Adam received a new book for Christmas because his aunt and I thought he might enjoy James Patterson' rich and detailed style. When Adam enjoys a book, I read it too. He's got great taste in literature, and really detests what he styles "garbage" lit. Considering that most "chick" lit is probably the equivalent of his "garbage" I will confess he has better literary taste than I do!
Witch & Wizard is not the usual James Patterson, perhaps thanks to the influence of Gabrielle Charbonnet!
The publisher's synopsis reads:
This is the astonishing testimonial of Wisty and Whit Allgood, a sister and brother who were torn from their family in the middle of the night, slammed into prison, and accused of being a witch and a wizard. Thousands of young people have been kidnapped; some have been accused; many others remain missing. Their fate is unknown, and the worst is feared—for the ruling regime will stop at nothing to suppress life and liberty, music and books, art and magic...and the pursuit of being a normal teenager.
The novel opens with the heroes, Wisty (15) and Whit (17) Allgood, standing in a theater awaiting their execution. Just minutes before their scheduled execution, Wisty invites the reader to journey back to her arrest. Wisty and Whit share the remainder of the story, switching voices chapter by chapter, a style a trifle confusing if the reader fails to read the chapter titles.
A book written for teens is often a fast read and Witch & Wizard is no exception. Patterson and Charbonnet shape fleshy characters and logical events within the world they've created. As a reader, I need both.
The young Allgoods are arrested in the middle of the night by agents of the New Order (N.O.), a political party determined to oppress free thinking, music, books, and - well, teenagers. The young Allgoods are perplexed though. Wisty has been something of a rebel in her "normal" world, but hasn't done anything that merits a late-night arrest. Whit seems to have a small problem with underage drinking, but has only done it in his own home - a punishable behavior, certainly, but probably by his parents rather than a Nazi-esque political regime. Wisty and Whit have no idea the N.O. has read prophecies suggesting the young Witch and Wizard will destroy the oppressive regime, nor have they any inkling of the power of their magical abilities.
The N.O. believes the Allgoods practice witchcraft and sorcery, obviously illegal activities. The Order allows the teens a trial, during which there is no preponderance of evidence, yet the young Witch and Wizard are condemned to death. The N.O. throws them in a prison designed to suppress their powers, and challenges them to frightful ordeals.
Fear, anger, and pain spark strange and increasingly magical phenomena. The Allgoods quickly learn to harness some of their power, leading them to a brilliantly executed escape followed by a prison-break for other youngsters. Obviously, as the book opens with the Witch and Wizard standing in the theater with massive crowds awaiting their execution, the N.O. recaptures them and prepares them for execution.
Although there are exceptions, in this novel, bad is really bad and good is very good. The N.O. combines all the worst traits of all the worst political parties in world history and certain parts of the novel resemble George Orwell's 1984, particularly the characterization of the abject masses. Still, it's a great read and both Adam and I look forward to the sequel.
I remain convinced Adam will enjoy the other Patterson work, and will encourage him to try one or two novels.
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