Customer Reviews

A Perilous Power

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoyed this book, which is the first I've read of Sabin's work. The cover copy compared it to Rowling's Harry Potter series, and I found that not accurate at all. This is a very different world. The subtext, about how people behave when they are forced to hide their true selves, is thought provoking

I found the main characters sympathetic, although I became exasperated with Trevor's bull-headedness. After his buddy, Les, twice pointed out people who seemed innocuous but were actually very dangerous, Trevor should have bought a clue and started listening to Les.

The two villains were extremely well done, nasty and effective. At the same time, there was little on-screen gore, and I appreciated that. I could read this to my eight-year-old without worrying.

Deby Fredericks,, author of The Magister's Mask

Sabin's second novel in her trilogy had many similarities to the first in its problems and dangers, but the quality of the writing was astoundingly much worse. The life-like, interesting characters of Tria and her classmates was replaced by Trevor and Les, who were idiotic and annoying the whole book. Their mistakes over the course of the book were stupid, careless, and unbelieveable. How could these dry characters be called heroes?
My interest in the story itself disappeared after suffering through 30 pages. To me, Sabin's second novel lacked the thought-provoking ideas and enigma that kept me turning the pages in the 1st novel. Her first was so good that it is criminal to put the two together in a 'trilogy'. I hope the third isn't anything like the second, and I wonder how the author of A School for Sorcery could possibly write something as bad as A Perilous Power.

In this fast-moving, adventure-filled prequel to *A SCHOOL FOR SORCERY, 17-year-old Trevor Blake and his best friend, Les, travel from their small village to the bustling port city of Port-of-Lords to enroll in the Community of the Gifted, where they expect to master their magical gifts; however, the sinister machinations of Dr. Tenney, who plans to steal the power of others for personal gain, embroil them in unexpected adventures and dangers. (M/H) A fun read with unforgettable characters, especially the two evil villains and colorful Veronica.

I am far from being a "Young Adult" but I really enjoyed this book. The world E. Rose Sabin has built is very well defined, the magic system has its limitations and its problems, and the Gifted are well rounded people with goals of their own.

The Heros are unusual characters, not the goody-goody of some other books.

To me, the antagonists were fully realized with their own goals and desires.

But most of all, the outcome was not what I expected.

I highly recommend this books, even for adults.

In the village of Amesley, seventeen year old Trevor Blake has won a scholarship to the university, much to the dismay of Mistress Hanley, who believes her daughter should have won it. Trevor and his friend Les Simonton visit Trevor's uncle and the neighbors catch them practicing Magic. With a little skilled magic the neighbors forget what they saw and Trevor is forced to give up his scholarship otherwise Mistress Hanley will reveal Trevor's powers.

Trevor's uncle sponsors Trevor and Les, who is thought to have great magic, to the community in teeming metropolis of Port-of-Lords. When they get off the train they meet Carl who steals their money and letters. After they end up in jail, Trevor sends a mental call for help and Veronica answers the summons. While Les likes Veronica, Trevor only wants to meet the man who will teach him to become an Adept. However, he becomes entangled once again with Carl and a power hungry sorcerer who tries to make then his slaves. It will take a miracle to defeat the evil Carl and his master Dr. Tenney.

Comparisons between Trevor and Harry Potter are inevitable but the latter is more youthful and cocky than Master Potter is. It is Les, who will do anything to save his friends, that is the real hero because the Adepts say he has magical powers but he doesn't believe them. The villains are stereotypical but it is a lot of fun to hope they fail. E. Rose Sabin has targeted her work for young adult fantasy fans but anyone who likes a good tale will want to read A PERILOUS POWER.