A Plague of Sorcerers: A Magical Mystery [Paperback]

As wizard's apprentice Jermyn Graves delves deeply into his studies of practical magic, he helps thwart a diabolical scheme to kill all of the wizards in the land. Even though this novel threatens to collapse under the weight of its numerous plots and counterplots--creaking loudly as they are jammed together--somehow events are righted and coherence achieved by the final page. Zambreno's greatest accomplishments are the creation of a highly believable world where magic follows an intriguing set of laws and a cast of delightfully eccentric, constantly feuding characters--including a temperamental Weather Wizard, a feverishly verbal master Herbalist, a brilliant Theoretician and the shrewd and talented Jermyn himself. Ages 9-14.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Grade 7-10-- A fairly well-crafted fantasy flavored with a touch of mystery. After he forms a connection with an unusual familiar (a skunk), 15-year-old Jermyn Graves is ready to begin his apprenticeship as a wizard. When his fiery Aunt Merovice launches a damaging feud with Fulke, a cantankerous and ill-tempered weather-making magician, Jerymn continues his training with the renowned Master Eschar, a powerful wizard who will help him use his fledgling magical talents. Jerymn faces a number of challenges: extracting Aunt Merovice from Fulke's debilitating curse, moving safely through circles of court intrigue, controlling a tempest that threatens the city, and saving the Empire from a mysterious and deadly spell-induced plague. At the same time, he wrestles with personal and magical insecurities and his growing attraction to Master Eschar's attractive young ward. Unfortunately, Zambreno's well-made characters are set adrift in a convoluted plot confused by muddled scenes of magic, an undefined social hierarchy of wizards, and a complicated relationship between two conflicting kingdoms. Despite these flaws, Jerymn is an endearing character who will appeal to fantasy fans. --Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The weather's gone oddly awry; Aunt Merovice has been cursed in a sorcerous duel; an oily foreign visitor is slipping around offering bribes to all and sundry; and now a mysterious plague is felling the city's magic workers--what's a poor apprentice magician to do? Jermyn has plenty of talent but can't always control it, especially when he also has to cope with his familiar, Delia, an affectionate but overprotective skunk. Fortunately, Eschar, the great Theoretician, has promised to help, and in Eschar's pretty ward Meggan O'Loughlin Jermyn finds another ally--or does he? This well-wrought fantasy features several engaging characters (especially Delia); logically developed, clearly described rules of both light and dark magic; and a plot that hangs together, twisting cleverly at the climax. (Fiction. 11-15) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

When a series of misfortunes and mysteries beset her community, apprentice magician Jermyn struggles with his haphazard skills and his familiar, Delia, an affectionate but overprotective skunk. Reprint. K. VY.