Tara Duncan and the Spellbinders

April 15, 2012
An adventurous preteen encounters inter-dimensional portals, magical powers and mysterious parentage in this overstuffed first book of a bestselling European fantasy series. When masked Bloodgrave wizards attack her grandmother's mansion, 12-year-old Tara'tylanhnem (Tara) Duncan enters a world of magic--or, rather, many worlds, connected by Portals and inhabited by various fantasy races. No longer safe on Earth, Tara seeks refuge and an education in OtherWorld, at the Living Castle of Travia, under the tutelage of the dragon-wizard Chem (short for Chemnashaovirodaintrachivu). Tara accepts her new circumstances calmly--aided by frequent exposition dumps--even when she learns the truth about her parents' disappearance and her grandmother's severity. Endowed with boundless if unpredictable powers, but fearful of harming her family, Tara cautiously studies magic with a motley crew of students. In less than a month, she makes friends, garners inexplicably hostile enemies, travels and uncovers more of her heritage. Unfortunately, the swift resolution of an absurd parade of life-threatening situations lowers the suspense, and the protagonist feels more a product of wish-fulfillment than character development. Perhaps an effect of translation, the language is awkward--it seesaws between formal and colloquial, quaint phrases like "I'll be darned" and "Good grief" abound, and rhyming magical spells sometimes have an uneven meter. However, the author's royal background (she is the crown princess of Armenia), her clear affection for high fantasy and her subtle sense of humor may keep readers engaged. High fantasy for middle-schoolers who just can't get enough of it. (Fantasy. 10-14)

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July 1, 2012

Gr 4-7-Twelve-year-old Tara Duncan has hidden her telekinetic powers from all but a few select friends. After overhearing a mysterious conversation, she confronts her grandmother and learns that her guardian has been keeping her identity as a powerful spellbinder a secret. She also learns that her mother, whom she believed to be dead, is actually being held in a fortress on the magical planet of OtherWorld. Tara doesn't have long to dwell on this new information, as her house is attacked by the evil Bloodgrave leader and she is soon whisked away to the Living Castle of Travia for her own safety. She quickly makes friends and learns more about her powers, despite her hesitation to use her often-uncontrollable magic. It becomes clear that apprentices have been disappearing all over OtherWorld and she, too, seems to be a target. With her new friends at her side, Tara is determined to both rescue her mother and find out who has been kidnapping the young spellbinders. As the first title in a fantasy series, there is much to learn about spellbinders and OtherWorld. Unfortunately, the story is often hampered by awkward exposition in both the narrative and dialogue. Tara is likable, as are her friends, and though there are missed opportunities for development of her character, readers will admire her stubborn nature and her bravery.-Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

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