heroic kids! The book was a little slow in the beginning but once it picked up, it SOARED! I’m just so happy to be back reading about some of my favorite characters and finally getting the most perfect conclusion.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

Genre: Fantasy
Age: Middle Grade
Violence: Low (similar to the rest of the story)

I love how we have some of our favorite character from earlier in the season. There's also Zac, a newcomer, and social media influences which makes the entire series feel brand new. It's also wonderful how the kids are thrust into the problems and must solve the problems.

And there's a real problem! Kids are disappearing! This is great with puzzlers for kids and adults. I love it when books have an element of mystery.

A carnival is a perfect place for this novel to take place. Aren't carnivals, clowns, and game hucksters all inherently creepy?

This author earned my trust years ago, and I know I'm in safe hands for a fun experience. The Candy Shop Wars has remained one of my favorites for this age group.

So, don't accept any candy from strangers. And go read this book instead.

Happy reading!

New magical candy, creepy clowns, another mysterious White sibling, and a whole lot of thrills and chills cap off this fantastic conclusion to The Candy Shop War series. Brandon Mull has long been a favorite author in our household, not only for the kids, but the parents too. The imaginative, exciting stories where everyday life and magic secretly coexist make kids want to read and bring out the kid in adults as well. We bought the first Candy Shop War book when our oldest daughter was just seven years old, the second book when she was eleven, and now she’s 21 and highly anticipating this final installment. I’m happy to tell her it does not disappoint!

The Dreams and Screams Carnival is aptly named. Here kids and adults can realize their fondest dreams and scariest nightmares. It’s a fantastical place with hidden locations, spell binding rides, special coins and tickets, secrets, and magic. But some enter the carnival and never come out. The carnival’s next destination is Colson, California of all places where the Blue Falcons consisting of Nate, Pigeon (Paul), Trevor, and Summer, who previously defeated the two White sibling magicians, are gearing up to attend a new middle school.

The Blue Falcons meet a new friend Zac who happens to be a huge social media influencer. He offers to get them special access into the carnival, but local magician Mr. Stott senses the carnival isn’t all that it seems and warns the kids to beware. When their magical candies won’t work and they find out the carnival is owned by none other than Camilla White, yet another White sibling, the kids work together to solve the mystery of where all the disappearing people are hidden. John Dart and a new magician work to help the kids uncover the secrets and battle new foes as well as distinguish between dreams and reality. It’s a fast-paced, imaginative ride middle grade kids and up will definitely enjoy.

Getting to know these amazing kids in this series has been a joy. They’ve all grown not only in confidence, but in their leadership abilities, Nate especially. I love how they all work together and support each other. What kids faced with being granted their hearts desires, would recognize the lie and be able to withstand the temptation? I enjoyed the subtle messages in the book of nothing worthwhile is ever easy and it’s better to live in a flawed reality than a fake dreamworld.

I’m honestly sad to see the series end. I’m hoping there might just be one more White relative to wreak havoc on Colson so we can see these great kids again. While this is the third book in the series, it could be read as a standalone, however, I highly recommend reading the previous books first. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. Content: Clean with mild violence.

When I saw this book was available for review, I decided to request it, even though I hadn't read the other books in the series, because my nine-year-old son had read them--and I figured he'd think I was cool if one of the books I reviewed was one he was interested in! Haha, I really did request it because of my son's interest in this series, and he really was impressed that I got to read an advanced copy of the third book--he excitedly told his friends at school about it. (I DID read the other two books before I started this one, although I don't think it would have been entirely necessary to understand and enjoy this one.)
For me as a reader, this is probably a 3-star book: the plot and setting are well-developed and very detailed; the characters are relatively flat (I'm a character-driven reader so that was a bit of let-down for me) and the language/writing style is all right. It's great that there's a carnival map at the beginning of the book to help readers see where everything is. There aren't as many new magic candies in this book, which was something I really enjoyed about the previous books. (The ones in this book also didn't seem as appealing--clown lips? YUCK!) So, as an adult reader of a middle grade book, this book is good; as a parent, this is definitely a book I'd give to my kids. And for the intended audience (at least my son), this book is a hit.
For my son, this is a 5-star book. This is his review:
"I liked how it's exciting and they have to use their brains to figure out what's happening and how to solve the problems. I liked how the carnival expanded and that there lots of hidden things about it. I like the names of the characters, and I think Nate is funny. I like that they can use magic to turn into different things and have different powers. I like the stuff about dreams. I like that there's a bunch of different characters, and it's really interesting."
So, he really enjoyed it and has started asking when Brandon Mull's next signing event is so he can see him and get his books signed! So, with it getting 3 stars from me and 5 stars from him, we'll average at 4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.