Review: A pleasing adventure...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 2, 2011
J. Michael Radcliffe's 'The Guardian's Apprentice' is very familiar territory, just as satisfying to me as the subject of magic and the mundane could ever be. This strong story is the opening of a much wider tale, and puts us at the very edge of the veil between the worlds - the veil that keeps magic and power from overwhelming an unknowing humanity. It is the task of the Guardian to protect that division, and now, in Mr. Radcliffe's telling, one of the humble mortals must take up that task. Why he was selected, when powerful wizards and witches crave the position, that is the meat of the whole story.Filled with urgency, darkness, and confusion, 'The Guardian's Apprentice' wants us to believe the one thing most difficult to believe, something that character Keegan Whitestone must believe in spite of himself; magic is very real, and it can be misused. As is proper in such lessons, comes the realization that time itself is running out. It is fun to prod Keegan - a very likeable, if not very cooperative fellow - prod him, and make him hurry. It is so much easier, and more fun, to believe in magic than to resist.