Synopses & Reviews
From T.A. Barron, the New York Times bestselling author of the Merlin Saga, comes a new fantasy world about the origins of Atlantis, perfect for fans of The Lord of the Rings, Eragon, The Beyonders and Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
In a magical land called Ellegandia, a young boy named Promi scrapes by, stealing pies, cakes and sweets to survive. But little does he know that his country is a pawn in an ages-old war between good and evil, battled both in the spirit realm and in the human world. Harboring secrets of his own, Promi teams up with a courageous girl named Atlanta and the two vow to save their
landand each otherno matter the cost. But their vow has greater repercussions than they ever could imaginein fact, it may just bring about the creation of Atlantis, an island cut off from the rest of the world, where magic reigns supreme.
With his trademark action, adventure, and poignancy,master of fantasy, T.A. Barron explores a new mythologythe origin of the legendary isle of Atlantis. This book is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Brandon Mull, Christopher Paolini and, of course, T. A. Barrons Merlin Saga.
Praise for T. A. Barrons novels:
Brilliant, significant, and illuminating . . . an intense and profoundly spiritual adventure.”Lloyd Alexander
A crescendo of miracles.”Madeleine LEngle
Interesting and august . . . compelling.”The New York Times
In the best tradition . . . classic.”Parents Magazine
Review
“This is the first in an anticipated trilogy, and since Conn has a lot yet to learn, he is sure to draw avid fans back for more” Bulletin of the Center for Children & #8217;s Books (starred review)
Review
“What works wonderfully well here is the boys irresistible voice” (starred review) ALA Booklist
Review
“An uncommonly engaging young narrator kicks this debut fantasy ahead of the general run.” (starred review) Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Moriartyand#8217;s novel is chock-full of period detail (both in the authorand#8217;s confident prose and Geyerand#8217;s occasional pen-and-ink illustrations), feisty character dynamics, and a solid sense of humor. Itand#8217;s a fascinating example of alternate history that leaves the door open for future mysteries."and#8212;
Publishers Weekly, starred review "A marvelous, mystical romp that doesnand#8217;t ignore reality. A hint of a possible sequel whets readersand#8217; appetite for more: Yes, please!"and#8212;Kirkus, starred review
"Moriarty's thoroughly imagined alternate history has a killer premise...The mystery unfolds at a heady clip." -Booklist
"Spoiler Alert: Itand#8217;s awesome." and#8212;Fuse #8 Blog on School Library Journal
"A wonderfully inventive and fascinating story of the clash of ancient magic and early-twentieth century technology.and#12288;A compelling book that I read in a single sitting and highly recommend."and#8212;Garth Nix, New York Times bestselling author of Sabriel and the Seventh Tower series
"Fantastic . . . a great magic trick."and#8212;Cory Doctorow, New York Times bestselling author of Little Brother
"Youand#8217;ll fall right into The Inquisitorand#8217;s Apprentice by Chris Moriarty."and#8212; Robin Hobb, international best-selling author of the Rain Wilds Chronicles
"Cory Doctorow told me I would love this, and he was so right!"and#8212;Ellen Kushner
Review
*"Rich language, colorful syntax, vivid description and a brilliant cast of characters beckon readers right into both the adventure and the heartfelt emotional landscape. Exciting, action-packed and absolutely marvelous."
and#8212;Kirkus, starred review and#160;
*and#8220;Although this is full of story, what captivates is the world that Moriarity has created, one where magic is woven into the very fabric. . . . A touch of Chabon, a hiss of steampunk, and a blast of originality.and#8221;and#8212;Booklist, starred review
Synopsis
In a city that runs on a dwindling supply of magic, a young boy is drawn into a life of wizardry and adventure. Conn should have dropped dead the day he picked Nevery's pocket and touched the wizard's locus magicalicus, a stone used to focus magic and work spells. But for some reason he did not. Nevery finds that interesting, and he takes Conn as his apprentice on the provision that the boy find a locus stone of his own. But Conn has little time to search for his stone between wizard lessons and helping Nevery discover who—or what—is stealing the city of Wellmet's magic.
Synopsis
Discover the fantasy and wonder of The Magic Thief, the first book in Sarah Prineas's acclaimed middle grade fantasy series Diana Wynne Jones, author of Howl's Moving Castle, said: "I couldn't put it down. Wonderful, exciting stuff."
In a city that runs on a dwindling supply of magic, a young boy is drawn into a life of wizardry and adventure. Conn should have dropped dead the day he picked Nevery's pocket and touched the wizard's locus magicalicus, a stone used to focus magic and work spells. But for some reason he did not. Nevery finds that interesting, and he takes Conn as his apprentice on the provision that the boy find a locus stone of his own. But Conn has little time to search for his stone between wizard lessons and helping Nevery discover who--or what--is stealing the city of Wellmet's magic.
Synopsis
Johnathan Strange...In New York! Itand#8217;s the early 1900s on the Lower East Side, and each ethnic community has its own brand of magic. In this mystical melting pot Sacha Kessler, a dirt-poor immigrant kid,and#160;andand#160;Lily Astral, the daughter of Park-Avenue royalty, assist the brilliant Police Inquisitor Wolf as he detects magical crime in the city that never sleeps.and#160; and#160;
Synopsis
The day Sacha found out he could see witches was the worst day of his life . . .
Being an Inquisitor is no job for a nice Jewish boy. But when the police learn that Sacha Kessler can see witches, heand#8217;s apprenticed to the departmentand#8217;s star Inquisitor, Maximillian Wolf. Their mission is to stop magical crime. And New York at the beginning of the twentieth century is a magical melting pot where each ethnic group has its own brand of homegrown witchcraft, and magical gangs rule the streets from Helland#8217;s Kitchen to Chinatown.
Soon Sacha has teamed up with fellow apprentice Lily Astral, daughter of one of the cityand#8217;s richest Wall Street Wizardsand#8212;and a spoiled snob, if you ask Sacha. Their first case is to find out whoand#8217;s trying to kill Thomas Edison.
Edison has invented a mechanical witch detector that could unleash the worst witch-hunt in American history. Every magician in town has a motive to kill him. But as the investigation unfolds, all the clues lead back to the Lower East Side. And Sacha soon realizes that his own family could be accused of murder!
Synopsis
Magic, mayhem, and humor abound in this riveting middle grade adventure, the sequel to The Inquisitorand#8217;s Apprentice.
Synopsis
At the turn of the twentieth century, New Yorkand#8217;s Bowery District becomes the scene of a terrible murder when the Klezmer King gets fried to a crisp by his Electric Tuxedoand#8212;on stage! The Inquisitorand#8217;s apprentice, thirteen-year-old Sacha Kessler, tries to help find the killer, but the closer he gets to solving the crime, the more it sounds as if the creature that haunted him in his first adventure is back. Worse still, his own family is in danger. Sacha has avoided learning magic until now, but as his world falls apart around him, he changes his mind.
Synopsis
From T.A. Barron, the
New York Times bestselling author of the Merlin Saga, comes a new fantasy world about the origins of Atlantis, perfect for fans of
The Lord of the Rings, Eragon, The Beyonders and
Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
In a magical land called Ellegandia, a young boy named Promi scrapes by, stealing pies, cakes and sweets to survive. But little does he know that his country is a pawn in an ages-old war between good and evil, battled both in the spirit realm and in the human world. Harboring secrets of his own, Promi teams up with a courageous girl named Atlanta and the two vow to save their
landand each otherno matter the cost. But their vow has greater repercussions than they ever could imaginein fact, it may just bring about the creation of Atlantis, an island cut off from the rest of the world, where magic reigns supreme.
With his trademark action, adventure, and poignancy,master of fantasy, T.A. Barron explores a new mythologythe origin of the legendary isle of Atlantis. This book is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Brandon Mull, Christopher Paolini and, of course, T. A. Barrons Merlin Saga.
Praise for T. A. Barrons novels:
Brilliant, significant, and illuminating . . . an intense and profoundly spiritual adventure.”Lloyd Alexander
A crescendo of miracles.”Madeleine LEngle
Interesting and august . . . compelling.”The New York Times
In the best tradition . . . classic.”Parents Magazine
About the Author
Sarah Prineas lives in the midst of the corn in rural Iowa and can usually be found writing fantasy novels on a stealthy silver MacBook Air called Dash. Prineas's Magic Thief series introduced readers to the irascible wizard Nevery and his gutterboy apprentice, Connwaer. Sarah holds a PhD in English literature and recently taught honors seminars on fantasy and science fiction literature at the University of Iowa. She has an amazing dragon action-figure collection and occasionally bakes biscuits (although she says hers never seem to turn out as tasty as Benet's do in
The Magic Thief). She is also the author of
Winterling,
Summerkin, and
Moonkind.
Sarah is married to John Prineas, a physics professor, which comes in handy when she's writing about magic. They are the parents of Maud and Theo.