MIDDLE GRADE SPECULATIVE (Fantasy) FICTION : Rival Magic by Deva Fagan
ABOUT THE BOOK
A young wizard's
apprentice discovers that the best magic is not the biggest or the
brightest, but the magic unique to you, in this cinematic middle grade
fantasy in the tradition of Kiki's Delivery Service and The School for
Good and Evil.
Antonia may not be the most powerful wizard the world has ever seen, but she's worked hard to win her place as apprentice to renowned sorcerer Master Betrys. Unfortunately, even her best dancing turnip charm might not be enough when Moppe the scullery maid turns out to be a magical prodigy. Now that Betrys has taken Moppe on as a second apprentice, Antonia's path to wizarding just got a bit more complicated.
But when Betrys is accused of treason, Antonia and Moppe are forced to go on the run. To prove their master's innocence--and their own--the rivals must become allies. As their island province teeters on the brink of rebellion, they'll face ancient spells, vengeful mermaids, enchanted turnips, voice-stealing forests, and one insatiable sea monster.
Antonia may not be the most powerful wizard the world has ever seen, but she's worked hard to win her place as apprentice to renowned sorcerer Master Betrys. Unfortunately, even her best dancing turnip charm might not be enough when Moppe the scullery maid turns out to be a magical prodigy. Now that Betrys has taken Moppe on as a second apprentice, Antonia's path to wizarding just got a bit more complicated.
But when Betrys is accused of treason, Antonia and Moppe are forced to go on the run. To prove their master's innocence--and their own--the rivals must become allies. As their island province teeters on the brink of rebellion, they'll face ancient spells, vengeful mermaids, enchanted turnips, voice-stealing forests, and one insatiable sea monster.
REVIEW
Antonia desperately wants to prove to her mother that her fascination with magic benefits their family. Her mother's role in the government leads her to demand that Antonia spy on her master, the wizard Betrys. On top of that Master Betrys has taken another apprentice, Moppe, the scullery maid, whose magic turns out to be much more powerful than Antonia's. Antonia's jealousy and Moppe's arrogance cause the girls to clash nearly leading to the expulsion as apprentices. But Master Betry's arrest as a traitor leaves the two girls on the run, trying to find a magical artifact that might help them prove Betry's innocence.
But things aren't always as they appear, and the involvement of a revolutionary group complicates the girl's efforts. And Antonia's feelings related to her mother's neglect, her brother's death, and her jealousy of Moppe continue to inhibit the budding friendship growing between the girls. Secrets, powerful wizards, and magical words whose usefulness is unknown add to the challenges the girls's face.
Antonia makes for a great narrator as she shares with readers her struggles with her magic, her grief over her brother, and her desire to please her mother. Moppe's arrival brings out Antonia's jealous, competitive side. It's clear from the beginning that Moppe has secrets of her own, and I did figure out a couple of them before they were revealed. The various plot lines work quite well together without bogging the book down with too many side plots. And Antonia and Moppe both grow and develop as characters. The magic is intriguing and unique, the idea of using special known words is a fun idea. The secondary characters aren't as well developed as Antonia and Moppe but they are interesting and add to the story nonetheless. A fresh, enjoyable fantasy perfect for young readers who love lots of adventure mixed in with their magic.
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