Victor Kloss

A young adult fantasy, Harry Potter style.

Twilight, which I hated, inspired countless imitators. Harry Potter, which I loved, was even more successful, but doesn't seem to have inspired imitators in the same way. This book is a rather good attempt to tell a story that is in some ways reminiscent of Harry Potter, but different enough not to feel like a clone.

We have 14-year-old Ben Greenwood, who lives in England with his grandmother and whose parents disappeared some time ago. He and his friend Charlie, while trying to investigate a clue that was left when his parents disappeared, end up discovering a magical hidden world. In that magic world, different countries and magical races exist, and the Royal Institute of Magic created by Queen Elizabeth opposes the militaristic dark eleves who threaten to conquer most of the magical world.

The boys discover that Ben's parents were important figures in the Institute, but are now considered traitors, and the dark eleves are also actively looking for them. Along with Natalie, a young apprentice from the Institute, they end up having to run for their lives and having a fast-paced adventure.

The worldbuilding was interesting and intriguing and the book, although not as good as Harry Potter, does many things well. On the minus side, the characters are not quite as three-dimensional as in Harry Potter, the writing has the occasional bothersome tic (like, how many times do we need to be reminded that Charlie is fat?) and sometimes the bad guys do not act in the most efficient manner, allowing the heroes to have a chance.

All in all, it was enjoyable, and I'm hoping it can take a step forward in the next book and become great. We'll see.… (meer)

In my review of book 1 I mentioned several things I really liked, and expressed the hope that the series would take a step forward and really become great. It doesn't really do that. The story is fine, the level of quality is similar to the previous book, but I never got the same sense of knowing and liking these characters as I liked the ones in Harry Potter.

I know, it's a bit harsh to compare a self-published series with the most successful and popular YA fantasy of all time. But the author set himself up for that comparison. This is rather similar in style and feel with Harry Potter, but different enough not to feel like a clone. But if you are going to imitate the master, then people are going to compare you with the master.

I would give these books to a child who is looking for something like Harry Potter, though. It's good enough to give that a try.… (meer)