THE LAST OF THE HIGH KINGS

J.J. Liddy of last year’s The New Policeman now has a wife, a musical career that takes him away from home and four children. Son Donal’s a musician too, but Jenny, the second child of the four, has never taken to music or even school and roams the countryside. Hazel is a typical teen; Aidan the toddler consumes all of his mother’s attention. A magical púka in the form of a large wild goat has taken to accompanying Jenny near the beacon hill barrow, introduced in the prologue as a place of sacrifice in ancient times. Jenny’s friendship with the barrow’s ghost signals danger, although exactly what the threat is only gradually becomes apparent as Donal’s elderly friend Mikey Cullen, self-styled Last of the High Kings, announces his intent to climb the hill. J.J. and his children must face the many magics loose in the universe with courage. The diversity of protagonists diffuses the narrative, resulting in an unexpectedly bland return to the Liddy clan; nevertheless, expect high demand from readers of the first. (Fantasy. 10-14)