Fabrizio is an unschooled orphan when the city of Pergamontio, Italy, binds him to Mangus the Magician as an indentured servant. Mangus is a crotchety old man who insists that Fabrizio does no magic—only illusions. This is an important distinction in Pergamontio because the king has de clared magic—and magicians—illegal, a crime punishable by death. When hundreds of fliers advocating the overthrow of King Claudio appear in Per gamontio, Mangus and Fabrizio are accused of magic because the writing on each of the papers is identical. Avi imbues this mystery with the ignorance and superstition of the Dark Ages while introducing a new invention— Gutenberg’s printing press. Avi is the recipient of the Newbery Award and two Newbery Honor Awards. lmp