From Publishers Weekly
As predictable as it may beAa coming-of-age ramble quest through a weird world where bonded human-animal pairs battle dread black magical forcesAthis launch novel for Forward's new fantasy trilogy steps out smartly from her earlier Villains by Necessity. Upon graduation from the College of Animism, where he seems to have majored in manure shoveling, 16-year-old, five-feet-tall Alex first seeks out his Anim, an empathetic animal that will allow him to detect and elude the magicians who are bent on destroying the rational-scientific Animists, believers that all things have souls. Alex's Anim turns out to be the tiny rat Mote, one of Forward's most appealing characters, who constantly preserves Alex from blundering into annihilation. Rigged out with the customary complement of companionsATemith, a world-weary, old scholar; a glamorous Princess Celine to adore from afar; a Pattonesque giant saurian generalAAlex and Mote take on the job of freeing the Rodeni, a small rodentlike race that has been enslaved for centuries by wicked Humani. Forward is capable of some luscious descriptive passages, especially in her scenes of the gloriously intelligent Delphini rollicking through sparkling tropical seas, and she draws both her people and nonpeople with taste and sympathy, leaving plenty of room for Alex's further adventures. (June) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Sold to the College of Animism as a child, Alex graduates and embarks on a spirit quest to seek an animal to power his magic. His journey through a world inhabited by numerous nonhuman races involves him in a series of intrigues that result in the fall of a kingdom and the discovery of his own worth. Forward (Villains by Necessity) offers a fresh and imaginative view of magic and mayhem in this first book of a projected trilogy. Recommended for most fantasy collections. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

As predictable as it may be--a coming-of-age ramble quest through a weird world where bonded human-animal pairs battle dread black magical forces--this launch novel for Forward's new fantasy trilogy steps out smartly from her earlier Villains by Necessity. Upon graduation from the College of Animism, where he seems to have majored in manure shoveling, 16-year-old, five-feet-tall Alex first seeks out his Anim, an empathetic animal that will allow him to detect and elude the magicians who are bent on destroying the rational-scientific Animists, believers that all things have souls. Alex's Anim turns out to be the tiny rat Mote, one of Forward's most appealing characters, who constantly preserves Alex from blundering into annihilation. Rigged out with the customary complement of companions--Temith, a world-weary, old scholar; a glamorous Princess Celine to adore from afar; a Pattonesque giant saurian general--Alex and Mote take on the job of freeing the Rodeni, a small rodentlike race that has been enslaved for centuries by wicked Humani. Forward is capable of some luscious descriptive passages, especially in her scenes of the gloriously intelligent Delphini rollicking through sparkling tropical seas, and she draws both her people and nonpeople with taste and sympathy, leaving plenty of room for Alex's further adventures. (June) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

VOYA

As a recent graduate of the Animist College, Alex must go out into the world to find his Anim, or animal soul mate. Because no Animist knows what his or her Anim might be, Alex must call its spirit. Unlike other Animists, Alex is a slave. Believing that he had a certain talent for magic, the Animist College purchased Alex. To protect its investment, the college refuses to teach Alex about Separation, the concept that if something were to happen to his Anim once they had bonded, he could die or at the very least, go insane. Alex's search takes him to strange lands filled with odd creatures, powerful magicians, and demented kings. Through this journey, he discovers his Anim, confronts himself, and begins to learn some truths about life. He realizes that much of what he learned at the college was taught to him out of ignorance and that he must rely on his wits and own perception to find the truth in people. Alex also struggles with the ideas of slavery and freedom and understands that actual chains are not necessary for one to be enslaved. Forward's novel seems to be only the beginning of the adventure for Alex and his new friends. Readers will eagerly anticipate sequels to this intelligently written and believable novel that is filled with conflict and surprises. Fans of Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy (whose concept of the daemon is similar to the Anim), or even J. K. Rowling's popular Harry Potter series will enjoy this new offering from Forward. This fun and fantastical journey through another world will appeal to readers from junior high age through adult. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P J S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; JuniorHigh, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2000, Tor, 320p, $23.95. Ages 14 to Adult. Reviewer: Heather Hepler

SOURCE: VOYA, October 2000 (Vol. 23, No. 4)

Library Journal

Sold to the College of Animism as a child, Alex graduates and embarks on a spirit quest to seek an animal to power his magic. His journey through a world inhabited by numerous nonhuman races involves him in a series of intrigues that result in the fall of a kingdom and the discovery of his own worth. Forward (Villains by Necessity) offers a fresh and imaginative view of magic and mayhem in this first book of a projected trilogy. Recommended for most fantasy collections. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Internet Book Watch - Internet Book Watch

Teenager Alex worries about his future now that he graduates from the College of Animists. He knows he must embark on a journey to find his Anim if he is to survive in a world filled with magicians desiring the annihilation of the Animists. However, the thought of the trek frightens him especially since his friends still have a few years before they begin their quest for the animal that they will share an empathic link with for life. Alex meets his empathic other, Mote a tiny rat, but his search also places the two of them in the middle of a war between two small nations. Along with several traveling companions he met on his pilgrimage, Alex stands in the way of a malevolent being that wants mass destruction. Only Mote manages to keep Alex from blundering to his death as the small troupe struggles to save the lives of humans and animals. Although the twin themes of a coming of age quest and a psychic link between humans and animals have been done many times in novels and movies, the charming charcaters keep the tale fresh. The story line is entertaining and exciting as the bungling Alex and his cohorts attempt the impossible. Though the humans are fully developed and interesting, Mote steals the show as the most intriguing rat since Ben. Eve Forward succeeds in turning Alex's journey into a genial fantasy that deserves sequels.

Carolyn Cushman - Locus