Cristofo Wizard of Earth

Cristofo Wizard of Earth, by Dino Pietrobon is perhaps the best-written, mostimaginative science fiction book this reviewer has read in a long time. It is bold, descriptive, daring, packed with action, and delivers a cast of characters and experiences which the reader will quickly come to care about.

Traveling through fantasy worlds that are described in intricate detail, Cristofo, who is at first a young boy of extraordinary perception and curiosity, soon comes to understand his heritage and grows to emerge as a wizard of superlative skills and talents. Surrounding him are other characters who support and encourage him and, of course, there are some female characters to enchant his heart. The book is written in a voice that both observes and explains the excitement of this fantasy tale in which such things as riding on dragons and battling hordes of wicked, menacing creatures is just all in a day’s work for Cristofo. But, using words like “nary; rife; aplenty; ensnarement; quietude” and expressions like “jostled free from his pensive reflection” give Altarius, the narrator of this story, a vocabulary that is both rogue pirate and counseled gentleman.

With ease of leadership and confident that he is faster and more astute than even the most intimidating of foes , Cristofo fearlessly subdues his opposition with persistence and bravery, by recognizing their weaknesses. Also bolstered by the aid of Maleabar, his staff of magical and impervious wood that has properties allowing it to change and transform into devices which support the commands of Cristofo, and Iggy (Ignatius), the cryptic light in a small pendant that fits around his neck and provides answers to questions by changing the depth of its hue, Cristofo is protected and assisted by wizardly powers that make his adventures fun and exciting as much as they are often perilous.

Creating a land called Nephesh with five wizards – two of which are Altarius and Cristofo – the author unburdens his characters of temporal restrictions to traverse imaginary worlds where creatures and villains are foiled with magic and wizardry. Yet packed within each adventure is a charm and humor that will match the cunning required to outthink and outwit even the diabolical wizard Noxerus.

The book is always written in a redeeming fashion so that evil is not unnecessarily magnified nor battles filled with grimace and pain giving these adventures the excitement of conflict and opposition without the misery and brutality of battles with swords, knives, clubs, hammers, and maces.

For the readers looking for a book of fantasy, imagination, descriptive writing, battles, strategy, magic, and legendary characters, they will enjoy the book Cristofo Wizard of Earth. It is as abundantly filled with landscapes and adventures as it is with the words and visions to describe them.

- Pacific Book Review

"I am Altarius the Prime, holder of the unique position of lead wizard for the animus realm of existence. Now what does that mean exactly, you might ask?"

Cristofo is a young man who becomes Altarius's charge because Cristofo has a destiny of which he does not become aware until he is on the threshold of his teen years. He is to be a wizard. Becoming a wizard involves many rewards and trials. Some of the rewards are his living as a prince with many material privileges, his relationship with Princess Myrina (to whom his betrothal is planned), and two friendly dragons who provide unusual transportation for the young couple. Of course, there is a complex history behind Cristofo's destiny. He and Altarius—an individual who can become comically verbose at times as he tries to relate many tales, characters, blessings, curses, and their necessities to the reader as well as to his young charge—face danger, betrayal, and nearly all of the flip side of Cristofo's erstwhile easy life. Cristofo must face all of the challenges, as have multitudes of other heroes and human beings before him, in order to be trained and ready for his new role.

This young adult novel has many of the major characteristics of an Otherworld or Arthurian fantasy. Pietrobon integrates the preternatural coming-of-age formula with wizardry. The result is a book that is loaded with characters and events to which young people may relate, especially in terms of the challenges, fear, and rewards of assuming roles as adults. The verbiage can seem excessive at times; however, Altarius is thorough in his descriptions and would repel condensation. The heroes, heroines, and villains are comfortably familiar for young adult fare and help provide for an enjoyable reading experience.

- The US Review of Books