The story opens with the tale of a magician and how he captured and lost magic.  We revisit his story in segments (in reverse) throughout the story.  While he plays an important part in the tale, the story doesn't concentrate on this strange figure.  Instead we follow Gavin Stokes - a strange little boy that sees strange things.  One of theses strange things is a woman he names Mrs. Gray.  When Gavin is sent to stay with his aunt at an old, old estate called Pendurra while his parents are on vacation, this Mrs. Gray is the catalyst to a whole new life for Gavin.

 

There is a lot going on in this story and you really need to sit down and read it either all at once or in large chunks or you may miss some important connection.  Several different pantheons seem to collide when magic begins to stir again at Pendurra.  The descriptions of these creatures and people are fantastic.  The scenes really come to life and the world is incredibly well developed.  These are all things that I absolutely love in a fantasy or paranormal story.  As a character, Gavin is not necessarily likable at the beginning but as he learns to trust in the things only he can see he and embraces his destiny he becomes a great hero and lovable character.  Most of the characters are written in a way that they fit there roles perfectly, but I'm still not sure what Horace's place is going to be in the grand scheme of things.  He seems to play more of his role in book two perhaps.

 

The downside of this book is that it is written very well - almost too well and too much detail for most young adult readers.  I fear that many would give up on the story before it got the point that it really gets started.

 

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*