Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin (2005)

Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin is the third book in the Ologies series, created and published by Templar Publishing in the UK in 2005, and published by Candlewick Press in North America. The book is marketed as having been written by the mythical wizard Merlin, having been originally discovered in the year 1588 and now being revealed to the world for the first time.

Wizardology is filled with useful spells and magical information. Readers can unveil novelty elements throughout; there are numerous pockets, flaps, secret codes, and scavenger hunts hidden throughout the book.

The author is Dugald Steer, while the book was designed by Nghiem Ta, and features the artwork of Helen Ward, Tomislav Tomic, John Howe, and Anne Yvonne Gilbert.

Plot

History's most respected wizard, Merlin, describes the skills, techniques, and equipment of wizards around the globe, explains their characteristic use of spells, familiars, and potions, and offers other information and advice for apprentices. For any apprentice determined to learn the arcane arts of wizardry, there could be no better teacher than Master Merlin himself; aspiring wizards can tune in to his age-old wisdom with this compendium of all things magical. The book's intricate design also conceals a series of hidden symbols that spell out a secret message when their code is deciphered, if the reader is clever enough to find them.

Contents

Chapter I: The Work of a Wizard

Chapter II: A Wizard's Map of the World

Chapter III: The Master Wizard's Workshop

Chapter IV: A Wizard's Robes & Tools

Chapter V: Spellcraft

Chapter VI: A Wizard's Loyal Familiars

Chapter VII: A Wizard's Menagerie of Magical Beasts

Chapter VIII: Magical Flight & Flying Carpets

Chapter IX: Potions, Healing & Magical Transformations

Chapter X: Amulets, Talismans & Magical Items

Chapter XI: Divination & Crystal Gazing

Chapter XII: Alchemy, Astronomy & the New Sciences

Chapter XIII: Famous Wizards of History

Conclusion, or The Mystery of Wizardology Revealed and Concealed

Awards and honors

2006: shortlisted for British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year

In other media

Video games

In 2007, Codemasters acquired the rights to create video games for the Wii and Nintendo DS based on Wizardology, as well as Dragonology and Pirateology. Nik Nak was to develop the Wii titles. Only Dragonology game was produced for Nintendo DS, while other games based on the books were cancelled.

Planned film adaptations

In 2018, Paramount Pictures acquired the rights to develop a film franchise based on all Ologies books, including a Wizardology portion of the series. Akiva Goldsman was hired to oversee a writers' room to write scripts for interconnected family films based on the books and supplemental materials, partnering with Weed Road studio colleague Greg Lessans as the film's producers.