The Curse of Arkady

by Emily Drake

Book Overview

Jason Adrian and his friends survived Magic Camp. But can they survive the beastly minions of the Dark Hand. . .who seem to have followed them home? This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0756401038
• ISBN13: 9780756401030
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Daw Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.1" x 6.7"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Uncursed

The "Magickers" series has the potential to become a solid fantasy series alongside Diana Wynne-Jones and similar authors. No Potter-clone here -- the second book "Curse of Arkady" is a solid, entrancingly mysterious fantasy for all ages. Jason Adrian, home from Camp Ravenwyng, is having more disturbing dreams -- about a sinister figure in an old house. When he wakes, he finds a message warning him about the "Curse of Arkady." All but a handful of the Magicker students have been dismissed and memory-wiped, and the remaining kids are keeping in touch through their crystals and the Web, trying to keep their identities a secret -- which is becoming more and more difficult. As Gavan tries to get a special Magicker Academy approved by other Magickers, the kids begin to suspect that something bad is coming -- the Dark Hand, a group of evil ex-Magickers. A sinister new therapist has arrived and has a particular interest in Jason; wolfjackals are circling around. And when Jason follows his stepfather to a construction site, he uncovers the secret of the Dark Hand -- and the evil sorcerer Brennard. Though lower-profile than the Harry Potter series, the "Magickers" books may well be the stronger fantasy series: They are more descriptive, more instrospective, the created world is more complex and serious-minded, the adult characters are capable and pivotal, and it explores the out-of-school time as well. And Drake isn't afraid to sprinkle homages to Star Wars, the Matrix, "Lord of the Rings" and the Potter series itself. And the second book of the "Magickers" series proves that the first was not a fluke (though you won't understand the second unless you've read the first). Drake's writing is still detailed and action-packed, and she juggles the multiple storylines like an expert. Nothing is dumbed down (as shown by the faked master's degree). Her eye for detail is very present as she shows seemingly insignificant clues from Book 1 to be important plot devices. And fans of the first book will be pleased to see one character return, who had seemingly gone. This book is a little more humorous than the first, with incidents like Stefan turning into a bear just before a football game, or the teacher's face appearing in a soccer ball. On the other hand (no pun intended), the sight of the Dark Hand encroaching on ordinary suburban homes is even more sinister, right up to the shatteringly well-written climax. Jason is a solid lead character, an ordinary kid called on to do extraordinary things yet unsure what to do about them. Tomboyish Bailey is given a little more dimension and brains in this book. Trent continues struggling to keep up with the other Magickers; Brennard finally makes his appearance, and his charming facade just covers his nastiness. His attempts to lure Jason to the Dark Hand are just what you would expect from this guy. "Dragon Guard," the next Magickers book, will premiere just as readers have glutted themselves on the fifth Potter book.

Far from a "Curse"

The "Magickers" series has the potential to become a solid fantasy series alongside Diana Wynne-Jones and similar authors. No Potter-clone here -- the second book "Curse of Arkady" is a solid, entrancingly mysterious fantasy for all ages.Jason Adrian, home from Camp Ravenwyng, is having more disturbing dreams -- about a sinister figure in an old house. When he wakes, he finds a message warning him about the "Curse of Arkady." All but a handful of the Magicker students have been dismissed and memory-wiped, and the remaining kids are keeping in touch through their crystals and the Web, trying to keep their identities a secret -- which is becoming more and more difficult. As Gavan tries to get a special Magicker Academy approved by other Magickers, the kids begin to suspect that something bad is coming -- the Dark Hand, a group of evil ex-Magickers. A sinister new therapist has arrived and has a particular interest in Jason; wolfjackals are circling around. And when Jason follows his stepfather to a construction site, he uncovers the secret of the Dark Hand -- and the evil sorcerer Brennard.Though lower-profile than the Harry Potter series, the "Magickers" books may well be the stronger fantasy series: They are more descriptive, more instrospective, the created world is more complex and serious-minded, the adult characters are capable and pivotal, and it explores the out-of-school time as well. And Drake isn't afraid to sprinkle homages to Star Wars, the Matrix, "Lord of the Rings" and the Potter series itself. And the second book of the "Magickers" series proves that the first was not a fluke (though you won't understand the second unless you've read the first).Drake's writing is still detailed and action-packed, and she juggles the multiple storylines like an expert. Nothing is dumbed down (as shown by the faked master's degree). Her eye for detail is very present as she shows seemingly insignificant clues from Book 1 to be important plot devices. And fans of the first book will be pleased to see one character return, who had seemingly gone.This book is a little more humorous than the first, with incidents like Stefan turning into a bear just before a football game, or the teacher's face appearing in a soccer ball. On the other hand (no pun intended), the sight of the Dark Hand encroaching on ordinary suburban homes is even more sinister, right up to the shatteringly well-written climax. Jason is a solid lead character, an ordinary kid called on to do extraordinary things yet unsure what to do about them. Tomboyish Bailey is given a little more dimension and brains in this book. Trent continues struggling to keep up with the other Magickers; Brennard finally makes his appearance, and his charming facade just covers his nastiness. His attempts to lure Jason to the Dark Hand are just what you would expect from this guy. "Dragon Guard," the second Magickers book, will premiere just as readers have glutted themselves on the fifth Potter book. In the m

Not A Curse at All...Lots of Reading Fun!

Okay, the prequel was good. Okay, really good. And the sequel does everything to live up to its predessor. If you haven't read The Magickers, pick it up before you have a go at this story. Student Magickers Jason, Bailey, Trent, and Ling have left their beloved camp Ravenwyng and returned to their old lives while their Magickal Teachers struggle to create a Haven where they can safely teach the children. But in the mean time, life is much more complicated for the teens. They must adjust to the differences in themselves and struggle with their families' ignorance of their Magick. Not to mention, the Dark Hand of Brennard hovers ever closer and the students are plagued by the mysterious Curse of Arkady. (Drake never really tells us what exactly the Curse is...perhaps saving it for a later book?)While my writer's instincts tell me the style of this piece is a mess, I can't help but be terribly excited by the prospect of the story; I was CAPTIVATED the entire time! Something about the characters and the story is downright fascinating. I literally couldn't stop thinking about it.But, this could just be what I like to call Potter Deprivation Syndrome and I am just using this similar book to fill my empty days as a Harry Potter fan. It is true that the Mackigers seem to be oddly like the old Hogwarts crew. But Drake, instead of pretending she took none of her ideas from the Potter books, acknowledges their existance! CLEVER AND WISE MOVE! The characters make several references to the "fictional books" which makes the book all the more intriguing, especially since this book is so recent, and the last HP was published nearly three years ago. So please...I'm telling you. Read this book. And its prequel. And Arkady's sequel which is going to be available in July. (Ack, again, nice timing: readers will be finished with Order of the Phoinex by that point and will need some serious recuperation time.) (Alas, another failed attempt to keep Harry Potter out of my reviews. Sorry it didn't work.) Anyway, Happy Reading! A Highly Recommended book!

Especially recommended for Harry Potter fans of all ages

Curse Of Arkady is the second book in Emily Drake's 'Magickers' series, and is especially recommended for Harry Potter fans of all ages; even those not previously familiar with the Magickers prior publication. Here vacation has ended and his summer at a magic camp perfecting his talents is over, but he's still learning to use his skills and must still face the fact that home is no longer a safe refuge from the Dark Hand. Tension and action abound in this fastpaced, well crafted fantasy.

reminiscent of the early teen fantasies of Andre Norton

Once upon a time two powerful magicians fought a bloody (magically speaking) battle to determine how magic would be used in the world. Neither side really won as magick was ripped out of this world and the elder practitioners moved forward into our time. The forces of light led by Gavan want to establish a school so fresh recruits could have a safe haven to learn how to use the magick. The followers of the Dark led by Brennard don't want this to happen and will go to any lengths to stop it. They successfully infiltrated and destroyed the summer camp but not before a group of powerful young adult magickers were discovered and partially trained. Twelve-year-old Jason is the most powerful fledging discovered and now that he is back in the mundane world, the forces of Brennard are doing all that they can to capture him and drain his magickal powers. The Magickers is America's answer to the Harry Potter series. Young adults, teens, and even geriatric boomers will enjoy THE CURSE OF ARKADY because there are characters of all the age groups thrust into the main story line. There are many threads left dangling so that the readers will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in this enchanting series. Emily Drake's series is reminiscent of the early teen fantasies written by Andre Norton.Harriet Klausner