Book Review: "Alakazam" by Mia Dalia

Published August 2025

“In the heyday of Atlantic City, a man determined to rise above his circumstances and make a name for himself in a world hostile to people like him, finds his calling in the art of illusion. In the present day, two friends pretend to be interested buyers to gain access to the house where a famous magician once lived — before mysteriously vanishing.”

Paraphrased from the publisher’s description of this book.

The last year has been a busy time for this author with several new publications, including full-length novels, novellas, short stories and collections. I have enjoyed both her long-form and short-form work so was delighted to read a recent publication. A novella entitled “Alakazam”, published towards the end of 2025 by PS Publishing an independent UK publisher of high quality books in science fiction, fantasy and horror.

This book is perhaps a little darker in tone and substance than some of her other works, but this did not detract from my reading pleasure. I enjoy the snippets of humour and levity inserted in some of her past work. “Alakazam” still has some dry humour and sarcasm, which lightens the atmosphere a little amongst the darkened backdrops and nefarious goings-on. I think this book will be greatly enjoyed by those who have read her previous work. A deeper, solemn and disturbing story that is thought-provoking and completely memorable.

As with some of her other work, the author combines people and events from the past with certain consequences as they overlap and influence the present. Two young friends are visiting Atlantic City with the intention of visiting an old house, “Alakazam”, once owned my a famous magician in the post-World War II era. “Alakazam” is where he spent his twilight years before mysteriously vanishing. It has been abandoned for years and is now for sale. A sad and faded Atlantic City provides the backdrop for the current day events portrayed in the book. A city well past its prime. One of the characters dryly notes when first observing the house:

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say nature is trying to reclaim the place, but I can’t imagine why it would want it back.”

The book moves backwards and forward in time. In the past, the author recounts the path to success of the magician in and around a much more prosperous Atlantic City. A difficult journey from childhood to adulthood, with darkness, sadness and secrecy dominating his life alongside occasional happiness.

“If you half-closed your eyes and let it blur, it could almost pass for love.”

The author manages in a few well-chosen words to draws a perfectly compelling picture of people, their innermost thoughts, wishes and desires. She writes on sensitive issues, such as race and sexuality, with care and tact. We better understand how and why her characters think and act the way they do. Deep, rich characters, sometimes fragile and brittle, conflicted but at the same time resilient and with an inner strength. The reader cannot help but feel empathy with some of Mia Dalia’s characters.

Back in the present, the two young visitors tour the house with the realtor. The more mature, self-aware of them , acts as the ‘adult in the room’. The other, deluded, something of a man-child, does not. This latter character is obsessed with the famous magician, the previous owner of the now crumbling house. What could possibly go wrong ?

The people portrayed from the past are the heart and soul of this book. Remarkable times, different mores, societies, attitudes and outlooks. The author presents these characters, particularly the magician, with honesty, tenderness and kindness. The reader will believe these characters once existed in an affluent Atlantic City. With success, comes a certain respite for the magician. He buys a large, slightly isolated house. He is content, if not exactly happy. But he also reflects on his success. Favours given along the road to success may need to be repaid. Redress, amends, elements of atonement may be necessary.

The past eventually collides with the present, with ‘Alakazam’ being the location where events play out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The ending was never going to be pretty, and the author does not disappoint. But the real strength of the book is the recounting of attitudes and societal views from the past. A past which is not at all very distant. The circumstances for some individuals today are probably similar to those of the magician portrayed in the book. One hopes that today we live in more enlightened times. One also hopes the Atlantic City Visitor Bureau doesn’t react too harshly to the authors description of their town’s faded glory ! This is after all a work of fiction.

I wish the author and publisher great success with the publication of this fine book.