ALA Booklist (Thu May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Shortly after the nightlong vigil during which young Aileen failed to come into her powers as a wise woman, like her aunt Beck, the two of them are sent on a mission by their king. With their fellow travelers, they must break the spell that has formed a transparent wall between the nearby island of Logra and the other three islands of Chaldea. After Aunt Beck is stricken by evil magic, it's up to Aileen to lead the others, access her unknown powers, and save those she loves. The novel was mainly written by Diana Wynne Jones, who died in 2011, and completed by her sister Ursula, an actress, writer, and playwright. The journey offers a sound framework for the story and many adventures for Aileen and her companions. But the focus continually returns to the girl's growing awareness of her expanding world and her potential role in it. An enjoyable fantasy written with a light touch and narrated by an engaging heroine.

Horn Book

Diana Wynne Jones's humor, insight, and brisk, inventive style shine in this posthumously published novel. Aileen is embarrassed when she fails her Wise Woman initiation. She discovers her own "very vigorous" powers on a quest with her Wise Aunt Beck, a prince, and his attendant through the islands of Chaldea. Jones's imaginative vigor is unabated in this last, picaresque novel.

Kirkus Reviews

The fates of four countries hang in the balance, and only an apprentice magicworker can save the day. For the ultimate in bittersweet feelings, fans must confront the final novel of master fantasist Jones, posthumously completed by her sister Ursula. In a little stone house on the island of Skarr, Aileen's being raised as an apprentice Wise Woman and magicworker by her aunt Beck. When Aunt Beck is sent on a quest by the High King to rescue a kidnapped prince, Aileen tags along. Their journey takes them across all the little islands of their world (a wee European-style fantasyland that stretches from skirling pipes and heather on Skarr to olives and grapes on Gallis). Quiet at first, Aileen is forced to come into her own when her aunt suffers a mishap. Now, a band of ragtag adventurers, including an invisible cat named Plug-Ugly, depends on Aileen to lead them, as they take nearly every transportation method in the fantasyland guidebook: sailing ships, donkey carts, floating wagons and hot air balloons. Affectionate chaos and loving revelations follow, forming a classic, joyful screwball comedy. Aileen says of one of her friends, "[w]e stay awhile with each other, then part." If that's all we get, we can be grateful for the while we have. (Fantasy. 10-13)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Set in a luminous and beguiling magical land, this standalone novel was begun by acclaimed fantasist Wynne Jones before her death in 2011 and has been seamlessly completed by her sister Ursula, an actress and writer. Just a day after Eileen seems to fail her initiation into her family-s magical tradition, she and her Aunt Beck-a fully-fledged Wise Woman-are sent on a quest to breach the mysterious barrier that separates the islands of Skarr, Bernica, and Gallis from the enemy land of Logra. Accompanying Eileen and Beck are Ivar-the haughty prince whom Aileen plans to marry (-Until then I feel free to admire him greatly in secret-)-and Ogo, an awkward Logran boy. More companions join the travelers, including a sometimes-invisible giant cat that Aileen nicknames Plug-Ugly. As Aileen grows into her own powers, she reunites with long-lost family and reassesses her romantic plans. Though the plot twists are slightly less fiendish than in previous works, Wynne Jones-s humor, compassion, and invention continue to delight throughout this exhilarating tale. A story to cherish. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)

School Library Journal (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Gr 5 Up-When Aileen turns 12, she is required to go to The Place for her initiation into a long family line of Wise Women. Disappointed that her magic has not been revealed during the ceremony, she is assured by her Aunt Beck that it will come. Aileen lives on Skarr, one of the four magical islands of Chaldea. The largest and most magical of the islands, Logra, has been isolated from the others by a huge barrier that prevents anyone from leaving or entering. As a result, it is draining the magic from the other three islands. Aunt Beck, Aileen, and a representative from each of the three islands have been sent to use magic to break the Logra barrier. It is during the ensuing adventures that the gifts bestowed upon Aileen come to fruition. On their journey, Aunt Beck is rendered powerless by a drunken queen who takes offense at her outspoken manner. Aileen is forced to take charge, and with each encounter her power grows. The author passed away before finishing the book, and her sister has kept it alive. Continuing the medieval magic of wizards, witches, and supernatural animals, she gives the ending a sweeping flourish of action, romance, and humor. Although there are some inconsistencies in the characterization, diehard fantasy fans will not be deterred. Recommend this novel to the Jones's many fans and other avid fantasy readers. D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH