hales1026's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paintergirl4ever's review against another edition
5.0
A great finish to a great series. It had me wondering at one point but pulled through in the end. Recommended for tweens.
emilyadams's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
reading_leaf's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
such a. GOOD series OMG wtf it was so deep and fantastical. I was never bored! I thing almost anyone would fine something to enjoy in this book!
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
Ok, we loved the first book in this series, for its plausible deniability of magic. It ended and we just weren't sure -- was Rin a wizard? Or was it all an amazing set of circumstances? I've never seen another author pull it off quite so well.
In the second book, it's clear there's magic, but it's still kinda murky as to whether Rin or Ozzy have it. It was more like, it would've been extremely unlikely for the events, especially the ending, to NOT be magic.
Then COVID struck, and there were supply chain issues, and I felt like I waited forever to get this. But finally, in this one, Magic Required, it's clear: Rin is a wizard. And Ozzy's got some seriously plaid pants to fill. He's no longer an apprentice, he's a full blown wizard, too.
I loved this one. It brings back the villain, Ray; his attack dog, Jon, who's rocked by the revelation that the world contains magic and he now wants a part of it; Ozzy gets the wizard pants, so it's time for him to seriously start learning on his own; Sigi, whose mom, along with the Sheriff, are determined to alter Sigi's life path as far from Rin and Ozzy's as possible; and Clarke, who's kinda reborn (it doesn't last, thank goodness, but I enjoyed it while it stuck) as a dragon.
Ozzy learns some hard, cold truths, while Rin's still working the case from the first book, finding Ozzy's parents. And he does.
I won't spoil how this ends, or how events unfold in the truly, is-it-magic or is-it-coincidence fashion. Enjoy the ride of a read!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
In the second book, it's clear there's magic, but it's still kinda murky as to whether Rin or Ozzy have it. It was more like, it would've been extremely unlikely for the events, especially the ending, to NOT be magic.
Then COVID struck, and there were supply chain issues, and I felt like I waited forever to get this. But finally, in this one, Magic Required, it's clear: Rin is a wizard. And Ozzy's got some seriously plaid pants to fill. He's no longer an apprentice, he's a full blown wizard, too.
I loved this one. It brings back the villain, Ray; his attack dog, Jon, who's rocked by the revelation that the world contains magic and he now wants a part of it; Ozzy gets the wizard pants, so it's time for him to seriously start learning on his own; Sigi, whose mom, along with the Sheriff, are determined to alter Sigi's life path as far from Rin and Ozzy's as possible; and Clarke, who's kinda reborn (it doesn't last, thank goodness, but I enjoyed it while it stuck) as a dragon.
Ozzy learns some hard, cold truths, while Rin's still working the case from the first book, finding Ozzy's parents. And he does.
I won't spoil how this ends, or how events unfold in the truly, is-it-magic or is-it-coincidence fashion. Enjoy the ride of a read!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
oswallt's review against another edition
I couldn't make myself finish it. The plot was absolutely ridiculous and I didn't care about even one of the characters.
onemanbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
Check out www.onemanbookclub.com for more content aware book reviews and recommendations!
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
The Wizard for Hire Trilogy wasn’t exactly what I expected, but what do I know? What I found was WAY better than what I thought I was going to get.
I know Obert Skye from the Levin Thumps series, which I remember enjoying despite the whimsy. So when Wizard for Hire was published a couple of years ago and I came across the AWESOME art and Obert Skye's name on the cover, I added to my list. The final book in the trilogy was published a couple of months ago, so it was finally time to jump in.
What I expected was a magical fantasy adventure. What I got was definitely an adventure, but the magic was more in the moving story, charming characters, and laugh-out-loud silliness than in the fantastical. It worked, and I LOVED it. So much.
Ozzy was 7 when his scientist parents were kidnapped in front of him. He’s lived alone in a house in the woods of Oregon ever since. Traumatized, lonely, and naive, he's now 14 and wants to experience High School and figure out what happened to his parents. Sneaking into High School and posing as a student isn't too tough--but it is hilariously awkward. Getting help finding his parents without letting on that he's a kid living alone? That's much harder. Luckily he sees an ad in the local paper: Wizard for Hire. Perfect!
Let the adventures begin! Problem solved! He's IS a wizard, right? Right? Right...
It’s up for debate, but Wizard or not, the fun is absolutely magical!
This story is about trust, doing hard things, believing in yourself, forgiving others, and being a good friend. The message is delivered via a touching story with outstanding characters and exceptionally funny dialogue. Expect to smile, make satisfied sighs, laugh out loud, stay up late reading, and maybe even shed a happy tear as you close the page on the final book.
Wizard for Hire has no content issues and is family friendly. Best for independent readers 12 and up, but also would be great as a read-aloud with the younger kids too. Kirby Heyborne also gives a fantastic performance on the audio books!
Happy Reading!
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
The Wizard for Hire Trilogy wasn’t exactly what I expected, but what do I know? What I found was WAY better than what I thought I was going to get.
I know Obert Skye from the Levin Thumps series, which I remember enjoying despite the whimsy. So when Wizard for Hire was published a couple of years ago and I came across the AWESOME art and Obert Skye's name on the cover, I added to my list. The final book in the trilogy was published a couple of months ago, so it was finally time to jump in.
What I expected was a magical fantasy adventure. What I got was definitely an adventure, but the magic was more in the moving story, charming characters, and laugh-out-loud silliness than in the fantastical. It worked, and I LOVED it. So much.
Ozzy was 7 when his scientist parents were kidnapped in front of him. He’s lived alone in a house in the woods of Oregon ever since. Traumatized, lonely, and naive, he's now 14 and wants to experience High School and figure out what happened to his parents. Sneaking into High School and posing as a student isn't too tough--but it is hilariously awkward. Getting help finding his parents without letting on that he's a kid living alone? That's much harder. Luckily he sees an ad in the local paper: Wizard for Hire. Perfect!
Let the adventures begin! Problem solved! He's IS a wizard, right? Right? Right...
It’s up for debate, but Wizard or not, the fun is absolutely magical!
This story is about trust, doing hard things, believing in yourself, forgiving others, and being a good friend. The message is delivered via a touching story with outstanding characters and exceptionally funny dialogue. Expect to smile, make satisfied sighs, laugh out loud, stay up late reading, and maybe even shed a happy tear as you close the page on the final book.
Wizard for Hire has no content issues and is family friendly. Best for independent readers 12 and up, but also would be great as a read-aloud with the younger kids too. Kirby Heyborne also gives a fantastic performance on the audio books!
Happy Reading!
jojo50's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ghumpherys's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This is such a fun middle-grade series! Great characters, lots of adventure, and that underlying question of whether the magic is real. Rin's character made me laugh so many times - his character was so endearing. A wonderful conclusion to this series! The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job as well!
annette45's review against another edition
5.0
Obert Skye is one of my favorite authors and I've enjoyed his Wizard for Hire trilogy. This series has been a lot of fun with lots of layers to it also.
With this, the third and final installment of the series, we pick up right where we left off from the ending of the previous book and it flows well with the transition into this book. There have been a few changes since the last book like happens with time passing and Ozzy living with Sigi, Rin's (the Wizard) daughter, and Sigi's mom, Patti while Rin has disappeared - gone off searching for Ozzy's parents and such.
During this part of the series, we discover some truths that aren't particularly fun about Ozzy and his situation and his parents, also about Rin, his past and a bit more explanation about him and things. There is also still Ray chasing after Ozzy for the magical serum that can be used to mind-control and discipline others to do what you want them to do and Ozzy discovering more about his powers and abilities while trying to wrap his mind around and understand magic as well as deciding how he feels about it and if he believes in it or not.
There are some new characters and friends of Rin introduced briefly into the story that plays an important part at the end of the story when everything plays out at the famous comic con place they go to when they find themselves in need of help from said friends, and themselves in dealing with Ray and his henchmen.
Clark is still one of my favorite characters in the book, he's a very quirky and interesting little metal bird that makes me wish I had one of my very own and he helps and accompanies them on their journeys throughout the story.
Things resolve themselves and we find the answers to Ozzy's questions about his parents, where they are, what happened, himself, his powers and other things as well throughout this book. There's a lot of things that happen and a lot of information we find out along with Ozzy in this conclusion to the series that wraps everything up nicely.
It touches and talks a bit of mental illness with the characters, grief and about the importance of family, friends, and relationships as well as figuring out things for yourself and believing in yourself and in magic that can be found all around you. There were a bit more layers and depth to this book than I think there was in the previous ones and it's still a lot of fun and a great read that you don't want to miss out on so make sure to preorder this book to find out the exciting conclusion to this awesome series.
Also if you haven't read this series, you really should go read it, it's wonderful, uplifting and fun.
With this, the third and final installment of the series, we pick up right where we left off from the ending of the previous book and it flows well with the transition into this book. There have been a few changes since the last book like happens with time passing and Ozzy living with Sigi, Rin's (the Wizard) daughter, and Sigi's mom, Patti while Rin has disappeared - gone off searching for Ozzy's parents and such.
During this part of the series, we discover some truths that aren't particularly fun about Ozzy and his situation and his parents, also about Rin, his past and a bit more explanation about him and things. There is also still Ray chasing after Ozzy for the magical serum that can be used to mind-control and discipline others to do what you want them to do and Ozzy discovering more about his powers and abilities while trying to wrap his mind around and understand magic as well as deciding how he feels about it and if he believes in it or not.
There are some new characters and friends of Rin introduced briefly into the story that plays an important part at the end of the story when everything plays out at the famous comic con place they go to when they find themselves in need of help from said friends, and themselves in dealing with Ray and his henchmen.
Clark is still one of my favorite characters in the book, he's a very quirky and interesting little metal bird that makes me wish I had one of my very own and he helps and accompanies them on their journeys throughout the story.
Things resolve themselves and we find the answers to Ozzy's questions about his parents, where they are, what happened, himself, his powers and other things as well throughout this book. There's a lot of things that happen and a lot of information we find out along with Ozzy in this conclusion to the series that wraps everything up nicely.
It touches and talks a bit of mental illness with the characters, grief and about the importance of family, friends, and relationships as well as figuring out things for yourself and believing in yourself and in magic that can be found all around you. There were a bit more layers and depth to this book than I think there was in the previous ones and it's still a lot of fun and a great read that you don't want to miss out on so make sure to preorder this book to find out the exciting conclusion to this awesome series.
Also if you haven't read this series, you really should go read it, it's wonderful, uplifting and fun.