The Evil Wizard Smallbone

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 8, 2016

Review

Recommending this fantasy for Cream and Lupine consideration. When orphaned twelve-year-old Nick runs away from his abusive uncle in the middle of a harsh Maine winter, he finds himself trapped as an apprentice to the Evil Wizard Smallbone who runs a magical bookstore. Nick is forced to do the cooking, cleaning and caring of the animals, but in secret he gets trained as a wizard by the bookstore itself. The sarcastic bookstore communicates through books, similar to personal texts, that are comical and interesting. Smallbone's century old agreement with a small group of island dwellers, who descended from seals, has begun to crumble. The evil werewolf Fidelou and his motorcycle riding coyotes are now able to cross the magical barrier around the island and only with Nick's new abilities, disgruntled apprentices and brave townspeople is Smallbone able to repair the damage. Sherman provides a rich description of island life with references to places and things in Maine that are both real, like Moxie and Blue Hill, and fictional. She has spun the right amount of adventure, character development, empathy and humor into a magical fantasy. Who could resist a spell called "Bow-wowzer Meowzer"? Magical rules are woven into Nick's adventures as he is transformed into animals, learns beginner spells and ultimately makes a decision to stay on permanently.

Overall Book Score: excellent