Buy this book from Amazon UK
As someone with a deep distrust of house-brick-sized fantasy books presenting themselves as the first in a series of (possibly interminable) Chronicles, I approached Magyk with some scepticism. Was this yet another author climbing aboard the groaning fantasy bandwagon?
I'm glad to say that my doubts were in large measure misplaced. True, some elements of the plot do seem a mite overfamiliar. A young boy, having been brought up as an orphan in a loveless environment, discovers that he is in fact destined to be a powerful wizard - not the most original premise, admittedly. Stylistically too, there are perhaps too many Rowling-esque jokes - and some of the characters are a little over-cute for my own dour taste.
However, this is more than another pale Potter imitation. It is a funny, inventive, and well-paced adventure, which I'd have no qualms about recommending to any fantasy fan from eight up. In the figures of Marcia Overstrand and Silas Heap, in particular, we have two rather memorable fallible wizards, whom I'd be happy to meet again. And the complex plot is generally handled well, although there are one or two places where a magical solution offers itself just a bit too conveniently (the disposal of the Hunter and the discovery of the dragon boat spring to mind).
In outline this is a standard fantasy plot set in an equally standard (i.e. roughly medieval) fantasy world. It breaks no new ground, nor does it pretend to. But there is an enjoyment in the detail, and an energy and humour in the writing, that make reading it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
One last beef, however. Why is this British edition of a British author's book, produced by a British publisher, set using American spelling? I do hope this isn't simply cost-cutting laziness on Bloomsbury's part.
Buy this book from Amazon UK