Out of the Ordinary

Sixteen-year-old Molly Gurney is chosen to act as protector of a mute changeling boy, Floris. His parents' world of magic crystals and wizards' vendettas overlaps with Molly's experiences, and gradually she is able to tune into this other world at will. Her struggle to protect Floris from his parents' rivals, and the need to complete the 'Heartstone', result in effective suspense and climaxes involving magic forces of good and evil. Molly's increasing attachment to Floris, her relationship with her benevolent but dishevelled mother, and her intimate feelings for the eccentric Icarus Ocean Tompkins are all convincingly portrayed. These effective descriptions of the 'human' characters contrast with the brief, two-dimensional glimpses of figures from the world beyond. The division between the two worlds is indicated by the use of sustained sections of italic print. This story should appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy and possibly to those who have some reservations about the genre.