Magickers #2 Curse Of Arkady [Mass Market Paperback]

Jason Adrian, home from Camp Ravenwyng, is having more disturbing dreams -- about a sinister figure in an old house. When he wakes, he finds a message warning him about the "Curse of Arkady." All but a handful of the Magicker students have been dismissed and memory-wiped, and the remaining kids are keeping in touch through their crystals and the Web, trying to keep their identities a secret -- which is becoming more and more difficult.

As Gavan tries to get a special Magicker Academy approved by other Magickers, the kids begin to suspect that something bad is coming -- the Dark Hand, a group of evil ex-Magickers. A sinister new therapist has arrived and has a particular interest in Jason; wolfjackals are circling around. And when Jason follows his stepfather to a construction site, he uncovers the secret of the Dark Hand -- and the evil sorcerer Brennard.

Though lower-profile than the Harry Potter series, the "Magickers" books may well be the stronger fantasy series: They are more descriptive, more instrospective, the created world is more complex and serious-minded, the adult characters are capable and pivotal, and it explores the out-of-school time as well. And Drake isn't afraid to sprinkle homages to Star Wars, the Matrix, "Lord of the Rings" and the Potter series itself. And the second book of the "Magickers" series proves that the first was not a fluke (though you won't understand the second unless you've read the first).

Drake's writing is still detailed and action-packed, and she juggles the multiple storylines like an expert. Nothing is dumbed down (as shown by the faked master's degree). Her eye for detail is very present as she shows seemingly insignificant clues from Book 1 to be important plot devices. And fans of the first book will be pleased to see one character return, who had seemingly gone.

This book is a little more humorous than the first, with incidents like Stefan turning into a bear just before a football game, or the teacher's face appearing in a soccer ball. On the other hand (no pun intended), the sight of the Dark Hand encroaching on ordinary suburban homes is even more sinister, right up to the shatteringly well-written climax.

Jason is a solid lead character, an ordinary kid called on to do extraordinary things yet unsure what to do about them. Tomboyish Bailey is given a little more dimension and brains in this book. Trent continues struggling to keep up with the other Magickers; Brennard finally makes his appearance, and his charming facade just covers his nastiness. His attempts to lure Jason to the Dark Hand are just what you would expect from this guy.

"Dragon Guard," the second Magickers book, will premiere just as readers have glutted themselves on the fifth Potter book. In the meantime, pick up "Curse of Arkady" and enjoy the wild ride.

While my writer's instincts tell me the style of this piece is a mess, I can't help but be terribly excited by the prospect of the story; I was CAPTIVATED the entire time! Something about the characters and the story is downright fascinating. I literally couldn't stop thinking about it.

But, this could just be what I like to call Potter Deprivation Syndrome and I am just using this similar book to fill my empty days as a Harry Potter fan. It is true that the Mackigers seem to be oddly like the old Hogwarts crew. But Drake, instead of pretending she took none of her ideas from the Potter books, acknowledges their existance! CLEVER AND WISE MOVE! The characters make several references to the "fictional books" which makes the book all the more intriguing, especially since this book is so recent, and the last HP was published nearly three years ago.

So please...I'm telling you. Read this book. And its prequel. And Arkady's sequel which is going to be available in July. (Ack, again, nice timing: readers will be finished with Order of the Phoinex by that point and will need some serious recuperation time.)

(Alas, another failed attempt to keep Harry Potter out of my reviews. Sorry it didn't work.) Anyway, Happy Reading! A Highly Recommended book!