Time of Trial by Michael Pryor
Random House Australia, 2009.
Just as the university year comes to the end, and Aubrey's loyal friend
George is (remarkably) making sixes during a game of cricket, an
ensorcelled storm cloud concealing enemy forces causes massive
disruption, dropping a magically enhanced depth charge right over the
game. Aubrey would be dead except for the appearance of Kiefer, a
suspicious character, who gifts him a Beccaria cage. This device
brings Aubrey peace from the debilitating effects of his past brush
with death Magic. (Or does it?)
Aubrey tries to assassinate his cousin the Prince whilst ensorcelled.
The dastardly Dr Tremaine again seems to be the source of this and
other unfolding events. So Aubrey and George travel to Holmland by
train, on a mission to thwart Dr Tremaine. Aubrey is pushed out of the
train by a member of an ancient secret group, only to fall into the
hands of another rebel group.
The redoubtable Caroline joins them in their searches after an attempt
is made to kill Mrs Fitzwilliam. Caroline, George and Aubrey are pulled
into the half world of Dr Tremaine's comatose sister Sylvia. Just when
they think they have solved the problem by containing Dr Tremaine in a
pearl (too easy to be true), everything falls apart and war with
Holmland seems inevitable.
Michael Pryor presents a world strangely parallel to our own at the
politically unstable time just before the Great War. The only
difference is that magic is a normal part of life, and Aubrey is adept
with magic as others might be with languages or maths.
Secondary students who like adventure with a bit of magic will enjoy
this exciting, eventful book.
S. Whittaker