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On his fourteenth birthday, Liam Hale is grieving a monumental loss and struggling to navigate a painfully strained relationship with his mostly absent father. Miserable in the oppressive heat of the Florida summer, Liam has lost all motivation. With interests that lean towards calculus, science, and astronomy, he is far from popular and is, therefore, dreading high school, where bullies abound. The sole bright spot in Liam’s dreary existence is Ada, his longtime best friend whose boisterous, unapologetic personality hides an unwavering loyalty. However, a surprise birthday gift exposes Liam to a whole new world filled with mages, witches, trolls, goblins, centaurs, fauns, and faeries. Suddenly, he is catapulted into a magical destiny with a mission that has repercussions for the entire multi-dimensional Megaverse.
This creative young adult fantasy blends religion, mythology, folklore, and science fiction. Franco delivers an imaginative adventure where gods, demigods, and demigoddesses meet leprechauns and clones made of vegetables. The gangly, clumsy nerd who morphs into a superhero is an endearing theme that is relatable to young readers. Comprehensive backstories and intricately described personalities make for a diverse cast of well-developed characters who draw readers into their lives, escapades, and conflicts. The author also incorporates deeper topics such as unrequited love, the afterlife, and love so strong that it transcends death. The book explores how the loss of a parent impacts a child's life. Weaving these delicate themes into the fabric of a tale of quests, prophecies, and spells, Franco lays a firm foundation for the next installment in the Conjurer’s Prophecy Trilogy.