About what you'd expect of a book written by a high school senior: a patchwork of engaging ideas, many derivative of fantasy classics like The Lord of the Rings, that meanders like the remains of a medieval lai. The characters are distinct but underdeveloped, and it takes three-quarters of the book for the heroes to stumble upon the novel's plot. Still, once that plot comes into play, the story moves swiftly and with clever purpose and concludes with an appealing hint at more adventures to come. ( )