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Circle of Magic #1
School of Wizardry
Determined to become a wizard, twelve-year-old Randal is delighted to be accepted into the famed School of Wizardry, but his apprenticeship is marred when he realizes that one of the master wizards is using evil spells to destroy the school and gain supreme power.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
10 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Debra Doyle
96Ìýbooks80Ìýfollowersaka Nicholas Adams (with James D. Macdonald), Martin Delrio, Robyn Tallis (with James D. Macdonald)
Debra Doyle has a doctorate in English literature. Together, she and James Macdonald have written numerous sf/f books. They live in Colebrook, New Hampshire.
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Debra Doyle has a doctorate in English literature. Together, she and James Macdonald have written numerous sf/f books. They live in Colebrook, New Hampshire.
Series:
*
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*
Series contributed to:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 6, 2022
5 stars - English Ebook
Of course at my current age of 56, I do find each individual book rather brief. They're 120 pages each. If you're new to the series, you might find the relationships between the characters do not fully develop within each book, particularly the first.
For that reason I would actually suggest reading the books in pairs (1+2, 3+4, 5+6), as I think there are some natural story arcs covered by each of these pairings.
The world created is interesting, with restrictions on magic users, such as their inability to lie or use swords without risking the loss of their powers.
The main characters, Randal, Lys, and later in the series Walter, form a natural adventuring trio being a wizard, bard, and knight. I like their noble character, their pride, honesty, friendship, and they are consistently written.
I also enjoy how the feel of conjuring a spell is conveyed, and how Randal struggles with learning magic for quite a while, indeed, he is failing for most of the first book, but persists and grows because of his passion and efforts.
For parents, the world is a bit of a dark one, with the lack of a king for 20 years leading to greater crime and chaos, so there are incidents of bandits, demons, and battles with magic and swords where individuals are seriously hurt or even die.
None of this is gory, and I'd say it's definitely tamer than most things out there, the Harry Potter books and movies, but I probably would not recommend this book for very young children. There is also very little in the way of romance; it is more of an adventuring and personal growth story.
In the original printings, a couple paragraphs are in different fonts for no apparent reason. I do not know if there are any differences between the old and new printings besides the title changes and cover art. I personally prefer the older titles and art, but these are both minor issues, and will not significantly affect your enjoyment of these books.
Overall, I would definitely recommend reading the first two books, especially if you enjoy adventuring books and/or a medieval setting.
Of course at my current age of 56, I do find each individual book rather brief. They're 120 pages each. If you're new to the series, you might find the relationships between the characters do not fully develop within each book, particularly the first.
For that reason I would actually suggest reading the books in pairs (1+2, 3+4, 5+6), as I think there are some natural story arcs covered by each of these pairings.
The world created is interesting, with restrictions on magic users, such as their inability to lie or use swords without risking the loss of their powers.
The main characters, Randal, Lys, and later in the series Walter, form a natural adventuring trio being a wizard, bard, and knight. I like their noble character, their pride, honesty, friendship, and they are consistently written.
I also enjoy how the feel of conjuring a spell is conveyed, and how Randal struggles with learning magic for quite a while, indeed, he is failing for most of the first book, but persists and grows because of his passion and efforts.
For parents, the world is a bit of a dark one, with the lack of a king for 20 years leading to greater crime and chaos, so there are incidents of bandits, demons, and battles with magic and swords where individuals are seriously hurt or even die.
None of this is gory, and I'd say it's definitely tamer than most things out there, the Harry Potter books and movies, but I probably would not recommend this book for very young children. There is also very little in the way of romance; it is more of an adventuring and personal growth story.
In the original printings, a couple paragraphs are in different fonts for no apparent reason. I do not know if there are any differences between the old and new printings besides the title changes and cover art. I personally prefer the older titles and art, but these are both minor issues, and will not significantly affect your enjoyment of these books.
Overall, I would definitely recommend reading the first two books, especially if you enjoy adventuring books and/or a medieval setting.
January 12, 2011
No, this is not Harry Potter, don't expect it to be, and don't compare the two. Yes, it was written before Harry Potter. Please give the book a chance on it's own merits. We've gotten that out of the way, let's move on.
School of Wizardry started out a bit slow for me. I didn't like the court scenes in the beginning because I felt like the author was just skimming over that section to get to the good stuff. I'm glad Randal was able to enter the school so quickly or I would have lost a bit of interest. Seeing as though this book is 150 pages, I didn't expect anything to be in depth. It really feels like a short story on magic more than a real story. It could have been so much better if more of the classes were covered, if Randal had made a few more friends and we got to know them better. It would have been more interesting if there was more to magic than reading words correctly in a different language, and it would have been more interesting if the bad guy didn't show up out of no where and if he took a little longer to be defeated. If this book had some more detail and maybe double the amount of pages then it would have been a five star, but it didn't. I think this series is aimed at very young readers because it is extremely simplistic. Yet, I've read more simplistic and less entertaining books. I read this book in one sitting in a very short amount of time and I was thoroughly entertained. I came out of it wanting to read the next book in the series, and that is definitely a plus. I think this would be a great book to read to young children, and for adults it's a nice short escape from the real world
School of Wizardry started out a bit slow for me. I didn't like the court scenes in the beginning because I felt like the author was just skimming over that section to get to the good stuff. I'm glad Randal was able to enter the school so quickly or I would have lost a bit of interest. Seeing as though this book is 150 pages, I didn't expect anything to be in depth. It really feels like a short story on magic more than a real story. It could have been so much better if more of the classes were covered, if Randal had made a few more friends and we got to know them better. It would have been more interesting if there was more to magic than reading words correctly in a different language, and it would have been more interesting if the bad guy didn't show up out of no where and if he took a little longer to be defeated. If this book had some more detail and maybe double the amount of pages then it would have been a five star, but it didn't. I think this series is aimed at very young readers because it is extremely simplistic. Yet, I've read more simplistic and less entertaining books. I read this book in one sitting in a very short amount of time and I was thoroughly entertained. I came out of it wanting to read the next book in the series, and that is definitely a plus. I think this would be a great book to read to young children, and for adults it's a nice short escape from the real world
January 27, 2015
A short, straight-forward children's book. The first of six.
Randal is training to be a knight in his uncle's household when the wizard Madoc arrives. He performs magic, repulses Randal's notion of being a wizard, and leaves again. So Randal runs off to follow him.
Madoc brings him through the countryside -- past nasty signs of raids -- to a school. And what happens there involves a promise to never use a sword, a rich man's son, a singer of folksongs, a little fire elemental, illusions, and rather more.
Randal is training to be a knight in his uncle's household when the wizard Madoc arrives. He performs magic, repulses Randal's notion of being a wizard, and leaves again. So Randal runs off to follow him.
Madoc brings him through the countryside -- past nasty signs of raids -- to a school. And what happens there involves a promise to never use a sword, a rich man's son, a singer of folksongs, a little fire elemental, illusions, and rather more.
April 17, 2009
I can't decide if I liked or I just found it ok.
(I find rating books stressful at times :p)
I did not think the reason they can't carry/use ""knightly weapons" makes any sense. how can not carrying weapons prevent someone from having ambition and coveting power?!
I knew that evil wizard was the villain from the beginning the authors could not have made it more obvious. such a cliché.
the weapon thing was really aggravating though, how can a wizard defend themselves?? relaying only on magic seems boring.
this is more of a rant than a review ..
LOL
(I find rating books stressful at times :p)
I did not think the reason they can't carry/use ""knightly weapons" makes any sense. how can not carrying weapons prevent someone from having ambition and coveting power?!
I knew that evil wizard was the villain from the beginning the authors could not have made it more obvious. such a cliché.
the weapon thing was really aggravating though, how can a wizard defend themselves?? relaying only on magic seems boring.
this is more of a rant than a review ..
LOL
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2017
CÃrculo mágico es una saga de fantasÃa y aventura compuesta por ocho libros donde Randal, un joven escudero de 12 años que aspira a ser un gran caballero en el castillo de Doun, es el protagonista.
Pero todo cambia cuando aparece el mago Madoc ya que, con su presencia, Randal se da cuenta que tiene el don para hacer magia y tras una revelación en sus sueños decide dejar su vida para entrar en la Schola Sorceriae (Escuela de Magia).
Tras un largo viaje Randal y Madoc llegan a Tarnsberg, una ciudad bulliciosa, populosa y, según el chico, maloliente. Es en este lugar donde comienza la nueva vida de nuestro protagonista y da comienzo a su entrenamiento como mago.
La Schola es una serie de edificaciones de diferentes tamaños y estilos conectadas por pasillos, arcadas y edificios más pequeños. Allà los aspirantes a hechiceros estudian y practican la magia con los Maestros Magos como profesores. Pero a Randal no le es sencillo y, a medida que pasa el tiempo, se da cuenta que intentar ser un mago es más complicado de lo que imaginaba...
Los personajes son varios y no están todos muy desarrollados. Nuestro protagonista es Randal, un chico responsable, respetuoso, persistente y siempre está intentando mejorar.
Madoc es un mago viajero del norte, de unos 40 años y lleva la barba corta y oscura. Se convierte en una especie de mentor para Randal e intenta aconsejarlo lo mejor posible.
Luego tenemos otros personajes que no están muy profundizados como Walter (el primo de Randal), Nicolas (el primer amigo que hace Randal en la Schola, mayor que él), Lys (una ladrona que luego se convierte en su amiga), etc.
Recordemos que es una saga de ocho libros, por lo que los personajes que tienen importancia irán profundizándose en las siguientes novelas.
En cuanto a la redacción, está contada en tercera persona. Es una historia con mucha información a pesar de sus pocas páginas, es conciso y claro; no divaga en cuestiones sin importancia.
He leÃdo varias reseñas que lo comparan con Harry Potter y debo decirles que nada está más lejos de la realidad. El único punto en común es la magia, todo lo demás es completamente distinto. La historia me gustó y terminé el libro queriendo leer el siguiente, algo que creo es muy positivo.
Ver esta reseña y muchas más en: .
Pero todo cambia cuando aparece el mago Madoc ya que, con su presencia, Randal se da cuenta que tiene el don para hacer magia y tras una revelación en sus sueños decide dejar su vida para entrar en la Schola Sorceriae (Escuela de Magia).
Tras un largo viaje Randal y Madoc llegan a Tarnsberg, una ciudad bulliciosa, populosa y, según el chico, maloliente. Es en este lugar donde comienza la nueva vida de nuestro protagonista y da comienzo a su entrenamiento como mago.
La Schola es una serie de edificaciones de diferentes tamaños y estilos conectadas por pasillos, arcadas y edificios más pequeños. Allà los aspirantes a hechiceros estudian y practican la magia con los Maestros Magos como profesores. Pero a Randal no le es sencillo y, a medida que pasa el tiempo, se da cuenta que intentar ser un mago es más complicado de lo que imaginaba...
Los personajes son varios y no están todos muy desarrollados. Nuestro protagonista es Randal, un chico responsable, respetuoso, persistente y siempre está intentando mejorar.
Madoc es un mago viajero del norte, de unos 40 años y lleva la barba corta y oscura. Se convierte en una especie de mentor para Randal e intenta aconsejarlo lo mejor posible.
Luego tenemos otros personajes que no están muy profundizados como Walter (el primo de Randal), Nicolas (el primer amigo que hace Randal en la Schola, mayor que él), Lys (una ladrona que luego se convierte en su amiga), etc.
Recordemos que es una saga de ocho libros, por lo que los personajes que tienen importancia irán profundizándose en las siguientes novelas.
En cuanto a la redacción, está contada en tercera persona. Es una historia con mucha información a pesar de sus pocas páginas, es conciso y claro; no divaga en cuestiones sin importancia.
He leÃdo varias reseñas que lo comparan con Harry Potter y debo decirles que nada está más lejos de la realidad. El único punto en común es la magia, todo lo demás es completamente distinto. La historia me gustó y terminé el libro queriendo leer el siguiente, algo que creo es muy positivo.
Ver esta reseña y muchas más en: .
April 14, 2019
This book is just ridiculous and all the characters in the book are just lame and unbelievable. No wonder Harry Potter sold out a thousand times better than this trash.
July 20, 2015
Oh the nostalgia! I read this back in the 5th grade and it opened the door to fantasy novels for me. (I think I picked this up since there wasn't a new Harry Potter coming out for another year.)
So we see young Randal, a squire with hopes of knighthood. A mysterious visitor with a few magic tricks changes Randal's destiny and he travels to a faraway school to become a wizard. The teachers all agree that Randal has great potential although he can't complete the most basic of spells. He begins to regret his decision to leave knighthood behind when he suddenly taps into that potential. Suddenly, even advanced spells are a breeze. He chooses the youngest Master to be his tutor and delves into Darker Magic. things go downhill fast and Randal finds himself in over his head before emerging as a hero...in a twist end though his heroic actions take serious consequences that once again change the path Randal must travel.
Overall, a very fun fantasy adventure for young-readers. Well-written with a simple enough plot, it's a great introduction into the fantasy genre.
So we see young Randal, a squire with hopes of knighthood. A mysterious visitor with a few magic tricks changes Randal's destiny and he travels to a faraway school to become a wizard. The teachers all agree that Randal has great potential although he can't complete the most basic of spells. He begins to regret his decision to leave knighthood behind when he suddenly taps into that potential. Suddenly, even advanced spells are a breeze. He chooses the youngest Master to be his tutor and delves into Darker Magic. things go downhill fast and Randal finds himself in over his head before emerging as a hero...in a twist end though his heroic actions take serious consequences that once again change the path Randal must travel.
Overall, a very fun fantasy adventure for young-readers. Well-written with a simple enough plot, it's a great introduction into the fantasy genre.
February 11, 2014
When I read this in elementary school, I must have thought it was alright or I wouldn't have asked for the rest for Christmas. My parents, when faced with "Circle of Magic book" scrawled on my list, instead bought 's quartet with the same series title. Thank goodness they did.
What made me give this only two stars? The fact that I never sought out the sequels. After reading the books I got for Christmas, I never said to my parents "you bought the wrong books. They're good, but could you get me the right one for my birthday?" Nor have I ever reread this book, though I religiously reread most books I own numerous times. It was that mediocre. Not bad, but not that good either.
What made me give this only two stars? The fact that I never sought out the sequels. After reading the books I got for Christmas, I never said to my parents "you bought the wrong books. They're good, but could you get me the right one for my birthday?" Nor have I ever reread this book, though I religiously reread most books I own numerous times. It was that mediocre. Not bad, but not that good either.
December 30, 2008
An amazing series, this tale of a struggling young wizard-to-be contains many of the elements that made other similar stories (such as Harry Potter)increadable yet predates them by about 10 years. Even if they were a series that was released today they would be a must read, and the fact that they were released by Troll publishing and made available at Elementary School book fairs only increases my appreciation for them. I would recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of spell-weaving and noble, if reluctant heroism.
February 10, 2023
Re-read książki z dzieciństwa, miło wrócić na stare śmieci - oceny nie zmieniam. Plus za to, że główny bohater nie jest Specjalnym Płatkiem Śniegu, nie jest wybitnie uzdolniony, mało tego - jest jednym z najgorszych uczniów i dopiero ciężką pracą udaje mu się coś więcej osiągnąć. No i sam system magii jest ciekawy, w miarę spójny, no i książka wyszła siedem lat przed Potterem, zanim motyw szkół magii zaczął być ultramodny.
January 30, 2022
Review from reading it several years ago, I expected something like Harry Potter, it was not. I found it incredibly boring, think I made it about half way through the book and not much had really happened. Did not finish.
January 21, 2017
Not bad. Took a few standard tropes and twisted them around--I had a few surprises!
May 6, 2020
I read these books back in elementary school (early 9os, the Goosbumps era of kid novels) and I really enjoyed them. The set up is, a young man who was on the path to knighthood, decides that he really wants to study magic (a wizard visits the castle he lives in). The 2nd half of the first book, is the main character going to wizard school, I remember him struggling to learn some basic fire spell, good for lighting candles. I liked it enough, to check out the other books in the series. They are short novels, something to be read over a weekend. The over all plot of the series, is a metahphor for a young man, who goes against the "career advice" of people around him and instead "follows his heart" and chases his own dream. The other novels are his trials and struggles, the main character works low paying jobs, to pay his keep until becomes a legit wizard.
Some people have noticed, this is the "boy goes to wizard school" series of novels, before Harry Potter. I should add, these books were written in 1990, so the Buffy the Vampire series, Xena and Hercules were not a thing yet, so fantasy as a series was not a huge blockbuster success like it is today ( I appreciate that this book does not try to copy Tolkien's style). I will give Debra Doyle credit for creating a fantasy series that is about chasing one owns personal goals, even if other people tell you to follow the status quo.
Yes, the series has its own plot holes, I read these books when I was 12, I wanted to be entertained, not read a "smart person book" so I can impress the book club. If you are ages 12 and under, I think you might like it.
Some people have noticed, this is the "boy goes to wizard school" series of novels, before Harry Potter. I should add, these books were written in 1990, so the Buffy the Vampire series, Xena and Hercules were not a thing yet, so fantasy as a series was not a huge blockbuster success like it is today ( I appreciate that this book does not try to copy Tolkien's style). I will give Debra Doyle credit for creating a fantasy series that is about chasing one owns personal goals, even if other people tell you to follow the status quo.
Yes, the series has its own plot holes, I read these books when I was 12, I wanted to be entertained, not read a "smart person book" so I can impress the book club. If you are ages 12 and under, I think you might like it.
February 27, 2020
A classic from my childhood, I finally got my hands on the last book in the series and so I'm re-reading to remember who and what and when. I was a little nervous because I remember loving this series and was worried it wouldn't be as good as I remember.......but it totally was! I enjoyed it so much and can't wait to read the rest again.
December 4, 2023
I grew up with this series, especially the last book, which I have re-read many times. I must say that this novel is the reason why I want to be a writer in the future.
I can't remember the date I read this because it was so long ago. Currently, I'm looking to buy a new one again because the one I had was lost when I moved house.
I can't remember the date I read this because it was so long ago. Currently, I'm looking to buy a new one again because the one I had was lost when I moved house.
May 17, 2018
Adorei! Passado no tempo medieval, num outro mundo, as aventuras são fantásticas quando um miúdo descobre que pode fazer magia e ingressa numa escola de feiticeiros. Um Harry Potter um pouco menos adulto, com uma história diferente e que deixa o leitor a querer mais e mais.
August 4, 2018
I read this years ago, and really enjoyed it. It was a good re-read as well, just as good as I remember, except that I wish it was longer. Thankfully there are several more books in the series to look forward too as this was another series that I never finished.
November 17, 2020
Reading this really took me back to a place and time that is gone forever and for good. I remember having this series of books in spanish, always going into the bookstore and hoping to get the next one...
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June 12, 2021This book was realised before Harry Potter and I really liked the series I never compare the two one was Morden day Harry Potter the other was based in the mediaeval era where knights, kings and warriors were big
March 5, 2025
Re-leitura de uma série juvenil que não tinha chegado a acabar.
Uma história curta, mas bem definida. Tem um bom ritmo e é interessante.
Lembro-me que gostei muito mais quando era mais novo. Certamente é uma boa opção para jovens leitores
Uma história curta, mas bem definida. Tem um bom ritmo e é interessante.
Lembro-me que gostei muito mais quando era mais novo. Certamente é uma boa opção para jovens leitores
January 5, 2020
Något som kan bli bättre?
- Nej, nu fick jag veta vem som var vem! 5/5 Stjärnor.
- Nej, nu fick jag veta vem som var vem! 5/5 Stjärnor.
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May 26, 2021Read this as a kid, it and Tamora Pierce, were the formative books of my childhood.
February 8, 2022
El primer libro de fantasÃa que leà y me enamoró del género. Jamás podré olvidarlo.
August 14, 2022
Great for young kids
December 26, 2020
Una historia increÃble y muy interesante que te atrapa desde el primer momento en que lo comenzás a leer, la recomiendo mucho, aunque lo malo es que es muy difÃcil encontrar la saga completa. Yo por suerte pude encontrar en la biblioteca de mi liceo hasta la tercera parte de esta increÃble historia.
January 18, 2016
Oh. Another book about a young boy learning magic. With the popularity of Harry Potter series, this trope somehow gather more attention and that is actually the reason why I read this. I hope that this would give me a similar experience that Harry Potter provides. So...
The story is quite simple and very predictable but manages to be a bit interesting. Its concept of magic is interesting and we will meet many characters that are interesting and Randal's study of magic is also interesting.
The story is about this young squire that discovers he has magic and leave his family to join this sorcerer to learn magic. How his journey starts, however, is one of the big flaws of this story. Randal's home, while not really clearly described in the book, is a very good place to live in. Randal has friends there and people care for each other. It was a nice place. But he left it all for what? For plain curiosity and vague sense. Then he follow this rather questionable wizard that just visits there. The start is lackluster and generic. Well, for some paragraphs we are shown Randal mulling over the decision but really there is just one choice he would take and everyone know what it is from the start.
Another flaw I see is Master Madoc, the wizard who visits Randal's home. For a person who had make Randal start his journey, we end up barely even seeing him afterwards. Madoc would leave Randal in the School of Wizardry and then disappear for most of the time. This just weakens Randal's decision to follow him. Madoc essentially ditches Randal.
The book also introduces us to lot of things but then doesn't carry through. One of it is the fire elemental that Randal summoned. This creature just appear as a blatant plot device with no other purpose. It and other elementals will never be brought out again or explored. Too bad, it was quite interesting.
The biggest flaw of the story though is the ridiculous rule about using "knightly" weapons. Swords, daggers, and maybe lances, maces and such. They are never to use them. We never given any reason why they have this rule. It is just some ridiculous rule that everyone should follow... or pay! And when you come to the ending of the book it becomes clear that this rule is just an obvious plot setup. You will know then that breaking this ridiculous rule has a very big consequence. Randal is a squire, and now this rule against weapons... it is so obvious how this would end. The rule is vital to the plot but since this rule makes no sense at all, it just undermines the story's believability.
School of Wizardry. Simple, predictable and generic. It doesn't stand out or give any nice surprises but should be enjoyable enough. Its many plot flaws though removes a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction to be had.
The story is quite simple and very predictable but manages to be a bit interesting. Its concept of magic is interesting and we will meet many characters that are interesting and Randal's study of magic is also interesting.
The story is about this young squire that discovers he has magic and leave his family to join this sorcerer to learn magic. How his journey starts, however, is one of the big flaws of this story. Randal's home, while not really clearly described in the book, is a very good place to live in. Randal has friends there and people care for each other. It was a nice place. But he left it all for what? For plain curiosity and vague sense. Then he follow this rather questionable wizard that just visits there. The start is lackluster and generic. Well, for some paragraphs we are shown Randal mulling over the decision but really there is just one choice he would take and everyone know what it is from the start.
Another flaw I see is Master Madoc, the wizard who visits Randal's home. For a person who had make Randal start his journey, we end up barely even seeing him afterwards. Madoc would leave Randal in the School of Wizardry and then disappear for most of the time. This just weakens Randal's decision to follow him. Madoc essentially ditches Randal.
The book also introduces us to lot of things but then doesn't carry through. One of it is the fire elemental that Randal summoned. This creature just appear as a blatant plot device with no other purpose. It and other elementals will never be brought out again or explored. Too bad, it was quite interesting.
The biggest flaw of the story though is the ridiculous rule about using "knightly" weapons. Swords, daggers, and maybe lances, maces and such. They are never to use them. We never given any reason why they have this rule. It is just some ridiculous rule that everyone should follow... or pay! And when you come to the ending of the book it becomes clear that this rule is just an obvious plot setup. You will know then that breaking this ridiculous rule has a very big consequence. Randal is a squire, and now this rule against weapons... it is so obvious how this would end. The rule is vital to the plot but since this rule makes no sense at all, it just undermines the story's believability.
School of Wizardry. Simple, predictable and generic. It doesn't stand out or give any nice surprises but should be enjoyable enough. Its many plot flaws though removes a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction to be had.
May 26, 2020
Cuando era chico fui un gran lector de la Saga del Circulo Mágico. De grande me sorprende la poca cantidad de gente que conoce los libros de la misma y la poca importancia que se les da en el campo de la literatura fantástica juvenil. Me resulta aun mas increÃble que un libro con nociones muy similares a las de Harry Potter y publicado siete años antes permanezca en un completo anonimato. La saga es un gran material para hacer pelÃculas o series y expandir su universo de forma consistente.
Este primer libro nos cuenta la historia de Randal, un joven escudero de la Fortaleza de Doune. En un lenguaje simple y directo, que se ahorra detalles, nos presenta un reino sin rey, como la leyenda arturica, en un escenario medieval con princesas, hechiceros, duendes y fantasmas que nos retrotrae tanto al Señor de los Anillos como a las Crónicas de Narnia. El castillo de Randal es visitado por un Mago llamado Madoc que funcionaria como una suerte de Dumbledore, Gandalf o Brom de la Saga de el Legado. Madoc acepta la petición de Randal de convertirse en Mago y este viaja a la ciudad de Tarnsberg, una variante de Bree o Hogsmeade, donde ingresa a la Escuela de Magia, llamada la Schola Sorceriae, con miras a convertirse en Hechicero. El libro nos cuenta sus peripecias, sus clases, sus enfrentamientos con otros alumnos y sus encuentros y desencuentros con profesores muy al estilo de Harry Potter. Este libro nos presenta un antagonista, el Maestro Laerg que lo toma a Randal como su aprendiz, finalmente descubrimos que Laerg tiene otras intenciones dando el puntapié al comienzo de la saga y las aventuras del joven Randall.
Es un perfecto libro para los chicos y chicas de entre 8 y 12 años que se quieren iniciar en la literatura fantástica. El lenguaje es simple, la lectura es amena y es un buena antecedente para embarcarse en la posterior lectura de Harry Potter, Narnia y el Señor de los Anillos.
Este primer libro nos cuenta la historia de Randal, un joven escudero de la Fortaleza de Doune. En un lenguaje simple y directo, que se ahorra detalles, nos presenta un reino sin rey, como la leyenda arturica, en un escenario medieval con princesas, hechiceros, duendes y fantasmas que nos retrotrae tanto al Señor de los Anillos como a las Crónicas de Narnia. El castillo de Randal es visitado por un Mago llamado Madoc que funcionaria como una suerte de Dumbledore, Gandalf o Brom de la Saga de el Legado. Madoc acepta la petición de Randal de convertirse en Mago y este viaja a la ciudad de Tarnsberg, una variante de Bree o Hogsmeade, donde ingresa a la Escuela de Magia, llamada la Schola Sorceriae, con miras a convertirse en Hechicero. El libro nos cuenta sus peripecias, sus clases, sus enfrentamientos con otros alumnos y sus encuentros y desencuentros con profesores muy al estilo de Harry Potter. Este libro nos presenta un antagonista, el Maestro Laerg que lo toma a Randal como su aprendiz, finalmente descubrimos que Laerg tiene otras intenciones dando el puntapié al comienzo de la saga y las aventuras del joven Randall.
Es un perfecto libro para los chicos y chicas de entre 8 y 12 años que se quieren iniciar en la literatura fantástica. El lenguaje es simple, la lectura es amena y es un buena antecedente para embarcarse en la posterior lectura de Harry Potter, Narnia y el Señor de los Anillos.
July 13, 2009
At age twelve Randal's future as a squire-in-training to be a knight at Castle Doun changes forever when he meets Madoc the Wayfarer. Madoc turns out to be a master wizard and exhibited his powers in return for a few days of lodging at Castle Doun. After seeing a vision in a bowl of water, twelve-year-old Randal believes he can become a wizard.
When Madoc left, Randal follows him to become a student at the Schola Soceriae or the School of Wizardry. But he proves to be inept as an apprentice; will his long journey to Tarnsberg be wasted?
Highly reminiscent of the Harry Potter series, this work proves to have a more mature tone and does not necessarily dwell on the teachings of the spell per se but more on the inner workings of the Schola and the students within. Still, I hope to be able to read the suceeding books in this series.
Book Details:
Title Wizard's Apprentice #1: School of Wizardry
Author Debra Doyle & James Macdonald
Reviewed By Purplycookie
When Madoc left, Randal follows him to become a student at the Schola Soceriae or the School of Wizardry. But he proves to be inept as an apprentice; will his long journey to Tarnsberg be wasted?
Highly reminiscent of the Harry Potter series, this work proves to have a more mature tone and does not necessarily dwell on the teachings of the spell per se but more on the inner workings of the Schola and the students within. Still, I hope to be able to read the suceeding books in this series.
Book Details:
Title Wizard's Apprentice #1: School of Wizardry
Author Debra Doyle & James Macdonald
Reviewed By Purplycookie
November 25, 2020
Esta foi outra das séries literárias que me acompanharam na adolescência e agora, ao fim de uns bons anos, reli-a com avidez, porque é impossÃvel parar a leitura antes de chegar ao fim. Uma história emocionante sobre aventura, lealdade, amizade e força de vontade; a história de um rapaz simples que desistiu da cavalaria para se tornar feiticeiro, contada com mestria, mas que infelizmente parece ter ficado incompleta, pois há muito tempo que Doyle e MacDonald não publicam nenhuma aventura desta série e é pena que haja alguns erros de tradução ao longo da narrativa, mas seja como for, é bastante inspiradora e ensina-nos lições valiosas, como o facto de que a vida é feita de escolhas, e todas as escolhas têm consequências, e que nem sempre as coisas são o que parecem ser. Vale mesmo a pena!
May 21, 2015
The first "serious" fantasy novel I've ever read. It is about a boy who initially trains as a squire, but later decides to learn magic, and follows a wizard into a distant city to enroll into Schola Sorceriae, a school of wizardry, as a magician apprentice. There he studies several subjects, makes friends and enemies, takes part in all kinds of adventures, and finally manages to save the school by defeating an evil sorcerer. Yes, it's quite like HP, but it was written earlier.
Loved it, though it is quite dark and serious for a children's book. This is apparently the first book from a series of eight, but I've never managed to get any of the sequels.
Loved it, though it is quite dark and serious for a children's book. This is apparently the first book from a series of eight, but I've never managed to get any of the sequels.
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