MOUVAR'S MAGIC

Fifth and concluding volume of the series (most recently Orc's Opal) about Kelvin of Rud, the Roundear of Prophesy, and the magical tussle between the good (and mostly offstage) wizard Mouvar and the evil Professor Devale. The latter and his sidekick, the malignant witch Zady, will make one final attempt to destroy Kelvin and his allies, and prevent the fulfillment of the prophecy that will unite all the lands under one benevolent ruler. At first Zady seems to gain the upper hand, ensorcelling Kelvin, kidnapping various of Kelvin's telepathic children, bamboozling Kelvin's other offspring, the human-dragon Horace. But gradually, as the powerfully magical orcs perceive the threat and join the battle, a balance is struck. Finally, with the help of the three-headed chimera, Kelvin defeats Zady and Devale, and Mover pops up to tell Kelvin that the whole exercise was a sort of game between himself and Devale. Understandably, Kelvin is not thrilled at the news. Loads of improbable action, a frenetic pace, monsters and magics galore, and no claim to seriousness: precisely the formula that has succeeded throughout the series, and a satisfying finale for the fans.