The Starstone

Chetwin's new novel continues the story of Gom's apprenticeship where The Riddle of the Rune left off. Tricked into serving Folgan, Gom and Stormfleet are determined to do their best, but the old master's strictness and unpredictability drive Gom to despair. It is many months before Gom learns to read and do simple spells, all the while suffering terrifying dreams that the Evil One (Katak) has escaped. Finally Folgan's jealousy drives the boy away, and Gom goes to his mother's home to complete his studies. Gom's nightmares of Katak prove true, and he must become a wizard as quickly as he can in order to truly protect the Crystal Stair. Chetwin again has written an engrossing adventure of epic proportion; fans of the earlier novels will cheer Gom's transformation from woodcutter to master wizard. Ages 10-up. (Apr.)