Last year, when Max McDaniels was 12 years old, he was invited to attend Rowan Academy, a special school to develop extraordinary abilities and learn strategy and tactics to assist in the battle with the ancient evil threatening the world. The life Max knew before has disappeared, and his future promises adventure, excitement and danger.
Now 13, Max and his best friend/roommate, David Menlo, join the rest of the gifted students returning for the new school year. Max looks forward to seeing all of his friends again and learning more about himself, his special talents and defending the world against the evil demon, Astaroth, who has escaped from captivity. Both Max and David already have far surpassed even the oldest students at Rowan, but they still have much to learn. Unfortunately, their classes get interrupted by some more pressing matters.
Dame Mala, a spokesperson for the witch’s association, shows up demanding the custody of David. According to the witches, a 400-year-old promise made by Elias Bram included handing over up to three students who have been touched by the Old Magic in exchange for the powerful Book of Thoth, which Bram then hid to keep safe. The Book contains information that could lead to complete control of the world. The witches are eager for David and Max, both touched by Old Magic, but relent and agree to take only David. However, a few people don’t agree, including David himself.
David, Max, the Lymrill named Nick, Special Agent Cooper, Mystics teacher Miss Boon, the cook, Hag, Mum and Max’s dad all sneak away undercover and escape, but their quest has only just begun. By decoding a letter left by Bram, they set off in search of a key that will lead them to the hidden Book of Thoth. The Rowan crew must claim the Book before Astaroth does, or all will be lost. He already is busy taking over cities all over the world. Along the way, Max is invited to become a special agent of Rowan, a member of the Red Branch, and David is moved into the classification of Sorcerer. They encounter both new and old acquaintances, some of whom shouldn’t be trusted, and Max learns some well-kept secrets regarding his family, and especially about his missing mom. There is no way to prepare for the adventure awaiting them, but Max and David give it their all just to survive.
Fans waiting for this sequel to THE HOUND OF ROWAN will not be disappointed. It bursts into action on page one and never quits. Author and illustrator Henry H. Neff brings back the much-loved and spirited characters of Max and David for round two, and his bottomless pit of an imagination supplies the sustenance for even greater adventures and thrills. Neff has a solid and energetic writing style with a talent for vibrant storytelling: “A cargo ship was lolling on its side in the pale sea, spewing a bright torrent of flame and black smoke into the pale morning. It looked like the old whaling images Max had seen in books: a harpooned giant that had rolled onto its side, expelling the essence of its life in one final gasp. Floating blobs of burning oil dotted the sea like lily pads, eerie and beautiful as they bobbed and flickered on the swells.” He also cleverly places some surprising twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they anticipate the third book in the series, THE REIGN OF ASTAROTH, in the fall of 2009.
--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND
