Kirkus Reviews QR Code
A QUESTION OF MAGIC by Tom McGowen

A QUESTION OF MAGIC

Vol. III in the Age of Magic Trilogy

by Tom McGowen

Pub Date: Aug. 1st, 1993
ISBN: 0-525-67380-6
Publisher: Dutton

Mages from Earth's intelligent races—humans, Alfar, Dragons, etc.—have all foreseen the end of Earth and the slim chance that doom can be averted by working together. This particular doom takes the form of a space-faring race bent on mining Earth's resources; a salvation of sorts is won when an oracle advises the firing of immense geometrical shapes, thus showing the invaders that Earth harbors intelligent life. Still, their brief, violent visit leaves the earth in tatters: Trolls destroyed, Dragons sterile, Little People fled, and—worst of all—magic lost. Sad to say, the somber ending creates no more emotion than the rest of a story that's so low-key that it seems inevitable, with little suspense and few high (or low) points. It would be easier to mourn the magic if there had been more joy in its presence. Still, readers who followed human mage Mulng and his young son Lithim through the earlier books may want to know how it all comes out. (Fiction. 10-14)