The Mage of Trelian
Written by Michelle Knudsen
The third book in the Mage trilogy is fun, exciting, and a quick read. Highly recommended for summer reading.
The story opens on Calen, an apprentice mage or wizard, who has been coerced into living and working with the evil Mage Krelig. Krelig has foreseen that Calen will be more powerful than he realizes and will make a valuable tool. Calen’s goal, other than survival, is returning to his former home and friends in Trelian. Krelig is insane and unpredictable, punishing those around him harshly and for seemingly minor infractions.
Chapters featuring Calen are alternated with those featuring Princess Meg, otherwise known as the Dragon Princess. She is the princess-heir of Trelian and has been linked telepathically with a dragon, Jakl. The citizens of Trelian no longer fear Jakl, but have only just begun to discover his usefulness. Together with Calen’s former master and with Calen himself, Meg devises a plan to release Calen from Krelig’s clutches while also fighting a rival kingdom.
Naturally, everything works out in the end, but the path is often unexpected and painful.
Readers can learn a lot about the value of cooperation and the ways that friendship evolves over time and distance. Because the world of Trelian is skillfully constructed, readers can also practice literacy skills without distraction. And they may also want to learn more about medieval times or attempt to create their own worlds as extra reading activities.
Title: The Mage of Trelian- Author: Michelle Knudsen
- Published: Candlewick Press, 2016
- Reviewer: Sue Poduska
- Format: Hardcover, 432 pages
- Grade Level: 5 up
- Genre: Fantasy
- ISBN: 978-0-7636-7436-6
