It would be easy to quibble about this. Lucy is an annoying and thoroughly unbelievable character (the author could take a lesson from Suzanne Collins, author of Gregor the Overlander on how to take small children on an adventure), for example, and the life force, from which Jack draws his power, is a little too Star Wars. But readers will be having too much fun to worry about the details.

The extensive use of Norse mythology (most modern fantasy is based on Celtic myth) gives this story a real kick, as does the author's frequent reversals of expectations. Though Jack and Lucy are not terribly interesting as characters, Olaf is, and in a way that is alien to Jack and almost alien to the reader. And the adventure itself, especially once they stop dithering around in England and hit the high seas, is as exciting and engrossing as one could hope for, right up to the very satisfying ending that almost begs for a sequel.

From the Book:
"In my opinion, you aren't a total waste of time," said the Bard. "Don't let that go to your head, boy. You could easily be a partial waste of time. How'd you like to be my apprentice?"

Jack gaped at him. His brain couldn't grasp the meaning of it. He'd never heard of a bard's apprentice.

"That's the first habit we'll have to get rid of," said the old man, sighing. "You should look intelligent, even when you aren't."