Young Jinx has had a hard life, as our story starts. He lives in squalor in a clearing of the huge forst called The Urwald. He knows never to leave The Path, as the forst is full of all manner of monsters: trolls, werewolves, trees that hold grudges, and evil wizards. Then his step-father drags him off the path, intending to abandon him. Jinx is rescued by Simon, a wizard, who turns out to be more cranky than evil. Jinx's life is changed forever as he helps Simon and learns about his own gifts. A terrible betrayal rips them from him, and goes off in search of an answer. But, danger is lurking in the forest...
I liked that this book was full of adventure and surprises. Having said that, oddly, there were sections that dragged.
