A long time ago, two great sorcerers fought a duel to determine the fate of the world. Magic itself was ripped from our world, its power kept secret by a handful of enchanters. The world of Magicks, however, still exists-and whoever controls the Gates controls both worlds.

In The Magickers...
Enter Jason Adrian and his friends-who have been recruited by Gavan Rainwater into the most unusual summer camp on earth-Camp Ravenwyng. There, they will learn about their own special talents. They'll develop their magick powers and unlock the secrets of controlling them.

To Jason, it seems like a dream come true. But there is one thing he will have to do before he leaves this very special camp: face the evil minions of the Dark Hand...

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From School Library Journal

Gr 5-7-Eleven-year-old Jason, an orphan who lives with his stepparents, is all set to spend the summer at soccer camp-until the school bully slams into him and he sprains his ankle. Afraid that he will be condemned to a boring stay with his grandmother, Jason eagerly accepts an alternative offer to Camp Ravenwyng. This rather dilapidated facility turns out to have an odd assortment of campers and counselors who (surprise!) are there to develop their skills as "magickers" in an effort to defeat the forces of darkness currently lining up in conflict for the fate of the world. Awkward writing, unresolved issues, and undeveloped plotlines lead up to Jason's battle in a violent "manna storm" during which he opens the gate that saves the camp-for the time being. An inevitable sequel seems planned, but those looking for kids learning magic to save the world should stick with the likes of Susan Cooper and J. K. Rowling.

Sharon Grover, Arlington County Department of Libraries, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-6. Thanks to a sprained ankle, 11-year-old Jason finds himself at Ravenwyng, a ramshackle outpost in the Grand Tetons billed as a "creativity and leadership camp." But as he quickly discovers, the place is actually a school for training workers of "magick," and a battleground in a centuries-old feud. Drake fills the shadows with geeks, menacing lurkers, and secretive adults who aren't always on top of things as she pitches Jason into a series of dangerous encounters and puzzling discoveries. Trailing numerous unresolved subplots, the story revs up to a battle during a wild magical "manna storm," during which Jason opens a certain gate that saves Ravenwyng from destruction. Though Jason overhears a few too many revealing conversations in the course of this busy series opener, his efforts to learn about magick and save his friends will carry readers through a slow beginning and into the inevitable sequel. One can't help but note the similarities to a certain popular series also set in a magical institution. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Jason Adrian and his friends survived Magic Camp. But can they survive the beastly minions of the Dark Hand. . .who seem to have followed them home?

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