The Evil Wizard Smallbone Hardcover – Import, 13 September 2016

Lifted from the Kirkus review:It is an enduring, unforgiving Maine winter when 12-year-old runaway Nick Reynaud seeks shelter on a frigid night by knocking on the door of small-town evil wizard Zachariah Smallbone.When the evil wizard makes it known that he intends to hold Nick captive as his minion, Nick at first regrets his decision to run away from his abusive uncle and cousin. After completing his daily duties as the wizard's farmhand and housekeeper, Nick secretly explores the wizard’s bookshop. It is there that hilarious exchanges between Nick and the snarky magic books (whose conversations with him are rather like text messages) help him (and readers) move beyond the fact that he has been kidnapped by a cranky old man. Lurking about in the Maine woods is the arrogant, shape-shifting French werewolf wizard Fidelou, who wishes to conquer the quirky small town (sort of a cross between quaint coastal village and Hogsmeade) that has been ruled by the wizard Smallbone for centuries. Though Fidelou and his crew of biker werewolf minions add some dramatic distraction, it is Nick’s evolution into a young wizard that commands attention. Readers journey with Nick as he stumbles through what was real in his world, his grief at losing his mother, into a magical world that gives him a sense of purpose.I liked the book well enough. It didn't really resonate with my reluctant reader 12 year old son, but I feel like it should have. :-) I think that as a JA fantasy book, it was cute, fun and creative - I especially like the coat aspect of Wizard Smallbone. But there are better books out there in this category - take The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

I read this book aloud to my eight-year-old son, and both of us were enthralled by the story. It's such a joy to find something we both love!The plot is engaging and full of surprising twists that I never saw coming. The characters avoid falling into any stereotypes while still being excellent fantasy characters. My favorite thing about this book was the true-to-life portrayal of emotions. My son felt like he could really relate to Nick's outbursts of temper and his difficulties with the concentration and control required to cast spells. All in all, a great book. He's already asking if there's a sequel!

Someone wrote that this book would appeal to Harry Potter fans, but I respectfully disagree. First, I think it’s a tall order to link other books with the Harry Potter series, as Rowling’s work is some of the greatest children’s literature of our time. Second, I felt that this book had several unexplained plot issues. Like the seals, why did the Evil Wizard Smallbone choose seals? Or, what was up with the odd way Fidelou talked? There also isn’t enough background on Fidelou and his pack. In addition, the situation with the other apprentices is confusing and chilling. I don’t feel like it was properly resolved either. The book is also described as “hilarious,” and I did giggle a few times, but I think “hilarious” is a bit of an overstatement. On a positive note, I will say that I was drawn in for Nick’s sake and finding out what happened to him was ultimately the reason I finished the book.

I loved this book and so did my 10-year old daughter. It's got magic, spells, shapeshifting, a very intriguing bookshop, a werewolf with a coyote pack riding motorcycles, plus a lot more. All of it is mixed with a lot of real life tragedy and comedy, and all the children in it (especially the main character Nick) are engaging and realistically ornery characters. It is moving without being maudlin, and a real page-turner. Highly recommended for kids and adults.

Not So Evil Wizard Smallbone does have a curmudgeonly streak, and his new apprentice lacks in almost every good thing, but they manage to find a way to survive together against the worst of the worst. This is an entertaining read for fantasy lovers.