What do you think?
Rate this book
The Keepers #2
The Wizard's Apprentice
CAN THEY ALL SURVIVE?
Princess Arenelle has done what no other girl in the history of Eldearth has done! She has completed the Quest to become the next Imperial Wizard, Keeper of the Light that protects Eldearth from Evil. Soon she will be apprenticed to the current Keeper, and her training will begin.
Or will it? When Arenelle's father, King Einar, discovers that he has a long lost son, the King has a change of heart, forbidding Nell to proceed. The boy must be the Chosen One, the King decrees. It is he who should become Apprentice. Nell is in turn outraged and bewildered by this turn of events, all the more so when she discovers that her long lost brother is Owen, the very same street urchin she discovered in the Lanes and sent off to Witch Academy to pose as herself.
In this continuation of The Keeper's saga, Nell defies the King and decides to pursue the Wizardry anyway, but when her brother falls into the hands of the Dark Forces and her father sets off on a dangerous rescue mission, all else is forgotten and Nell embarks on a rescue mission of her own. Can Nell unravel the puzzle of the dark, mysterious forces that seek to prevent her -- or her brother -- from becoming the next Keeper?
175 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2003
4 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Jackie French Koller
50 books26 followersJackie French Koller (born 1948) is an American author of picture books, chapter books, and novels for children and young adults. She lives and writes in western Massachusetts.
Koller is also an accomplished painter. Her interest in art inspired her to open The Little Black Dog Gallery in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Koller's young-adult novel If I Had One Wish was adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie under the title You Wish!.
Koller is also an accomplished painter. Her interest in art inspired her to open The Little Black Dog Gallery in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Koller's young-adult novel If I Had One Wish was adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie under the title You Wish!.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 31, 2021
I read the first book in this series when I was pretty young, and I dismissed it then because I felt like it was a rip off of Harry Potter (the first spell in the book was “Wizzah wazzah wings!” and was used to give a small golden ball wings. Gah). Anyway, I came back to give it a second try now that I’m all growed up… And they were actually pretty good. There was decent world building, character development and a solid story. But ultimately, these books tackle a whole ton of stuff thematically that I was totally unaware of as a kid. I should have read them back then. It unashamedly dives head in to issues like privilege, gender inequality, colonialism, ableism, diversity and the importance of multiple perspectives. For kids books, they handled all of this very well. Plus’s it’s a fun and entertaining story. I highly recommend, especially for kids.
May 12, 2015
The kids (6yo and 8yo) have been listening to this series in the car. All three of us agree, Nell rocks and JFK (the author) is the real wizard. In addition to taking the kids and I on a great adventure, this series has prompted the kids to evaluate long held traditions (in the book) that are called into question in the series. Things like gender inequality, socio-inequality, racial and ethnic bias/prejudice and cultural ignorance are all woven through the story with the main characters questioning and/or defending the status quo. With a strong female character, this series appeals to both boys and girls and I would highly recommend it to anyone with kids who like dragons, fairies, spells and all things magical.
May 8, 2025
4/5 - An exciting adventure with endearing characters. I definitely expected the book to take a different direction and for this to be about Nell's studies as an Apprentice. However, it was more of a continuation of the first book's wild adventures and Nell having to prove herself and her worth and ability to be the apprentice. I enjoyed the adventure but the underlying "you can't be the Light Keeper because you're a girl" became an annoying, overused message by the adults in the book. I still had fun though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2024
Read w 8yo. Suspenseful adventure, rich and detailed world-building, and compelling characters - including a fierce, brave, and compassionate female lead. Tackles complicated social issues head on. The only thing I didn’t love at all was the 103-year-old imp flirting with an 11-year-old. Awkward. Still a great book, though.
July 12, 2017
Nell has completed her quest and now only needs King Einar to give her
the mantle.
However, when Lady Fidelia tells the both of them that Nell has a twin brother,
all the king can think about is finding his missing son.
I found it very hard to believe that Nell didn't have more resentment.
the mantle.
However, when Lady Fidelia tells the both of them that Nell has a twin brother,
all the king can think about is finding his missing son.
I found it very hard to believe that Nell didn't have more resentment.
June 20, 2019
I hope there is going to be another book in this series.
January 18, 2021
Wonderful kid's story.
November 8, 2020
I'm surprised by the number of things that happened in this book. Nell again meets a lot more people and she travelled quite a lot. I think this book does suffer a little as a sequel. I don't think it can stand on its own very well. I feel like while Nell does a lot of things, it felt like she was ending up at square one quite often. The book starts off where she's back home, square one, and then after an adventure back to the Palace of Light, she ends up back home, then rescue Owen, and then back home again... It just feels a little too much, too circular, and a little pointless. At least when it comes to her adventure to the Palace of Light again and it only results in Minna being injured.
Overall, though, I like the story. It's tad too heavy on the "boys only" thing, but I guess for the age group this book is meant for, it might need to be? Same thing with the people that Nell meets, outcasts that her people have commonly suppressed, ignored, or even vilified. After the second introduction of a group of people that haven't been treated fairly, as an adult, I can say that I got the point. But perhaps for younger me, and younger people in general, this story shows a lot on how to be compassionate to those different from us and to be more open-minded.
Perhaps the thing that bothered me most was how Pim, a supposedly 100 year old Imp (which I don't know how that compares to human years), proposes to Nell. I don't know if it's because this book was written for a different time period, but for me now, I feel really awkward and unsettled by this. Nell simply laughs it off and such, but for an 11 year old girl, and this age difference, it just really weirds me out. I know what the vibe the author goes for since I've seen this trope before in older fantasy tales, but I guess this doesn't age well for me.
I think my most favorite part of Nell's adventure was probably the most dangerous part. Perhaps I'm still in the Halloween/spooky mood, but I felt like there was just a lot more flavor and growth for Nell once she started off to rescue Owen. Meeting the Hillkin and meeting some of the Odomites, Nell's mission just felt that much more important and special. Plus I guess there were more stakes thrown into the story.
Anyways, I still liked reading this book and it still has a great fantasy world to immerse myself in.
*Random note: I don't know if it's just the book I got, but I swear there were a few typos.
Overall, though, I like the story. It's tad too heavy on the "boys only" thing, but I guess for the age group this book is meant for, it might need to be? Same thing with the people that Nell meets, outcasts that her people have commonly suppressed, ignored, or even vilified. After the second introduction of a group of people that haven't been treated fairly, as an adult, I can say that I got the point. But perhaps for younger me, and younger people in general, this story shows a lot on how to be compassionate to those different from us and to be more open-minded.
Perhaps the thing that bothered me most was how Pim, a supposedly 100 year old Imp (which I don't know how that compares to human years), proposes to Nell. I don't know if it's because this book was written for a different time period, but for me now, I feel really awkward and unsettled by this. Nell simply laughs it off and such, but for an 11 year old girl, and this age difference, it just really weirds me out. I know what the vibe the author goes for since I've seen this trope before in older fantasy tales, but I guess this doesn't age well for me.
I think my most favorite part of Nell's adventure was probably the most dangerous part. Perhaps I'm still in the Halloween/spooky mood, but I felt like there was just a lot more flavor and growth for Nell once she started off to rescue Owen. Meeting the Hillkin and meeting some of the Odomites, Nell's mission just felt that much more important and special. Plus I guess there were more stakes thrown into the story.
Anyways, I still liked reading this book and it still has a great fantasy world to immerse myself in.
*Random note: I don't know if it's just the book I got, but I swear there were a few typos.
May 12, 2010
It's difficult to decide how to rate this book, but I did like the first one more—maybe because it had more magic in it. I know that's a simple reason, but magic adds color to a book, and that's something I value highly (maybe it has something to do with being colorblind)—probably because it's easier to have some expression on my face at the end of the day than if I had read something mundane or colorless. It's not that I don't appreciate the normal things—it's just that I'm particularly fond of the other.
Nevertheless, this book does have magic in it. I was pleased with the twin brother's humorous use of it, with the wand, however brief. Rhyming magic isn't my favorite kind, as it usually doesn't have the rules outlined clearly in books like this, but it's entertaining. The series, Tales of the Frog Princess also uses such rhyming magic (although that series is probably more comic than this one, and so it fits in without explained rules more easily).
The main character definitely has a heart, and she learns things throughout. She often puts more value on the matter she's faced with than the big picture, or at least her reasoning would seem to indicate this. However, one thing I like about this book is that she moves forward anyway, even when she realizes her own character flaws. She doesn't dwell on them—in fact, she embraces them for the virtue of her caring and passion that they show forth. She's still determined to make a difference—and she does, eventually (there are some major setbacks on the way).
I liked the imp's character. I wondered if it was because of magic that no one saw him at first, or if they really just didn't notice him.
The narration was good—much like that of the first book.
Nevertheless, this book does have magic in it. I was pleased with the twin brother's humorous use of it, with the wand, however brief. Rhyming magic isn't my favorite kind, as it usually doesn't have the rules outlined clearly in books like this, but it's entertaining. The series, Tales of the Frog Princess also uses such rhyming magic (although that series is probably more comic than this one, and so it fits in without explained rules more easily).
The main character definitely has a heart, and she learns things throughout. She often puts more value on the matter she's faced with than the big picture, or at least her reasoning would seem to indicate this. However, one thing I like about this book is that she moves forward anyway, even when she realizes her own character flaws. She doesn't dwell on them—in fact, she embraces them for the virtue of her caring and passion that they show forth. She's still determined to make a difference—and she does, eventually (there are some major setbacks on the way).
I liked the imp's character. I wondered if it was because of magic that no one saw him at first, or if they really just didn't notice him.
The narration was good—much like that of the first book.
September 10, 2013
Nell is a princess who longs to be the imperial wizard and seems to have everything it takes...accept for the fact that she's a girl and doesn't carry "the mark". She's even completed the impossible quest (book 1) that no one else has ever managed to finish. So just when they are about to give in and have the King lay his mantle upon her, giving her permission to pursue the apprenticeship, of course they'd find out she has a twin brother! When they discover he's been kidnapped Nell takes it upon herself (and her companions) to rescue him before her father and his armies risk their lives in battle.
We picked the 2nd book in this series up simply because we saw it and didn't have another book lined up but it turned out to be much better than the first! I recognize that a lot of our issue with this series is the reader and her inability to make Nells voice sound anything more than a sweet whisper even in desperate times. That being said, this series is turning out to be very interesting and even quite humorous at times. The dynamic between Pim & Owen is hilarious.
Both myself and my 13 yr old son recommend this series. I would say it's more for a Tween audience but will also add that there is drinking and smoking in it (referred to as Joy Juice and mention of smoking a weed) though both are very downplayed. They also say "What the!" a lot.
We picked the 2nd book in this series up simply because we saw it and didn't have another book lined up but it turned out to be much better than the first! I recognize that a lot of our issue with this series is the reader and her inability to make Nells voice sound anything more than a sweet whisper even in desperate times. That being said, this series is turning out to be very interesting and even quite humorous at times. The dynamic between Pim & Owen is hilarious.
Both myself and my 13 yr old son recommend this series. I would say it's more for a Tween audience but will also add that there is drinking and smoking in it (referred to as Joy Juice and mention of smoking a weed) though both are very downplayed. They also say "What the!" a lot.
January 19, 2013
Book 2 of The Keepers series. Princess Nell of Eldearth has completed the quest to become the next apprentice to the Imperial Wizard, but she's still a girl and she has to convince her father that she's worthy. Just about as that is to happen, King Einar finds out he has a long-hidden son, Nell's twin, and that changes everything. The boy disappears, the evil Lord Graieconn's forces attack the king's army, and Nell goes to the rescue. Along the way she meets imps, flying humanoids, and not-quite-perfect common folk who have been pushed aside, ignored, or banished from the smug perfection of Eldearth and she starts understanding some of the reasons Lord Graieconn has a following.
I got tired of all the wrongs committed by the perfect world of Eldearth society--they seemed to come so fast and furious--but once past that, I enjoyed the adventures. I also felt that Nell was right in that Eldearth society had to change (something Nell promised to try to do). The problems probably needed to be stretched over a more books with some solutions found along the way, but this is a JF series and things happen rapidly.
I'll be interested to read the next (and final) book of the series.
I got tired of all the wrongs committed by the perfect world of Eldearth society--they seemed to come so fast and furious--but once past that, I enjoyed the adventures. I also felt that Nell was right in that Eldearth society had to change (something Nell promised to try to do). The problems probably needed to be stretched over a more books with some solutions found along the way, but this is a JF series and things happen rapidly.
I'll be interested to read the next (and final) book of the series.
March 1, 2010
Eleven-year-old Nell has done the unthinkable -- she has completed the quest to meet the Imperial Wizard, something no girl in her land of Eldearth has ever accomplished. Now, she may be able to become the next Imperial Wizard. But there is still much standing in her way. She has always thought that she was the only child and heir of her father, the King of Xandria, one of the kingdoms of Eldearth. But she learns she has a twin brother, Owen, who was hidden away at birth. Now her father refuses to even consider granting her request to train as Imperial Wizard -- he wants his newfound son to be trained instead. Nell resents that Owen has the chance just because he is a boy. Once again, Nell must set out on her own to prove her worth and help her kingdom.
Readers who enjoyed the first fantasy adventure featuring Nell won't want to miss this continuation of her story. Nell is a very likable character that will appeal especially to young girls who enjoy reading about strong and determined heroines who defy the odds.
Readers who enjoyed the first fantasy adventure featuring Nell won't want to miss this continuation of her story. Nell is a very likable character that will appeal especially to young girls who enjoy reading about strong and determined heroines who defy the odds.
February 16, 2014
I love this book so much I could go as wild as a buffalo! I love this book way more then I like all my other ones.
In this story lord Tammon puts Nell and Owen into jail. They are confused because usually lord Tammon is really nice but right now he is sort of mean to them.
To find out if lord Tammon is bad to them in the whole story you can just read the book.
At the palce of light Nell's little dragon Minna is really hurt and Nell is so worried that she might die. Nell's other dragon Beauty is hurt also but not as badly as Minna is.
Will the two dragons heal before it is to late or will Minna die and will beauty suffer in her life?
Nell's father was at war fighting the bad guys who are trying to harm the land. Her father was hurt but not seriously.
Nell wanted to see her father so she asked someone where his army camped and when the person told her she hurried off to find the place where her father camped.
When her father saw her he said" I've been so worried where have you been? and Nell said" I've been adventuring".
In this story lord Tammon puts Nell and Owen into jail. They are confused because usually lord Tammon is really nice but right now he is sort of mean to them.
To find out if lord Tammon is bad to them in the whole story you can just read the book.
At the palce of light Nell's little dragon Minna is really hurt and Nell is so worried that she might die. Nell's other dragon Beauty is hurt also but not as badly as Minna is.
Will the two dragons heal before it is to late or will Minna die and will beauty suffer in her life?
Nell's father was at war fighting the bad guys who are trying to harm the land. Her father was hurt but not seriously.
Nell wanted to see her father so she asked someone where his army camped and when the person told her she hurried off to find the place where her father camped.
When her father saw her he said" I've been so worried where have you been? and Nell said" I've been adventuring".
January 22, 2016
The narration was very good. The descriptions of the places in the story were very vivid. The books are fairly short. I have listened to two out of three of the books, and the library doesn't have the third book.
October 14, 2007
I loved it it was exhilirating and got me i8nterested straight away!
January 19, 2008
This is a great read about a girl trying to make her way in a man's world...Fun for boys and girls and adults.
May 26, 2008
Read all of the Keeper books!
Fun adventure and magical! I loved that this girl is has so much carisma, determination and brains!
Fun adventure and magical! I loved that this girl is has so much carisma, determination and brains!
July 10, 2008
Super cute book, I thought that I would read them to Tori. It is an easy read so it did not take me forever.
September 28, 2008
Continue the journey of Nell as she tries to become the first female keeper of the scepter.
March 8, 2009
I ♥ PIM!!
October 26, 2009
can't wait for the next one!!
February 19, 2010
A boy learning to be a apprentice, good book i suppose but not the best, also not a recommendation.
August 21, 2011
Quick, fun read
April 17, 2013
i love Pim and Dongh and Gruit
April 9, 2013
the seond book is even better than the first it had lots of things that would keep me wanting to read it.
May 24, 2008
good book alert!good book alert!
October 25, 2010
Very good also
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews