Summon the Keeper

ISBN: 0-88677-784-4 Order from: Amazon.com

A fantasy whose humorous cliches are barely supported by its plot of magic, relationships and a cat.

Reviewed by David on December 24, 1998

Genre: Fantasy (Occult, Guardian)

Synopsis: Claire Hansen, a young Keeper, is mystically summoned to a bed-and breakfast house in Eastern Canada to guard an opening into Hell. The Keepers, magically gifted individuals, protect and guard the unsuspecting public against the misuses of magic and the occasionally dangerous tears in the fabric of creation, which if not sealed can let Evil seep into our world.

Unfortunately, Claire's attempt to protect the unsuspecting public, in the person of Dean, a young and very attractive cook/handyman at the B&B, fails miserably. Plagued by a collection of helpers, including her sarcastic cat, the earnest and stubborn Dean, an amorous ghost, concerned mother, and a wild and wildly powerful younger sister, Claire has her hands full coping with her problems. These include a hole into Hell, a sleeping witch, an infestation of Imps (or possibly mutated mice), guests divine as well as preternatural, and a neighbor whose bite is almost worse than her bark.

Full Review: This book is intentionally funny. The satire of its cliches often descends to sitcom-like slapstick. Unfortunately, the matter being satirized (arrogant witches, wisecracking cat, lust and angst among the twenty-something generation) is not substantial enough and therefore the humor lacks impact.

As an example of a humorous book which combines satire and romance, one could do much worse than Willis' lightweight but skillful Bellwether. In comparison to the latter, Summon the Keeper suffers from too much cuteness and not enough wit.

Overall: 5; Plot: 4.5; Characters: 5; Style: 4.5; World-building: 5; Originality: 4.5;

ISBN: 0-88677-784-4 Order from: Amazon.com