The three must unite however, against the threat of a group of vicious fairies called the Sidhe, who are intent upon channeling the powers of a local Celtic harvest god for their evil purposes. Each of the familiar characters has been somewhat changed by their ordeal: Sam now possesses startling new powers Charly, whose mother practices white magic, has been initiated into the world of wizard craft and Amergin has lost his energy and digressed into an otherworldly couch potato. Alton's novel 'is plot driven, and has plenty of action,' commented School Library Journal critic Michele Ca-pozzella, while John Peters wrote in Booklist that The Malifex 'takes readers down a well-traveled road, but it's a smooth ride, with lighter moments and drama in generous measure.' A Kirkus Reviews critic went so far as to state that the novel presents 'an interesting counterpoint to the many fantasies with a more Judeo-Christian take on the battle between good and evil.'Īlton continues the adventures of Sam, Charly, and Amergin in The Firehills, as the aftershocks of the battle against the region's evil forces begin to be felt. Amergin Combining Celtic myth and Wiccan magic, Alton's novel finds two teens forced into an ancient battle between good and evil after they inadvertently unleash an apprentice of Merlin the magician.explains that the children are being pursued by shape-shifting underlings loyal to the evil Malifex, and outlines their role in preserving the delicate balance between good and evil that the Malifex seeks to disrupt. When the two teens stumble on an ancient grave and accidentally release Amergin, the spirit of the powerful apprentice of Merlin the magician, their summer becomes more exciting than any of Sam's video games. While normally interested more in video games than in other people, Sam is inspired by the adventurous Charly to explore the wild areas near their Dorset town. The story introduces Sam, who hopes to avoid the rural surroundings his parents have chosen to summer in by befriending a local girl named Charly. Sidelightsīritish writer Steve Alton is the author of The Malifex, a fantasy novel that reflects its author's love of the English landscape, particularly of Dorsetshire, where Alton's story is set. The Firehills, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005. The Malifex, Flyways (Edinburgh, Scotland), 2001, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002. Worked as a river surveyor conservation officer in Nottinghamshire, England, for seven years Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, currently plant collector.

AddressesĪgent-c/o Author Mail, Carolrhoda Books/Lerner Publishing Group, 1251 Washington Ave.

Hobbies and other interests: Cooking, gardening, painting, playing computer games, listening to music, growing carnivorous plants. Born in Yorkshire, England Education: University of York, degree (biology).

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