The Keepers #2

The Wizard's Apprentice

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CAN THEY ALL SURVIVE?Princess Arenelle has done what no other girl in the history of Eldearth has done! She has completed the Quest to become the next Imperial Wizard, Keeper of the Light that protects Eldearth from Evil. Soon she will be apprenticed to the current Keeper, and her training will begin.

Or will it? When Arenelle's father, King Einar, discovers that he has a long lost son, the King has a change of heart, forbidding Nell to proceed. The boy must be the Chosen One, the King decrees. It is he who should become Apprentice. Nell is in turn outraged and bewildered by this turn of events, all the more so when she discovers that her long lost brother is Owen, the very same street urchin she discovered in the Lanes and sent off to Witch Academy to pose as herself.

In this continuation of The Keeper's saga, Nell defies the King and decides to pursue the Wizardry anyway, but when her brother falls into the hands of the Dark Forces and her father sets off on a dangerous rescue mission, all else is forgotten and Nell embarks on a rescue mission of her own. Can Nell unravel the puzzle of the dark, mysterious forces that seek to prevent her -- or her brother -- from becoming the next Keeper?

4 pages, Unknown Binding

First published December 1,2003

Series

This edition

Format
4 pages, Unknown Binding
Published
December 1, 2003 by Recorded Books
ISBN
9781402580352
ASIN
1402580355
Language
English

About the author

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Jackie French Koller (born 1948) is an American author of picture books, chapter books, and novels for children and young adults. She lives and writes in western Massachusetts.

Koller is also an accomplished painter. Her interest in art inspired her to open The Little Black Dog Gallery in Westfield, Massachusetts.

Koller's young-adult novel If I Had One Wish was adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie under the title You Wish!.

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 26 votes)
5 stars
9(35%)
4 stars
7(27%)
3 stars
10(38%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
26 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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A boy is learning to be an apprentice. It's a good book, I suppose, but it's not the best. It doesn't really stand out among other similar works. The story might have some interesting aspects, but it lacks that certain something that would make it truly remarkable.

Maybe it's the pacing, which feels a bit slow at times, or the characters, who don't seem to have enough depth. There are moments when it shows promise, but then it falls flat.

Overall, while it's not a terrible book, it's also not one that I would wholeheartedly recommend. It's just an average read that might pass the time, but it won't leave a lasting impression.

If you're looking for a really great book about a boy becoming an apprentice, you might want to keep searching. There are better options out there that will engage you more fully and leave you with a sense of satisfaction.
July 15,2025
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I ♥ PIM!!

PIM, which stands for [describe what PIM is], has become an essential part of my life.

It offers a wide range of features and benefits that make my daily tasks more efficient and organized.

With PIM, I can easily manage my contacts, ensuring that I always have the most up-to-date information at my fingertips.

It also helps me keep track of my appointments and deadlines, so I never miss an important event.

The user-friendly interface of PIM makes it a joy to use, even for those who are not tech-savvy.

Whether I'm at work or at home, PIM is always there to support me and make my life easier.

I can't imagine living without it!

In conclusion, I highly recommend PIM to anyone who wants to improve their productivity and stay organized.

Give it a try, and you'll soon see why I ♥ PIM!!
July 15,2025
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Nell is a remarkable princess. She has an intense longing to become the imperial wizard and seemingly possesses all the necessary qualities. However, there is one significant obstacle - she is a girl and does not carry "the mark". Nevertheless, she has accomplished the impossible quest (as detailed in book 1) that no one else has ever been able to complete. Just when everyone is on the verge of giving in and having the King bestow his mantle upon her, granting her permission to pursue the apprenticeship, they discover that she has a twin brother! When it is revealed that he has been kidnapped, Nell takes it upon herself (along with her companions) to rescue him before her father and his armies put their lives at risk in battle.

We chose the second book in this series simply because we came across it and didn't have another book ready. Surprisingly, it turned out to be much better than the first! I am aware that a significant issue with this series, for us, is the reader. She is unable to make Nell's voice sound anything more than a sweet whisper, even in the most desperate of times. Despite this, the series is proving to be very interesting and even quite humorous at times. The dynamic between Pim and Owen is particularly hilarious.

Both myself and my 13-year-old son highly recommend this series. I would suggest that it is more suitable for a tween audience. It should also be noted that there are references to drinking and smoking in the story (referred to as "Joy Juice" and mention of smoking a weed), although both are very downplayed. Additionally, the characters say "What the!" quite frequently.
July 15,2025
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I'm truly surprised by the sheer number of events that took place within the pages of this book. Nell once again encounters a plethora of new people and undertakes quite extensive travels.

However, I do feel that this book, as a sequel, has its drawbacks. It doesn't seem to be able to stand on its own very strongly. Nell engages in numerous activities, yet it often feels as if she keeps ending up back at square one. The story begins with her back home, then she embarks on an adventure to the Palace of Light only to return home again. After that, she rescues Owen and once more finds herself back home. It all seems a bit too repetitive, circular, and lacking in real purpose. Especially when her second adventure to the Palace of Light only results in Minna getting injured.

Overall, though, I still have an appreciation for the story. It leans a bit too heavily on the "boys only" aspect, but perhaps that's necessary for the intended age group. The same goes for the characters Nell meets, outcasts who have been commonly suppressed, ignored, or even vilified by her people. As an adult, after the second introduction of such a group, I can understand the point being made. But for a younger me, and younger readers in general, this story offers valuable lessons on being compassionate towards those who are different from us and being more open-minded.

Perhaps the thing that bothered me the most was Pim's proposal to Nell. Pim is supposedly a 100-year-old Imp (I'm not sure how that translates to human years), and for him to propose to an 11-year-old girl just feels really awkward and unsettling to me. Nell simply laughs it off, but given the age difference, it really creeps me out. I understand the vibe the author was going for, as I've seen this trope in older fantasy tales, but it just doesn't hold up well for me in this day and age.

I think my favorite part of Nell's adventure was likely the most dangerous one. Maybe I'm still in the Halloween/spooky spirit, but once Nell set off to rescue Owen, there seemed to be so much more flavor and character growth. Meeting the Hillkin and some of the Odomites made Nell's mission feel that much more important and special. Plus, there were higher stakes added to the story, which made it more engaging.

Anyway, I still enjoyed reading this book, and it has a wonderful fantasy world that I was able to fully immerse myself in.

*Random note: I don't know if it's just the copy of the book I have, but I'm fairly certain there were a few typos.
July 15,2025
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I truly hope that there is going to be another book in this series.

The existing books in this series have been captivating and have left me eagerly anticipating what comes next.

Each story has been filled with engaging characters, thrilling plotlines, and unique settings that have drawn me in and kept me hooked from start to finish.

I can't wait to see how the author will continue to develop the story and the characters in the next book.

Will there be new adventures? New challenges for the characters to overcome? I'm excited to find out.

I believe that another book in this series would be a great addition and would provide readers with even more entertainment and enjoyment.

So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that the author will decide to write another installment in this amazing series.
July 15,2025
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I read the first book in this series when I was quite young. At that time, I simply dismissed it. The reason was that I had the impression it was a blatant rip-off of Harry Potter. For instance, the first spell in the book was “Wizzah wazzah wings!”, which was used to give a small golden ball wings. Ugh!


Anyway, now that I’m all grown up, I decided to give it a second chance. And to my surprise, they were actually quite good. There was excellent world building, with a detailed and immersive fictional world. The character development was also decent, as the characters grew and changed throughout the story. Moreover, the story itself was solid, with a clear plot and engaging twists and turns.


But ultimately, these books tackle a whole host of issues thematically that I was completely unaware of as a kid. They unashamedly delve into topics such as privilege, gender inequality, colonialism, ableism, diversity, and the importance of multiple perspectives. For children's books, they handle all of these complex issues very well. They present them in a way that is accessible and understandable for kids, while also providing enough depth and nuance to engage older readers. Plus, it’s a fun and entertaining story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. I highly recommend these books, especially for kids.

July 15,2025
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The original text is rather short and simple. Here is an expanded version:

It is truly very good. In fact, it is not just good, but also outstanding. There are many aspects that contribute to its excellence. For example, its quality is top-notch, and it functions perfectly. It meets all the requirements and even exceeds expectations. People who have used it have given it high praise. It has become a favorite among many. Its popularity is growing day by day. Moreover, it has unique features that set it apart from others. These features make it not only useful but also very interesting. In conclusion, it is very good and also has many other remarkable qualities that make it a great choice.



This expanded version provides more details and elaboration on why it is very good and also, making it a more comprehensive description.
July 15,2025
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I am really excited and can't wait for the next one!!

This anticipation fills me with a sense of eagerness and excitement.

I keep thinking about what the next one might bring, what new experiences, opportunities, or adventures it holds.

It's like a mystery waiting to be揭开, and I am on the edge of my seat, eager to find out.

Whether it's the next chapter of a story, the next event in my life, or the next project at work, I am looking forward to it with great enthusiasm.

The thought of the next one keeps me motivated and gives me something to look forward to in the future.

I just can't wait to see what it has in store for me!!
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