Hey, guys! Many, many years ago, I read Obert Skye's Leven Thumps series, and it was my favorite series for a long time. (I'd recommend it if you haven't already read it!) So, when I heard Obert Skye had written another book, I knew I wanted to read it, even if I have definitely aged out of the target audience for this book.
The Cover:
The Cover:
It shows Rin, sitting on the back of his ex-wife's car, getting ready to give some solid, wizardry advice. The cover fits the book, even if it's a bit too busy for my tastes. A- cover
Official Description:
Fourteen-year-old Ozzy lives near Portland, Oregon, and is desperate for help. His scientist parents have been kidnapped after discovering a formula that enables mind control. Their work was so top secret Ozzy is afraid to go to the police, but without help, he fears he'll never find his parents. Then he stumbles across a classified ad in the local newspaper that says "Wizard for Hire. Call 555-SPEL." Ozzy has read about wizards in books like Harry Potter, but wizards couldn't actually exist today, could they? After Ozzy meets the wizard Labyrinth--aka Rin--he's even more skeptical.
Sure, Rin dresses like a wizard, but the short robe and high-top tennis shoes seem unorthodox, as does Rin's habit of writing notes on his shoes and eating breakfast for every meal. Plus, Rin doesn't even cast any magic spells, which means that the unexplained coincidences that start happening around Ozzy are just that--coincidences.
With the help of a robotic-talking raven invented by Ozzy's father, a kind and curious girl at school who decides to help Ozzy, and, of course, a self-proclaimed wizard who may or may not have a magical wand, Ozzy begins an unforgettable quest that will lead him closer to the answers he desperately seeks about his missing parents.
My Review:
Wizard for Hire was an exciting, wholesome book. Ozzy is on a mission to find his missing parents while trying to avoid the men that he knows took them. He is willing to do whatever it takes to trace down what happened to his parents many years ago. He also has to acclimate back to society after living on his own (Hatchet-style) in an isolated cabin for 7 years.
One of the interesting things about this book was Rin's character. I spent the entire book going back and forth on whether he was really a wizard or just a crazy man. I think that's one of the charms of this book. You can't tell how crazy the main character is, so it leaves the door open for magic in the real world.
The characters were fun. I wouldn't say that I was astounded by their complexity one way or another, but I did enjoy their interactions. The dialogue was natural and often witty. It kept me caring about what was to happen to Rin and Ozzy and all of the other characters in the novel.
The plot was paced well. It balanced action scenes with scenes to get to know the characters remarkably well. The action kept you hooked, but there was also a fair amount of substance between the characters and the situation.
Overall, I would recommend Wizard for Hire to anyone wanting to read a mash-up of a fantasy book and a survivalist novel. You won't be disappointed!
Phrase:
Solar panels
If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
Leven Thumps
A World Without Heroes
Five Kingdoms Series
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
*Note: This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This had no effect on my thoughts on the content/quality of the novel*
The characters were fun. I wouldn't say that I was astounded by their complexity one way or another, but I did enjoy their interactions. The dialogue was natural and often witty. It kept me caring about what was to happen to Rin and Ozzy and all of the other characters in the novel.
The plot was paced well. It balanced action scenes with scenes to get to know the characters remarkably well. The action kept you hooked, but there was also a fair amount of substance between the characters and the situation.
Overall, I would recommend Wizard for Hire to anyone wanting to read a mash-up of a fantasy book and a survivalist novel. You won't be disappointed!
Phrase:
Solar panels
If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
Leven Thumps
A World Without Heroes
Five Kingdoms Series
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BookshelfSecret
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookshelfSecret*Note: This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This had no effect on my thoughts on the content/quality of the novel*
