Sort of a post-modern Harry Potter — set in current day New York — about a kid who grew up with fantasy books (sort of thinly-veiled Narnia), but pretty soon gets pulled into a Hogwarts-style school for magic, somewhere in Upstate NY. Like a lot of the novels I’ve been blogging about lately — my multiple-travel-weeks-stash-of-pulp-sci-fi — this one is a fine book to pass the time, but ultimately not that much fun and definitely not very memorable. High concept is great; execution is a little boring.
John's Blog 
Hi there:
From visiting your blog, I know you’re both an avid reader (especially lately) and enjoy books with a historical slant. I have an advance review offer that I think you will find irresistible: UNLIKELY ALLIES: How a Merchant, a Playwright, and a Spy saved the American Revolution (Riverhead Books, 10/29/09).
This book tells America’s history as you’ve never read it before. Author Joel Paul shares the gripping true story of three people who helped draw the French to the Americans’ side during the American Revolution by lying, cheating, stealing, and cross-dressing across Europe.
UNLIKELY ALLIES has it all: politics, sex, deception, treachery, and fashion. If you would be interested in an advance reading copy for review consideration on your blog, please email me your mailing address.
Best,
Lydia Hirt
Marketing Coordinator