Book Review: The Inquisitor’s Apprentice by Chris Moriarty
The Inquisitor’s Apprentice
Chris Moriarty
Harcourt Childrenās Books, October 2011
ISBN 978-0-547-58135-4
Hardcover
Set in an alternate America, one in which magic is rife and closely policed, tests reveal a thirteen-year-old Jewish boy who āseesā magic as itās happening. The leaders of New York City, in an effort to put the kibosh on all magics enacted by the various ethnic groups, believe his talent will be valuable in helping the Police Departmentās main Inquisitor, Maximilian Wolf, whose job is to stop magical crime. Thus, Sacha Kessler finds himself apprenticed to Wolf, and the hunt is on to prevent inventor Thomas Edison from being magically murdered. The trouble is, the investigation seems to lead directly to Sachaās own family!
The author has plucked several real peopleās names from history–sometimes using a bit of alteration, such as the Astrals, for the Astors. Included within the plot are Harry Houdini and Theodore Roosevelt, for instance. In the course of the story we are treated to a look at Coney Island at the cusp of the twentieth century, and the life and entertainments of the time.
For the non-Jewish reader, this book is an excellent glimpse into another culture. The magic is well-defined, the characters are interesting and sympathetic, and the tension holds up well. Recommended.
Reviewed by Carol Crigger, December 2011.
February 23, 2012
Tags: alternate America, dark fantasy, Harcourt Children's Books, Judaism, magic, middle grade/young adult, mystery, New York, police procedural Posted in: Full Reviews
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