Twelve-year-old Mack MacAvoy suffers from a serious case of mediumness. Medium looks. Medium grades. Medium parents who barely notice him. With a list of phobias that could make anyone crazy, Mack never would have guessed that he is destined for a more-than-medium life.
And then, one day, something incredibly strange happens to Mack. A three-thousand-year-old man named Grimluk appears in the boys’ bathroom to deliver some startling news: Mack is one of the Magnificent Twelve, called the Magnifica in ancient times, whatever that means. An evil force is on its way, and it’s up to Mack to track down eleven other twelve-year-olds in order to stop it. He must travel across the world to battle the wicked Pale Queen’s dangerous daughter, Ereskigal—also known as Risky. But Risky sounds a little scary, and Mack doesn’t want to be a hero. Will he answer the call?
A laugh-out-loud story filled with excitement and magic, The Magnificent Twelve: The Call is the first book in bestselling author Michael Grant’s hilarious new fantasy adventure series.
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"4.5 stars. This book had me laughing like crazy during the first 2/3 of the book, but it fell a little flat during the last 1/3. I will still buy the second book. I read this ahead of my son, who is 11 and homeschools. He will be reading it next."
— Pauline (5 out of 5 stars)
“The story’s abundant action and humor…should win over readers.”
— Publishers Weekly“A terrific start, with an elaborate website festooned with games and contests to ease the wait for sequels.”
— Booklist (starred reviews)“Sure to win many fans and fly off the shelves.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)" Found it a little hard to follow in the beginning a lot of changes and my a lot of character building to remember the characters "
— Meredith, 2/16/2014" This book was realy weird. I didnt like it because it made no sense. Its one of those books that are hard to follow along with. Maybe its to childish for me im not sure. Id recommend this book to kids 8-12 "
— Zeb, 2/1/2014" This was a great book, he had good momentum and it had a nice plot. I wish it could have been longer but it was worth every page. "
— Carson, 1/15/2014" Very quick read, I finished this one in a day. It is definitely geared toward a younger audience, probably about middle school age, but it was a fun and entertaining read. Interested to see where the series goes. "
— Kathryn, 12/2/2013" This one was really cute. It was over the top at times, but it was funny. "
— Ashley, 3/7/2013" The chapters in the present were snarky and kinda amusing. The chapters in the past were so eye-rollingly dumb I couldn't finish the book. However they might very well appeal to 10-year-old boys, who are more likely the target audience. "
— Debrarian, 12/1/2012" Entertaining in a breezy, light way. "
— Monica, 2/12/2012" I downloaded this as a Free Friday Nook selection in 2011. I like Free Friday selections for the opportunity to read different authors and different genres. This is a fantasy for middle readers, targeting ten-year old boys. "
— Hikerdee, 10/7/2011" The main character was a bit annoying at first, but the book was overall very enjoyable. "
— Sphinx, 8/25/2011" I agree that this is a funny story, and I enjoyed reading it. I don't know yet if I will continue with the series. Maybe after he has finished writing all the books I will come back to this one. It just didn't grab my attention. "
— Amanda, 5/17/2011" This was very funny. It was nice to have something that was funny yet had a good plot too. It was not very cheezy and I was hooked abut 3 chapters in. Great! "
— TikiPaws12, 5/14/2011" Absolutely hilarious. I especially love the journal entries from the golem as well as the parts about Grimluk. This one is definitely recommended, and I am looking forward to the sequel. "
— Heather, 4/12/2011" Another good book about a young boy being chosen as one of the magnificent 12 "
— Andrea, 2/24/2011" The first in the series the Magnificent 12. The call introduces us to a main character who is afraid of everything except bullies, and after saving one of his tormentor's life he is visited by an ancient man who tells him he needs to find eleven more people to fight against a great evil. "
— Dru, 1/31/2011" A great recommendation to any of my Lightning Thief fans. Rousing action, good humor, and an unlikely hero who must save the destruction of the world. I hope Michael writes fast so I'll be able to remember his premise for the next one! "
— Jodi, 1/15/2011" Liked this first book in the Magnificent 12 series. It is funny and full of adventure for David, the reluctant hero. My most favorite parts were the notes from David's golem. Might make a good Review Crew book. "
— Peggy, 1/3/2011Michael Grant, author of the Gone series and the Magnificent Twelve series, has spent much of his life on the move. Raised in a military family, he attended ten schools in five states, as well as three in France. Even as an adult he kept moving and became a writer in part because it was one of the few jobs that wouldn’t tie him down. His fondest dream is to spend a year circumnavigating the globe and visiting every continent, even Antarctica.
Ramón de Ocampo, an Earphones Award-winning narrator, was a cowinner in 2018 of the Audie Award for Best Multi-Voiced Performance. A graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, he has been seen on television, film, and stages all over the world, including recurring roles on such television shows as The West Wing, 12 Monkeys, Sons of Anarchy, and Medium. He is the winner of a prestigious Obie Award for his stage work.