Silvio (The Tale of the Four Wizards)

1 rating: 3.0

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The series A Tale of the Four Wizards-Patriarchs of the Realm tells the magic and the myth of the cultures of The Realm in the Ian's Realm Saga. I think you'll find these short and easy to read stories great as stand alone fables, but … see full wiki

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Teen wizards in a pleasingly different adventure

Feb 5, 2013

by SheilaDeeth
posted in Friends and Fans of Fantasy

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A mother sends her son away, giving him only memories and magic to guide him. “Use the magic sparingly” she says, sparing him the destruction he would surely face from the dreaded Queen Hacatine. And so four teenage conjurers become outlaws.
Ian’s Realm is a fascinating place introduced in the author’s wonderful full-length novel Deception Peak. But these short stories of the four wizards stand alone perfectly. Set in an earlier time, they add depth and detail to the unspoken history of the longer work, adding to the mystique.
If you’ve read Deception Peak, there’ll be a certain satisfaction to that feeling of recognizing roots in the past. But you don’t need to read the longer novel first. This short story gives a great flavor for the magical world of Silvio and his friends, and creates some immediately relatable characters, thrust into instant danger. Young teens will love Silvio for itself, and love it even more if it’s part of a set.
As the boys flee griffons, condors and more and a wicked witch gives chase, the question arises, can running away ever really lead to safety. “There’s got to be more to this world than just us,” says eighteen-year-old Kaempie, with great wisdom and maturity. There has to be more than just these boys battling one face of evil. And there is.
Silvio is a beautifully haunting tale of love, loyalty and loss, of ordinary human boys in the guise of wizards, and of hope unrealized in a convincing imaginary world. With its realistic portrayal of teen boys and relationships, it’s highly recommended for middle school readers and older.

Disclosure: I read Deception Peak first and was hooked, then I found Silvio in a free deal.

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