- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Ace Trade; Reprint edition (May 30 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0441013341
- ISBN-13: 978-0441013340
- Product Dimensions: 20.4 x 13.1 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 249 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #453,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Delicately skirting the edge of preachiness, World Fantasy Award–winner McKillip (Alphabet of Thorn) demonstrates once again her exquisite grasp of the fantasist's craft in this slender stand-alone novel. Generations ago, the seemingly immortal wizard Od saved the city of Numis from destruction, not out of altruism but because it seemed like a nice place to found a school of magic. Over the years, the practice of magic has come more and more under the king's control. Deciding to stir things up, Od recruits Brenden Vetch, a gardener from the northlands with tremendous raw power and no taste for politics. As Brenden arrives in Numis, so does a fabulous street magician, Tyramin, whose sleight-of-hand looks suspiciously like unauthorized wizardry. King Galin's attempts to control Brendan and arrest Tyramin only scare them away and earn him the scorn of his daughter, Sulys. As with the Narnia books and other fantasy classics with religious or political agendas, if you can shut off your awareness of worldly context, you'll find this an otherworldly delight.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Some 400 years earlier, Od, a formidable magician, broke the siege of Kelior and saved the land of Numis. She was allowed to found a school of magic in that city, and then she left to wander, surfacing only occasionally. Later the school became part of the king's palace and was controlled over the years by the rulers, who deemed wild magic dangerous. Along comes Brenden Vetch, invited by Od herself to become the school's gardener because of his intimate knowledge of the ways of plants. His talent, which he isn't aware of, is old magic, and his arrival triggers a rebellion at the school. There are no evil villains here, just misguided leaders who circumscribe magic. With lyrical prose, well-limned characterizations, vibrant action, a sense of the wonder of magic, and a generous dollop of romance, this is a story that will bind readers in its spell. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Suprisingly intuitive,
By Liza Dearest "Liza" (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Od Magic (Paperback)
Od magic is only that Odd magic though it is its quirks and revelations that make is worth reading. While both the characters and the settings have the depth of imaginative history the author doesn't allow the flow of the book to slow does to explain them. Which is refreshing since leaving something's to the imagination allows the reader to be more involved and connected to the story. Though Mckillip never looses her audience with confusion or disjointed story telling as so often happens when authors write innovating work. Everything she writes is solid yet touching the edge of uncertainty.All in all, I loved this book. A fresh face on fantasy--proving that fantasy doesn't have to be 1000 page books set in dictatorial detail and thousands of characters. There is a future for this genre.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magic will spring where it wills,
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (HALL OF FAME) (TOP 10 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Od Magic (Paperback)
Because of the Harry Potter literary trend, there are a lot of "wizard school" books coming out. But Patricia McKillip turns that trend on its ear with "Od Magic," the most intelligent and exquisite "wizard school" book yet written. Don't expect flashy magic and goofy antics -- this is pure magic from start to finish.Brendan Vetch has always had a way with plants, and that is why the ancient wizard Od asked him to come to her wizards' school in the city of Kelior. When Brendan journeys there, he finds that Kelior is ruled by a king who fears magic, and the cold-hearted wizard Valoren. Any magic they don't approve is immediately outlawed, and strict rules are wound around the wizards' school. As Brendan arrives, other things begin to happen -- rebellious Princess Sulys finds out that she's been betrothed to Valoren. A mysterious masked wizard and his ever-changing daughter arrive in the forbidden Twilight Quarter. And when Brendan's powers suddenly show themselves, he flees to a strange mountain -- where the most powerful magic of all is hiding. "Od Magic" follows the basic template of McKillip's past novels: Rich prose, primal and exquisite magic, and several storylines that don't seem to be connected, but come together by the end. And while that end seems a bit too easy, it's a glorious ride to finally get there. The wizards' school is only a setting for magic that many fantasy writers can only dream of -- a magical maze, a girl who does illusions, and the veiled wildness of the Twilight Quarter. McKillip's velvety prose softens up the royal intrigues, with smoke, mirrors, ribbons, word games and illusions. Calling it intoxicating isn't much of a stretch; writing this lush and dreamy is something you can get drunk on. There are a few flaws -- the stuff about the "faces of magic" comes in rather late in the story, and the ending seems rather sudden and a bit too neat. It's a relief from endings that cannot be understood, though. However, she'll keep you guessing about what's going to happen until the very last pages. She even harkens back to her classic Riddlemaster series, with those ancient magical shapeshifters. Though "Od Magic" has the odd flaws (od flaws?), Patricia McKillip's enchanting writing and imaginative story make this a thing of beauty. Beautiful, deep and rich.
4.0 out of 5 stars
pretty good,
By
This review is from: Od Magic (Paperback)
not my favourite by her, but decent enough in it's own right. the story follows a guy who likes plants (as well as a wizard and a princess, three perspectives to tell the same story, from different angles) who is asked by the founder of a magic school to be a school gardener. he accepts and goes off, finding out that he has magical abilities himself.brenden, the guy, isn't the typical protagonist. he's extremely introverted and nearing the end of the novel he runs away from someone who is chasing him, which runs contrary to the usual heroes we get who 'face their fears' so to speak. and yet, though he is so timid, the author plays this off as almost a good thing. it isn't stated as such in the novel, but parallels are drawn and statements are made that commend this type of personality. we find out that brendan is actually very powerful, and for no other reason than he takes the time to listen. if looking at this book symbolically, magic can be associated with thought, or free will. the king keeps tight control over what magic is acceptable and what is not, and all magic must be used for the benefit of the kingdom or it is not allowed. kind of like 1984, but not as intense. i found the wrapping up of the story to be a bit rushed information- wise, it could have been fleshed out a bit more. but this author is one of the better ones i've come across and knows how to do what she does well, so while the information moves... quickly... the story itself is not rushed and there is a pleasant flow making the amount of information she gives acceptable from the readers perspective. as i say, not my favourite by her, but worth the read never the less.
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