Age: 16
Title: The Enchanter Heir
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pub Date: 10/01/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The Enchanter Heir was a compelling read, and I found it hard to put down. The plot keeps moving at a nice pace, and though there is a lot going on, it doesn't seem too crowded or as if the author is trying to cram the action into a short amount of space.
As in her other works, Chima does an excellent job of making her characters come alive. For example, one of the protagonists, Emma, is a skilled guitar maker, and the rich details used to describe her work and the instruments in general support this aspect of the character well. The main characters (Jonah Kinlock and Emma Greenwood) have depth and are not just cookie-cutter people; there were times when I felt like something they did or said was not in-character, but overall I felt like I got to know who both Jonah and Emma were as people. The supporting characters didn't see as much development throughout the story, but they didn't seem completely flat, either.
As a fan of the three predecessors in the Heir Chronicles, I was expecting The Enchanter Heir to have a similar fantasy-in-the-modern-world feel. I was a bit surprised that while the previous books were more heavy on the medieval and magical aspects, this one seemed to move more towards the modern pieces. Even so, Chima did a good job of integrating the magical guilds and other characteristics of the Heir Chronicles world into this continuation of the series.
I would highly recommend reading the first three books before reading The Enchanter Heir. Even apart from the first three, it is definitely not a stand alone book, as the ending leaves off on a cliffhanger that will undoubtedly start off the next installment of the series (next book is confirmed, title to be The Sorcerer Heir). The ending leaves the reader with many questions and definitely makes me eager for the next book to come.
Memorable or Forgettable: It was very exciting to have another installment in the Heir Chronicles series, as the ending of the third book was more or less satisfying; it didn't lend me to think that the series would continue, so it was a nice surprise. Chima did a great job creating new, interesting characters along with new issues that tied into the books before it, but still remained new and exciting. It was well written and included a lot of modern elements that allow the reader to connect to the world.Cover: The cover of the book seemed a bit more detailed than the first three books of the Heir Chronicles, but it still fits, more or less. I did like it; the colors are beautiful and pull you in, as does the mist and the intricate sword. The sword on the cover I assume was that of Jonah Kinlock (one of two main characters). The sword does not play a large role in the book, but it doesn't make the cover seem out of place.
Age Range: 14 through 17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
tags: fantasy / magic / ya lit
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