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Inquisitor’s Apprentice #2
[ { THE WATCHER IN THE SHADOWS (INQUISITOR'S APPRENTICE (HARDCOVER)) } ] by Moriarty, Chris (AUTHOR) May-28-2013 [ Hardcover ]
“A fabulously imaginative historical fantasy.”— Publishers Weekly , starred review of The Inquisitor’s Apprentice At the turn of the twentieth century, New York’s Bowery District becomes the scene of a terrible murder when the Klezmer King gets fried to a crisp by his Electric Tuxedo—on stage! The Inquisitor’s apprentice, thirteen-year-old Sacha Kessler, tries to help find the killer, but the closer he gets to solving the crime, the more it sounds as if the creature that haunted him in his first adventure is back. Worse still, his own Jewish family is in danger. Sacha has avoided learning magic until now, but as his world falls apart around him, he changes his mind.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Chris Moriarty
8 books190 followersI am the author of SF novels SPIN STATE and SPIN CONTROL, and winner of the 2006 Philip K. Dick Award. Upcoming books include GHOST SPIN and THE INQUISITOR'S APPRENTICE, a middle grade fantasy set on New York's Lower East Side, circa 1900. I also have a regular book review column in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 3, 2019
I absolutely adore this series and pray that it continues. The ingenuity, the historical nature of it and the great characters - so wonderful. I'm deeply wowed by the way in which Moriarty weaves in history, Jewish lore, the Kabbalah, and the Lower East Side. Great read.
August 31, 2013
First, if you have not read The Inquisitor’s Apprentice by Chris Moriarty quite yet, remedy that issue. After all, it is a book that’s received praise from both Cory Doctorow and Garth Nix which is kind of a big deal. Moriarty’s The Watcher In The Shadows continues with it’s predecessor’s momentum and is just as superb as the first book. If you aren’t familiar with either book, I’ll lay it out for you: these books have a character reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, but it’s set in the early 1900s during the titans of industry era of history in New York City. The different boroughs are rife with magic. Main character Sacha Kessler, a young Jewish boy, is apprenticing with the magical police called Inquisitors and these books are basically about him unraveling various mysterious with best friend Lily Astral and a mentor called Wolf.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
May 12, 2017
If I were rating this purely for my own use, I would up it to 4 stars because I enjoyed it and it is a well written sequel, something that is not always the case(!) And for that reason, it gets 3 stars.
However, as I said with the first book, there is a lot going on here that will totally confuse kids who read this who have no background either in New York City history or Jewish customs or perhaps even both. In-jokes that made me chortle might as well have been written in Yiddish for most readers.
Perhaps kids can go around that, much as I did the references to Dickens, Transcendentalism, et al when I read Little Women in the 6th grade. But I still think it will stymie a lot of potential readers. And by readers I mean the kids it is intended for, not librarians or teachers who review it!
However, as I said with the first book, there is a lot going on here that will totally confuse kids who read this who have no background either in New York City history or Jewish customs or perhaps even both. In-jokes that made me chortle might as well have been written in Yiddish for most readers.
Perhaps kids can go around that, much as I did the references to Dickens, Transcendentalism, et al when I read Little Women in the 6th grade. But I still think it will stymie a lot of potential readers. And by readers I mean the kids it is intended for, not librarians or teachers who review it!
June 20, 2013
Clever and charming and richly imagined, with every detail just perfect. Not as crowded with historical figures or situations as the last one, more focused on the main characters and story. Which doesn't make it better or worse, just a little different. I think this one might have been a big more active and exciting though, it's hard to remember the pace of the first one. The humor might have been turned up a bit as well, Sasha and his family's interactions with the mob fellows were pretty witty, in a subtle it made me chuckle way, not in a laugh out loud way. It's really a lovely book and series, I highly recommend it.
February 26, 2017
Love the idea of an alternate steampunky/magic-inflected immigrant turn-of-the-century Lower East Side. But the characters are flat, and I think kids will miss most of the historical references. Most will find the scene-setting dense, and the book lacks the genuine creepiness of the first installment (though I thought this meant it was tonally more consistent...if less interesting). In short, not bad, but I desperately wanted to like it more than I did.
July 2, 2022
A Splendid Historical Fantasy from Chris Moriarty
Offering readers a historical fantasy as visually compelling as Lev Grossman, J. K. Rowling or Philip Pullman’s novels, Chris Moriarty’s ongoing series featuring thirteen year-old Sacha Kessler, the Inquisitor’s Apprentice, may be regarded as a classic work of fantasy comparable to theirs. It is imaginative, compelling readable, and filled with memorable characters worthy of comparison with those created by the authors I have cited. “The Watcher in the Shadows” is an excellent sequel to “The Inquisitor’s Apprentice”, set in the same turn-of-the century New York City as its predecessor, in a world in which magic is not only accepted but also used frequently as a means of promoting social justice and fomenting strikes and other acts of rebellion against wealthy capitalists like J. P. Morgaunt, who is also well versed in the craft of black magic; the series’ equivalent of Moriarty, the brilliant villain featured in many Sherlock Holmes stories. Moriarty has done a most admirable job in evoking both immigrant Jewish culture and New York City (Manhattan) during this time, as if her historical fantasy is an alternate history set early in the 20th Century, with parallels that should be obvious to any student of early 20th Century New York City history.
When the Klezmer King - the greatest klezmer clarinetist ever to perform vaudeville - is electrocuted by his electric tuxedo during a concert, Sacha is determined to find the musician’s murderer. However, he doesn’t realize that he may be confronting the same creature that haunted him in “The Inquisitor’s Apprentice”; a creature that is, in essence, a darker, more violent, version of himself. And he has been resisting the temptation to learn magic - a birthright bestowed upon him from previous generations of Kesslers – until now. Sacha’s investigation will lead him to Lower East Side gangsters, more murder and mayhem, and, unexpectedly, a labor strike. Having been introduced to Moriarty’s work from her excellent adult post-cyberpunk science fiction (e. g. “Spin State”), I wasn’t expecting to be as enthusiastic as I am regarding her ongoing Young Adult historical fantasy series. Without a doubt, “The Watcher in the Shadows” will be viewed as among the most important young adult fantasy novels published recently, as well as an important literary milestone in Moriarty’s oeuvre. Sacha Kessler’s world is one which readers – both young and old – will fall in love with, captivated by Moriarty’s excellent storytelling and prose, as well as characters as memorable as Sacha, his friends and family.
(from a 2013 Amazon review)
Offering readers a historical fantasy as visually compelling as Lev Grossman, J. K. Rowling or Philip Pullman’s novels, Chris Moriarty’s ongoing series featuring thirteen year-old Sacha Kessler, the Inquisitor’s Apprentice, may be regarded as a classic work of fantasy comparable to theirs. It is imaginative, compelling readable, and filled with memorable characters worthy of comparison with those created by the authors I have cited. “The Watcher in the Shadows” is an excellent sequel to “The Inquisitor’s Apprentice”, set in the same turn-of-the century New York City as its predecessor, in a world in which magic is not only accepted but also used frequently as a means of promoting social justice and fomenting strikes and other acts of rebellion against wealthy capitalists like J. P. Morgaunt, who is also well versed in the craft of black magic; the series’ equivalent of Moriarty, the brilliant villain featured in many Sherlock Holmes stories. Moriarty has done a most admirable job in evoking both immigrant Jewish culture and New York City (Manhattan) during this time, as if her historical fantasy is an alternate history set early in the 20th Century, with parallels that should be obvious to any student of early 20th Century New York City history.
When the Klezmer King - the greatest klezmer clarinetist ever to perform vaudeville - is electrocuted by his electric tuxedo during a concert, Sacha is determined to find the musician’s murderer. However, he doesn’t realize that he may be confronting the same creature that haunted him in “The Inquisitor’s Apprentice”; a creature that is, in essence, a darker, more violent, version of himself. And he has been resisting the temptation to learn magic - a birthright bestowed upon him from previous generations of Kesslers – until now. Sacha’s investigation will lead him to Lower East Side gangsters, more murder and mayhem, and, unexpectedly, a labor strike. Having been introduced to Moriarty’s work from her excellent adult post-cyberpunk science fiction (e. g. “Spin State”), I wasn’t expecting to be as enthusiastic as I am regarding her ongoing Young Adult historical fantasy series. Without a doubt, “The Watcher in the Shadows” will be viewed as among the most important young adult fantasy novels published recently, as well as an important literary milestone in Moriarty’s oeuvre. Sacha Kessler’s world is one which readers – both young and old – will fall in love with, captivated by Moriarty’s excellent storytelling and prose, as well as characters as memorable as Sacha, his friends and family.
(from a 2013 Amazon review)
December 9, 2019
Sacha Kessler, still working as an Inquisitor, must figure out who killed a much admired, and much hated, klezmer musician, while on stage before a crowd. Does it have anything to do with his sudden fame? With Sacha's dybbuk, still on the loose from his last adventure. And can he escape the clutches of evil mastermind and magical genius, J P Morgaunt?
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this second supernatural mystery set in an alternate history where magic is controlled and questioned in 1900-ish New York City. The adventures of the flawed main character, Sacha Kessler, with the NYC Inquisitors entertained me, and it was fun following the threads of what was real (gangs of Jews, Italians, and Chinese keeping their communities relatively safe, separate, and in-line, the development of vaudeville and movies, the movement to unionize factories) and what wasn't (dybbuks, witches, and so on).
However, this book really, really needed a sensitivity/accuracy reader for the Jewish content. Despite the name, I suspect that Chris Moriarty might be Jewish--she often depicts Jewish characters, and with sympathy. Usually, Jewish characters are culturally accurate. But while there were just a few slip-ups in the last book in this area, this book contained so many, it would take pages to write them out. Characters who are strictly Orthodox are fed meals cooked on Shabbos by other Jews (which is pretty much as bad as eating non-kosher), the afikomen is on the table from the beginning of the seder, as opposed to being created when the second matzah on the table is cracked in half, dessert is served after the afikomen and the fourth cup, there's a scene where Rabbi Kessler gets into a car on Shabbos at a point when it's not clear that it's a life-or-death emergency, there are words used ever so slightly wrong, there are kashrus bits that make little sense. I could go on.
It's funny, because other bits were really resonant. Depicting the time accurately is complex--then, as now, it was common to have someone only attend an Orthodox synagogue and eat only kosher, yet work on Shabbos. I feel like that part of the depiction of Sacha is accurate. There's this great scene with non-kosher food all around a hungry but resolute Sacha. But there are so many details off about Rabbi Kessler, for example, and their neighbor, Mo, I found myself laughing during scenes intended to be tense.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this second supernatural mystery set in an alternate history where magic is controlled and questioned in 1900-ish New York City. The adventures of the flawed main character, Sacha Kessler, with the NYC Inquisitors entertained me, and it was fun following the threads of what was real (gangs of Jews, Italians, and Chinese keeping their communities relatively safe, separate, and in-line, the development of vaudeville and movies, the movement to unionize factories) and what wasn't (dybbuks, witches, and so on).
However, this book really, really needed a sensitivity/accuracy reader for the Jewish content. Despite the name, I suspect that Chris Moriarty might be Jewish--she often depicts Jewish characters, and with sympathy. Usually, Jewish characters are culturally accurate. But while there were just a few slip-ups in the last book in this area, this book contained so many, it would take pages to write them out. Characters who are strictly Orthodox are fed meals cooked on Shabbos by other Jews (which is pretty much as bad as eating non-kosher), the afikomen is on the table from the beginning of the seder, as opposed to being created when the second matzah on the table is cracked in half, dessert is served after the afikomen and the fourth cup, there's a scene where Rabbi Kessler gets into a car on Shabbos at a point when it's not clear that it's a life-or-death emergency, there are words used ever so slightly wrong, there are kashrus bits that make little sense. I could go on.
It's funny, because other bits were really resonant. Depicting the time accurately is complex--then, as now, it was common to have someone only attend an Orthodox synagogue and eat only kosher, yet work on Shabbos. I feel like that part of the depiction of Sacha is accurate. There's this great scene with non-kosher food all around a hungry but resolute Sacha. But there are so many details off about Rabbi Kessler, for example, and their neighbor, Mo, I found myself laughing during scenes intended to be tense.
May 13, 2017
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone meets Fiddler on the Roof meets Doctor Zhivago. Oy vey iz mir!
I enjoyed this book, but it's supposed to be a kids book and I don't know the kid who would enjoy it.
Nitpicking: I don't think that the scratchy black & white sketches add anything to the book. Also, in the illustration on 25 Sacha is wearing knickers. In The Jewish Community Under the Frankford El after their Bar Mizvah, boys normally wore long pants. This usually carries through into fiction, Rebecca and her Brothers for example.
************
Agent: Do I have a book for you! It's about the downtrodden factory workers in the early 20th century Jewish community in New York City. The workers versus the Robber Barons. There's love! A pretty immigrant girl in love with a union leader. And death! A clarinet player is murdered.
Publisher: Sounds too Doctor Zhivago. What I want is another Harry Potter.
Agent: Minor rewrite! We change the focus to the pretty immigrant girl's little brother and put some magic in it.
Publisher: Sold!
I enjoyed this book, but it's supposed to be a kids book and I don't know the kid who would enjoy it.
Nitpicking: I don't think that the scratchy black & white sketches add anything to the book. Also, in the illustration on 25 Sacha is wearing knickers. In The Jewish Community Under the Frankford El after their Bar Mizvah, boys normally wore long pants. This usually carries through into fiction, Rebecca and her Brothers for example.
************
Agent: Do I have a book for you! It's about the downtrodden factory workers in the early 20th century Jewish community in New York City. The workers versus the Robber Barons. There's love! A pretty immigrant girl in love with a union leader. And death! A clarinet player is murdered.
Publisher: Sounds too Doctor Zhivago. What I want is another Harry Potter.
Agent: Minor rewrite! We change the focus to the pretty immigrant girl's little brother and put some magic in it.
Publisher: Sold!
September 30, 2019
I enjoyed this book and found it to be a fine sequel to the Inquisitor's Apprentice; in fact, i liked it even more than that first book. I appreciated the alternative history approach, which, while including elements of fantasy and magic, had a realistic ring and feel to it. The characters were complex, well developed, and endearing, and the story was engaging. The modern Jewish cultural and religious elements were particularly interesting and felt a very natural part of the entire literary context, although the blurring of theology and magical fantasy at times made my listeners and I roll our eyes (we simply treated all of it as fictional fantasy). Well crafted, well written, and worth reading.
August 11, 2020
1.) I love this series so much.
2.) This book two is clearly setting up a glorious book three.
3.) There is no sign of book three in the past seven years, and in fact the author seems to have disappeared off the face of this earth (though with no death notice)?
4.) Therefore I am sulk.
2.) This book two is clearly setting up a glorious book three.
3.) There is no sign of book three in the past seven years, and in fact the author seems to have disappeared off the face of this earth (though with no death notice)?
4.) Therefore I am sulk.
April 10, 2020
Enjoyable...
July 29, 2023
I sometimes find the world of the story confusing and a little much, but overall I love the blending of history and Jewish tradition and magic into a story.
December 14, 2013
Bei “Der Schattenjäger” handelt es sich um den zweiten Band einer Reihe. Ich setze daher den ersten Band als bekannt voraus, anderenfalls könnten Spoiler enthalten sein.
Worum geht’s?
Für Sascha, Lily und Inquisitor Wolf geht die Arbeit im magischen Melting Pot New York weiter. Die drei werden zu einem Tatort gerufen, der auf den ersten Blick kein Tatort zu sein scheint. Der Klezmerkönig, der berühmteste Schlagermusiker in ganz New York ist tot. Zunächst scheint klar zu sein, dass dieser durch einen Kurzschluss seiner mit elektrischen Lichtern ausgestatteten Jacke gestorben ist, doch Inquisitor Wolf möchte nicht so recht daran glauben.
Zusammen mit seinen beiden Lehrlingen macht er sich auf die Suche nach dem einzigen Zeugen und gleichzeitig Hauptverdächtigen des vermeintlichen Unfalls.
Auf der Suche nach diesem begegnen sie erneut dem Schattenjäger – wer steckt dahinter und wieso ist ausgerechnet Saschas Leben auch in Gefahr?
Meine Meinung
Die Geschichte um Sascha, Lily und Wolf geht weiter und dieses Mal hat sie mir sogar besser gefallen als das letzte Mal.
Während ich mich in Band 1 (“Der Seelenfänger”) noch mit der Eindimensionalität der Charaktere schwer getan habe, schafft es die Autorin dieses Mal die Charaktere lebendiger wirken zu lassen. Ihnen ein wenig mehr Tiefe und Konturen zu geben.
Die Charaktere sind hier im zweiten Band zwar besser ausgearbeitet als im ersten Teil, besitzen allerdings immer noch nicht die Tiefe, die ich mir gewünscht hätte.
Chris Moriarty geizt beispielsweise mit den Informationen über Inquisitor Wolf und streut sie nur häppchenweise ein. Sicherlich macht diese Vorgehensweise Wolf interessanter und als Leser möchte ich unbedingt mehr über ihn erfahren, aber leider führt es auch dazu, dass ich kaum eine Möglichkeit habe mich mit diesem Charakter zu identifizieren, da ich zu wenig über ihn weiß.
Im Vergleich zu Band 1 hat sie allerdings einen großen Sprung nach vorne geschafft, was Charaktere und auch Tempo betrifft.
Insgesamt ist “Der Schattenjäger” rasanter und auch spannender als der erste Band. Fängt das Buch noch sehr gemächlich an, entwickelt es schon bald ein angenehmes Tempo, so dass ich recht schnell mit dem Buch durch war.
Im Vergleich zu anderen Büchern ist “Der Schattenjäger” immer noch langsam und weniger spannend, doch lässt man sich auf die tolle herrschende Atmosphäre und das Drumherum ein, erwartet einen eine interessante und teils kritische Geschichte, die einem gleichzeitig auch Wissen über das Judentum vermittelt.
Der Schreibstil ist angenehm flüssig zu lesen, ist aber alles andere als anspruchslos. Ich persönlich würde auf Grund des Schreibstils (oder vielleicht auch nur der Übersetzung) die empfohlene Altersempfehlung ein wenig nach oben korrigieren. Das ein oder andere (nicht jüdische) Fremdwort hat auch mich Erwachsene kurz nachdenken lassen.
Wie auch im ersten Band gefällt mir die Mischung aus Magie und Historie sehr gut und würde mir sogar noch besser gefallen, würde die Magie noch mehr Raum einnehmen.
So wie sich dieser Band bis zum Ende hin entwickelt hat, hoffe ich im dritten Teil auf mehr Magie und ein paar mehr Antworten.
Mein Fazit
Moriartys Idee ihren Kindern ihre Herkunft in Form einer niedergeschriebenen Geschichte näher zu bringen, gefällt mir immer noch äußerst gut.
Im Vergleich zu Band 1 entwickelt “Der Schattenjäger” mehr Tempo, ist spannender und die Charaktere greifbarer.
Ich bin froh auch den zweiten Band gelesen haben zu dürfen und bin sehr gespannt auf den dritten Teil, der hoffentlich auch noch erscheinen wird.
Da ich immer noch Luft nach oben sehe, vergebe ich gute 4 von 5 Sternen.
Worum geht’s?
Für Sascha, Lily und Inquisitor Wolf geht die Arbeit im magischen Melting Pot New York weiter. Die drei werden zu einem Tatort gerufen, der auf den ersten Blick kein Tatort zu sein scheint. Der Klezmerkönig, der berühmteste Schlagermusiker in ganz New York ist tot. Zunächst scheint klar zu sein, dass dieser durch einen Kurzschluss seiner mit elektrischen Lichtern ausgestatteten Jacke gestorben ist, doch Inquisitor Wolf möchte nicht so recht daran glauben.
Zusammen mit seinen beiden Lehrlingen macht er sich auf die Suche nach dem einzigen Zeugen und gleichzeitig Hauptverdächtigen des vermeintlichen Unfalls.
Auf der Suche nach diesem begegnen sie erneut dem Schattenjäger – wer steckt dahinter und wieso ist ausgerechnet Saschas Leben auch in Gefahr?
Meine Meinung
Die Geschichte um Sascha, Lily und Wolf geht weiter und dieses Mal hat sie mir sogar besser gefallen als das letzte Mal.
Während ich mich in Band 1 (“Der Seelenfänger”) noch mit der Eindimensionalität der Charaktere schwer getan habe, schafft es die Autorin dieses Mal die Charaktere lebendiger wirken zu lassen. Ihnen ein wenig mehr Tiefe und Konturen zu geben.
Die Charaktere sind hier im zweiten Band zwar besser ausgearbeitet als im ersten Teil, besitzen allerdings immer noch nicht die Tiefe, die ich mir gewünscht hätte.
Chris Moriarty geizt beispielsweise mit den Informationen über Inquisitor Wolf und streut sie nur häppchenweise ein. Sicherlich macht diese Vorgehensweise Wolf interessanter und als Leser möchte ich unbedingt mehr über ihn erfahren, aber leider führt es auch dazu, dass ich kaum eine Möglichkeit habe mich mit diesem Charakter zu identifizieren, da ich zu wenig über ihn weiß.
Im Vergleich zu Band 1 hat sie allerdings einen großen Sprung nach vorne geschafft, was Charaktere und auch Tempo betrifft.
Insgesamt ist “Der Schattenjäger” rasanter und auch spannender als der erste Band. Fängt das Buch noch sehr gemächlich an, entwickelt es schon bald ein angenehmes Tempo, so dass ich recht schnell mit dem Buch durch war.
Im Vergleich zu anderen Büchern ist “Der Schattenjäger” immer noch langsam und weniger spannend, doch lässt man sich auf die tolle herrschende Atmosphäre und das Drumherum ein, erwartet einen eine interessante und teils kritische Geschichte, die einem gleichzeitig auch Wissen über das Judentum vermittelt.
Der Schreibstil ist angenehm flüssig zu lesen, ist aber alles andere als anspruchslos. Ich persönlich würde auf Grund des Schreibstils (oder vielleicht auch nur der Übersetzung) die empfohlene Altersempfehlung ein wenig nach oben korrigieren. Das ein oder andere (nicht jüdische) Fremdwort hat auch mich Erwachsene kurz nachdenken lassen.
Wie auch im ersten Band gefällt mir die Mischung aus Magie und Historie sehr gut und würde mir sogar noch besser gefallen, würde die Magie noch mehr Raum einnehmen.
So wie sich dieser Band bis zum Ende hin entwickelt hat, hoffe ich im dritten Teil auf mehr Magie und ein paar mehr Antworten.
Mein Fazit
Moriartys Idee ihren Kindern ihre Herkunft in Form einer niedergeschriebenen Geschichte näher zu bringen, gefällt mir immer noch äußerst gut.
Im Vergleich zu Band 1 entwickelt “Der Schattenjäger” mehr Tempo, ist spannender und die Charaktere greifbarer.
Ich bin froh auch den zweiten Band gelesen haben zu dürfen und bin sehr gespannt auf den dritten Teil, der hoffentlich auch noch erscheinen wird.
Da ich immer noch Luft nach oben sehe, vergebe ich gute 4 von 5 Sternen.
June 3, 2013
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
The Inquisitor's Apprentice (my thoughts) was one of my favorite reads of 2011. And I feel like I've been waiting for it's sequel, The Watcher in the Shadows, forever. I pre-ordered it, not so patiently waited for it to arrive, and immediately bumped it to the top of my reading pile when it finally came. All that waiting was so worth it.
Sacha is far more proactive and outgoing in this volume, though often unclear which direction to take and be proactive in. His struggle is a very real one that has me very concerned for him overall. He is striving so hard to hold onto his integrity in a world where everyone is for sale. He wants to be a good Inquisitor, a good Jew, a good brother, an a good son. But these things are far too often in conflict with each other. Sacha doesn't want to compromise on any of it, and it doesn't make it any easier when he constantly finds himself tempted by deals with gangsters and threats of millionaires. Lily, Sacha's fellow apprentice, was a little more frustrating. I felt that she remained fairly stagnate and changed little from the first book. This could be excused by her privileged background which does not require her to face the adversity necessary to change. However there was one major event toward the end of the book that should have had some sort of impact and then wasn't really dealt with. I hope it will be addressed more in the next volume.
The adult characters continue to fascinate me the most, though that may be because I'm an adult. The reader finds out a little bit more about Max's background and his relationship with Shen, but not nearly enough. The mystery building up around Max is one of the most fascinating aspects of this story. He is far from perfect, but how far is not yet clear. Sacha desperately wants him to be a hero. He is the ideal Sacha wants to live up to, but he doesn't entirely trust him either. Their interactions are fascinating character studies of both of them.
The alternate universe NY setting continues to be one of the best parts of the story. The history is so accurate and yet so fantastical at the same time. It is a brilliant balance Moriarty has established. The story and mystery here are more intense than the first. The stakes feel higher and I love the inclusion of so much more of the Jewish element.
Last I knew there are supposed to be five books total and I can not wait for the release of the next one.
The Inquisitor's Apprentice (my thoughts) was one of my favorite reads of 2011. And I feel like I've been waiting for it's sequel, The Watcher in the Shadows, forever. I pre-ordered it, not so patiently waited for it to arrive, and immediately bumped it to the top of my reading pile when it finally came. All that waiting was so worth it.
Sacha is far more proactive and outgoing in this volume, though often unclear which direction to take and be proactive in. His struggle is a very real one that has me very concerned for him overall. He is striving so hard to hold onto his integrity in a world where everyone is for sale. He wants to be a good Inquisitor, a good Jew, a good brother, an a good son. But these things are far too often in conflict with each other. Sacha doesn't want to compromise on any of it, and it doesn't make it any easier when he constantly finds himself tempted by deals with gangsters and threats of millionaires. Lily, Sacha's fellow apprentice, was a little more frustrating. I felt that she remained fairly stagnate and changed little from the first book. This could be excused by her privileged background which does not require her to face the adversity necessary to change. However there was one major event toward the end of the book that should have had some sort of impact and then wasn't really dealt with. I hope it will be addressed more in the next volume.
The adult characters continue to fascinate me the most, though that may be because I'm an adult. The reader finds out a little bit more about Max's background and his relationship with Shen, but not nearly enough. The mystery building up around Max is one of the most fascinating aspects of this story. He is far from perfect, but how far is not yet clear. Sacha desperately wants him to be a hero. He is the ideal Sacha wants to live up to, but he doesn't entirely trust him either. Their interactions are fascinating character studies of both of them.
The alternate universe NY setting continues to be one of the best parts of the story. The history is so accurate and yet so fantastical at the same time. It is a brilliant balance Moriarty has established. The story and mystery here are more intense than the first. The stakes feel higher and I love the inclusion of so much more of the Jewish element.
Last I knew there are supposed to be five books total and I can not wait for the release of the next one.
February 22, 2017
In which Sacha gets himself into more trouble, and his dybbuk is still a problem, and what about the watcher, who seems to be made of flies? The historic-New York-with-magic setting, with emphasis on the Jewish Lower East Side culture, is excellent. Rather than Communists organizing unions, it's Wiccanists, who have the IWW (Industrial Witches of the World), who plan to strike at the Pentacle Shirtwaist Factory. (I have a premonition about a big fire in the next book.) There's one murder mystery plot - the Klezmer King is killed right on the stage - but there's a lot more going on. This is a good continuation of The Inquisitor's Apprentice. I don't know if another book is planned, but I hope so!
Read
July 3, 2013This book is everything that a tween or teen reader is looking for today...it is a little Victorian, just a touch of Steampunk and lots of Adventure.
That being said I really didn't expect to like it (not a big fan of Alternate Worlds) but it won me over! I didn't read Book One in the series, The Inquisitor's Apprentice so I truly thought it might be a difficult read but the characters and story sucked me in!
Magic - History - and death by an Electric Tuxedo? what's not to like? ...oh and the author's name is Moriarty...Seriously? Love it!
The Watcher in the Shadows (Inquisitor's Apprentice) has something for everyone and boys will love it as much as the girls...some of the dialog is a little disjointed, though that could be a period issue.
I would recommend this series to boys and girls from 12 up (10 if they are good readers).
Summary from Amazon:
At the turn of the twentieth century, New York’s Bowery District becomes the scene of a terrible murder when the Klezmer King gets fried to a crisp by his Electric Tuxedo—on stage! The Inquisitor’s apprentice, thirteen-year-old Sacha Kessler, tries to help find the killer, but the closer he gets to solving the crime, the more it sounds as if the creature that haunted him in his first adventure is back. Worse still, his own Jewish family is in danger. Sacha has avoided learning magic until now, but as his world falls apart around him, he changes his mind.
That being said I really didn't expect to like it (not a big fan of Alternate Worlds) but it won me over! I didn't read Book One in the series, The Inquisitor's Apprentice so I truly thought it might be a difficult read but the characters and story sucked me in!
Magic - History - and death by an Electric Tuxedo? what's not to like? ...oh and the author's name is Moriarty...Seriously? Love it!
The Watcher in the Shadows (Inquisitor's Apprentice) has something for everyone and boys will love it as much as the girls...some of the dialog is a little disjointed, though that could be a period issue.
I would recommend this series to boys and girls from 12 up (10 if they are good readers).
Summary from Amazon:
At the turn of the twentieth century, New York’s Bowery District becomes the scene of a terrible murder when the Klezmer King gets fried to a crisp by his Electric Tuxedo—on stage! The Inquisitor’s apprentice, thirteen-year-old Sacha Kessler, tries to help find the killer, but the closer he gets to solving the crime, the more it sounds as if the creature that haunted him in his first adventure is back. Worse still, his own Jewish family is in danger. Sacha has avoided learning magic until now, but as his world falls apart around him, he changes his mind.
October 25, 2013
To be honest, my opinion of this book is closer to a 3.5 rating, but I just had to give Moriority credit for doing such a great job creating this world of the Inquisitors. A rather alternative history of New York City with a splash of steampunk and real facts--it creates a fascinating setting that I found more addictive than the plot. But, hey, it's a kids book and I really do think that tween/young teen age group would like this more than I. Because, yes, I do think an intelligent reader will be able to navigate through this highly involved mystery tale.
The story gets going with a suspicious death, but it's the magic and New York City culture that keeps said story afloat. Sacha and Lily are admirable kids reminiscent of the heroes of kid books of yore. I liked them and I liked their abilities and, heck, I liked their moxie. Admirable kids, these two. And I loved this world of unions and strikes splashed with a respectable magical culture including Jewish mysticism. There's lots of detail, and I happily ate it up?
The plots themselves? Eh, they were decent, good in fact, and entertaining to the right audience. I do fear that all the detail might frighten off some readers and keep them from ever getting involved in the story. But it's an intelligently done tale that entertains on so many levels. I find it another addition to a series worthy of respect.
The story gets going with a suspicious death, but it's the magic and New York City culture that keeps said story afloat. Sacha and Lily are admirable kids reminiscent of the heroes of kid books of yore. I liked them and I liked their abilities and, heck, I liked their moxie. Admirable kids, these two. And I loved this world of unions and strikes splashed with a respectable magical culture including Jewish mysticism. There's lots of detail, and I happily ate it up?
The plots themselves? Eh, they were decent, good in fact, and entertaining to the right audience. I do fear that all the detail might frighten off some readers and keep them from ever getting involved in the story. But it's an intelligently done tale that entertains on so many levels. I find it another addition to a series worthy of respect.
April 27, 2021
Ok, so we found this series on a library run this summer, but I PURCHASED them, I loved them so much! The story is a wonderful mix of genuine historical setting (New York's famous Bowery District, at the turn the century) and magic!
The MC, Sacha, is a Jewish immigrant who tries to hide his Jewishness from his co-apprentice, a wealthy young girl his same age, Lilly. They are apprentices of the (in)famous Inspector Wolf.
The first case, preventing the murder of Harry Houdini, soon revolves around Sacha's grandfather and Kabbalist "magic" -- which is really the non-practice of magic, but not for the evil commercial reasons put forward by the villain.
We entered this series on the second book, which features the electrocution of the "Klezmer King" (a klezmer is a clarinet). I'm always on the lookout for new, different music-related stories.
I won't spoil either mystery, but Ms. Moriarty is a superb plotress and I'm reading to deconstruct her wizardry in these two.
Visit my blog for more book reviews, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
The MC, Sacha, is a Jewish immigrant who tries to hide his Jewishness from his co-apprentice, a wealthy young girl his same age, Lilly. They are apprentices of the (in)famous Inspector Wolf.
The first case, preventing the murder of Harry Houdini, soon revolves around Sacha's grandfather and Kabbalist "magic" -- which is really the non-practice of magic, but not for the evil commercial reasons put forward by the villain.
We entered this series on the second book, which features the electrocution of the "Klezmer King" (a klezmer is a clarinet). I'm always on the lookout for new, different music-related stories.
I won't spoil either mystery, but Ms. Moriarty is a superb plotress and I'm reading to deconstruct her wizardry in these two.
Visit my blog for more book reviews, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
May 4, 2013
I love this alternative history world Chris Moriarty has created, a version of early 1900s New York City where magic is commonplace, but under the control of the police department's Inquisitor division. It's a world where tenement-dwellers clash with upper-crust families of ultrarich wizards, where Old World traditions collide with Industrial Age realities. In this second installation, 13-year-old apprentice Sacha Kessler doesn't simply follow Inquisitor Max Wolf on the investigation of a mysterious death in full view of a packed theater. Sacha has some very adult decisions to make, including how much to trust Wolf and whether or not he wants to learn magic. Sacha's supernatural doppelganger is still on the loose, and the danger has never been greater. Fans of The Invention of Hugo Cabret should appreciate this sophisticated magical tale.
January 21, 2016
4.5 stars
This book intertwined plot & character development really well by raising the stakes for all of the characters, and Moriarty deftly weaves real history around her magical alternate universe (there's an author's note with explanations). The narrative continues to reflect the real diversity of turn-of-the-century New York without making a big deal about it; I was especially pleased at the somewhat expanded role for Philip and all the great details about the Kessler family.
Sadly, this series seems to have sunk like a stone, which means there probably isn't going to be book 3; I'm pretty bummed about that because although this volume ended with some resolution, there's so much left open that I'm pretty sure it was meant to be a trilogy originally.
This book intertwined plot & character development really well by raising the stakes for all of the characters, and Moriarty deftly weaves real history around her magical alternate universe (there's an author's note with explanations). The narrative continues to reflect the real diversity of turn-of-the-century New York without making a big deal about it; I was especially pleased at the somewhat expanded role for Philip and all the great details about the Kessler family.
Sadly, this series seems to have sunk like a stone, which means there probably isn't going to be book 3; I'm pretty bummed about that because although this volume ended with some resolution, there's so much left open that I'm pretty sure it was meant to be a trilogy originally.
August 12, 2013
Readers head back to turn of the century New York in this sequel to the Inquisitor's Apprentice. Sacha and Lily continue to help Inquisitor Wolf amid Sacha's older sister's growing involvement in a strike for better working conditions in the city's textile mills. In this book, they investigate the death of a clarinet player, electrocuted by his own costume, and Sacha struggles with whether he should learn to do magic. This alternate version of New York is filled with interesting individuals and events, all told amid the humor and love that fill Sacha's crowded home. Although it helps to have read the previous title, readers new to the series will be able to figure out what's going on with a little bit of patience.
March 21, 2014
3.5 stars. I adore "The Inquisitor's Apprentice" and was therefore thrilled that Moriarty gave me a chance to return to its world. While this sequel didn't live up to its predecessor, it's still an enjoyable read. I felt that the book suffered from the fact that protagonist Sacha is merely an observer for most of the first third to half of the book; the driving sense of adventure and discovery of the first book was missing. However, the action picked up by the end of the story, as evil entrepeneur JP Morgaunt is up to further shenanigans involving Sacha's golem, introduced in the first novel. I also have to commend Moriarty again for her incorporation of real-life history into the novel; in this case, the labor movement of the early twentieth century.
March 3, 2014
These books are difficult to describe, but the fact that there is nothing like them on the market is part of their charm.
This second book in the series still leaves a few ends to tie up, and while we are slowly learning more about Lily Astral, Inquisitor Wolf, and Shen the martial arts teacher, we don't get nearly enough of any of them for this to be the end of the series. Still, the picture Moriarty paints of early 20th century New York City and the Pentacle factory is fascinating. Worth a read of a curious adult. The complexity of the plot and the large number of characters mean this is appropriate for precocious 11 year old readers, but not really going to appeal to anyone younger.
This second book in the series still leaves a few ends to tie up, and while we are slowly learning more about Lily Astral, Inquisitor Wolf, and Shen the martial arts teacher, we don't get nearly enough of any of them for this to be the end of the series. Still, the picture Moriarty paints of early 20th century New York City and the Pentacle factory is fascinating. Worth a read of a curious adult. The complexity of the plot and the large number of characters mean this is appropriate for precocious 11 year old readers, but not really going to appeal to anyone younger.
January 6, 2014
The Watcher in the Shadows was about a famous klemzer player dying on stage and the main characters trying to solve the case. I enjoyed this book because it was about magic. My favorite part in the book was when the characters found out what the Klemzer King said when he had died. My least favorite part was at the beginning when the mother was kidnapped and showed her sons kobold. SI would recommend this book to someone who likes fictional books.
January 29, 2014
This is author Moriarty’s second book in her INQUISITOR’S APPRENTICE series. I would recommend reading the series in order. This excellent book satisfies on many levels. It is a peek inside a gentle community and time that is unfortunately long past. Add to this background great characters and amazing, imaginative, fantastical magic and you get an unforgettable book. I hope that the author will grace us with more.
January 12, 2015
After enjoying The Inquisitor's Apprentice, I was delighted to discover this sequel. Brilliantly written, it was almost better than the 1st book.
I have a thing for complicated relationships in stories, and I was captivated by Sacha's courage in facing the humiliation of his poverty, the terror of the dybbuk and the heartbreaking loss of his beloved grandfather, for which he blames himself.
Please, ma'am, I want some more!!!
I have a thing for complicated relationships in stories, and I was captivated by Sacha's courage in facing the humiliation of his poverty, the terror of the dybbuk and the heartbreaking loss of his beloved grandfather, for which he blames himself.
Please, ma'am, I want some more!!!
April 22, 2016
A different sort
So many fantasy novels draw their magic systems and history from Christian Europe. It is refreshing to find one that draws on American history and Jewish traditions. The main character is a Jewish boy from the tenements of New York and fairly likable. In places the story feels like it jumps a bit, but it isn't a huge deal. Looking forward to the next installment.
So many fantasy novels draw their magic systems and history from Christian Europe. It is refreshing to find one that draws on American history and Jewish traditions. The main character is a Jewish boy from the tenements of New York and fairly likable. In places the story feels like it jumps a bit, but it isn't a huge deal. Looking forward to the next installment.
June 10, 2013
Great series that combines turn of the century New York with the Jewish mystical arts. Lily and Sasha are back working for Inquisitor Wolf investigating the use of unauthorized magic. What Inquisitor Wolf doesn't know is that Sasha's own family is involved in the mystical arts. Great for kids who enjoy a new spin on historical fiction.
July 1, 2013
sequel
I really want to like this series more than I do... it's got so many elements going for it: interesting era for setting, alternate history with magic, famous people for characters. And yet, the writing just does not grab me. There will be a third book, but I don't think I'll bother reading it.
I really want to like this series more than I do... it's got so many elements going for it: interesting era for setting, alternate history with magic, famous people for characters. And yet, the writing just does not grab me. There will be a third book, but I don't think I'll bother reading it.
January 28, 2014
Not sure if I would enjoy this series so much if I weren't Jewish -- the Yiddish might be a challenge to overcome. But since that's not a problem for me, I enjoyed the book and getting to know the characters a bit better. Nice to see Sascha starting to learn about shades of gray instead of everything being black or white.
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