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The Accidental Wizard
The Accidental Wizard
A raucously funny middle grade adventure for fans of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman... Twig is the last surviving apprentice of the great wizard Ripplemintz, which, as a job, is just as terrifying as it sounds. Oh Ripplemintz always means well, but for a wizard of such high regard he really does make an awful lot of mistakes. And who's always left to clear them up? That's right - Twig. So when Ripplemitz's most powerful spell is let loose on the world, off Twig goes to catch it. And catch it he does, except... not quite in the way that he intended. Because, instead of catching it in an enchanted jar, Twig sort of... well... catches it in... HIMSELF. Brilliantly funny, with bags and bags of heart, The Accidental Wizard is destined to leave you completely spellbound.
- GenresMiddle GradeFantasy
Paperback
Published September 3, 2020
1 person is currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Pauley
9Ìýbooks296ÌýfollowersKIMBERLY PAULEY is the author of the award-winning Sucks to Be Me, which was honored on the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list. The sequel, Still Sucks to Be Me, was listed on the VOYA Best Science Fiction Fantasy List of 2010. Born in California, she has lived everywhere from Florida to Chicago and has now gone international to live in the UK with her husband (a numbers man) and the cutest little boy on any continent (The Max). She wrote Cat Girl’s Day Off because she wanted to share what cats really think with the world. ASK Me, is something different: darker, paranormal YA fantasy. The Accidental Wizard is her first middle grade book and is illustrated by Jason Cockcroft. Visit her online at kimberlypauley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 5, 2022
The Accidental Wizard is a lot of fun! It's a fun, magical fantasy with lovely characters and thrilling spellcasting in a fascinating new fantasy world.and one I enjoyed immensely.
Poor Twig, the only (surviving) apprentice of a really not very good wizard accidentally ends up as the most powerful wizard in the world. And as fun as this sounds, it's not something he really wants to celebrate. I really liked how the first implications of his new power are an endless succession of people wanting favours and things for free, much like how lottery winners suddenly find out about so many long lost family members. Twig is a very endearing character and I love seeing how his optimism and compassion is tested from the start. I love the different ways he copes with everything that gets thrown at him.
The other main characters are also superb. I particularly love Vile, the young hag who is far too pretty to be a hag. Her character and spirit and story arc are just brilliant, and the interactions between her, Twig and Glimfinkle the gnome are often hilarious.
Beyond these three, there's a wonderful mix of spellcasting types. We see other wizards of various different types and power levels, witches, hags and a most intriguing Oracle. There are so many different regions and kingdoms and spellcasters referenced that it feels like there's so much I'd love to see explored later on in the series.
Wizard duels and tournaments have been done several times before, but they're always something I love to see. The Accidental Wizard handled it really well, with a thrilling and funny tournament that had me gripped.
There were also some really thoughtful aspects of the book, about what makes us who and what we are, that I really enjoyed.
My proof copy had what looks like unfinished sketches of the illustrations by Jason Cockcroft, but these still looked lovely, ranging from border design flourishes to full page illustrations and I'm sure they'll add a lot to the finished book.
The Accidental Wizard is fun fantasy with a lot of heart and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Poor Twig, the only (surviving) apprentice of a really not very good wizard accidentally ends up as the most powerful wizard in the world. And as fun as this sounds, it's not something he really wants to celebrate. I really liked how the first implications of his new power are an endless succession of people wanting favours and things for free, much like how lottery winners suddenly find out about so many long lost family members. Twig is a very endearing character and I love seeing how his optimism and compassion is tested from the start. I love the different ways he copes with everything that gets thrown at him.
The other main characters are also superb. I particularly love Vile, the young hag who is far too pretty to be a hag. Her character and spirit and story arc are just brilliant, and the interactions between her, Twig and Glimfinkle the gnome are often hilarious.
Beyond these three, there's a wonderful mix of spellcasting types. We see other wizards of various different types and power levels, witches, hags and a most intriguing Oracle. There are so many different regions and kingdoms and spellcasters referenced that it feels like there's so much I'd love to see explored later on in the series.
Wizard duels and tournaments have been done several times before, but they're always something I love to see. The Accidental Wizard handled it really well, with a thrilling and funny tournament that had me gripped.
There were also some really thoughtful aspects of the book, about what makes us who and what we are, that I really enjoyed.
My proof copy had what looks like unfinished sketches of the illustrations by Jason Cockcroft, but these still looked lovely, ranging from border design flourishes to full page illustrations and I'm sure they'll add a lot to the finished book.
The Accidental Wizard is fun fantasy with a lot of heart and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 8, 2020
This book is so much fun. When Twig, a wizard’s apprentice, ends up the world’s most powerful wizard, all he wants is to be rid of his new found power. He ends up on a wild goose-chase of an adventure, making some friends along the way. The story is funny, a bit silly, and a warm hug wrapped up in a lovely bow.
The best bit of The Accidental Wizard is the world-building. Pauley manages to build a kingdom with different domains, and a yearly wizarding event, and makes it seem like it’s the easiest thing in the world. The story never loses pace, there is always something happened without being overly dramatic or losing the plot. Along with the wonderful characters, it has to be the most engrossing middle-grade book I’ve read this year.
I can see children getting lost in this world and devouring The Accidental Wizard. From an educational perspective, it carefully balances being easy to read and will help expand children’s vocabulary.
This book is a true joy and I highly recommend it.
The best bit of The Accidental Wizard is the world-building. Pauley manages to build a kingdom with different domains, and a yearly wizarding event, and makes it seem like it’s the easiest thing in the world. The story never loses pace, there is always something happened without being overly dramatic or losing the plot. Along with the wonderful characters, it has to be the most engrossing middle-grade book I’ve read this year.
I can see children getting lost in this world and devouring The Accidental Wizard. From an educational perspective, it carefully balances being easy to read and will help expand children’s vocabulary.
This book is a true joy and I highly recommend it.
April 6, 2021
I read this Middle-grade book with my 10year old son. It’s a fun book, though at times it’s a bit slow and overly detailed. The characters are well thought out, each having their own personalities. The overall plot is great and we both enjoyed the book very much.
Twig, a wizard’s apprentice, is hit by a magical spell “accidently� making him the most powerful wizard in the world. Twig has no idea what to do with these newfound powers, and wants nothing more than to rid himself of, as he calls it, “curse�.
This is a story of friendship and acceptance, with a lot of mishaps and adventure along the way. Great middle-grade read.
Twig, a wizard’s apprentice, is hit by a magical spell “accidently� making him the most powerful wizard in the world. Twig has no idea what to do with these newfound powers, and wants nothing more than to rid himself of, as he calls it, “curse�.
This is a story of friendship and acceptance, with a lot of mishaps and adventure along the way. Great middle-grade read.
March 10, 2022
A fun story in an even more fun world of magic, magical creatures, and magical personalities that has the MC and friends figuring out how to stay true to themselves without necessarily knowing exactly who they are or how great they might be. I can't wait to see what happens to this crew in the second book.
November 11, 2020
I loved this, a great fun read with fantastic characters. I'm really looking forward to seeing more books in this series. Clever, funny and beautifully illustrated.
November 10, 2022
Very funny adventure story full of surprises.
March 8, 2024
It was good
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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