25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most Excellent, May 7, 2007
Like The Warrior Heir, this novel gives a refreshingly new view of magic, the classic story starter. We begin to see more of the underlying major plot of political warfare that was barely tapped into last spring, a power struggle that both contrasts and mirrors our own world. Not many authors can practically restart a story with a new protagonist and setting, and weave it into what we the readers already know, but Chima does so with such spectacular ease it causes one to wonder why so many series stick to one point of view, thus limiting the richness and variety in the writer's universe.
Chima has a flawless balance of almost every element you can find in a good story. She has no qualms about scaring her readers, but isn't so ruthlessly horrible that sensitive readers are afraid to finish the series or even the book, as is the tendency of authors like Rowling. The density of the individual and overall stories does not choke a casual reader like Herbert's masterpiece Dune and while a careful reader can guess early on the identity of the Dragon and of Seph's parents, it's not a matter of clear and obvious assertion from page one as was found in Paolini's Eldest, but a matter of educated guessing with the several plausible options.
Not to mention the diversity of Chima's endless supply of characters, new and old. Any girl who tires of the stereotypical heroine will be pleased at the power and skill each female character that defines their personality and place in the story, though the men are by no means left plain in comparison. But what makes them stand out more than their magical powers ever could is how real the characters are, in emotion, thought process and personality.
Living up to its predecessor and even surpassing its brilliance, The Wizard Heir has something for everyone to enjoy, from funny and unconventional romance to hair-raising situations and a surprisingly fitting happy ending. Readers can expect to close on the last page absolutely dying for next spring, when we can continue the story with The Dragon Heir, and beyond.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AMAZING BOOK!!!, June 20, 2007
First off, you should read the Warrior Heir first. It's a great book and you'll be less confused about the different guilds. But The Wizard Heir far surpasses all my expections. I read all 458 pages in one day. I just couldn't put it down. Most of the characters from Warrior Heir return in this companion book, but not until later. The main character is a 16 year old wizard named Seph who doesn't know how to use his powers. Because of this he his shuffled around from private school to private school because of various mishaps until he eventually ends up at the Haven where nobody is ever expelled. The action really picks up here and won't say any more because I hate spoilers. But totally buy this book, it is worth every penny. You won't be dissappointed.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The New Great Fantasy Adventure Series Continues, August 28, 2007
"Seph is a wizard, orphaned..." That's all I needed to read. Great, I thought, another Harry Potter rip-off. Boy was I wrong!
I first stumbled upon The Wizard Heir when leaving a bookstore after doing research for my own project. There was table situated right next to the door, it was covered with hardcover books that featured enticing cover art. The opened the book, read the jacket flap, and left the store disgusted. I had only just finished mourning the loss of Harry Potter and here was arrogant Seph McCauley trying to fill the void.
I didn't actually know what the story was really about, or that it was the companion novel to another novel, The Warrior Heir. Eventually I became curious about what I thought was a rip-off and did an internet search. Soon I had landed on the author's website (http://www.cindachima.com/). I read the first chapter of The Wizard Heir (available in PDF form on the author's web site) and before I knew it I had purchased The Warrior Heir and was singing Cinda Williams Chima's praises (to reluctantly use an appropriate cliche).
Just like it's predecessor, The Wizard Heir does not disappoint and Seph McCauley is certainly not Harry Potter. The similarities stop at "...wizard, orphaned..."
Chima brings to life a new cast of characters and, to the readers delight, brings back the players from the first novel.
As I said of The Warrior Heir, "In an age when reading is less and less popular among both children and adults, Cinda Williams Chima has presented us with the next great series that will entertain people of all ages without the need of electricity. Though labeled a a novel for 'Young Adults,' the series will appeal to adults as well as teenagers."
Whether your a pre-teen, that role falls to a younger sibling, or even if you're a parent, you will not be disappointed by The Wizard Heir.
Should you read The Warrior Heir first? Yes.
Why? It's a great book! Besides, reading the whole series always makes things clearer. Having said that, Chima has an interesting way of catching up new readers or refreshing the memories of those who have read the first book. As the protagonist is not the same character as in The Warrior Heir, the author reminds the reader of important details through the education of Seph McCauley. Seph is new to the world of the Weir (the details anyway) and as he is educated by new and returning characters alike, so is the reader. Ingenious!
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