The Wayward Wizard

Dragonlance: The New Adventures: Suncatcher #1

by Jeff Sampson

Everyone knows kender can�t do magic. But Sindri Suncatcher--the greatest kender wizard in the world--can. 

Back at Cairngorn Keep, the black-robed wizard Maddoc has made Sindri his apprentice. But a mysterious stranger interrupts Sindri�s training, and soon Sindri finds himself chased by strange monsters and receiving cryptic messages. Will these extraordinary events lead to Sindri�s destiny�or his doom?

www.mirrorstonebooks.com

Genres: Dragonlance, Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons, Young Adult

242 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2006

About the author

My writing history: I’ve been involved with children’s publishing for the past 11 years now — I got my start right out of high school, just after turning 18. Since then I’ve published eight books for children and young adults, with six more currently scheduled for release and in various stages of being written and edited. I’ve also contributed material to ten or so other books by other authors and have put out a short story or two.

My most recent release was the debut of my original YA sci-fi series Deviants. The first book, Vesper, was released in stores everywhere in January 2011, with the next two books coming out in Jan. 2012 and Jan. 2013, respectively.

Some brief bio basics: I was born on a US military base in Nuremberg, Germany on July 15, 1982. Currently I live near Seattle, WA, where I am lucky enough to work as a full time writer. Much like the main character of the Deviants series, I’m a pop culture geek who loves to indulge in books, movies, TV, and video games when I’m not working on my own stories.

Agent: I am represented by Michael Stearns of Upstart Crow Literary.

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating is 3.5 stars.

This is part of the YA series in Dragonlance. This book has several characters from previous books but one does not need to read those before this one. In this book, Sindri is studying magic under his master Maddoc. Sindri is kidnapped by the Conclave because they believe that a kender should not be performing magic. This is the least of Sindri's problems.

I thought this is one of the better books in the YA series. So far, Sindri has been one of my favorite characters that have come out of the YA series. I think it is because of his trusting nature or his ability to do stuff that no one believes or gives him credit for. Even with everyone doubting Sindri he carries on and his confident in his abilities. This is the first book of a trilogy so it is a set up book. That being said it does look like it going to tackle why Sindri has his power and what is Maddoc's motives with tutoring Sindri. There are plenty of action scenes with a bevy of magical spells and the addition of new characters are a welcome addition.

I believe this is one of the better books of the YA series. This is the first one of the series I read via audio book and the narrator was excellent. My rating might be a little skewed because of this but I don't believe that is the case. This was just a fun book that will lead into more of an adventure.

[Matt Littrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad little book. An interesting story that I want to follow to it's conclusion, with characters I've grown to like. But I'm beyond sick of reading the words "the renegade hunter".

[Issam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid read for a fantasy middle-grade series. This was my first time reading anything in the Dragonlance universe, but I had no problem keeping up with the current arc. Jeff Sampson does a great job of making this accessible to newer readers (like me), who are less knowledgeable to the history of the characters presented in this book. The story is fast-paced with plenty of action, and the main and secondary characters are all enjoyable to read. I look forward to reading the second book in the Suncatcher Trilogy.

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

[REVIEW TO COME LATER UPON RE-READ.]

[Xaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! Sindri is such a funny little kender!!!! Love him!!!