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At the House of the Magician #1
Im Haus des Zauberers
England gegen Ende des 17. Jahrhunderts. Die junge Lucy träumt davon, ihr Heimatdorf zu verlassen und eine Anstellung als Dienstmädchen zu finden. Am liebsten in einem reichen Haus, das so nah wie möglich bei der von ihr angebeteten Königin Elisabeth ist. Per Zufall gerät sie in das Haus des Dr. Dee, seines Zeichens Zauberer und persönlicher magischer Berater der Königin. Fasziniert beobachtet Lucy die geheimnisvollen Experimente und Zeremonien, die Dr. Dee mit seinem Kollegen Mr Kelly durchführt. Bis sie einem schrecklichen Geheimnis auf die Spur kommt, das die Königin in höchste Gefahr bringt …
271 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2007
13 people are currently reading
1581 people want to read
About the author
Mary Hooper
159 books289 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
British children's and young adult author Mary Hooper was born in 1944, in Barnes, then in Surrey, nowadays in South West London. She left school at fifteen, and went to work as a window dresser, and then as a secretary. She eventually returned to school, as an adult student, earning a degree in English from Reading University. Hooper began her writing career with short stories, publishing in women's and teen magazines. Her first book, Jodie, was published in 1978. She is married, has two children, and one grandchild, and lives in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
British children's and young adult author Mary Hooper was born in 1944, in Barnes, then in Surrey, nowadays in South West London. She left school at fifteen, and went to work as a window dresser, and then as a secretary. She eventually returned to school, as an adult student, earning a degree in English from Reading University. Hooper began her writing career with short stories, publishing in women's and teen magazines. Her first book, Jodie, was published in 1978. She is married, has two children, and one grandchild, and lives in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 19, 2025
At the House of the Magician by Mary Hooper is a vivid, historical young adult novel set in Elizabethan England about Lucy, a courageous young girl who runs away from home to escape abuse from her drunken father and ends up working as a maid in the strange, shadowy household of Dr. John Dee, the real‑life court magician whose counsel is sought even by Queen Elizabeth I herself.
As Lucy becomes more deeply entangled in the eerie rhythms of Dee’s household with its occult artifacts, strange sounds, and uneasy secrets, she uncovers a plot to assassinate the Queen and must find a way to warn Her Majesty before it is too late, even though doing so puts her own life at risk. Blending historical intrigue, a strong sense of place, and a determined young heroine, the novel explores courage, loyalty, and the blurred line between superstition and real danger in Tudor times.
From the very first chapter I could feel the world Hooper builds around Lucy: the clang of market stalls, the smell of herbs and lavender wands, and the weight of history pressing in on everyday life. Lucy is a character who stayed with me because she is curious, brave, and thoughtful in a world where speaking up can cost you everything, and her determination to do what is right, even when fear creeps into her bones made me root for her on every page. The crafting of Tudor England felt rich and convincing: community gossip about astrology and magic, the trepidation around religious and royal power, and the way superstition could magnify danger all added layers to the story that felt both mystical and grounded.
What moved me most was how Lucy’s inner voice, a mix of anxiety, hope, empathy, and grit makes her journey feel deeply personal even amid courtly conspiracies and whispered threats. Some readers note that the pacing can feel measured at first, as the world and characters are carefully established, but that the intrigue and stakes build satisfyingly as the plot progresses, especially toward key moments of danger and revelation.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving At the House of the Magician four stars because its atmospheric historical setting, compelling heroine, and blend of mystery and moral courage left me genuinely engaged and thinking about Lucy’s choices long after I finished. The historical detail and sense of time make this a rewarding read for anyone who loves historical adventure with a strong, empathetic protagonist at the center, and Lucy’s voice made her story feel unforgettable.
As Lucy becomes more deeply entangled in the eerie rhythms of Dee’s household with its occult artifacts, strange sounds, and uneasy secrets, she uncovers a plot to assassinate the Queen and must find a way to warn Her Majesty before it is too late, even though doing so puts her own life at risk. Blending historical intrigue, a strong sense of place, and a determined young heroine, the novel explores courage, loyalty, and the blurred line between superstition and real danger in Tudor times.
From the very first chapter I could feel the world Hooper builds around Lucy: the clang of market stalls, the smell of herbs and lavender wands, and the weight of history pressing in on everyday life. Lucy is a character who stayed with me because she is curious, brave, and thoughtful in a world where speaking up can cost you everything, and her determination to do what is right, even when fear creeps into her bones made me root for her on every page. The crafting of Tudor England felt rich and convincing: community gossip about astrology and magic, the trepidation around religious and royal power, and the way superstition could magnify danger all added layers to the story that felt both mystical and grounded.
What moved me most was how Lucy’s inner voice, a mix of anxiety, hope, empathy, and grit makes her journey feel deeply personal even amid courtly conspiracies and whispered threats. Some readers note that the pacing can feel measured at first, as the world and characters are carefully established, but that the intrigue and stakes build satisfyingly as the plot progresses, especially toward key moments of danger and revelation.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving At the House of the Magician four stars because its atmospheric historical setting, compelling heroine, and blend of mystery and moral courage left me genuinely engaged and thinking about Lucy’s choices long after I finished. The historical detail and sense of time make this a rewarding read for anyone who loves historical adventure with a strong, empathetic protagonist at the center, and Lucy’s voice made her story feel unforgettable.
March 11, 2011
Lucy sets out for London with a plan. Sort of. OK, she actually sets out with a basket, an extra set of clothes, and a vague idea that London can’t be worse than living with her drunken, abusive father.
Then she winds up in the mud attempting to rescue a couple unruly children and their monkey.
An incident which results in the ruination of her clothing. The filching of her basket. And the obtainment of a child-care position.
For the magician to the Queen.
Not a bad result. At least that is what Lucy thinks until said magician tries to hire her to play a dead girl in a church yard on All Hallow’s Eve.
A breezy beginning to a new series by Mary Hooper. A bit lighter than her usual fair, with the same vivid historical detail. I rather like Lucy’s inability to avoid trouble. And I loved all the appearances of the Queen’s Fool. On to Book 2.
Then she winds up in the mud attempting to rescue a couple unruly children and their monkey.
An incident which results in the ruination of her clothing. The filching of her basket. And the obtainment of a child-care position.
For the magician to the Queen.
Not a bad result. At least that is what Lucy thinks until said magician tries to hire her to play a dead girl in a church yard on All Hallow’s Eve.
A breezy beginning to a new series by Mary Hooper. A bit lighter than her usual fair, with the same vivid historical detail. I rather like Lucy’s inability to avoid trouble. And I loved all the appearances of the Queen’s Fool. On to Book 2.
April 29, 2012
Lucy escapes her poor village and drunk abusive father in search of work and money to provide her mother with a better way of life. This story follows her in seeking employment and then the adventures and events that surround her when her luck turns, and she finds herself employed by the somewhat mysterious Dr Dee.
At the House of the Magician is an historical fiction with some supernatural aspects revolving around Lucy, the protagonist of the novel. I think that most of the historical aspects seemed believable; set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the troubles between the monarch and Mary Queen of Scots is briefly discussed and the grandure of the palace and the queens clothes are described in great detail. At the end of the book, after the end of the story itself, the author provides some background to the history and the setting of the novel and I think that this makes it a lot more believable and helps, in hindsight, to establish the way of life of the inhabitants of Elizabethan England.
To me, the plot was quite slow and not much happened until the end of the novel. Although at first this was quite disappointing, I soon found out that there is also a sequel which may have played a part in the reasoning behind giving this story such an abrupt ending.
Lucy, the main character, is quite interesting and the reader gets to learn quite a lot about her background and family, as well as her adventurous side which is explored more as the story develops. Some of the side characters were not very well developed and I found that this led to some of them being insignificant to the story but this may change in the sequel, which I plan to read at some point in the future. I really like the character of Mistress Midge because her bad temper and her attitude added some comedic aspects to the book. I also really liked Tomas, the court fool, as I thought there was aspects of romantic tention between him and the protagonist which I hope will be explored in the second installment of the series.
The writing was very simple and easy to understand. This meant that although, at first, I found the novel difficult to get into, it became a quick read, having only 228 pages. Also, the lettering is quite large on the page which made it a lot quicker. I like that the author included some words that are not used nowadays, but were used when the story is set, as this makes it a lot more believable and I like that a glossary was provided at the back of the book so you could look up the meanings for some of these disused words.
Overall, I was slightly disappointed with this book as I expected a lot more adventure and mystery than there was, but again, this may be addresseed in the sequel. Also, having read the book, I have decided that I do not really liked the cover as I believe that a cover, if it shows a person, should show the protagonist. In this case, Lucy is said to have dark eyes and brown hair, whereas the photograph on the cover is fair-haired and has blue eyes. Considering my opinions of the book overall, I would give this 3 out of 5 stars but am intrigued to see if the second installment of the series develops the storyline better than this one so far.
At the House of the Magician is an historical fiction with some supernatural aspects revolving around Lucy, the protagonist of the novel. I think that most of the historical aspects seemed believable; set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the troubles between the monarch and Mary Queen of Scots is briefly discussed and the grandure of the palace and the queens clothes are described in great detail. At the end of the book, after the end of the story itself, the author provides some background to the history and the setting of the novel and I think that this makes it a lot more believable and helps, in hindsight, to establish the way of life of the inhabitants of Elizabethan England.
To me, the plot was quite slow and not much happened until the end of the novel. Although at first this was quite disappointing, I soon found out that there is also a sequel which may have played a part in the reasoning behind giving this story such an abrupt ending.
Lucy, the main character, is quite interesting and the reader gets to learn quite a lot about her background and family, as well as her adventurous side which is explored more as the story develops. Some of the side characters were not very well developed and I found that this led to some of them being insignificant to the story but this may change in the sequel, which I plan to read at some point in the future. I really like the character of Mistress Midge because her bad temper and her attitude added some comedic aspects to the book. I also really liked Tomas, the court fool, as I thought there was aspects of romantic tention between him and the protagonist which I hope will be explored in the second installment of the series.
The writing was very simple and easy to understand. This meant that although, at first, I found the novel difficult to get into, it became a quick read, having only 228 pages. Also, the lettering is quite large on the page which made it a lot quicker. I like that the author included some words that are not used nowadays, but were used when the story is set, as this makes it a lot more believable and I like that a glossary was provided at the back of the book so you could look up the meanings for some of these disused words.
Overall, I was slightly disappointed with this book as I expected a lot more adventure and mystery than there was, but again, this may be addresseed in the sequel. Also, having read the book, I have decided that I do not really liked the cover as I believe that a cover, if it shows a person, should show the protagonist. In this case, Lucy is said to have dark eyes and brown hair, whereas the photograph on the cover is fair-haired and has blue eyes. Considering my opinions of the book overall, I would give this 3 out of 5 stars but am intrigued to see if the second installment of the series develops the storyline better than this one so far.
August 19, 2014
This novel is about Lucy, who runs away from home and her drunk, abusive father. In the process, she rescues two children from drowning, takes them home and manages to secure a position as a nanny in their house. Turns out, they are the children of Dr. John Dee, who is Queen Elizabeth I's magician. That's the short version anyway.
Lucy is a likeable cahracter, even though there are times when I wanted to shake her, or point out some of the sillier things she did. Most of it stems from a certain amount of immaturity that the character has. For instance, she wanders through Dr. Dee's home before she's actually been offered the position. She's just staying overnight, hoping for a position and wanders the house without permission. After the cook spends some time wondering about her motives and whether she's out to steal in the first place. It seemed a stupid and unlikely thing to do. Her lack of fear of anything is slightly strange as well, especially considering her upbringing. We know her father was abusive, but she lacks any of the fear and forced maturity I expected.
The story itself is entertaining. Lucy is a devoted subject of Queen Elizabeth I and has always dreamed of seeing her. Working for her magician is a dream come true because she might get that chance. Dr. Dee is sufficiently mysterious, and many comments are made about how Lucy doubts his authenticity. I was surprised when there was a paranormal element introduced, but I enjoyed it. It isn't overbearing and it helps to add to the story, rather than taking over.
The secondary characters are interesting, and while there were some parts I found hard to believe, the book is a quick and entertaining read, so I chose to let them slide. The author has done her homework, but I do sometimes wish for a little more of the history and setting.
If you enjoy Tudor and Elizabethan era fiction, this will be good. Its a quick, fun read and is the first in a series. I liked it well enough that I'll probably read the other two at some point.
Lucy is a likeable cahracter, even though there are times when I wanted to shake her, or point out some of the sillier things she did. Most of it stems from a certain amount of immaturity that the character has. For instance, she wanders through Dr. Dee's home before she's actually been offered the position. She's just staying overnight, hoping for a position and wanders the house without permission. After the cook spends some time wondering about her motives and whether she's out to steal in the first place. It seemed a stupid and unlikely thing to do. Her lack of fear of anything is slightly strange as well, especially considering her upbringing. We know her father was abusive, but she lacks any of the fear and forced maturity I expected.
The story itself is entertaining. Lucy is a devoted subject of Queen Elizabeth I and has always dreamed of seeing her. Working for her magician is a dream come true because she might get that chance. Dr. Dee is sufficiently mysterious, and many comments are made about how Lucy doubts his authenticity. I was surprised when there was a paranormal element introduced, but I enjoyed it. It isn't overbearing and it helps to add to the story, rather than taking over.
The secondary characters are interesting, and while there were some parts I found hard to believe, the book is a quick and entertaining read, so I chose to let them slide. The author has done her homework, but I do sometimes wish for a little more of the history and setting.
If you enjoy Tudor and Elizabethan era fiction, this will be good. Its a quick, fun read and is the first in a series. I liked it well enough that I'll probably read the other two at some point.
July 16, 2012
The novels starts with our main protagonist Lucy running away from her native village and her abusive,alcoholic father. Her destination is London, where she hopes to get some work.
But she doesn't get very far. On her way, she saves two young girls Beth and Meryl from the river which earns her a job in the house of the girls parents.
And that's only the beginning of Lucy's adventure because the employer turns out to be Dr John Dee, the Queen's personal magician.
At the House of the Magician is set in the Elizabethan age, somewhere at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's second half of reign and the tensions with her cousin Mary,Queen of Scots and the catholic forces occupy an important place in the story.
To me personally this book was a disappointment, even thought the author dedicated a lot of time to the description of details - the fabric of dresses, the food, the daily life of the common people, and the inclusion of the jester (which helped a lot to the overall tone of the novel), I found it still lacking in plot up until the second part of the book.
But she doesn't get very far. On her way, she saves two young girls Beth and Meryl from the river which earns her a job in the house of the girls parents.
And that's only the beginning of Lucy's adventure because the employer turns out to be Dr John Dee, the Queen's personal magician.
At the House of the Magician is set in the Elizabethan age, somewhere at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's second half of reign and the tensions with her cousin Mary,Queen of Scots and the catholic forces occupy an important place in the story.
To me personally this book was a disappointment, even thought the author dedicated a lot of time to the description of details - the fabric of dresses, the food, the daily life of the common people, and the inclusion of the jester (which helped a lot to the overall tone of the novel), I found it still lacking in plot up until the second part of the book.
February 5, 2008
It's a FOUR STAR book, I'm so happy about having discovered Mary Hooper!
This book is a delight to read and I can hardly wait to get hold of the follow up
BY ROYAL COMMAND. Further adventures of plucky Lucy, the servant girl of Dr Lee, Queen Elizabeth's magician.
Right kind of books for 10 + year old girls
To come is THE REMARKABLE LIFE AND TIMES OF ELIZA ROSE, Court of Charles II
Mary Hooper bases her stories on historical facts.
Visit www.maryhooper.co.uk
This book is a delight to read and I can hardly wait to get hold of the follow up
BY ROYAL COMMAND. Further adventures of plucky Lucy, the servant girl of Dr Lee, Queen Elizabeth's magician.
Right kind of books for 10 + year old girls
To come is THE REMARKABLE LIFE AND TIMES OF ELIZA ROSE, Court of Charles II
Mary Hooper bases her stories on historical facts.
Visit www.maryhooper.co.uk
February 14, 2016
Interesting YA or Middle School read about a girl (no age given) who takes up place as a nurse in the household of John Dee, adviser and magician for Queen Elizabeth I. Simply written with an intriguing plot and a touch of the paranormal. Well written historically. I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in the series!
May 27, 2019
Mary Hooper gehört für mich eindeutig zu der Kategorie Lieblingsautoren. Ich habe mich als Teenager in ihren Schreibstil verliebt und hatte bisher mit jedem ihrer Bücher unglaubliche Momente. Die Trilogie rund um das Haus des Zauberers ist absolut lesenswert.
July 6, 2021
When I first found this series (and the author) I was in my first year in High School, I didn't know it was a series and read either the last or the second book of the three. Reading Mary Hooper's books is a wonderful trip down memory lane.
At first the book I did read didn't make any sense but now reading the books in proper order has cleared up a few things from the first time I read. Hooper's books I find calm to read and (very) easily to follow when life gets too hectic and struggle to concentrate due to outside factors. The world that Hooper creates takes you there walking along side the main character.
I did however find the climax of the book a little disappointing and underwhelming, occurring in only the last three chapters.
At first the book I did read didn't make any sense but now reading the books in proper order has cleared up a few things from the first time I read. Hooper's books I find calm to read and (very) easily to follow when life gets too hectic and struggle to concentrate due to outside factors. The world that Hooper creates takes you there walking along side the main character.
I did however find the climax of the book a little disappointing and underwhelming, occurring in only the last three chapters.
March 25, 2017
This was actually better than I expected. The characters were solid and the plot was interesting. I didn't have high hopes but it actually surprised me for the better. It's for a younger audience than me, and I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I had read it when I was twelve, but it was still enjoyable.
August 7, 2020
Once I had read Fallen Grace, another of Mary Hoopers books I couldn't believe I'd never heard of her and began reading her other books. This book was the first I'd ever read in elizabethian times. It let me see a world I'd never known much about and I'd recommend it for anyone who likes Mary Hooper. I'm so glad there's 2 more to read!
February 5, 2023
Another YA book recommended as an entertaining quick read. Set in the reign of Elizabeth I it's a well written atmospheric tale of a teenage girl who ran away to London to escape a drunken father and have an adventure, so full of period detail. It has a nice touch of adding a glossary and bibliography at the end.
March 4, 2021
Like all Mary Hooper’s historical fiction books, the historical detail makes you feel as if you have physically left the 21st century and travelled back in time...
I am really excited to read the sequel!
I am really excited to read the sequel!
December 4, 2018
Is this a YA? I see it’s first in a series; l wouldn’t seek it out but might read more if offered them.
Not bad idea, plot a bit weak but was fine for a plane journey.
Not bad idea, plot a bit weak but was fine for a plane journey.
April 12, 2020
Solid historical novel set during the reign of Elizabeth I with a hint of magic to come in its sequel.
October 8, 2020
Mystery with a dash of magic. Loved it!
January 24, 2022
Lovely simple read. Great ‘palette cleanser’ to read in between book.
April 2, 2023
An imaginative read, one that is fairly immersive and enjoyable to read. A short read but a good one.
November 30, 2025
Ein schönes Kinder- und Jugendbuch, 6.-7. Klasse, guter Einblick in einen Teil von Englands Geschichte.
April 30, 2014
This first book in ‘The House of the Magician’ trilogy was a quick but very enjoyable read. A mix of historical and supernatural elements, the story is told through the eyes of servant girl Lucy who gives the reader a taste of Elizabethan life, from the courtly fashions and customs to simple mundane chores of the serving class.
The book begins when Lucy is forced to flee her home, needing to escape the clutches of her violent, alcoholic father. Now homeless and without a job, she decides to make her way to London but after a fateful meeting, Lucy finds herself as the new maid/nanny in the house of Dr Dee – court magician to Elizabeth I.
The gossip and rumours in the surrounding village claim that Dr Dee can raise spirits and communicate with the dead – however Lucy soon learns that the great Dr Dee’s powers are nothing more than artful trickery. Yet after aiding the doctor in one of his charades by playing the part of a nobleman’s recently deceased daughter, Lucy is soon fraught with sinister dreams. Dreams that all point to one thing – that someone is plotting to murder her grace, the Queen of England…
A quick and light read at only 228 pages, ‘At the house of the magician’ was a sweet and charming novel that gave a fictional insight to the possibilities of what it was like working for Dr John Dee. Also the writing was simple but decorative, with Mary Hooper adding in lots of detailed descriptions of Richmond Palace, as well as Elizabethan style dress and customs.
The characters were interesting, especially the portrayals of the famous historical figures whom were both accurately described and very believable. However the fictional cast were also very well written with plenty of memorable characters such as ‘Tom fool’ (both the man and the monkey) as well as the old cook/house keeper, Mistress Midge. I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing the return of these characters in the sequel ‘By royal command’.
Also I particularly liked the glossary at the end of the book, which also included amongst it Elizabethan recipes and instructions on how to make lavender wands – All of which I thought was a nice after touch to the book.
So overall I thought that the book a delightful read and would recommend to any fans of historical fiction! 3 stars!
The book begins when Lucy is forced to flee her home, needing to escape the clutches of her violent, alcoholic father. Now homeless and without a job, she decides to make her way to London but after a fateful meeting, Lucy finds herself as the new maid/nanny in the house of Dr Dee – court magician to Elizabeth I.
The gossip and rumours in the surrounding village claim that Dr Dee can raise spirits and communicate with the dead – however Lucy soon learns that the great Dr Dee’s powers are nothing more than artful trickery. Yet after aiding the doctor in one of his charades by playing the part of a nobleman’s recently deceased daughter, Lucy is soon fraught with sinister dreams. Dreams that all point to one thing – that someone is plotting to murder her grace, the Queen of England…
A quick and light read at only 228 pages, ‘At the house of the magician’ was a sweet and charming novel that gave a fictional insight to the possibilities of what it was like working for Dr John Dee. Also the writing was simple but decorative, with Mary Hooper adding in lots of detailed descriptions of Richmond Palace, as well as Elizabethan style dress and customs.
The characters were interesting, especially the portrayals of the famous historical figures whom were both accurately described and very believable. However the fictional cast were also very well written with plenty of memorable characters such as ‘Tom fool’ (both the man and the monkey) as well as the old cook/house keeper, Mistress Midge. I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing the return of these characters in the sequel ‘By royal command’.
Also I particularly liked the glossary at the end of the book, which also included amongst it Elizabethan recipes and instructions on how to make lavender wands – All of which I thought was a nice after touch to the book.
So overall I thought that the book a delightful read and would recommend to any fans of historical fiction! 3 stars!
February 19, 2017
A young girl leaves a home with an abusive father and becomes a maid in a magician's househols. But when a dead girl her age starts talking to her in her dreams, she must put her life in danger to try to save the most powerful figure in the world: Gloriana, aka Queen Elizabeth I.
This book took me forever to get into. It was quite boring, building up scenes and characters, and finally gained some action towards the end. I will have to see if the other 2 books are better. If you like the Elizabethan era, this book is for you.
This book took me forever to get into. It was quite boring, building up scenes and characters, and finally gained some action towards the end. I will have to see if the other 2 books are better. If you like the Elizabethan era, this book is for you.
April 13, 2013
Lucy flüchtet vor ihrem gewalttätigen Vater. Sie nimmt im Haus des Magiers der Königin John Dee eine Stellung als Kindermagd an. Lucy ist voller Liebe und Verehrung für ihre Königin und ahnt nicht, dass sie Elizabeth bald einen Dienst erweisen darf.
Das historische Jugendbuch ist der Auftakt zu einer Trilogie um Lucy, die zur Zeit Elizabeth I. eine Anstellung im Haushalt eines Magiers findet. Ihr Vater ist Alkoholiker und wird gewalttätig, wann immer er betrunken ist. Ein Vorfall auf dem Markt zwingt sie von Zuhause fortzulaufen. Die Autorin hat sehr schön die Zeit des 17. Jahrhunderts eingefangen. Eine Welt voller kirchlichen Glaubens, aber auch der Angst vor Hexerei, Astrologie und des Aberglaubens. Träume können gefährlich sein und nur die Vermutung, die Königin könne sterben, kann den Unvorsichtigen selbst das Leben kosten. So ist es nicht weiter verwunderlich, dass John Dee die Hausangestellten gerne fortlaufen, da im Haus merkwürdige Geräusche zu hören sind und gruselige Gegenstände wie ausgestopfte Alligatoren und Kristallkugeln, der Fantasie Flügel verleihen. Lucy ist nicht ganz so zart besaitet, sondern eher fasziniert und die Aussicht die Königin irgendwann sehen zu können, machen die Arbeit für sie leichter. Zudem muss sie vorsichtig sein, hatte sie doch als Kind manchmal prophetische Träume und ihre Neugier, könnten ihr vielleicht den Kopf kosten. Die Geschichte liest sich locker und ist ljeicht verständlich. Für mich hätte die Geschichte allerdings spannender sein, Situationen dafür gibt es einige und der Titel lässt doch etwas mehr Magie erwarten. Im Anhang finden sich Informationen zu den historischen Personen, um die sich diese Geschichte rankt und ein Glossar in dem Begriffe von Ale bis Tudor erklärt werden.
Das Buch ist genau das richtige für junge Frauen, die gerne historische Bücher lesen, ohne über unappetitliche Szenen oder besonders gruselige Elemente zu stolpern.
Das historische Jugendbuch ist der Auftakt zu einer Trilogie um Lucy, die zur Zeit Elizabeth I. eine Anstellung im Haushalt eines Magiers findet. Ihr Vater ist Alkoholiker und wird gewalttätig, wann immer er betrunken ist. Ein Vorfall auf dem Markt zwingt sie von Zuhause fortzulaufen. Die Autorin hat sehr schön die Zeit des 17. Jahrhunderts eingefangen. Eine Welt voller kirchlichen Glaubens, aber auch der Angst vor Hexerei, Astrologie und des Aberglaubens. Träume können gefährlich sein und nur die Vermutung, die Königin könne sterben, kann den Unvorsichtigen selbst das Leben kosten. So ist es nicht weiter verwunderlich, dass John Dee die Hausangestellten gerne fortlaufen, da im Haus merkwürdige Geräusche zu hören sind und gruselige Gegenstände wie ausgestopfte Alligatoren und Kristallkugeln, der Fantasie Flügel verleihen. Lucy ist nicht ganz so zart besaitet, sondern eher fasziniert und die Aussicht die Königin irgendwann sehen zu können, machen die Arbeit für sie leichter. Zudem muss sie vorsichtig sein, hatte sie doch als Kind manchmal prophetische Träume und ihre Neugier, könnten ihr vielleicht den Kopf kosten. Die Geschichte liest sich locker und ist ljeicht verständlich. Für mich hätte die Geschichte allerdings spannender sein, Situationen dafür gibt es einige und der Titel lässt doch etwas mehr Magie erwarten. Im Anhang finden sich Informationen zu den historischen Personen, um die sich diese Geschichte rankt und ein Glossar in dem Begriffe von Ale bis Tudor erklärt werden.
Das Buch ist genau das richtige für junge Frauen, die gerne historische Bücher lesen, ohne über unappetitliche Szenen oder besonders gruselige Elemente zu stolpern.
June 24, 2013
England im 16. Jahrhundert: Die junge Lucy wächst unter ärmlichen Bedingungen zu Hause auf mit einem Vater, der auch vor Gewalt nicht Halt macht. Sie flieht daher und findet Anstellung als Kindermädchen bei Dr. Dee, einem Zauberer und zugleich magischen Berater der Königin Elisabeth. Neugierig geworden schaut sie sich im Haus um und entdeckt faszinierende Gegenstände und belauscht magische Gespräche. Doch schon bald gerät sie selber in große Gefahr …
In gewohnt einfachem und gut verständlichem Schreibstil beschreibt Mary Hooper die Geschichte um die junge Lucy. Dabei lernt man zunächst die Familie kennen und die Umstände, die zur Flucht Lucys führen. Die Charaktere sind liebevoll gezeichnet, so dass ich mich gut hineinversetzen konnte. Lucy ist dabei ein neugieriges, liebenswertes Mädchen, das ich schnell ins Herz geschlossen habe, und deren Geschichte ich gerne weiter begleite. Auch die Landschaften werden bildhaft beschrieben, ich finde mich gedanklich wieder im alten England, kann den Lärm der Märkte hören und die Gewürze riechen.
Leider verrät der Klappentext meines Erachtens zu viel, so dass man ungeduldig auf die spannenden Geheimnisse wartet, die erst im letzten Drittel des Buches auftauchen. Insgesamt ist der Roman nämlich eher ein ruhiger Roman, der vor allem von den liebevollen Beschreibungen der historischen Kulisse lebt. Sucht man also einen aufregenden Abenteuerroman, wäre man hiermit nicht gut bedient – allen Freunden jedoch von liebevoll gestalteten, historischen Geschichten kann ich dieses Buch uneingeschränkt empfehlen.
In gewohnt einfachem und gut verständlichem Schreibstil beschreibt Mary Hooper die Geschichte um die junge Lucy. Dabei lernt man zunächst die Familie kennen und die Umstände, die zur Flucht Lucys führen. Die Charaktere sind liebevoll gezeichnet, so dass ich mich gut hineinversetzen konnte. Lucy ist dabei ein neugieriges, liebenswertes Mädchen, das ich schnell ins Herz geschlossen habe, und deren Geschichte ich gerne weiter begleite. Auch die Landschaften werden bildhaft beschrieben, ich finde mich gedanklich wieder im alten England, kann den Lärm der Märkte hören und die Gewürze riechen.
Leider verrät der Klappentext meines Erachtens zu viel, so dass man ungeduldig auf die spannenden Geheimnisse wartet, die erst im letzten Drittel des Buches auftauchen. Insgesamt ist der Roman nämlich eher ein ruhiger Roman, der vor allem von den liebevollen Beschreibungen der historischen Kulisse lebt. Sucht man also einen aufregenden Abenteuerroman, wäre man hiermit nicht gut bedient – allen Freunden jedoch von liebevoll gestalteten, historischen Geschichten kann ich dieses Buch uneingeschränkt empfehlen.
February 27, 2010
When her mother sends her away so in hopes that she will be safe from her violent, alcoholic father, Lucy finds herself on the run without a home or a job. Fortunately, she is hired as a maid to serve in the household of Dr. Dee, the court magician to Queen Elizabeth I. Lucy is both intrigued and afraid of Dr. Dee's mysterious work, which is rumoured to involve raising and speaking to the dead. When Lucy overhears plans to speak with the dead daughter of one of the royal ministers and dreams that the Queen's life is in danger, she begins to wonder if something sinister is happening...
This book takes an interesting look at Elizabethan times, but I found the inclusion of fantastical elements strange, since the book is presented as historical fiction. The writing style is formal and a little archaic -- perhaps to capture the language of the setting.
The book has a sequel: By Royal Command.
This book takes an interesting look at Elizabethan times, but I found the inclusion of fantastical elements strange, since the book is presented as historical fiction. The writing style is formal and a little archaic -- perhaps to capture the language of the setting.
The book has a sequel: By Royal Command.
July 9, 2011
The book opens with Lucy running away from home to escape her drunk and abusive father. Her mother urges her to find work in London, but on the way there she comes across two girls- one stuck in the mud and in danger of drowning. Lucy immediately rushes to help the young girl-getting her own clothes muddy in the process. The young girl and her sister are the daughters of Dr. John Dee, the Queen's magician. Lucy ends up living and working at Dr Dee's house- caring for the children and helping Mistress Midge in the kitchen. Lucy has dreams that later end up coming true. One night she dreams about the death of the Queen. Later Lucy thwarts an assassination attempt on the Queen with the help of a ghost and a jester.
Mary Hooper does a great job of transporting the reader back through time. She has written other books I've enjoyed including At The Sign Of The Sugared Plum which takes place during the Black Plague in London.
Mary Hooper does a great job of transporting the reader back through time. She has written other books I've enjoyed including At The Sign Of The Sugared Plum which takes place during the Black Plague in London.
November 4, 2011
Magie et mascarade sont au coeur de ce passionnant roman, dont la configuration historique, plus que soignée, est admirablement reproduite. L'auteur apporte des notes de précision en fin de roman, pour expliquer le contexte et l'importance des personnages rencontrés dans cette fiction (le docteur Dee, par exemple, a bel et bien existé). L'histoire est racontée de façon limpide, vue à travers la sensibilité de la narratrice et héroïne. Lucy est une jeune fille attachante, portée par une curiosité qui frise l'indécence (ou l'inconvenance). Il lui faudra du culot, en plus du courage, pour démêler les fils de l'imbroglio auquel elle sera, malgré elle, associée. Cette aventure pleine de suspense s'enrichit également d'une touche romanesque, car notre demoiselle fera une rencontre charmante. Seule la suite nous en dévoilera plus. Ce roman est en fait le premier titre d'une trilogie.
April 22, 2013
I have nothing much to say about this book... I mean, it is a nice book; pretty interesting too. I liked the fact that Lucy, the narrator, always gets in trouble because of her curiosity. Like, even though she's had tons of problems because of that, she is still as curious as she used to be. I like how she admires the Queen, also.
The characters are quite nice—even too nice, after all. Dr Dee, Lucy's boss, is so odd. When I started reading this book, I hoped that there was gonna be a """relationship""" between Lucy and Dr Dee because the summary inspired me that, but there was nothing like that! I was so disappointed, I think Mary Hooper should've focused on that but yeah... It's probably why I couldn't enjoy this book so well
It is good,
But I'm not gonna buy the sequel though!
The characters are quite nice—even too nice, after all. Dr Dee, Lucy's boss, is so odd. When I started reading this book, I hoped that there was gonna be a """relationship""" between Lucy and Dr Dee because the summary inspired me that, but there was nothing like that! I was so disappointed, I think Mary Hooper should've focused on that but yeah... It's probably why I couldn't enjoy this book so well
It is good,
But I'm not gonna buy the sequel though!
July 14, 2011
This is a very accessible YA novel in which a young girl comes to work in the household of Dr. John Dee and becomes involved in various intrigues around the court of Elizabeth I.
I felt Hooper did a good job of capturing the period and even though it was very much written for YA, it was a quick fun read. I think it would be a good introduction to the period for teens with an engaging central character.
Hooper includes a short list of sources, a glossary and author's note on the historical period.
December 25, 2015
as a change from my usual YA reads, this book is historical fiction with no romantic subplots. supernatural elements are often shown to be a rouse, and the main character is easy to live through without being bland. Lucy has an identity and i like that. I have a running list of vocabulary words from this book that arent in the glossary at the back. Hoper definitely did her research on Eizabethan times.
i dont know if ill read the rest of the series, but i can telyou that i liked At The House of the Magician.
i dont know if ill read the rest of the series, but i can telyou that i liked At The House of the Magician.
March 16, 2012
This book was.....okay. I think it settles in the 14 and up category. It is a fast and easy read that is considered Historical Fiction. And maybe that's what turned me off toward the end was Queen Elizabeth's loving and forgiving attitude. I don't think, based on all I've seen and read about her, that she would have responded the way she did. But, that's a personal opinion and I did enjoy the other characters. I do want to read the second book just to see how it turns out.
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