Book Review: The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarty

The Inquisitor's Apprentice by Chris Moriarty and illustrator Mark Edward Geyer is an alternated history novel intended for children between nine and thirteen. It takes place in New York during the 1800's, in a world where magic exists, but is outlawed. Of course, laws do not stop housewives from dabbling in a little magic to make a little money or their lives a little easier. It is the jobs of Inquisitors to police magic and arrest those that misuse magic to commit crimes. Sacha is a nice Jewish boy growing up in a loving family with a lot of faith and very little money. One day it is discovered that he can see people using magic, and that is when the crisis begins for Sacha and those around him. He is tested and apprenticed to the star inquisitor, Maximillian Wolf. Fellow apprentice Lily Astral and Sasha learn the ropes and navigate the widely varied neighborhoods of New York as they work with Wolf to track down who, or what, is trying to kill Thomas Edison. The threat of a witch-hunt of epic proportions and the accusations of attempted murder landing at Sacha's doorstep are distinct possibilities if they fail, and perhaps even if they do not.

The Inquisitor's Apprentice is a well-written and very clever alternate history. The neighborhoods and details of the era are well researched and little tidbits about the reality of New York are sprinkled through the story, delighting this adult reader. I do think that Inquisitor's Apprentice might be a better choice for advanced readers in the nine and up age group than everyone. The plot is extremely clever, and gets pretty complicated with the little details that are essential for solving the mystery inherent in the story. I think that the more advanced reader is the age group, as well as teens and adults, and more likely to be able to lose themselves in the story and enjoy its complexities than those that might have to struggle a little more. I thought that the mystical aspects of Sacha and Wolf were not fully explored. Although, the personalities of all pertinent characters are very well fleshed-out and frankly intriguing.

I will recommend The Inquisitor's Apprentice to many people, particularly to tweens and teens looking for something a little different, fans of alternate history, and some of the advanced younger readers that are looking for a read that fits their reading level, but does not contain topics or language inappropriate for their age. As someone that was reading adult level books far too early, books that will fulfill the reading needs of those between age groups is very important to me, which is part of why I liked this book and Moriarty's writing style so much. I am looking forward to the sequel, which judging by the end of the book I hope will be soon to follow.