The Malifex (Young Adult Fiction) [Hardcover]

Steve Alton (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Young Adult Fiction

In the Dorset, England, countryside on a family vacation, a video game fanatic reluctantly embarks on a quest to battle an ancient evil, aided by the daughter of a Wiccan and a man once apprenticed to Merlin.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-A combination of fantasy and adventure that incorporates Celtic mythology and Wiccan beliefs. Sam is not happy that his parents have dragged him into the remote English countryside for vacation. He would much rather stay home and play video games than visit stuffy museums and ancient ruins. Things become more exciting after he meets Charly, a local girl with a Wiccan mother. While exploring the countryside, the teens mistakenly open an ancient grave, releasing Amergin, an apprentice of Merlin. He informs them that the extraordinarily large, green-eyed cats that are pursuing them are shape shifters and servants of the Malifex, an evil entity that seeks to shift the balance of good and evil toward darkness. Unsure at first why the young people were able to summon him, Amergin realizes that Sam is the hero he seeks. A quest for three magical objects leads to a final battle between the two forces. This is a familiar story with an environmental message-the Malifex uses human greed to deplete the Earth's natural resources and achieve his sinister goal. The story is plot driven, and has plenty of action. The open ending indicates that a sequel will likely follow.
Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. Once more, Good and Evil duke it out in England. Young Sam has no idea that his talents extend beyond a facility with handheld computer games, until a carelessly uttered old verse raises up aged Amergin, a bumbling but wise disciple of Merlin. Soon Sam needs the old mage's help in the fight against the evil Malifex (an ancient adversary of the Green Man), who is replacing Britain's last unspoiled places with jammed highways and pollution-spouting factories. Along with the requisite evil minions, quests, shape-shifting, and magic clashes, there's the cautionary environmental message here, as well as a tangent involving Sam's budding friendship with a Wiccan's daughter. Alton plays Amergin's encounter with modern toys and technology to good comic effect and brings the contestants together at last for a climactic battle at (where else?) Stonehenge. With help from the elusive Green Man himself, Sam finally banishes Malifex from the world, but clearly only for a time. The story takes readers down a well-traveled road, but it's a smooth ride, with lighter moments and drama in generous measure. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822509598
• ISBN-13: 978-0822509592
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,630,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great story, worth a read!, October 5, 2002

By 

Dale B. Olson "tmaxd" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Malifex (Young Adult Fiction) (Hardcover)

So you're a Harry Potter fan, right? So you're waiting for Book Five to be published, right?
Well, while you're waiting, pick up this book. There are a lot of fun similarities to the boy wizard and enough differences to keep your appetite for British wizardry whetted.
Alton brings to life the countryside of England with this fun romp. In it we meet Sam, a typical young boy that loves video games and, when dragged on yet another vacation with his parents, wants only to stay in his room and play his video game.
His parents take him to Dorset, England and he finds himself in a bit of trouble - mind you, this is the England with Stonehenge and ancient tales of Druids, witches and evil spirits.
Sam meets Charly, a local girl his age and they promptly - and accidentally - wake up an ancient apprentice to Merlin who is battling an evil force called the Malifex.
And, of course, Sam is chosen to be the "young hero to fight the bad guy."
Sound familiar? Even though this smacks of the young Hogwarts-going wizard, Sam is no Harry. His friendship with Charly doesn't start off well and his reluctance to get involved (and get his nose out of his video game) is only changed when his parents are threatened.
Alton deftly blends English myth and mystical legends into his story, giving this Yank a taste of what it must feel like to cavort around the English countryside battling evil forces with the help of wizards and witches. But the Englishness of this story doesn't overpower the feel - in fact, I didn't even know that Sam was English until a few chapters into the story.
This delightful book is aimed at the tweens but adults can enjoy it as well. Alton is obviously trying to create a series and here's to hoping that it continues at this high level.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, January 29, 2005

By 

frank shepinne - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Malifex (Young Adult Fiction) (Hardcover)

I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!! It was really a terrific book. I only enjoy few books, and this is one of them. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!