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'Death Wizard' Captures Magic Of Potter Series

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By KAREN HAYMON LONG

Published: October 21, 2007

Updated: 10/19/2007 10:44 pm

'The Death Wizard Chronicles: Book One - The Pit,' by Jim Melvin (Rain Publishing Inc., $17)

Adult Harry Potter and 'Eragon' fans can get their next fix with Jim Melvin's six-book epic 'The Death Wizard Chronicles.' Book one ('The Pit') and book two ('Moon Goddess') are out now. The other four will follow once a month beginning in November.

In 'The Pit,' Melvin's imagination and writing equal that of J.K. Rowling, author of the fantastically popular Harry Potter series, and Christopher Paolini, author of 'Eragon' and 'Eldest.' Some of his descriptions - and creatures - even surpass theirs.

His fantasy takes place on the Triken, a world of ancient rulers, of good vs. evil, love vs. hate.

His hero, Torg, wizard king of the Tugars, is a 'Death Knower,' who has died and come back to life stronger than ever many times over the centuries. Torg oversees a peaceful people threatened by an evil ruler, Invictus.

In exchange for the freedom of nuns and monks imprisoned by Invictus, Torg agrees to imprisonment in a pit in a monstrously grotesque frozen mountain called Asubha. No one expects him to survive.

But through his magical powers, great strength and by dying and resurrecting, he survives all that's thrown at him: a monstrous snow giant, demons, evil sorcerers, a cruel spider and giant worm monsters.

Melvin's descriptions of these monsters make them seem frightfully real. That's especially true of the demon Vedana, Invictus' grandmother, who forces Torg to impregnate her.

Melvin's hero may not have the youthful appeal of Harry Potter, but he's compelling enough to hook those who read 'The Pit.'

Karen Haymon Long is the Tribune's book editor.

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