Guy Gavriel Kay’s The Summer Tree; Stephen R. Lawhead’s The Paradise War; J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. These beautifully inviting fantasies explore the irresistible idea that, despite our living in a mundane world, magic may in fact be for real. I am adding James Treadwell’s Advent to the list. Like the others, it has all the appeal of magic made real, and all the pleasures of a finely told tale.
1537: As a storm approaches, Johann Faust—the greatest magician of the age—hurries through the city streets. In his hands is a box. In the box is a mirror containing a piece of his soul...and a ring containing all the magic in the world.
London, present day: Magic has been gone for centuries, but 15-year-old outsider Gavin Stokes sees differently. Shunned by family and friends for fantastical visions, he’s being shipped off to the countryside. There, at the darkly wondrous estate of Pendurra, he’ll meet others with his gift. They will tell him the terrible truth. Magic exists. It is his inheritance; it is coming back into the world. And he must learn to wield it in a fight against evil....
Weaving magics from around the world—Faust, fairytales, Greek and native myths, Camelot—into a vibrant thread of contemporary fantasy, Advent is only the beginning of a magical and enthralling new series. Join me for the journey—you’ll enjoy this read!
—Rome Quezada
Senior Editor
Hardcover Book : 464 pages
Publisher: Simon And Schuster, Inc. ( June 11, 2012 )
Item #: 13-604104
ISBN: 978145166164
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 inches
Product Weight: 18.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

This book started out great, then it seemed like a different writer took over.So may things seemed just unbelievable to me, certain things happen and the characters don't even question them. I may try to pick it up again later, but for now it is up on the shelf.
Reviewer: Leslie