The Invitation

May 1, 2003
Popular series continue to develop with new titles. Based on the graphic novel series created by Neil Gaiman and artist John Bolton (books 1-4), Carla Jablonski's The Books of Magic: The Invitation follows the exploits of 13-year-old Tim Hunter. Danger threatens this seemingly ordinary young man at every turn on his quest to become the most powerful magician of his time.

August 1, 2003
Gr 7-9-Timothy Hunter's mother has died, and his grieving father has become distant. One day, four men in trench coats approach the 13-year-old and ask him if he believes in magic. It turns out that Timothy has the potential to be the greatest magician who ever lived. From there, the plot, or what plot there is to speak of, involves Timothy's introduction to the world of magic, and the decision he must make as to whether to follow this path or to remain a normal kid. The trench-coat brigade leads him on a whirlwind tour from London to San Francisco to the realm of Faerie. This book reads like a very extended prologue to the real story, and the comparisons to "Harry Potter" are obvious. Timothy even wears glasses. An introduction by Neil Gaiman, who wrote the graphic novels upon which this book is based, sets the stage with the background to the story. Jablonski's writing is of the movie novelization variety, perhaps reflecting the comic-book roots of the story. While kids hungry for fantasy will probably enjoy this, The Invitation should have remained in its original medium.-Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

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