Fantasy/SF Book Reviews

Page Two of Two

The Dragon Charmer by Jan Siegel

Del Ray, August, 2002
Paperback, 333 pages
ISBN: 034544258X
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


The Dragon Charmer
by Jan Siegel In Prospero's Children, the first book in this excellent dark fantasy series, we met Fernanda Capel, a child who learns that she is descended from the citizens of the long-vanished Atlantis. Fernanda has some amazing powers, but after the shocking events of her childhood, she has put her Gift aside in order to try to live a normal life. She has a good job in London at an ad agency and she has become engaged to a nice, stable man, although she isn't really in love with him. The night before her wedding, she falls into a deep coma from which she cannot be awakened. Fernanda's soul has been stolen by an evil witch, and she is imprisoned at the roots of the great tree at the heart of Purgatory. While her body lies in a hospital, guarded by her brother, and loyal friends, Fernanda must learn to marshal her powers, defeat the evil that stalks her, and reunite her body and soul.

Jan Siegel is extremely skilled at creating a world which is both ordinary and supernatural at the same time. The characters in this series are wonderfully real: Fernanda's absent-minded father, her best friend, the always practical Gaynor Mobberly, the ancient wizard Ragginbone, Bodachin, the irascible Scottish house goblin and Will, her brave little brother who is growing into a very interesting person indeed. This is an outstanding series, with imaginative plotting, vivid characters and a pervading sense of dark menace.


Sorcerers of the Nightwing by Geoffrey Huntington

ReganBooks, August, 2002
Hardcover, 288 pages
ISBN: 0060014253
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


Sorcerers of the Nightwing
by Geoffrey Huntington Most children at one time or another are convinced that there are monsters either under their beds or in the closet, although their parents tell them that the monsters are not real and cannot hurt them. Six year-old Devon March knows that the monsters in his closet are quite real; he and his father Ted March have fought them off together many times. Ted tells Devon that as long as he remembers that he is stronger than they are, he will always prevail. When Devon is fourteen, his beloved father dies and he finds out that he is adopted. Ted March has made arrangements for Devon to become the ward of a Mrs. Crandall, who lives with her son and daughter in a big, gothic mansion called Ravenscliff, which is perched on the edge of Misery Point. Mrs. Crandall is most uncommunicative with Devon about who his real father is and she refuses to discuss his magical powers with him. But magic follows Devon, and if he doesn't learn about his powers soon, the demons will emerge from their prison and wreak havoc on the Earth.

This is the first in an interesting new gothic/horror fantasy adventure series from the pseudonymous Geoffrey Huntington. With an excellent premise that those monsters in the closet are real, the book begins young Devon's journey from being a boy to accepting his destiny as a Sorcerer of the Nightwing, an ancient order which protects the world from evil. The writing is excellent, the characters are well-drawn and the gothic and adventure elements are very well-done. But the cover art is most off-putting (an evil clown with fangs leers at the reader, which brings to mind the most cheesy of horror films). In fact, the cover art will be so repulsive to the many readers who despise clowns in any form, that one can only hope that a new cover will be chosen for the next book in this otherwise excellent series. Note to the art department: Why not put a darkly handsome young Devon on the cover?


The Witch Queen by Jan Siegel

Del Ray, August, 2002
Hardcover, 352 pages
ISBN: 0345439031
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


The Witch Queen
by Jan Siegel After the exploits described in Prospero's Children and The Dragon Charmer, Fernanda Capel, the beautiful young witch, is finally all grown up. She has accepted her Gift and that she must use it to fight evil. And she will need all of her powers very soon. Morgus, the evil sorceress who Fern thought she had defeated, turns out not to be dead at all. Morgus is back in England and is determined to destroy Fern and everyone she loves. But things are even more complicated and dangerous for Fern. Azmordis, the ancient evil spirit, is determined to possess Fern's soul and will do anything to obtain it. With the help of her brother Will, her best friend Mobberly, and the ancient wizard Ragginbone, Fern must put her considerable powers to the ultimate test; the penalty for failure is unthinkable.

The Witch Queen is a thought-provoking, rich and exciting fantasy story. Drawing on Arthurian and Atlantean myths and legends, Jan Siegel creates a modern day England which is at once familiar and yet magical. Fern herself is a fascinating character who is finally growing into the powers that she exhibited in childhood, and her transformation is compelling to watch. This is an outstanding series, and Jan Siegel is a talent to watch.


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