Children's Book Review

Magic for Hire
by Alex Greene
ISBN-10: 1591136490
Review by Heather Froeschl

13-year-old Dix Claudel cannot be what his father expects him to be. His father, the King's top Commanding Gaurdsman, has no idea that Dix dreams of being one of the King's Magicians instead. The problem is, Dix doesn't do too well on the Royal Magician's Test. Neither do any of the group of youth he takes his test with. Each of them was able to manage only one portion of the exam, giving them, in combination, the abilities to begin study. Individually they will need to start over and wait until next year to take the test again.

With not much else to do, the group bands together in order to freelance magic for hire and learn from each other along the way. Minor jobs here and there, from truth serums to controlling weather to save a farmer's crops, and a development of partnership, begin a name for themselves, and soon some bigger jobs come their way. The adventure truly begins when they take on a quest that proves dangerous and nearly deadly. This quest though, could save the kingdom and challenge them all in deeper ways than the exam ever could.

"Magic for Hire" is a fantasy adventure full of mystical wonder and youthful interests. Readers aged 8 and up will enjoy the camaraderie and suspense of this tale and will likely be clamoring for more of the same. Alex Greene has passed his test with his first book and I hope he intends to produce more of the same.

An adventure filled with magical creatures, responsible youth, mysterious forests and caves, and a quest for the brave of heart promises an exciting read.