The Apprentices

Starred review from May 6, 2013
Set in 1954, this sequel to The Apothecary features the same fun, fast-moving formula as the first book, with charming characters and exciting intrigue mixed with a handful of magic. As this story opens, Janie, now 16, is alone at an elite American boarding school, unaware of the whereabouts of her first boyfriend, Benjamin, and his apothecary father. After she is wrongly expelled, she realizes she is the victim of a nefarious scheme, which again poses a threat to world peace. The elaborate but well-executed plot spans the globe as the heroes find their way back to each other. Readers are again treated to plenty of impressive alchemical wizardry along the way, including a powder Benjamin invents that gives its users the ability to see through someone else’s eyes, allowing for a sort of long-range communication. Schoenherr’s moody illustrations (not all seen by PW) add to the atmosphere of this magical (in multiple senses) story; readers will be glad to reconnect with these well-drawn characters and be grateful that Meloy leaves room for a third installment. Ages 10–up. Agent: Amanda Urban, ICM.

Picking up two years after the adventures in THE APOTHECARY, 16-year-old Janie Scott reconnects with Benjamin Burrows and the magical world inhabited by the apothecary and his son. Cristin Milioti, who continues her narration in the sequel, has a flair for reading in a way that fully separates the regular everyday world from the adventures of the apothecary and the ongoing threat of nuclear weapons. Milioti delivers Janie's narration and dialogue in an even American accent and is also adept at using other accents to differentiate characters. And as the characters' adventures span the globe, Milioti shows her skill with place and people names as she seamlessly delivers scenes, points of view, and even foreign languages. E.N. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine