Stolen Magic

Gr 4–6—Fans of Levine's A Tale of Two Castles (HarperCollins, 2011) will be pleased to see their favorite dragon detective and her apprentice, Elodie, back for another adventure. Elodie is taking Masteress Meenore and the kind ogre Count Jonty Um to her home island of Lahnt. During the journey, the trio learns that a priceless statue, the Replica, has been stolen. This statue is not just a decoration—when moved from its pedestal, it has the power to unleash a deadly volcano if not returned in three days. With countless characters who could be the culprit, it is up to the duo to decipher the clues and return the Replica before it is too late. Readers may be confused if encountering Elodie for the first time in this novel; it is best to be familar with the previous book. The story is plot driven, and the lack of background information may leave some stumbling through the fantasy world of Lahnt. Meenore, the dragon masteress, is referred to as Meenore's gender. Nonetheless, there are redeeming aspects to this novel. Elodie is a strong-willed but kind girl whose assumptions are clearly made after the facts have been presented. Meenore brings quips and witticisms that lighten the mood of the novel and recall the charm of author's classic Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins, 1997).