A fantasy trilogy of high-stakes magical politics gains depth with this second entry. Orphaned teen Seph McCauley knows that he is different. As one of the magically talented Weir, residing secretly amongst ordinary folk, Seph's powers will soon spiral out of control if he cannot make contact with his own kind. When a tragic accident lands him in an isolated private school, the headmaster offers Seph the training he desperately craves-at a price. Thrust into a world of vicious spells and murderous intrigue, Seph may have to doom the rest of the Weir to save himself. Favorite characters from the first title return with more clues about their pasts, while the implications of the Weir system are further explored. Still, this is very much Seph's story. Arrogant, angry and too clever by half, he displays the typical faults of the Wizard Guild; but his basic decency and his (barely acknowledged) need to belong evoke sympathy and affection. As the graphic savagery of magical plots and counterplots builds to an explosive showdown, the tale remains rooted in Seph's all-too-human vulnerability. This sequel improves on the original, leaving fans eager for the foreshadowed resolution. (Fantasy. YA)
Going back to school is rough for many kids—between the constant study grind, complex social politics, cramped hallways, and intense extracurriculars, school can be a confusing, scary place. Boarding schools are an entirely different beast, isolating students from their families and presenting their own arcane rules and social structures. Stressful! Especially when they involve magic, monsters, ghosts, and […]