Sometimes a book grabs you and just won’t let go. The Magician of Hoad by Margaret Mahy is one of those books. Full of magic and mystery, intrigue and politics, love and hate, secrets and imagery. I cannot remember where or how I came across the name Margaret Mahy but I am so glad I did.

The Magician of Hoad follows the paths of four youths as their lives come together and change their world. The magician, the prince, the noble girl and the hero. Destined to walk paths that are at once solitary and yet dependent on the actions and reactions of the others. I cannot even say if I truly understood and grasped the nuances of this story but I loved every confusing and exciting moment of it.

Margaret Mahy has an amazing gift of storytelling. Her world draws you in and her characters absolutely keep you enthralled. This is definitely no younger than a young adult book, BUT I found nothing lacking reading it as an adult as well. There is some violence (after all the book begins at a time of war) and a discussion of love and relationships, as well as a statement of action (though no details and in a romantic sense).

You can follow Heriot Tarbas as he finds out what it truly means to be a Magician of Hoad while learning of the balance between the King and the Hero. I honestly cannot explain more than to say, your time will not be wasted! I am already on the hunt for more by this most amazing author!