Marc Zicree inserted a note on the flyleaf that informs the reader that he did not write this book.He didn't. He DID create the world in which it's set, but the story is mine. The rating is from Amazon.com, and the review below is from Booklist:In the wake of a devastating accident, the face of America has changed. The land is warped and twisted, and previously normal humans now exhibit strange, magical talents. The forces unleashed by the accident cause people to manifest their greatest potential . . . or their darkest desires. Driven by guilt and a powerful vision, Cal Griffin has assembled a small band to seek out and destroy the source of the evil, which is known as the Storm, and to rescue his 12-year-old sister--if she is still alive. Led by the unpredictable manic-depressive Goldie, whose newly emerging talent is to sense the direction in which the Storm lies, and the old and ailing musician Enid, whose ethereal song repels the life-sucking evil, the band makes its way westward to the Storm. But the group's first stop is Chicago, where another evil nearly as potent as the Storm has arisen, is growing rapidly, and must be dealt with. A terrific story featuring powerful, strong characters, this is rather a must for fans of postapocalyptic fiction. Paula Luedtke
So I just finished reading this book for the second time, and I have to say I really really like it. I have two problems however, 1) The Name: Stupid. 2)The Cover:Cheezey. I would call this book The Source: Angelfire. Let me explain. In this world there has been an apocalyptic event that changed everything, physics, science, reality, people. People come in two groups twists, and normals. The normals are just that, normal, but the tweaks have been altered in some way by the Source (what caused the Change). There are Grunters (mole-like people) and Flares which resemble faeries. There are also just people who have powers, and look normal. Like Goldie the schizophrenic hobo who can shoot light from his fingertips. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that this is good sci-fi. Its fresh, yet contains hints of older stories (including the Bible, and the Legends of Arthur). It also contiains snippets of modern life like Pink Floyd lyrics and references to The Wizard of Oz. If you like sci-fi, and aren't afraid of crazy magic stuff, read it.
What do You think about Angelfire (2002)?
I started reading this book series years ago, but had to take a break in the middle of Magic Time: Angelfire due to real life. Now I've finally found my way back to this book series again, and I don't regret it. Relaxing outside in the sun, while getting lost in the adventures of (pre-Change lawyer) Cal and his motley crew of (pre-Change homeless man) lunatic Goldie, tough-as-nails Colleen, and Russian (pre-Change doctor-turned-hot-dog-vendor) Doc Lysenko on a quest to find the source behind the world's magic change, and to find Cal's little sister, Tina, who was taken by the Source. On their travels they encounter challenges, mysteries, and other normal and twisted characters, such as magical bluesman Enid and (pre-Change callgirl) flare Magritte.
—Liv
I loved the first book in this series; it was fresh, different and well-paced. This second, though, left me completely underwhelmed. It did little to advance the overall plot and cheapened the series to the point that it feels less epic and more episodic, like bad television. From the ginormous logical hole as to why any of episode 2 was even happening in the first place, to some dramatic yet almost glossed over changes to character dynamics and relationships among the major characters, the storytelling in this volume just wasn't up to par from the high standard set by the first novel. I guess that's the chances one takes when reading a series in which the individual volumes are written by different authors. Still, it was ok and I'll read the third volume since I am still interested in the overall plotline, and hope that it's better thought out and better written than the second.
—Thom Watson
