Bell, Hilari. The wizard test.BELL, Hilari. The wizard test. HarperCollins. 166p. c2005. 0-06-059942-1. $5.99. J * To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, March 2005: Dayven knows he has wizard blood, but he's ashamed of it. His ambition is to become a Guardian, a skilled warrior, but the rule is that at 14 he must undergo the Wizard Test and see if he has the gift--or as Dayven sees it, the curse. Of course, he does, but unexpectedly he is asked to serve the Lordowner by spying on the wizards, as it is feared that they are allied with the enemy, the Cenzar. Dayven is apprenticed to a wizard named Reddick, who he considers at first to be a "scruffy scruff·y adj. scruff·i·er, scruff·i·est 1. Shabby; untidy. 2. Chiefly British Scaly; scabby. [From obsolete scruff, scurf, variant of sot," and they head off to spy on the Cenzar. On the way Dayven learns magic from Reddick and acquires respect for his talents. Then he joins a Cenzar school for warriors to learn about their fighting methods and makes friends with a mischievous mis·chie·vous adj. 1. Causing mischief. 2. Playful in a naughty or teasing way. 3. Troublesome; irritating: a mischievous prank. 4. Cenzar boy named Vadeen. As he learns more about the Cenzar, Dayven wrestles with issues of honor and betrayal Betrayal See also Treachery. Judas Iscariot apostle who betrays Jesus. [N.T.: Matthew 26:15] Proteus though engaged, steals his friend Valentine’s beloved, reveals his plot and effects his banishment. [Br. , and starts to understand that there is more than one way to look at a problem. In the end, he sees that winning the battle with the Cenzar might not be the best outcome for his people after all, and comes to realize that being a wizard, with the ability to heal people, is the right path for him. Bell is the author of other YA fantasies--The Goblin goblin or hobgoblin, in French folklore, small household spirit, similar to the Celtic brownie. Goblins perform household tasks but also can make mischief, such as pulling the covers off sleepers. They like wine and pretty children. Wood, A Matter of Profit, and Fall of a Kingdom (formerly titled Flame)--but politics and intrigue Intrigue See also Conspiracy. Borgias 15th-century family who stopped at nothing to gain power. [Ital. Hist.: Plumb, 59] Ems dispatch Bismarck’s purposely provocative memo on Spanish succession; sparked Franco-Prussian war (1870). , honor and friendship, are her real subjects, and her novels are thought provoking pro·vok·ing adj. Troubling the nerves or peace of mind, as by repeated vexations: a provoking delay at the airport. pro·vok as well as exciting reads, with sympathetic young protagonists. The Wizard Test, set in a vaguely medieval world, again asks readers to consider issues from different viewpoints, and this gives the story added depth and appeal. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. *--The asterisk (1) See Asterisk PBX. (2) In programming, the asterisk or "star" symbol (*) means multiplication. For example, 10 * 7 means 10 multiplied by 7. The * is also a key on computer keypads for entering expressions using multiplication. highlights exceptional books. |
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