Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2014 Gr 5 Up—When Aileen turns 12, she is required to go to The Place for her initiation into a long family line of Wise Women. Disappointed that her magic has not been revealed during the ceremony, she is assured by her Aunt Beck that it will come. Aileen lives on Skarr, one of the four magical islands of Chaldea. The largest and most magical of the islands, Logra, has been isolated from the others by a huge barrier that prevents anyone from leaving or entering. As a result, it is draining the magic from the other three islands. Aunt Beck, Aileen, and a representative from each of the three islands have been sent to use magic to break the Logra barrier. It is during the ensuing adventures that the gifts bestowed upon Aileen come to fruition. On their journey, Aunt Beck is rendered powerless by a drunken queen who takes offense at her outspoken manner. Aileen is forced to take charge, and with each encounter her power grows. The author passed away before finishing the book, and her sister has kept it alive. Continuing the medieval magic of wizards, witches, and supernatural animals, she gives the ending a sweeping flourish of action, romance, and humor. Although there are some inconsistencies in the characterization, diehard fantasy fans will not be deterred. Recommend this novel to the Jones's many fans and other avid fantasy readers.—D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2014 Shortly after the nightlong vigil during which young Aileen failed to come into her powers as a wise woman, like her aunt Beck, the two of them are sent on a mission by their king. With their fellow travelers, they must break the spell that has formed a transparent wall between the nearby island of Logra and the other three islands of Chaldea. After Aunt Beck is stricken by evil magic, it’s up to Aileen to lead the others, access her unknown powers, and save those she loves. The novel was mainly written by Diana Wynne Jones, who died in 2011, and completed by her sister Ursula, an actress, writer, and playwright. The journey offers a sound framework for the story and many adventures for Aileen and her companions. But the focus continually returns to the girl’s growing awareness of her expanding world and her potential role in it. An enjoyable fantasy written with a light touch and narrated by an engaging heroine. - Copyright 2014 Booklist.

Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2014 Aileen is sure that she is the misfit in her family, not quite living up to the expectations or abilities of the other magically talented folks who have preceded her. Nevertheless, when conscripted to go along on a quest to remove a supernatural barrier that has divided the land for years, Aileen knows that even if she won’t be much help, off she must go. Of course, there is much more magical potential brewing beneath her surface than she would have believed, and an epic journey peopled with a motley crew of representatives from each of the primary lands is an ideal situation for her to explore who she can become. This warm, exciting novel was begun by Diana Wynne Jones and expertly completed by her sister, Ursula, after Diana’s death in 2011. The setting is perfection-this beautiful and intricate world is revealed through Aileen’s knowing take, and her narration offers wry insight into how this world has been shaped (for good and ill) by magic and misconceptions about how everyone else might be using it. It is fitting that the details of such a strong, elegant fantasy will linger with readers, as this is exactly what Wynne Jones fans would seek as a poignant goodbye to a beloved author. AS - Copyright 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.