Journeyman Wizard: A Magical Mystery (Paperback) [Paperback]

Grade 7 Up-Like A Plague of Sorcerers (Harcourt, 1991), Zambreno's first novel to which this is a sequel of sorts, Journeyman Wizard is an interesting marriage of two genres: fantasy and mystery. Now 16, Jermyn Graves journeys to the remote and vaguely medieval village of Land's End, where he is to study with the legendary spellmaker, Lady Jean Allons. Before his training can get truly underway, he finds himself caught up in a web of intrigue, black magic, and murder, with only Lady Jean's granddaughter, Brianne, and his unusual familiar, a skunk named Delia, as allies. The author does a nice job of conjuring up a believable setting and convincingly numinous plot elements, but unfortunately the mysterious parts of the story hinge on red herrings simply too fishy to fool most readers. Moreover, the magic turns murky at the climax, as does motivation, which suffers from insufficient foreshadowing. Jermyn, however, remains an appealing protagonist and most fantasy fans will enjoy his latest adventure.
Michael Cart, formerly at Beverly Hills Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Gr. 4-7. Student wizard Jermyn Graves is apprehensive but excited to be studying with the formidable master spellmaker, Lady Jane Allons. Unfortunately, the death of Lady Allons' daughter in a sorcery experiment, the spellmaker's failing health, and tensions between Lady Allon and her son (the local priest) have made Lady Allon moody and demanding. The atmosphere in the manor is often strained, and Jermyn senses unexplained bursts of stray magical power. When a freak accident causes a death in the household, Jermyn is accused of the murder. Aided by Lady Allon's granddaughter, a contrary hedge-witch, and his skunk familiar, Jermyn scrambles frantically to find the true culprit and save his reputation. In a beguiling blend of mystery and magic, Zambreno continues the saga begun in A Plague of Sorcerers (1991). The strong story line, appealing characters, and well-drawn setting will charm fans of both fantasy and suspense. Candace Smith --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

It's cold and a little lonely in the frozen north as 17- year-old Jermyn Graves continues his education as a spellmaker (he began it in A Plague of Sorcerers, 1991). Not even pretty Brianne, grandaughter of his magic mistress Lady Jean Allons, or Jermyn's own dainty skunk-familiar Delia can dispel the gloom- -particularly when it appears that the backlash from one of Jermyn's own spells is responsible for Lady Jean's death. Still, despite human hostility, a mysterious hedgewitch, and a surfeit of bad magic, Jermyn is able to unmask the true culprit and become a full-fledged spellmaker. Fast-moving, expertly written, and altogether charming. (Fiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Student wizard Jermyn Graves is apprehensive but excited to be studying with the formidable master spellmaker, Lady Janes Allons. In a beguiling blend of mystery and magic, Mary Frances Zambreno continues the saga begun in A Plague of Sorcerers.