THE WAND
book 3
“Lexmond skillfully places her likable characters within a complex and fascinating world in which magic and mayhem merges with individual struggles and family drama to form a spectacular tale of supernatural intrigue, pulling readers deep into the layered drama.”
-- The Prairies Book Review
In the third installment of the Madigan Chronicles, the struggle to keep the elemental powers safe continues, and the family dramas deepen.
Ceri has a hard time finding the balance as the Keeper of the Land in Fairy and being human. Alienating her daughter, who finds a dangerous friend in Mab, the Queen of Fairy.
In the meantime, Maeve must face up to her teenage trauma and wrestles with accepting her true self. Bridget does her utmost to help her twin, to make up for some of the pain she had caused by leaving her behind all those years ago. At the same time, she is forced to take on a responsibility she never wanted and upsets the entire family in the process.
The story weaves between the perspectives of various members of this family and the drama that enters their lives primarily through
the magical elements. The family drama reflects the dynamics of a real family with butting heads, divorce, affairs, and
miscommunication, though with the added mix of fairies, love potions, and magic. Each family member has their own journey that
coincides and draws them together as they must rely on each other for support, love, and help. These relationships also drive a majority of the drama that moves the story forward. The choice of the next Guardian of the Wand of Wisdom simmers in the background of the story and the striving to obtain power. Stunning tarot cards are incorporated throughout with vivid images that feature a variety of animals. These provide backdrops to the story with the meaning of the cards providing a foreshadowing of how each section unfolds. Several locations are seen throughout as the story weaves between the characters and uses the locations as poignant elements in their lives such as Fairy, New Orleans (the family shop, Under the Witches Hat), Nevada Desert, Big Sur, and the Astral Plane. These create a background to a story that dips between a human world and a fairy one with magical elements blended into both. The Wand by Marieke Lexmond is a family drama with a variety of voices that explore self-discovery, empowerment, growth, magic, and relationships. -- Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
I read The Wand not having read the first two books in this series. Marieke Lexmond has done a great job of providing enough
information in the first few chapters so that I was able to become fully involved with her many characters. Lexmond's characters are
well-rounded and very memorable. Each chapter is illustrated with a tarot card beautifully rendered in black and white by Nicole
Ruijgrok. Lexmond's story is filled with action, suspense, and heartfelt emotion. She has done a marvelous job of weaving
together the various characters' stories into a complete whole. The Wand is a spellbinding story that is sure to enthrall fans of magical realism. -- Kristine Zimmerman for Readers' Favorite
Filled with magic, mystery, and a heavy dose of family drama, The Wand from The Madigan Chronicles is a wild rollercoaster of a ride you don't want to get off. Author Marieke Lexmond weaves an intricate yarn set in a meticulously crafted world that hooks you in from the first page and refuses to let go until the end. Despite the large cast, each character has their own agency in their actions. They are driven by their own varied motives that create a captivating dynamic within the narrative, keeping you immersed in the story. The plot moves quickly, with unexpected twists and turns you never see coming. If fast-paced urban fantasy is your favorite pastime, The Wand from The Madigan Chronicles is right up your
alley. -- Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
