Diana Wynne Jones's (Howl's Moving Castle) last book, completed by her sister Ursula, demonstrates the charm, sharpness of character, suspenseful plot and offbeat humor that her readers have come to expect and savor. Aimed at a slightly younger readership than her Chronicles of Chrestomanci and Derkholm series, this standalone novel also makes a sound introduction to the esteemed author's oeuvre.
Twelve-year-old narrator Aileen fails the test that the previous women in her family have passed--to become a Wise Woman of the island of Skarr. On that day, she is sent by two kings with her testy Aunt Beck (who is a full-fledged Wise Woman), the not-very-princely Prince Ivar (on whom Aileen has a crush), and his clueless servant, Ogo, on a quest. To fulfill a prophesy, the quartet must cross the four islands of Chaldea (Skarr, Bernica, Gallis and Logra), gathering a man from Bernica and Gallis, in order to raise a mysterious barrier that appeared suddenly many years ago, making it impossible to gain access to Logra. Suspense arises from all the things that go wrong: a near shipwreck, no money, Aunt Beck almost being turned into a donkey when she offends a powerful witch queen. Meanwhile, an ever larger cast of characters enters into the fray--among them a humble monk, a large green bird with unusual intelligence, and an ugly but magical cat the size of a deerhound.
A gob-smacking climax and thunderous resolution bring the story to a thoroughly satisfactory end. --Ellen Loughran, reviewer