Product Description

The Magician's House Quartet

Thirteen-year-old William Constant and his two younger sisters, Mary and Alice, have come to ancient, mysterious Golden House in Wales for the holidays. Their lives will never be the same once they enter the Magician's House -- and discover their destiny.

William knew something was wrong from the moment they arrived at the railroad station on the border of Wales. First came the stranger who said his name was Steven. "Remember me," he said. Then he vanished. By the time they reached Golden House, even Mary and Alice felt something odd. Who -- or what -- are the strange animals...a fox, a dog, an owl...that seem to be able to read their minds? Why is it that sometimes the children even see out of the eyes of the animals and hear with their ears? And what is that prickling sensation pulling them toward the secret steps up the chimney? Nothing can stop them as they are drawn deep into the old house, into the realm of the Magician.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1487370 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 288 pages

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-With their doctor parents in Ethiopia, William Constant and his younger sisters must spend winter holidays with their Uncle Jack and his girlfriend in a remote mansion in Wales. The children adore their Uncle Jack, but are suspicious of pregnant Phoebe, a vegetarian. With nothing to do and the prospect of a meatless Christmas dinner staring them in the face, the youngsters are miserable. Then, as Uncle Jack begins to discover the strange history of his newly purchased house and Phoebe and the animals of the countryside begin acting strangely, the siblings notice a window at the top of the chimney. Quick figuring leads them to the conclusion that there is a secret room, and thanks to a trick of the light, William discovers the steps in the chimney that lead them to a magician. Stephen Tyler, magician and visitor from the past, says they will be tested, and they are. When the house becomes snowbound and Phoebe goes into labor, it's up to the children and their animal companions to save the day (and the baby). This first book in a quartet (already finished in its native Britain) might be paced a bit slowly for some American readers, but the writing is excellent, the mood appropriate and sustained, and the characters nicely rounded. A must for all paperback fantasy collections.-Timothy Capehart, Leominster Public Library, MA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.