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The Magician's House Quartet #3
The Tunnel Behind the Waterfall
Thirteen-year-old William Constant and his two younger sisters, Mary and Alice, have come to ancient, mysterious Golden House in Wales for the holidays. Their lives will never be the same once they enter the Magician's House -- and discover their destiny. All that glitters...
Summer has returned, with a dangerous new mission at Golden House for William, Mary, and Alice. Developers are determined to transform Golden Valley into a Disneyland-style amusement park. The village is eager for the jobs it will bring. Old Meg Lewis has been offered a small fortune to sell her home. Even Uncle Jack and Phoebe may be forced out of their beloved Golden House.
Only the children can save them. But first they must find the secret that lies behind the waterfall, and take a dark and dangerous journey to a lost world where no one can go -- or escape -- without magic. The evil Morden watches their every move. His black magic is more powerful than ever. Not even the Magician can battle him now. But are the lessons he has taught William, Mary, and Alice enough to defeat an ancient foe? Suddenly they're alone, with only the Magician's subjects -- the badger, the kestrel, the fox, and the otter -- to lead them in the fight of their lives!
Summer has returned, with a dangerous new mission at Golden House for William, Mary, and Alice. Developers are determined to transform Golden Valley into a Disneyland-style amusement park. The village is eager for the jobs it will bring. Old Meg Lewis has been offered a small fortune to sell her home. Even Uncle Jack and Phoebe may be forced out of their beloved Golden House.
Only the children can save them. But first they must find the secret that lies behind the waterfall, and take a dark and dangerous journey to a lost world where no one can go -- or escape -- without magic. The evil Morden watches their every move. His black magic is more powerful than ever. Not even the Magician can battle him now. But are the lessons he has taught William, Mary, and Alice enough to defeat an ancient foe? Suddenly they're alone, with only the Magician's subjects -- the badger, the kestrel, the fox, and the otter -- to lead them in the fight of their lives!
311 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
William Corlett
32 books36 followersWilliam Corlett (8 October 1938 - 16 August 2005), was an English children's writer, best known for his quartet of novels, The Magician's House, published between 1990 and 1992.
Corlett was born in Darlington, County Durham. He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, then trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He worked as an actor while embarking on a literary career during the 1960s, and wrote plays and adult novels as well as the children's novels for which he is particularly remembered. Several of his works were adapted for the screen.
Later in life he came out as gay, and it was from his partner, Bryn Ellis, that he gained some of his inspiration for The Magician's House. Corlett died of cancer at Sarlat in France.
Corlett was born in Darlington, County Durham. He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, then trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He worked as an actor while embarking on a literary career during the 1960s, and wrote plays and adult novels as well as the children's novels for which he is particularly remembered. Several of his works were adapted for the screen.
Later in life he came out as gay, and it was from his partner, Bryn Ellis, that he gained some of his inspiration for The Magician's House. Corlett died of cancer at Sarlat in France.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 3, 2023
The third in the series It wasn’t as compelling as the first.
September 20, 2021
"However many millions of people are born - there are no two who are entirely the same. An unlimited number of variations on a theme. It is our uniqueness that is the gold in us; it is our striving to be the same that is the dross."
Third in The Magicians House Quartet. Was not my favourite of the four but still enjoyable and discusses some good themes for a children's book. The emphasis on nature and protecting it seems even more relevant today.
The characters are realistic, no perfect and saintly children. They bicker, argue, get scared but ultimately have good hearts and a heros spirit.
Third in The Magicians House Quartet. Was not my favourite of the four but still enjoyable and discusses some good themes for a children's book. The emphasis on nature and protecting it seems even more relevant today.
The characters are realistic, no perfect and saintly children. They bicker, argue, get scared but ultimately have good hearts and a heros spirit.
July 13, 2017
It had all the right ingredients -- evil villains, magic, time travel, but somehow the story didn't gel for me.
Perhaps that's the problem of reading the third book in a series, when you haven't read the two preceding it or the one that follows, but this was the only one available in the library.
Perhaps that's the problem of reading the third book in a series, when you haven't read the two preceding it or the one that follows, but this was the only one available in the library.
March 21, 2020
4 1/2 Sterne
Lesen, lesen, lesen! Es wird grusliger...
Lesen, lesen, lesen! Es wird grusliger...
June 14, 2008
I liked that this book got on with things, while still leaving things unanswered -- for example, why the Magician wants the valley to remain as it is. It was interesting to see Morden playing a more active part, too: the second book felt more like an interlude, an opportunity for the children to learn and grow more without a real bad guy (the badger baiters don't really count because they're ordinary people, in my mind -- not able to do magic like Morden, the Magician and the children).
December 9, 2010
Loved this one. One of those typical books where a bunch of adults want to develop and destroy, and it's up to the kids to stop them!
November 10, 2012
Again brilliant book from William Corlett. Bit of mystery and was fun to read and see how it all panned out.
June 1, 2016
A great children's book with a good plot and interesting themes to help children develop into great adults. I want to read the other ones from the series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews