The Evil Wizard Smallbone

Nick runs away from his abusive uncle and ends up at Evil Wizard Books, a shop owned by the mysterious Wizard Smallbone. The wizard takes Nick on as an apprentice, though Nick resists learning magic and instead focuses on caring for the shop's animals. The remote town of Smallbone Cove holds secrets about shape-shifters, ancient spells, and a long-standing magical feud. Nick must navigate his new role while dealing with the wizard's strict rules and cryptic lessons, all while a threatening force approaches the town. The story combines elements of fantasy with contemporary issues of found family and self-discovery. At its core, this middle-grade novel explores themes of belonging and the choice between using power for protection versus destruction.

Readers describe this as a cozy middle-grade fantasy that blends humor with darker themes. The story moves at a deliberate pace that some found engaging while others felt was slow. Liked: - Creative magic system and bookshop setting - Complex dynamics between characters - Clever incorporation of Maine folklore - Balance of light and darker elements - Character growth of protagonist Nick Disliked: - Pacing in first third of book - Some found the villain underdeveloped - A few readers wanted more explanation of the magic rules - Several noted the ending felt rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (59 ratings) Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review Reader Quote: "A perfect winter read that feels like Diana Wynne Jones meets Stephen King - quirky magic in a threatening Maine setting." - Goodreads reviewer "The blend of humor and menace keeps you guessing whether to laugh or shiver." - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 Author Delia Sherman developed Nick's Maine accent by listening to recordings of authentic Down East speakers, ensuring authenticity in her dialogue 🔮 The magical bookshop in the story was inspired by Shakespeare and Company, a famous English-language bookstore in Paris where writers could stay in exchange for helping at the shop 🐺 The werewolf folklore in the book draws from both European traditions and Native American shapeshifter legends specific to the New England region 📚 The Evil Wizard Smallbone was awarded the 2017 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature 🏰 Sherman wrote much of the novel while staying in a small cottage in Maine, similar to the setting she created for Evil Wizard Smallbone's bookshop