The Magician’s Daughter
by H.G. Parry
Fantasy
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Biddy (Bridget) was orphaned as an infant and raised by a mage on a magical island (Hy Brasil) that most people don’t believe exist. She’s seventeen now, and getting kind of antsy to leave her home and see what the rest of the world (ideally, London) is like. Rowan, the mage who took her in, keeps promising that he’ll take her there someday, but there’s always something preventing him. In addition, he keeps disappearing every night on mysterious forays that he won’t talk about, and returning looking haggard and haunted. He won’t tell her about those adventures, either. Sometimes it’s just Biddy and Hutchincroft – Rowan’s rabbit familiar – alone on the island (apart from some of the other magical creatures that live there). Then, one night, Rowan doesn’t return and Biddy and Hutchincroft have to use their wits (and some magical objects) to rescue him. When Rowan finally does make it back to Hy Brasil, he has a lot of explaining to do. Biddy is going to get her wish – a trip to London – and a whole lot more! They all get caught up in the machinations of the Magicians Council and Biddy winds up a hero! (spoiler: she saves Rowan AND brings magic back into the world!) This was really a lot of fun – and I was delighted by Hutchincroft (rabbit!) and that the author actually knows what rabbits are like (BECAUSE SHE KEEPS THEM!). Rowan is frustrating sometimes, but Biddy really impresses by the end in how far she comes/is willing to go to keep her loved ones safe and do what she can to alleviate the suffering and hardship she sees around her. Published for adults, but high school teens may also enjoy.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
