An eons-old conflict meets teenage drama in newcomer Chima's engaging but somewhat derivative fantasy. Sixteen-year-old Jack, who nearly died as an infant, maintains a strict daily medicine regimen-but one day he accidentally misses his dose, and that afternoon at soccer practice he injures a fellow player without even touching him. Shortly thereafter, Jack's aunt Linda drags him on a hunt for information about his great-great-grandmother, for reasons she won't disclose. Aunt Linda, it turns out, is an enchanter, one player in an underground magical battle between the wizard houses of the Red Rose and White Rose. Jack too is one of the Weirflesh-the magical beings that live among modern-day humans-inheriting a "gift [that] is passed from generation to generation in a kind of stone or crystal that sits behind the heart." The houses wage an endless Hatfield-and-McCoy-like duel for control of the magical community, but the number of qualified wizards to play the game diminishes with each generation-making Jack a hot commodity (and his great-great-grandmother's grave contains the sword that Jack is to use in battle). Intrigue in the first half of the story gives way to arena action toward the end. The concept of a "wizard war" may be well worn, and character names such as Nicodemus Snowbeard could likely produce a giggle with long-time fantasy readers, but Potter fans looking for a new fantasy/mystery fix may well relish this tale. Ages 10-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 5-9–Through the machinations of fate and a wizard's whim, teenager Jack Swift is caught up in a cruel battle between warring factions of magic-users called the Weir. Jack's life in small-town America is interrupted when his magical powers start to manifest themselves. When he suddenly discovers that he is one of the few remaining Warrior Weir, he becomes the prey of wizards who want to force him to fight to the death in a tournament. While the story has an exciting premise, engaging characters, and steadily building suspense, it's construction is rough around the edges. Background material is rushed and plot development often seems forced and implausible. Some characters, like Jack's friends Will and Fitch, seem to exist only to give Jack some company, but never really add anything to the story. Robert Ramirez's narration is disappointing. His exaggerated tone quickly grows tiresome and disrupts the pace of the story. In Ramirez's interpretation, high school soccer tryouts are given just as much dramatic weight as the discovery of a magic sword or a battle to the death. Purchase only for the largest fantasy collections.–Heather Dieffenbach, Lexington Public Library, KY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 8-11. Sixteen-year-old Jack forgets to take his medicine one morning, and by afternoon is filled with such strength he sends his rival, Garrett Lobeck, sailing into the net at soccer tryouts--without even touching him. Jack soon discovers he is no ordinary teen and his medicine is not what he thought it was. Since the secret insertion of a warrior stone in his chest at infancy, Jack has been dosed with a suppressant designed to hold his powers as a Warrior Heir in check until his wizard sponsor can retrieve him and prepare him to fight in a death tournament for supremacy. With the aid of an aunt, old and new friends, and a magical sword, Jack fights to retain his identity and choose his own path. The magical elements of the story aren't adequately set up, and some necessary details seem hastily inserted, while others are left hanging. Together with loose, occasionally redundant plotting, this is a book for avid, forgiving fantasy readers--particularly those for whom an intriguing premise is enough to keep them involved. --Holly Koelling Copyright 2006 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.