The Rescue of Ranor

FYI: I'm over 45, and never read this book before now, so I'm coming at it from the point of view of an adult who likes, and has read a lot of, 8-to-12, 12-and-up & YP books. (They have far better plots than most of the adult stuff.) Also, at this time, I'm only mid-way thru it, so I don't know the outcome. As plotline is covered above, I'll stick to more abstract aspects such as quality of writing. _ _ _ This book is fun - very good light reading. I'd recommend it to anyone of any age, even the 10-year-olds (with high reading levels). The characters are very well-drawn. I can imagine the action incredibly well. The author doesn't really state the age of the young witch, but she seems to be in her teens. This means anyone from 10 on up can imagine themselves in her place, reluctantly having adventures she's been avoiding for so long. _ _ _ And I think the plot is deceptive - it's not as simple as it appears. True, it's mainly (so far) a journey punctuated by exciting but short-lived events. But I'm getting inklings that the whole point of this Challenge her young client is faced with may only be an excuse for the sorcerer to get to our Witch. It's the WAY the Challenge was constructed - necessitating a Non-Magic relative coming from the Scientific world, and having to bring the first White Witch he finds... who HAPPENS to live just next to the border, in her quest to avoid people in general... It's too coincidental that this inexperienced (but apparently, more powerful than she knows) witch is sucked into this (my long experience with Whodunits is coming out, I'm always suspecting hidden motives). (I could be wrong...) _ _ _ Anyway, it's a lot of fun for anyone who enjoys a good read. (Really, the kids' novels are a really neglected area for us older people. And since they're for kids, the authors don't have the freedom to in-fill the plot with pointless sex scenes, which I really don't want in my reading.) _ _ _By all means, this is a keeper.

This book is one that I remember fondly from childhood/early adolescence. I must have read it ten times. Not only is it well and convincingly imagined, and well-told, it uses the fantasy world as a way of exploring themes that resonate with anyone who has experienced difficulties or hardships. This book works well on two levels - it's a fun adventure romp in a magical world, and a story of self-realization that can be appreciated for its parallels to the world we really live in.

Minna is a regular white witch except she doesn't like to help people (which is part of the job) So when Sven, a non (person who is immuned to magic) comes asking for help she isn't very excited. Sven's brother Ranor (a important, obnoxious, trouble making magician) is kidnapped and held for ransom by a black sorcerer (the most powerful kind) The deal is that Sven (to set Ranor free) has to fight the Black Sorcerer with the help of a White Witch. So once a White Witch lets a person come in to their house they have to help them with their problems. Minna is stuck. Sven and Minna set out on a journey (With Minna's Familar, a half demon half goblin) where it seems nothing but trouble ever seems to happen. This is a complicated but funny story of a place where half the land is scientifical and the other half magicial. This is a story worth your time if you like adventure and magic.