Book 2)), The Wizard Heir ((The Heir Chronicles

In The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, Seph (short for Joseph) is moved around schools for various incidents regarding different things. This is because Seph is a wizard. He is, however, without a teacher, and so all of his power is untrained, and very dangerous. Seph is moved from his current school after a fire that killed one of his friends. He is sent to a school in Maine that promises to train him at a price. Seph learns more about his heritage, and the world he is being introduced to piece by piece.
I loved The Wizard Heir almost as much as the first book in the series, The Warrior Heir. The world the Cinda Williams Chima has created is “enchanting” for lack of a better term, and it is written just the way a fantasy book set in real life should be. It has action, mystery, and characters that feel like real life. I would definitely recommend not only this book, but also the whole series to anyone who likes fantasy books.

This is a great book for younger and older readers alike. It is easy enough to read for mid-grade levels yet good enough to hold the attention of older readers. In this second book of the Heir Chronicles we meet Seph, a high school student who is struggling to control his powers. Because of his potential, Leicester will stop at nothing to control him and use him for his own evil gains. The main characters in The Warrior Heir are present as supporting cast in this second novel.

If you liked The Warrior Heir, you will surely like The Wizard Heir.

*****WARNING, spoilers*****

I read the Wizard Heir with hopes that Chima would develop into a stronger writer after her attempt with the Warrior Heir. To be honest, i was still disappointed with the sequel, but it's a satisfactory read. I enjoyed the plot, the characters, but the story structure was pretty flawed and complicated. I also felt that although Chima has grown as a writer, there are weaknesses in her writing.

*spoilers
CONS of the story
-A very weird story structure
Seph McCauley, the main character of this installment, enrolls into a special school for magic-imbued beings like him. Of course, we're not exactly told who can use magic and who can't. The first third of the story involves his misery at this new school called the Havens. The second third then proceeds to cover Seph's escape to Trinity(the setting of the first book). Here, we see how the story starts to unravel. Days and weeks are spent on Seph's idle time in the sanctuary town of Tininity. The last third is about Seph's capture and escape from the hands of evil wizards. What's wrong with this structure? We have no idea where the story is going. There's no goal in mind and there's no real purpose to Seph's journey

-The Characters never fully develop
Seph's character is completely different from Jack Swift, the protagonist of the first book. Seph's background is more shrouded in mystery, more unclear and undeveloped. Seph's personality differs too. However, we're not sure why Seph exists as our protagonist. Why do we follow him? Chima leads us to believe that discovering Seph's history and his parentage is the reason for following this story. The other characters from the previous book are given very little coverage, spread out all over the chapters.

-Too Long
This is part of the structure, but the story is simply too long. At 480 pages, it could have been easily cut down to 400. I certainly don't think every word was needed. At the same time, so many pages were wasted on certain subplots. I felt like the story was too long, but left out so many things.

the Pro's, the good stuff.
+It's a good follow up story
I enjoyed the fact that Seph was the new protagonist; it opened up different avenues for the story to go. I also felt that the details of the magic guilds were developed in a way that wasn't redundant. The actual magic abilities weren't the most creative, but i felt that it was unique in its own way.

+Addictive Read, solid pace
I mentioned how i felt the story was long, but i also felt that the pace of the story was solid. It wasn't a light read, but it wasn't heavy at all. The flow of the story seemed organic, easy to read but not fluffy.

Overall, i think the Wizard Heir was just okay. It's an acceptable story line for a mid level series. I think the last act was weak, and didn't really satisfy me for a 480 page novel. I also didn't think that the characters were given enough justice from the previous installment. But then again, i tried not to take this book too seriously. There are reasons to enjoy this book for what it is. That being said, Chima's writing isn't too shabby, but her creativity leaves the readers scratching their heads. I think the direction of the story crashes and doesn't ring true from start to finish.

Then look no further!

Honestly, when I saw this book and read the jacket flap, I thought, "oh god, not another Harry Potter rip off!"

Was I wrong!!!!!!!

Ms. Chima got me from page one to the end, hooked solid! I buy books to reading during my lunch break at work...I took it home and finished it in one week!!!

These characters are so real, so vivid and alive you really feel like you are with them and wanting to help them so badly. The author manages to make the kid vs adult theme so smooth. It's a very difficult thing to do in writing without falling into the sterotype trap. You feel that you know these people and what makes them tick.

For parents concerned about bad language content, I'm happy to say this book has little to none and nothing offensive! No overt sex references, this is a great book not only for teens but adults as well. It is so hard to find books for adults these days without the sex and bad language, this book was a breath of fresh air as is The Warrior Heir. You don't need to read that one first and that's another great thing about this series. I read the second book first but it didn't ruin the first book for me at all.

This is not Harry Potter, it's a step above, so if you like Harry you'll love Septh McCauley and the wonderful heros and villians he meets on his journey of self discovery.

It's a must read!

Ginger Fitts
Member SCBWI (Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators)

Wow, as an adult reading this novel which may most appeal to junior high students, I found it realistic & suspenseful. The story line has depth. I especially enjoyed how the readers' knowledge of the various guilds expands with each book in the series by using the characters' stories to gradually reveal more about their powers. It's also wonderful that a wizard has more power than a warrior.... and the lesson is that power can corrupt. Seph seeks to develop his magical talents and investigate his personal history. In doing so he exposes a plot to link wizards in order to dominate, the identity of the justice seeking Dragon, his ancestry, the unique skill of an elicitor and other fascinating subplots that make this an immensely readable book for all ages.

First off, you should read the Warrior Heir first. It's a great book and you'll be less confused about the different guilds. But The Wizard Heir far surpasses all my expections. I read all 458 pages in one day. I just couldn't put it down. Most of the characters from Warrior Heir return in this companion book, but not until later. The main character is a 16 year old wizard named Seph who doesn't know how to use his powers. Because of this he his shuffled around from private school to private school because of various mishaps until he eventually ends up at the Haven where nobody is ever expelled. The action really picks up here and won't say any more because I hate spoilers. But totally buy this book, it is worth every penny. You won't be dissappointed.

I was pleasently surprised about how well written this book was as well as being very different from Harry Potter.It will appeal to both teens and adults.It is a page turner . You don't need to have read Warrior Heir first, since Chima provides the reader with a sort of plot summary of that book. Wizard Heir follows a young wizard named Seph McCauley who falls constantly into trouble due to his untamed powers and becomes a target for one wizard , Gregory Leicster, who seeks to obtain Seph's power for his own evil purposes. The book also weaves into its plot wizard politics and the different casts of the gifted, enchanters , warriors and wizards.

"Seph is a wizard, orphaned..." That's all I needed to read. Great, I thought, another Harry Potter rip-off. Boy was I wrong!

I first stumbled upon The Wizard Heir when leaving a bookstore after doing research for my own project. There was table situated right next to the door, it was covered with hardcover books that featured enticing cover art. The opened the book, read the jacket flap, and left the store disgusted. I had only just finished mourning the loss of Harry Potter and here was arrogant Seph McCauley trying to fill the void.

I didn't actually know what the story was really about, or that it was the companion novel to another novel, The Warrior Heir. Eventually I became curious about what I thought was a rip-off and did an internet search. Soon I had landed on the author's website ([...] I read the first chapter of The Wizard Heir (available in PDF form on the author's web site) and before I knew it I had purchased The Warrior Heir and was singing Cinda Williams Chima's praises (to reluctantly use an appropriate cliche).

Just like it's predecessor, The Wizard Heir does not disappoint and Seph McCauley is certainly not Harry Potter. The similarities stop at "...wizard, orphaned..."

Chima brings to life a new cast of characters and, to the readers delight, brings back the players from the first novel.

As I said of The Warrior Heir, "In an age when reading is less and less popular among both children and adults, Cinda Williams Chima has presented us with the next great series that will entertain people of all ages without the need of electricity. Though labeled a a novel for 'Young Adults,' the series will appeal to adults as well as teenagers."

Whether your a pre-teen, that role falls to a younger sibling, or even if you're a parent, you will not be disappointed by The Wizard Heir.

Should you read The Warrior Heir first? Yes.

Why? It's a great book! Besides, reading the whole series always makes things clearer. Having said that, Chima has an interesting way of catching up new readers or refreshing the memories of those who have read the first book. As the protagonist is not the same character as in The Warrior Heir, the author reminds the reader of important details through the education of Seph McCauley. Seph is new to the world of the Weir (the details anyway) and as he is educated by new and returning characters alike, so is the reader. Ingenious!

Note: It is not imperative that you read the first book in this series to understand the basic parts. (Although I did)

When I first picked up this book to read, I thought it would at least be equivalent or even better than the first novel, The Warrior Heir; I guess I thought wrong. The first novel had intriguing plot sequences, fast pace events, and a hint of romance, while this one had a MUCH milder version of each. Chima does have a great science-fiction writing style, but one that becomes less interesting after reading more than one of her books. It becomes almost too predictable and even boring at the very least making it like just another science-fiction novel.

Ok, so here is the actual plot summary:

Seph McCauley, a growing wizard, is trying to survive in the normal human world. Because he doesn't know how to control his powers, he ends of blowing things up all over his prestigious private campuses. After several incidences his guardian decides to put him in an all boys reform school. The only problem is that the headmaster is actually a wizard that is trying to turn his magically talented students into agents for his evil plan. In a nut shell, this is about Seph's adventure in trying to overpower Dr. Leicester.

After reading the first chapter at the end of "The Warrior Heir" I am desperately hoping that Ms. Chima's incorrect treatment of southern colloquialisms does not continue throughout the whole book. The character Trevor is introduced and immediately uses the term "y'all" (a contratction of "you all" meant as 3rd person plural) to address a single person... as a native southerner and "y'all" user this makes it difficult to become lost in the story as I can't really imagine anyone from the south who would use the word this way. We will see if the story can overcome this.

This is a brilliant read , a gripping combination of magic and adventure,I just couldn't put it down. It's darker than most books but with a storyline that keeps you reading.The main character in the story is seventeen year old wizard Seph Mc Cauley who causes a LOT of trouble(You'll see!) and is shunted from place to place and school to school until he comes to a new boarding school called the Havens. It does get a bit predictable towards the end but it's still fairly exciting and it leaves an opening for another book at the end.I would definitely recommend this for anyone aged thirteen and up who liked the Harry Potter series. (It is a lot darker than the Harry Potter books,just to let you know.)

Like The Warrior Heir, this novel gives a refreshingly new view of magic, the classic story starter. We begin to see more of the underlying major plot of political warfare that was barely tapped into last spring, a power struggle that both contrasts and mirrors our own world. Not many authors can practically restart a story with a new protagonist and setting, and weave it into what we the readers already know, but Chima does so with such spectacular ease it causes one to wonder why so many series stick to one point of view, thus limiting the richness and variety in the writer's universe.

Chima has a flawless balance of almost every element you can find in a good story. She has no qualms about scaring her readers, but isn't so ruthlessly horrible that sensitive readers are afraid to finish the series or even the book, as is the tendency of authors like Rowling. The density of the individual and overall stories does not choke a casual reader like Herbert's masterpiece Dune and while a careful reader can guess early on the identity of the Dragon and of Seph's parents, it's not a matter of clear and obvious assertion from page one as was found in Paolini's Eldest, but a matter of educated guessing with the several plausible options.

Not to mention the diversity of Chima's endless supply of characters, new and old. Any girl who tires of the stereotypical heroine will be pleased at the power and skill each female character that defines their personality and place in the story, though the men are by no means left plain in comparison. But what makes them stand out more than their magical powers ever could is how real the characters are, in emotion, thought process and personality.

Living up to its predecessor and even surpassing its brilliance, The Wizard Heir has something for everyone to enjoy, from funny and unconventional romance to hair-raising situations and a surprisingly fitting happy ending. Readers can expect to close on the last page absolutely dying for next spring, when we can continue the story with The Dragon Heir, and beyond.

The second book in the Heir series successfully fulfills all my expectations after reading the first book and loving it! This book keep all the characters from the first novel, The Warrior Heir, and incorporates new characters into the mix, which simply adds intrigue, mystery, and excitement into the already fantastic series. I wont go into any detail about the story as I feel that it takes away form the readers initial experience. I will say, don't miss this one, I have already read it several times and I keep the series right next to my Harry Potter, because its that good!

I love this series. It is well writen and exciting. If is definitely a teen book but that is not a bad thing. These books are fast entertaining reads. I love fantasy novels but a lot of the "Adult" fantasy (i.e. Game of Thrones) are almost too lond with too many characters and plot lines to try to keep up with unless you are constatly keeping up with it.

The book was a perfect blend of wizard on wizard action and serious events between characters. I love the way Chima incorporates the relationships and past events in the wizard heir instead of just writing another sequel about Jack. Her characters are well developed and the use of dramatic irony always gives the reader a reason to continue. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a more modern fantasy and teenage drama. Even if you aren't into magic and stuff like that, give the series a try. Can't wait to get my hands on the Dragon heir!

After reading Warrior Heir, i just HAD to keep reading. Although this book is not in Jack's point-of-view, you still get to see whats going on with him. This book follows a new character, Seph, who is a wizard. I truely loved this book and could not put it down. I would suggest to anyone interested in this book to read Warrior Heir before this one. I would say this book is better than the first, although i did miss reading from Jack's point-of-view. Seph has a very different personality, and story. The ending has an amazing twist !
READ IT !

rea the warrior heir first. This is the second book in the series and is just as good as the first book. Truely i hope that this series will have more then just three boks, but who knows. If your looking for a good book, this is it

rea the warrior heir first. This is the second book in the series and is just as good as the first book. Truely i hope that this series will have more then just three boks, but who knows. If your looking for a good book, this is it

Once again amaing characters neat character twists it was the first book i ever reread. the only negative thing i have about the book is that it has an end... so sad :'(. but another amazing book by Chima. its a recomendation i would give to anyone