The Accidental Sorcerer – K. E. Mills
Harper Voyager, 2008
442 pages
RRP: AU$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7322-8604-0

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

The Accidental Sorcerer is the entertaining story of Gerald Dunwoody, a dangerously accident-prone Third Grade wizard. After losing his job as a public servant after a bit of an explosion, he manages to land a job as Royal Court Wizard in New Ottosland, Ottosland’s isolated colony in the middle of a faraway desert.

Little does bumbling Gerald know that his dream job is not as easy as he thought. New Ottosland has managed to hire and fire five Royal Court Wizards since the current king ascended the throne. Things smell rotten in the state of New Ottosland, what with rumblings of war with their nearest neighbours, a narcissistic king who has just fired all his advisors, a butterfly-obsessed prince and a princess newly appointed to the role of Prime Minister.

The novel turns some of the expectations of fantasy upside down. While we have an unprepossessing, likeable hero who has fallen into his power a la King Arthur, Princess Melissande is a rough’n'ready, unexpectedly tomboyish princess who highly resents being given a makeover. The romantic aspect is also unpredictable.

Amusing to young adults and older readers alike, The Accidental Sorcerer takes us on a journey which is funny, suspenseful and harrowing by turns. The ending is satisfying while leaving a lot of scope for the sequels. Fantasy readers will enjoy the series as it takes a fresh look at the genre.