Wizard for Hire: Apprentice Needed
by Obert Skye
Synopsis:
When a mysterious package arrives in the mail containing a plane ticket and a thumb drive, Ozzy is certain it’s from Rin. But when Ozzy, Sigi, and Clark arrive in New York, Rin isn’t there. Instead they are met by the man who was the money behind the mind-controlling discipline serum created by Ozzy’s parents. Ozzy was the final test case and is now the key to discovering the serum’s secret. He is a very valuable boy. Once again, he’s on the run.
As fate would have it, Rin appears just in time. But Rin’s goal is more than a rescue mission. He needs an apprentice to cement his status and notoriety in the magical realm of Quarfelt assuming the place even exists. As Rin’s apprentice, Ozzy must complete five tasks to receive the Gift of Wonder. Ozzy is willing to help, but is now really the best time to enter a contest for wizards when something is controlling his mind? Especially when someone is out to destroy the people he loves?
Review:
Ozzy, and his metal bird Clark, are living at Sigi and her monther’s place now. It’s been a long time since anyone has heard from Rin who supposedly left for Quarfelt, a magical land for wizards. So when Ozzy received a package in the mail to a hotel with the letters R-I-N in the name, they assumed it came from Rin. However, the person ultimately responsibly for Ozzy’s parents death is behind it all. And he’ll stop at nothing to get the secrets that Ozzy’s parents held.
Apprentice Needed is the 2nd installment in the unique Wizard for Hire series. As before, the story is exciting and fast-paced and full of quirky humor. The AI bird, Clark, is easily the most entertaining character. I love the wizard Rin too. It’s easy to doubt his abilities because of his eccentricities and lack utilizing magic when it seems most prudent. But he has a calm, confident demeanor too. And everything seems to work out his way. There is still a lot left unanswered by the end of the novel. And readers will be eager for the next in the series. This is another solid installment in this fun fantasy series for middle readers on up.