THE WIZARDS RETURN (Michael Walsh)

In a world where we are inundated with greed, lust, self-aggrandizement, and obsessive technological competition, is is refreshing to a read a novel that focuses on our basic humanity.  Author Mike Walsh obviously believes in the power of good over evil and how effective simple trust and teamwork could be in changing the world for the better. Yes, it also helps to have the power of wizardry behind you when you set off to save the world, but it is how that power is used, not just the fire balls, thunderbolts, telepathy, and miraculous healing talents of the wizards, that make this story special.

Daniel has spent his 25 years living on a mountaintop with his grandfather.  When he loses his grandfather, the only family he has ever known, Daniel is faced with leaving his home and peaceful life to join a group of people living in the desolate and nearly lifeless country of Now.  Once a beautiful, thriving community, Now was destroyed in a great war and its remaining inhabitants are barely surviving.  Despite the devastation, danger still lurks in the person of Peter, a contemporary of Daniel's grandfather whose life's obsession is to possess the magic staff that he believes will give him ultimate power over Now.  The staff is currently housed in a museum and legend has it that only the true owner, a descendant of the original Wizards of Now, can use the staff's power to save Now and restore life to the country.  When Daniel meets his grandfather's friend Gavin and his  niece and nephew, Anna and Marcus, he is shocked to learn that he might be destined to play a role in finding the staff and restoring peace and tranquility to the country.

The Wizards Return has some of everything a young adult reader might want: action, intrigue, romance, and some good old-fashioned battles.  It even offers some telepathic communication with the local wildlife.  For me, though the main thread that runs through the novel is that we can overcome almost any obstacle and get through the worst imaginable situations if we have faith in ourselves and in our own power to achieve the impossible.  Oh, and the magic powers don't hurt, either!  I am not really a fan of fantasy or wizardry, but The Wizards Return offers much more than just magic and adventure.  It offers both a scary glimpse of how our world might end up and a glimmer of hope that enough of our innate humanity will survive to save it.  I like a book that leaves you thinking, and this one does.