Conjuror is is the first book in the Orion Chronicles by John and Carole E. Barrowman. I did not know that this book, and subsequent series, is a spin off of a previous trilogy starring Em and Matt Calder called Hollow Earth. While
I still understood the story and could enjoy the read regardless, I
think that those that have already read the earlier series will get much
more out of these read than those of us that are coming in cold.
Sixteen-year-old
twins Matt and Em Calder are Animare: they can bring art to life, and
travel in time through paintings. They work for Orion - the Animare MI5 -
protecting the secrecy of their order and investigating crimes
committed by their own kind. It's dangerous work. But when they are sent
to Edinburgh to find a teenage boy who can alter reality with his
music, they are drawn into something more dangerous still. For this boy,
Remy, is the Conjurer's Son. And he carries something that could change
humanity for ever.
Conjuror
is a book with a wonderful idea, but I had trouble getting lost in the
story and connecting to the characters, particularly in the beginning.
There were many references to things that must have happened in the Hollow Earth
series with Em and Matt which left me floundering a little. I did enjoy
Remy's character, and the way they all came together. I also liked that
once I figured out who everyone was, most characters are
multidimensional, even some of the characters that did not really need
to be fully fleshed out to play their part. The world building and how
the Animare worked were very well done, and once the book hit its stride
it was a nice fantasy read. There was a lot going on, which I expect
will be expanded on in they rest of the series, but at times it just
felt like a little too many characters and story arcs in play all at
once.
Conjuror
is a book that I had trouble getting into. I will admit to picking it
up based solely on the author, because I love him. However, while it was
a good book I was not as wowed as I had hoped to be, most likely
because of high hopes and not having read the previous series.
