Book Review: The Curse Of Arkady

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Curse Of Arkady     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Emily Drake
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Juvenile
Series: The Magickers # 2
Daw, June 2002, $19.95, 304 pp.

Once upon a time two powerful magicians fought a bloody (magically speaking) battle to determine how magic would be used in the world. Neither side really won as magick was ripped out of this world and the elder practitioners moved forward into our time. The forces of light led by Gavan want to establish a school so fresh recruits could have a safe haven to learn how to use the magick.

The followers of the Dark led by Brennard don’t want this to happen and will go to any lengths to stop it. They successfully infiltrated and destroyed the summer camp but not before a group of powerful young adult magickers were discovered and partially trained. Twelve-year-old Jason is the most powerful fledging discovered and now that he is back in the mundane world, the forces of Brennard are doing all that they can to capture him and drain his magickal powers.

The Magickers is America’s answer to the Harry Potter series. Young adults, teens, and even geriatric boomers will enjoy THE CURSE OF ARKADY because there are characters of all the age groups thrust into the main story line. There are many threads left dangling so that the readers will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in this enchanting series. Emily Drake’s series is reminiscent of the early teen fantasies written by Andre Norton.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner