The Merlin Conspiracy by Diana Wynne Jones
Hardback, March 2003, ISBN 0-0071-5141-1
The Merlin Conspiracy was published in March 2003 and was Diana's first "children's" book for ten years. The story follows Nick Mallory, (who also appeared in Deep Secret, one of her adult novels), and Roddy Hyde, a girl from the Isles of Blest.
The story has each of them voicing alternate chapters which is a good way to intermingle their stories up until the point that they meet. Roddy travels with the King's Progress as it makes its way aound the Isles of Blest. She wishes that she could stay in one place for a while, but after discovering that the Merlin is plotting something terrible she and her friend Grundo go to stay with her grandfather and ask for his help. Unfortunately he is already bound by the workings of the Merlin and Sybil, Grundo's mother, but suggests various ways that they can call for help. One of these ways leads them to Nick, who's managed to find his way onto the paths between the worlds, but can't stop anywhere as he is being hunted for.
With the help of three of her cousins, her other grandfather and a wizard named Romanov, Roddy, Nick and Grundo must prevent Sybil from draining all the magic from the Isles, even if they die in the attempt.
This book was well worth waiting ten years for, as after reading Deep Secret I longed to know more about the Magids and Nick, and about the other worlds in the systems. It's not necessary to have read Deep Secret to enjoy this fantastic tale (but if you haven't then go find it for afterwards!).
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