The Invitation (Books of Magic Series #1) FROM OUR EDITORS
The Barnes & Noble Review
Author Carla Jablonski brings the Books of Magic series -- originally created by Neil Gaiman and John Bolton in comic book form -- to teen readers, launching with this spellbinding first installment.
When four mysterious men -- John Constantine, Mister E, Dr. Occult, and The Stranger -- approach Timothy Hunter with a magical offer, the boy accepts but isn't sure what he's gotten himself into. Soon, with an owl created from his yo-yo, Tim is whisked to the beginning of time with John Constantine, lands in modern-day San Francisco (and into a vicious night club trap) with the beautiful Zatanna, and eventually gets lost in "Fairyland" with Dr. Occult (who transforms into Rose on the other side). Yet despite the guardians assigned to keep Tim safe on his travels, it's all too clear that as a conduit for powerful magic, he is a prime target of creatures who want him under their control -- or dead.
A first book that includes cool characters, mysterious magic, and plenty of unexpected situations, The Invitation is bound to cast its spell over you. Jablonski's fast-paced read thankfully doesn't lose the dark tone of Gaiman and Bolton's comics, and with an introduction from Gaiman himself, this riveting page-turner is a must-read for fantasy and underground comic buffs.
Matt Warner
ANNOTATION
Thirteen-year-old Tim discovers he may be the greatest wizard of his time when four strangers introduce him to the world of magic, taking him on a journey through the past, present, future, and Faerie realms, where danger threatens at every turn.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Do you believe in magic?
Timothy Hunter is just like any other thirteen-year-old boy in London . . . except for the tiny fact that he might be the most powerful magician of his time.
When four strangers offer to show Tim the realms of magic, he begins a journey beyond imagination. Wizards pursue him, danger threatens at every turn, and he discovers powerful forces that want him on their side — or dead.
About the Author
Carla Jablonski has edited and written dozens of best-selling books for children and young adults. She is also an actress, a playwright, and a trapeze artist, and has performed extensively in Scotland and in New York City. A lifelong resident of New York City, she currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.
SYNOPSIS
Thirteen-year-old Tim discovers he may be the greatest wizard of his time when four strangers introduce him to the world of magic, taking him on a journey through the past, present, future, and Faerie realms, where danger threatens at every turn.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Popular series continue to develop with new titles. Based on the graphic novel series created by Neil Gaiman and artist John Bolton (books 1-4), Carla Jablonski's The Books of Magic: The Invitation follows the exploits of 13-year-old Tim Hunter. Danger threatens this seemingly ordinary young man at every turn on his quest to become the most powerful magician of his time. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
VOYA - Lynne Hawkins
What if a graphic novel published in 1990 had a leading character who was a tousle-haired boy who wore dark-rimmed glasses? What if that boy had the potential of being a powerful wizard, but that power might just destroy him and the world? What if these stories were also about a school for wizards? Would it not be tempting to pull it all together into a book? Timothy Hunter, whose morose, usually drunk father does not seem to be aware of his presence, escapes from the boredom of school and the darkness of home on his skateboard. When four men suddenly surround him, he is sure he can outrun them. They are powerful magicians, however, arriving to give Tim a tour of the world of magic. From the beginning of the universe through the dangerous present to the end of everything, Tim meets people and forces that will both assist and threaten him whether he chooses to become the magician that his new comrades think he can be or not. Jablonski's book is based on Neil Gaiman and John Bolton's graphic novel series The Books of Magic. It seems to need the illustrations from the original format. Each episode lurches into the next, with little connecting them except the change from one to another of the four guides. It is possible that this volume is a necessary introduction to a great fantasy series, but alone, it does not move to either a satisfactory conclusion or enough suspense to draw the reader to the next in the series. VOYA CODES: 2Q 2P M J (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2003, HarperCollins, 240p,
School Library Journal
Gr 7-9-Timothy Hunter's mother has died, and his grieving father has become distant. One day, four men in trench coats approach the 13-year-old and ask him if he believes in magic. It turns out that Timothy has the potential to be the greatest magician who ever lived. From there, the plot, or what plot there is to speak of, involves Timothy's introduction to the world of magic, and the decision he must make as to whether to follow this path or to remain a normal kid. The trench-coat brigade leads him on a whirlwind tour from London to San Francisco to the realm of Faerie. This book reads like a very extended prologue to the real story, and the comparisons to "Harry Potter" are obvious. Timothy even wears glasses. An introduction by Neil Gaiman, who wrote the graphic novels upon which this book is based, sets the stage with the background to the story. Jablonski's writing is of the movie novelization variety, perhaps reflecting the comic-book roots of the story. While kids hungry for fantasy will probably enjoy this, The Invitation should have remained in its original medium.-Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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