The Wizard's Diary

The series centers on Aarghathlain, who is consumed by one question: who is the magical little girl, and why have the two of them been brought together? Wizards in this world have guarded what they believe is the only spell that exists, the One True Spell, which grants a glimpse of what lies ahead. Foresight, however, is murky, since people's wishes and fears color what they see. In Gemini City, wizardry has shrunk into entertainment for the city's richest residents, which may explain why nobody noticed the evil gathering nearby. The most accomplished wizard of his era is about to learn that the world holds far more magic than he assumed, and that a single small girl is the reason. Whether that will be enough is the question the story pursues.

Robert J. Bradshaw's storytelling is inventive and hard to predict, and it keeps readers guessing until the climax. The series has been described as a blend of magic realism, epic fantasy, steampunk, gaslamp fantasy, sword and sorcery, and action-adventure. Its cast ranges from epic heroes to dangerous and deceptive villains, and the characters are developed in depth. Some are funny and easy to like, others are dark and treacherous. Aarghathlain's best friend is Wrudge, a rat familiar, and the two of them get into many escapades that are often humorous.

Aarghathlain's journey is also a personal one. He moves from being a historian and keeper of general generations in a spire to a novice, a student of the world, and the keeper of a precious child. The story examines the bonds people form with others and with themselves, and it suggests that returning to a childlike outlook can help a person grow into who they are. Its plot includes love, trust, betrayal, death, and new beginnings.

The books are classified as Young Adult Fantasy, but they are read by audiences from middle grade through adulthood. The pace is fast, and the series is suited to anyone who enjoys magic, adventure, and a mystery that unfolds gradually.