Customer Reviews

School of Wizardry (Circle of Magic)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In 6th grade I read my first of the Circle of Magic books, the School of Wizardry. It started me into realm of fire breathing dragons, arrogant wizards, and gallant knights. Here I was hiding the book under my notebook at school, because even then I felt embarrassed at the size and childness of the book. The books have the reading level set at the age of 9-12 and because of this many might look over them. Though these books inspired me as a youth to explore the wide variety of literature out there, I feel it can do the same for ANYONE. Debra Doyle has found a way to reach out to ALL audiences. The publicity was down, so thence the sales. But the books themselves are magnificent. As I have not so forcibly made my younger brother read them, he has become a fan at the age of 14. As he checked them out of my old Junior High, I got the chance to read them once more as a Senior in High School. Of course this time I didn't have to hide them, but flaunted them as the occasion permitted. Now this review is quickly becoming unhelpful, but the point I am trying to put across is that these books appeal to ALL ages. I love them. On my list are classics like The Hobbit, A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court, and the Wheel Of Time series. But the circle of magic (though somewhat adolescent) stand out among the best. I can't think of another book I would rather have my children read in the future, and for anyone with the love of fantasy and imagination.

I just finished reading this to my 8-year-old son, and we both enjoyed it. We have read all of the Harry Potter series, which was an obvious point of comparison. First off, my son kept repeating, as we got further into the text, "This is so much better than Harry Potter." That is quite an endorsement, since he likes the Potter books a great deal.
While this book is filled with interesting characters and details, there are obviously some limitations to what you can develop in so few pages. However, in the end I thought the details that were included in this text left Harry Potter looking a bit cartoonish. We both enjoyed the descriptions of of inner workings of the spells as they were cast.
I think this book is great for reading aloud and would also work for slightly older kids reading to themselves. However, it is clearly no Lord of the Rings, nor does it pretend to be.

Wizardry of any kind is enjoying a boom at the moment, and this includes the reappearance of the "Circle of Magic" series. This is the first book of six, a nice little series that I'd love to see in omnibus edition.

Randal is an ordinary squire in Doun until the day the wizard Madoc shows up. Without any clear reason why, Randal is attracted to the life of a wizard; a prophetic dream adds to this feeling. Madoc tries to warn him off, but Randal means it: He wants to be a wizard. Madoc finally takes him to the Schola, a wizards' school.

But learning magic and wizardry are not as easy as Randal thought. "Potential" does not mean that he will pass, and wizards are forbidden to kill, lie, or use a weapon. Randal finds it unbearably difficult to do even the most basic magic. He throws himself into his studies... but just as everything seems to be turning for the better, he finds himself face-to-face with a hideous threat.

Randal is the ideal hero for any kid who has struggled in school, not through lack of effort but from lack of understanding; he's smart, brave, gutsy, and sweet. He's supported by the enigmatic wanderer Madoc, his cheerful friend Nicholas, and the ragged musician Elys.

The older wizards are well-portrayed, being stern but kindly, strict but not rigid; the Schola is likewise, a place of great learning and magic, but also incredibly difficult to get through. Writing is very good as well; Doyle/Macdonald don't talk down to their readers, or dumb things down with the assumption that the kiddies can't handle anything more complex. They also put forth the neglected idea that just because you do badly at studies doesn't mean you're stupid, and that such things can be overcome more often than not.

Many authors can't pull off trying to tell a story in fragments of six, seven, eight small books. The end results are often poorly written and horribly characterized. Garth Nix can pull it off, and so can Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald. This book is both well-written and well-characterized, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Everyone, I saw this online and HAD to write a review of this series...I am madly in love with this series, and have been ever since I was about 12 (i am 23 now). Debra Doyle & James D. McDonald are truly awesome writers, and they are always going to be my favorites!! Randal is everything that a main character should be, in that he is smart, headstrong, and has the valor of a knight. The series actually takes you through most of the life of Randal, and his journey to become a wizard. This series should appeal to old and young alike, and this is the only website (or place on earth) you can get it from, so buy it from here...because you won't find it ANYWHERE else!!! Ja ne, Zanikis :̃

I was reading this book and my dad asked me if it was another Harry Potter spinnoff. It's not. The main reason is that this book was written WAY before Harry Potter. Many people might think this book is alot like Harry Potter because it's about a) a school b) of magic. But there the similarities end.

This book tells the story of fourteen-year-old Randal, once a squire at his uncle's castle. A wandering magician works tricks of light to earn a night in safety. Randal decides he wants to become a magician like Madoc and trains at the Schola Sorcerae. This is the story of his time as an apprentice and his friends, enemies, studies, magic, and a major battle that will decide the fortunes of all

I've read this whole series of books when I was much younger, from when Randal was first a squire in his kings court, to his adventures well beyond, I won't spoil it for you.

If you like fantasy books this is definetely a good read.

Randal starts out as a young squire in his kings court with his older brother Walter who is training to be a knight. Randal was dissatisfied with his potential future. When a master wizard visited the castle to give a display of some of magic's more flashier techniques, Randal ran away from home to pursue his life in magic, much to the dissatisfaction of his family. The author does a very good job at telling this tale.

All six books is great reading. I found this out in the 8th grade Im now an adult. The circle of magic was published way befor Harry Potter. To sum it up for you,Randal is this kid who finds out from a wizard that he has what it takes to become one too,after passing a test he is invited to study at this cool school for wizards. Sound's like something youve read or seen befor well your wrong this is no Harry Potter this is better!! my advice READ THE BOOks.
To the Authors this is one of the best books Ive ever read they should have made this a movie!

The book I read was "The Circle of Magic , Book One : The School of Wizardry " . It is about a young squire named Randel . When a mysterious wizard named Madoc comes, he says Randel has potential to be a wizard , he chooses to leave life as a squire to go to a school of wizardry . During his first two years he meets a older apprentice named Peter and a cocky thief named Lys . Near the end he has to kill a evil , demon - summoning teacher , and saves the school !

This book is a lot like the "Harry Potter " series , which I like . It has many good assets a book needs , such as : wizardry , summoning , and sword fights . I highly recommend it!

The book I am reviewing is School Of Wizardry .By Debra Doyle and James D. Macondle. The genre is fiction. Have you ever saw wizards or perhaps knights in shining armor well this all comes alive in the school of wizardry.
I am a kid I thought I could
Put all the things kids love into a review knowing how much kids love fighting, mystery and comedy .I put it all together and got a fantastic review. When I get books like these I feel I just belong in the book. One day twelve year old Randal notices a Master Wizard comes to his castle long befor he knew that he would be in,for the biggest surprise of his twelve year life. I can connect with Randal's feelings never knowing what's going on. I noticed this book is a lot like Harry Potter so if you like him you will love this book.
But I wonder will Randal past the test to become a Wizard? Will even want to be a Wizard? Will he follow the Wizard home? Where did the Wizard even come from? Find out and read the book.

This is about Randal a young wizard who goes through a lot in life. I first read the 4th book in grade 5, now I am in grade 6. I loved it. Then I read the 3rd one then the 6th and then the 5th. My school library only had those. I borrowed the 2nd one from my neighbor and I read the 1st one on a website. I told my best friend to read them and she probably will. These books rock! If they were made into a movie I would be so exited! If you know whats good for you you would read these books. Randal's my hero and I'v used Randy in everything now. I just love those books!