Too Many Curses

Martinez (_The Automatic Detective_) staffs this whimsical fantasy with his trademark weird beings and sets it in the mysterious castle of powerful, cruel wizard Margle the Horrendous. Margle's kobold housekeeper, Nessy, who likes order but wants excitement, spends most of her time in the company of curse-transformed wizards and heroes, such as skeletal kitchen slave Decapitated Dan, invisible Echo and Margle's powerful brother, Yazpib, now only a collection of body parts in a jar. When Margle ends up the victim of one of his own spells, Nessy and friends try to reverse their curses while battling the intrusion of evil wizardess Tiama the Scarred. Nifty ideas like a soul-extractor and the Sword in the Cabbage never quite go anywhere, and though Nessy makes a capable heroine, events move only when Tiama is around as a foil. Too insubstantial and smug for adults, this story might do better with teens. (Sept.)
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Adult/High School—A magical castle, an utterly wicked wizard named Margle, and Nessy, a kobold who tends the castle, lead the way in this diabolical story of good triumphing over evil. The many residents, all of whom have been cursed by Margle, include a hanged man in the library, Decapitated Dan, unmanned armor, chatty gargoyles, a loyal fruit bat, a silver-polishing gnome, and the very important Door at the End of the Hall. Soon after the wizard dies when one of his curses goes awry, Nessy realizes that the castle is falling apart, and it is her job to bring about order. Her logic and deciphering keep everything in check, but only barely. With the appearance of Tiama, a wizardess who is a living death, things really start to run amok. It is up to Nessy to defeat Tiama and her dastardly plans, and it is through her calm good sense and the assistance of a number of the castle's residents (including the charming monster under the bed) that she ultimately succeeds. Martinez's crisp writing, over-the-top premise, and keen wit conspire to keep readers turning the pages. Further, the macabre cast, nonstop action, and gross detail—along with the themes of loyalty and kindness-will surely have wide appeal.—_Jane Ritter, Mill Valley School District, CA_
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.