title: A Plague of Sorcerers
author:  Mary Frances Zambreno 
description: As wizard's apprentice Jermyn Graves delves deeply into his studies of practical magic, he helps thwart a diabolical scheme to kill all of the wizards in the land. Even though this novel threatens to collapse under the weight of its numerous plots and counterplots--creaking loudly as they are jammed together--somehow events are righted and coherence achieved by the final page. Zambreno's greatest accomplishments are the creation of a highly believable world where magic follows an intriguing set of laws and a cast of delightfully eccentric, constantly feuding characters--including a temperamental Weather Wizard, a feverishly verbal master Herbalist, a brilliant Theoretician and the shrewd and talented Jermyn himself. Ages 9-14. <BR>Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  Magic Study
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  Talk ceased the minute we entered. All eyes focused on me. My skin crawled. I
  felt as if they were examining every inch of my face, my clothes and my muddy
  boots. From their expressions, I gathered I wasn’t meeting expectations. I
  stifled the desire to hide behind Irys. Regret that I hadn’t asked Irys more
  questions about the Zaltanas thumped in my chest.
  
  
  
  
  
  At last, an older man stepped forward. “I’m Bavol Cacao Zaltana, Elder
  Councilman for the Zaltana family. Are you Yelena Liana Zaltana?”
  
  
  
  
  
  I hesitated. That name sounded so formal, so connected, so foreign. “My name
  is Yelena,” I said.
  
  
  
  
  
  A young man a few years older than I pushed through the crowd. He stopped next
  to the Elder. Squinting hard, his jade-eyed gaze bore into mine. A mixture of
  hatred and revulsion creased his face. I felt a slight touch of magic brush my
  body.
  
  
  
  
  
  “She has killed,” he called out. “She reeks of blood.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## MAGIC STUDY
  
  
  
  
  
  # _Maria V. Snyder_
  
  
  
  
  
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