This novel is generally classified as a fantasy. Fantasy-lite is probably a more accurate term because there is not extensive world building, and the magic present is really magical alchemy, which has irregular results–much to the dismay of the narrator. Told in first person by the magician in retrospective, the book does not have a break-neck pace, and there is an implied assurance that things somehow will work out since the narrator is obviously still alive. To counter this, the author leaves open-ended hints and crumbs of foreshadowing coupled with short chapters to help entice the reader forward. The princess it precocious, her love interest is charming, and the villain is truly despicable. And at the hub of it all is the magician with his potions and perhaps his overly kind heart.

This is Mr. Sachar’s first novel specifically for adults; however, because it is structured with a timeless, fairytale/adventure vibe, it could be enjoyed by young readers in middle school or in high school, too. Wrapping up with a somewhat understated, but fitting ending, this was an enjoyable read from a beloved author.

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy Provided by the Publisher

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 1 scatological term.

Violence/Gore: Tour guide refers to a queen who killed her husband; tale about an abducted and murdered princess; report that a queen turned her pet into a neck warmer after it clawed her; characters says she will commit suicide after her love is dead; character recounts a lord roughly treating a woman by forcing her to clean his boots and slashing her arm with a sword; report that character dies from a wound; references at various times to supplies that a magician uses (e.g. different types of blood from different animals); character falls and causes nose to bleed; leeches are used on a person; a fight breaks out at a large social gathering and people are beaten, killed, clubbed–no description; verbal threats of harm/death; outbreak of war and references to it; character says they will kill someone after they have had their way with her; character slaps another’s face; characters discuss plan to poison someone (it did not happen); brief scene in which characters are attacked with intent to kill, rob, and rape and there is a struggle involving weapons, resulting in some death and maiming; report that someone killed their spouse; report that people are fed to tigers as punishment, no description; report of the death of a character, no description.

Sex/Nudity: Characters fall in love; character wishes a character would be more “untoward” to her; innuendo; character reported that he had a first and last kiss in the past; character recites romantic poetry and it is said some of it was graphic, but there are no specific descriptions of what was said; someone is said to tell a vulgar joke; character speculates that someone’s virtue has been defiled (it has not); vague reference to intercourse; general reference to fornication, sexual organs, pubic hair etc. as a source of curse words; slightly vulgar exchange with some soldiers about a woman; man is naked and walking around in a inn (implied house of ill-repute).

Mature Subject Matter:

Arranged/forced marriages, suicide (threatened), death, imprisonment.

Alcohol/Drug Use:

Poppy is administered to character to help them be more compliant; potions are administered throughout the book to different characters; talk of purchasing liquor; characters drink wine, ale, etc.