Soul Stealer

November 1, 2005
Gr 5-7 -Continuing the story begun in "Doctor Illuminatus" (Little, Brown, 2004), this blend of fantasy and horror has little to offer except a fast-paced plot, and even that is full of loose ends. Having vanquished the corrupt alchemist de Loudé ac, English twins Pip and Tim think the biggest challenge facing them now is the start of seventh grade at their new private school. By the end of the first day, however, they've met a teacher and a student who seem more, or perhaps less, than human. Their friend Sebastian, who has -hibernated - magically for most of the past 600 years, recognizes the teacher as another wicked alchemist and the student as a beastlike -wodwo. - He and the siblings set out to foil the evildoers' plan, which includes controlling people by stealing their souls. Many important details remain unexplained: Sebastian's magical powers, de Loudé ac's return from the dead, and the origin of the frightening visions -or are they real? -that pursue the twins as they track down the wodwo and the alchemist. Even readers who enjoyed the first book will likely be disappointed in this lackluster sequel." -Beth Wright, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2005
Gr. 5-8. Junior high has begun for new kids Pip and Tim, but it offers little escape from the terrors of " Doctor Illuminatus "(2004), the first book in Booth's The Alchemist's Son series. It seems their homeroom teacher is a reincarnated fifteenth-century mage specializing in mind control. Compounding that bad luck is the task of training Sebastian, a medieval good guy only recently awakened from a state of suspended animation, to pose as a student so he can keep an eye on things. The trio thwarts a wildly improbable plot to adapt England's nuclear energy infrastructure as a delivery system for evil. Leavening the dire goings-on are incidents of cultural disconnect between the twins and their courtly, humorless companion, inserted with such an air of dogged effort that few readers will find that they fulfill their intended function. Offer this to those who enjoyed the first book; they likely won't mind the focus on action over plausibility. Readers intrigued by the alchemy history referenced throughout might also enjoy Avi's " The Book without Words "(2005).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)