From Publishers Weekly
In contrast to today's elaborate fantasy sagas, Watt-Evans's latest installment in his Ethshar series (Night of Madness; The Misenchanted Sword) provides a simple, complete story. Despite several years of study, Kilisha, an aspiring young apprentice wizard, has much to learn. After gathering ingredients for a lesson, she returns home to find her master, Ithanalin the Wise, transformed into a statue. A tax collector interrupted Ithanalin while working on a spell, a magic mirror tells her, with the result that the wizard's soul has been distributed among the various household objects. "The dish had run away with the spoon" is literally the case here, as all the furnishings have become animated and escaped out the door. In her efforts to track down the runaway objects and restore her petrified master to his former self, a quest that will eventually take her to the Overlord of Ethshar's fortress, Kilisha first tries to involve the Wizards' Guild but ultimately must rely on the few spells she knows and her master's spell book-as well as her own imagination, initiative and ingenuity. Excellent pacing and na‹ve charm make this good-natured fantasy especially suitable for teens. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
When the wizard Ithanalin falls afoul of one of his own spells, becoming an inanimate object and animating all his furniture instead, his apprentice, Kilisha, must find a way to reverse the spell and restore her master. First, however, she must round up the errant chairs, tables, and other pieces that have scattered throughout the magical city of Ethshar. Watt-Evans returns to his popular Ethshar series (Night of Madness; The Spell of the Black Dagger) for another dose of ebullient fantasy featuring sympathetic characters, fantastic sorceries, and a fairytale plot. For most libraries, particularly where the series is in demand. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Watts-Evans gives us another story of Ethshar, the scene of the admirable Night of Madness (2000). The sorcerer's apprentice this time is a young lady, Kilisha, and her task is more complex, more honorable, and considerably more dangerous than getting an animated broom to do her work. Thanks to influences left over from the previous book, and the antics of a magical spriggan and a mundane tax collector, Kilisha's master Ithanalin is trapped in one of his own spells, unable to counteract it, and doomed if he cannot somehow be released. Kilisha has to play a lone hand at first, exploring magic far beyond her knowledge and powers. But she slowly learns her way around, and she is a sufficiently nice person eventually to be able to acquire valuable help. A very agreeable story. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
When Magic Goes Awry . . .
What is an aspiring apprentice wizard to do when she finds her mentor and master frozen in his tracks by mysterious magics?

Kilisha of Eastgate, a promising young student of wizardry in the city of Ethshar of the Rocks, still has much to learn before she can assume the robes of a journeyman enchanter. But when her teacher, the venerable Ithanalin the Wise, is overcome by a peculiar spell that scatters his soul amongst a collection of runaway household furnishings, it is up to Kilisha to find the cause and restore him to his former self. Adventure and mayhem abound.



From the Inside Flap
"Lawrence Watt-Evans is an accomplished writer in a number of genres, but sword and sorcery is one of his strengths."--Hartford Courant

"Lawrence Watt-Evans delivers worlds brimming over with magic, mystery, and danger; fast-paced, action-packed, and thoroughly entertaining."--Realms of Fantasy



About the Author
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Lawrence Watt-Evans has been a full-time writer and editor for more than twenty years. The author of more than thirty novels, over one hundred short stories, and more than one hundred and fifty published articles, Watt-Evans writes primarily in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and comic books. His short fiction has won the Hugo Award as well as twice winning the Asimov's Readers Award. His fiction has been published in England, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Poland, France, Hungary, and Russia
He served as president of the Horror Writers Association from 1994 to 1996 and after leaving that office was the recipient of HWA's first service award ever. He is also a member of Novelists Inc., and the Science Fiction Writers of America. Married with two children, he and his wife Julie live in Maryland.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

What is an aspiring apprentice wizard to do when she finds her mentor and master frozen in his tracks by mysterious magics?

"Kilisha of Eastgate, a promising young student of wizardry in the city of Ethshar of the Rocks, still has much to learn before she can assume the robes of a journeyman enchanter. But when her teacher, the venerable Ithanalin the Wise, is overcome by a peculiar spell that scatters his soul amongst a collection of runaway household furnishings, it is up to Kilisha to find the cause and restore him to his former self.

Kilisha goes first to the Street of Wizards, to beg assistance from the high wizard, Chorizel. But a dangerous rebellion brewing in the East causes Chorizel to dismiss her pleas and she is forced to continue on without guidance. Her desperate quest takes her from Ithanalin's patron, the noble Lady Treasurer Nuvielle, to Kelder, the tax collector whose meddling has caused this calamity, and through the city's dark taverns and shady shipyards to the mighty fortress keep of Wulran III, Overlord of Ethshar of the Rocks, all the way searching for that which will bring Ithanalin back from beyond.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In contrast to today's elaborate fantasy sagas, Watt-Evans's latest installment in his Ethshar series (Night of Madness; The Misenchanted Sword) provides a simple, complete story. Despite several years of study, Kilisha, an aspiring young apprentice wizard, has much to learn. After gathering ingredients for a lesson, she returns home to find her master, Ithanalin the Wise, transformed into a statue. A tax collector interrupted Ithanalin while working on a spell, a magic mirror tells her, with the result that the wizard's soul has been distributed among the various household objects. "The dish had run away with the spoon" is literally the case here, as all the furnishings have become animated and escaped out the door. In her efforts to track down the runaway objects and restore her petrified master to his former self, a quest that will eventually take her to the Overlord of Ethshar's fortress, Kilisha first tries to involve the Wizards' Guild but ultimately must rely on the few spells she knows and her master's spell book-as well as her own imagination, initiative and ingenuity. Excellent pacing and na ve charm make this good-natured fantasy especially suitable for teens. (Dec. 18) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA - Heather Hepler

Wizardry is a dangerous business, particularly when a pesky magical creature, a slightly animated rug, and a bothersome tax collector interrupt a spell. A wizard with a specialty for animating objects, Ithanalin finds his soul and thoughts scattered among his parlor furnishings when he accidentally trips on his area rug, spraying magic over the contents of the room. Luckily he has a persistent, if inexperienced apprentice who goes to great lengths to retrieve the now animated furnishings and reorganize her master. Apprentice Kilisha must rely upon her weaker skills of planning and forethought as she completes her task. As if that chore alone is not enough to occupy her time, she manages also to garner the romantic attention of a royal officer and save the life of the overlord from an overzealous and possibly suicidal couch. Returning to the triple kingdom of Ethshar, this novel follows the continuing adventures of the residents of the magical realm but does not require a familiarity with the Ethshar series to enjoy the story. Unfortunately, somewhere between purchasing expensive magical items and the surprisingly too-specific spells, magic becomes somehow less magical, but perhaps Watt-Evans intends just that, for even in this mysterious world, real problems exist and real people must use their ingenuity and persistence to solve them. Although entertaining, a labored plot and uninspired story makes this novel an unfortunate addition to the other glowing titles in this series such as Night of Madness (Tor, 2000/VOYA April 2001). VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P S A/YA (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2002, Tor,272p,

Library Journal

When the wizard Ithanalin falls afoul of one of his own spells, becoming an inanimate object and animating all his furniture instead, his apprentice, Kilisha, must find a way to reverse the spell and restore her master. First, however, she must round up the errant chairs, tables, and other pieces that have scattered throughout the magical city of Ethshar. Watt-Evans returns to his popular Ethshar series (Night of Madness; The Spell of the Black Dagger) for another dose of ebullient fantasy featuring sympathetic characters, fantastic sorceries, and a fairytale plot. For most libraries, particularly where the series is in demand. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews