Nightwalker: The Warlocks of Talverdin [Anglais] [Broché]

Grade 4–8—On the isle of Eswiland, wizards are called "Night-eyes," or "Nightwalkers," because of their dark features and magical powers that allow them to travel safe and unseen through shadowy places. However, these powers didn't stop "Good King Hallow," a historical hero to the human population, from practically wiping them out. His weapons were propaganda and "philosopher's fire," which burned only Nightwalkers. Two generations and a lot of tedious family histories and expository conversation later, a suspiciously dark-eyed boy and a displaced duchess escape the current human king's court and make for the magically fortified mountain of the wizards. Along the way, Johansen includes a couple of funny scenes involving, for example, pigs charging the throne room. Unfortunately, she also throws off the pacing and misses the opportunity for character development by focusing on the action scenes while glossing over the getting-to-know-you parts of the journey. This causes real problems toward the end, where she stages a change-of-heart-and-reconciliation scene that isn't a bit believable. Johansen cites Tolkien as an influence, and is at her best when writing about war councils and political intrigues. This book might entertain readers who are waiting for the next book by Megan Whalen Turner or Diana Wynne Jones, but it won't leave a lasting impression.—Emily R. Brown, Providence Public Library, RI
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Expelled from Cragroyal University's grammar school after the death of his guardian, orphaned Maurey has been forced to work as a scullion. The students torment him for his dark hair and eyes, features associated with nightwalkers-their island's feared sorcerers. His situation worsens when a ring he wears seems to link him to both the royal family and to nightwalker magic, causing the university's chancellor, a close advisor to the malleable king, to throw Maurey in the dungeon. A plucky young baroness helps him escape, and they live off the land as they travel toward Talverdin, the legendary realm of the nightwalkers. In Talverdin, Maurey discovers his true origins and learns that he must prevent the chancellor from bringing a large force through Talverdin's magical protections. Despite some predictable elements, the fast-paced adventure, compelling characters, and conflicts that make sense will reward readers of this fully realized fantasy, a promising start to the Warlocks of Talverdin series. Diana Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Maurey used to be a student at school, but when his guardian died, he was demoted to servant. He is the brunt of everyone's abuse because, with his black hair and eyes, he looks like the Nightwalkers, sorcerers from an adjacent kingdom that fought back with magic when they were invaded. Maurey teams up with young Annot, Baroness of Oakhold, who is a virtual prisoner at court because the king wants to control her land (and money). They set off to find a way into the Nightwalkers' hidden kingdom: no one has ever made it through the magic spells that protect the mountain entrance and many have never returned from the attempt. They are successful and discover that Maurey is a Nightwalker prince, and return to their homeland to begin changing attitudes and behaviors. They thwart the king's evil minion and the king accepts Maurey as a half brother. Filled with pathos, humor, and plenty of action, this should satisfy most YA fantasy readers. When they reach the Nightwalker kingdom after weeks of travails, Annot whispers to Maurey, "They do keep mentioning baths... do you think we smell?" Maurey responds that he hopes it was just the dog. This is sure to bring requests for the next in the series.

Maurey has always been persecuted for the colour of his skin and eyes. He has never known more about his parents than that his mother died the day he was born. When the king's chancellor discovers that Maurey possesses a ring belonging to the missing queen and another that may be the key to finding the hidden kingdom of the inhuman warlocks of Talverdin, he is imprisoned, revealed as a Nightwalker, and sentenced to execution in philosopher's fire. Rescued by a young baroness with her own reasons for fearing the chancellor, Maurey sets out on a dangerous journey to the land of his father's people. If he and Annot are to survive and prevent the destruction of the last refuge of the Nightwalkers, Maurey will have to call on human and inhuman skills he never knew he possessed, and win the trust of both sides of his family.

My father was suddenly a very real person to me. He had stood, as I did now, watching the chancellor prepare the fire, watched the white flames snap and roar. And he had known what was to come. But his had been a much greater fire. They were only testing me. Only testing. And my mother was human. That had to count for something.

The flames steadied to a slow graceful wavering. They seemed to hum a single sweet note, just on the edge of hearing.

'Bring the boy forward,' the chancellor ordered.

I clenched my teeth. Now, when there were people to see, I was not going to cry or scream. I would show them. I walked forward between the two guards, staring the chancellor straight in the eye.

The note the white flames sang changed. It grew harsh and hissing, and the flames began to leap wildly again, snapping and cracking as though they burned pitch-filled pinewood. They reached towards me as if driven by a strong wind.

I felt as though my skin were on fire. I knew I must plunge my hand into the bowl of white flames. I must, to prove to them that I was human. I took another step, and one more, but the very air burned. I could not breathe. I could not see. I could not feel the floor under my feet. Everything had become a hot roaring whiteness. Far, far away, I could hear Master Arvol shouting, 'Behold! The Nightwalker cannot even approach the flame!'