Stolen Magic
If readers wondered what happened to Elodie, the dragon Mastress Meenore, and the ogre Count Jonty Um after A Tale of Two Castles, Gail Carson Levine gave them their answer in this sequel titled Stolen Magic. These three friends travel to Elodie’s home island of Lahnt and end up getting roped in to solve another mystery, this one much closer to home.
The Replica, a statue that keeps her island’s deadly volcano from erupting, has been stolen. If the Replica isn't found in three days, a mountain will be destroyed. Elodie has to work with a cast of colourful characters in order to solve this mystery – without Meenore or Jonty Um there to help. Once again, Elodie uses her wits to unravel the tangled web of lies.
Once again, this book was a short, fun read. It had that who-done-it flavor to it and I liked the new characters that were introduced. Elodie’s new friend Master Robbie was an especial favourite, since he was roped into solving the mystery of the missing replica. Reading Elodie and Robbie’s friendship was sweet and the potential for a romance when they grew up was present.
At the end of the book, it was nice to see Elodie’s two worlds – the family farm and her new family in Two Castles – come together. Elodie’s decision to continue with Mastress Meenore on his travels fit her character development well.
There is a lot of potential for Carson Levine to have made these two books into a longer series, but I’m glad she left it where it was. Although I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to a book where Elodie is reunited with Master Robbie when they are older.
Overall, I enjoyed this sequel and found it to be just as entertaining as the first.
Stolen Magic Rating: ★★★
The Replica, a statue that keeps her island’s deadly volcano from erupting, has been stolen. If the Replica isn't found in three days, a mountain will be destroyed. Elodie has to work with a cast of colourful characters in order to solve this mystery – without Meenore or Jonty Um there to help. Once again, Elodie uses her wits to unravel the tangled web of lies.
Once again, this book was a short, fun read. It had that who-done-it flavor to it and I liked the new characters that were introduced. Elodie’s new friend Master Robbie was an especial favourite, since he was roped into solving the mystery of the missing replica. Reading Elodie and Robbie’s friendship was sweet and the potential for a romance when they grew up was present.
At the end of the book, it was nice to see Elodie’s two worlds – the family farm and her new family in Two Castles – come together. Elodie’s decision to continue with Mastress Meenore on his travels fit her character development well.
There is a lot of potential for Carson Levine to have made these two books into a longer series, but I’m glad she left it where it was. Although I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to a book where Elodie is reunited with Master Robbie when they are older.
Overall, I enjoyed this sequel and found it to be just as entertaining as the first.
Stolen Magic Rating: ★★★