McKillip, Patricia A.
THE RIDDLE-MASTER OF HED
New York : Ballantine Books, 1979
ISBN 9780345274670

Long, long before there was Harry Potter, really long ago when your parents were teenagers, there was Morgan of Hed. Like Harry he’s an unassuming guy. Possibly the most insignificant young man around. Morgan is the heir to a kingdom no bigger than Carnation, WA! Hed’s big claim to fame is excellent beer. They export it everywhere. That kind of thing might make you popular when you’re sent off to the world’s most magical college: the College of Wizardry in Caithnard. But not respected. Having the biggest army does that. 

Morgan, however, like Harry has a mark – they look like scars—of stars on his forehead. Unlike Harry no-one knows what they mean.  And like Harry, no-one realizes that Morgan is someone special. He’s the world’s best riddler. He’s got the crown of an undead King gathering dust under his bed – on summer break he went off, challenged the ghost to a duel of riddles—and won.

Unfortunately for Morgan, his plans for an easy life of brewing good beer, the stars on his forehead hold a clue to the secret history of his world. His parents will be murdered for them. Armies will be mobilized. And Morgan must flee Caithnard for his life, hoping that his skill at riddles will help him solve the riddle of his stars—and the mystery of who—or what—he really is. 

(Note: if sharing the 3-in-1 book, point out that book 1 ends on a terrible cliff-hanger, so having the sequels right to hand is really nice!) (K Edwards, kirstedw@kcls.org, librarian)