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Young Wizards #8
Wizards at War
Nita and Kit return from their wizardly holiday, looking forward to getting back to their everyday routine. But there's trouble brewing. A strange darkness of the mind and heart is about to fall over the older wizards of the world, stealing away their power. Soon, the young wizards of Earth and many other planets find themselves forced to defend wizards and nonwizards alike against an invasion of a kind they've never imagined.
But mere defense won't be enough to combat the evil afoot. With their alien teammates, Nita, Kit, and Dairine must race to search worlds known and unknown for the secret weapon the Powers That be have promised them--before the minions of the sinister Lone Power find it first. And then, for the first time in millenia, the wizards must go to war. . .
330 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 2005
80 people are currently reading
2568 people want to read
About the author
Diane Duane
167 books2,413 followersDiane Duane has been a writer of science fiction, fantasy, TV and film for more than forty years.
Besides the 1980's creation of the Young Wizards fantasy series for which she's best known, the "Middle Kingdoms" epic fantasy series, and numerous stand-alone fantasy or science fiction novels, her career has included extensive work in the Star Trek TM universe, and many scripts for live-action and animated TV series on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as work in comics and computer games. She has spent a fair amount of time on the New York Times Bestseller List, and has picked up various awards and award nominations here and there.
She lives in County Wicklow, in Ireland, with her husband of more than thirty years, the screenwriter and novelist Peter Morwood.
Her favorite color is blue, her favorite food is a weird kind of Swiss scrambled-potato dish called maluns, she was born in a Year of the Dragon, and her sign is "Runway 24 Left, Hold For Clearance."
(From her official website)
Besides the 1980's creation of the Young Wizards fantasy series for which she's best known, the "Middle Kingdoms" epic fantasy series, and numerous stand-alone fantasy or science fiction novels, her career has included extensive work in the Star Trek TM universe, and many scripts for live-action and animated TV series on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as work in comics and computer games. She has spent a fair amount of time on the New York Times Bestseller List, and has picked up various awards and award nominations here and there.
She lives in County Wicklow, in Ireland, with her husband of more than thirty years, the screenwriter and novelist Peter Morwood.
Her favorite color is blue, her favorite food is a weird kind of Swiss scrambled-potato dish called maluns, she was born in a Year of the Dragon, and her sign is "Runway 24 Left, Hold For Clearance."
(From her official website)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
February 13, 2015
I cried so much over this book, you don't even know. The author does the unforgivable -- she messes with the dog. But then all is put right at the end. Yes, this is a SPOILER, but one that I think should be mandatory in all works of fiction where dogs are endangered. The dog is all right in the end! Doesn't matter if civilization as we know has been destroyed, so long as the dog's okay.
Anyway, this book is about all life in the universe coming to an end due to the ever increasing expansion of dark matter. Some of the effects in the next stage are planets falling out of orbit, and all older wizards losing their magic. So all the younger wizards have to group together and stop this thing. Only there's a problem, everything they've tried so far just increases the rate of expansion.
Nita's group has a lead on something that can stop it, and with Ponch (the dog) on the scent, they're led right to an insect planet where all the lifeforms are inhabited by the Lone Power. Massive evil. And yet, this is where the thing -- or person -- who'll win the battle is to be found. Also, at the same time, the primary world gating facility (think Grand Central Station) is being invaded and the Earth is on the brink of nuclear war.
Plus, even if this thing or person can stop the dark matter from getting bigger, what's to stop what's already there from eating the Earth? Uh oh!
But the dog's all right.
Anyway, this book is about all life in the universe coming to an end due to the ever increasing expansion of dark matter. Some of the effects in the next stage are planets falling out of orbit, and all older wizards losing their magic. So all the younger wizards have to group together and stop this thing. Only there's a problem, everything they've tried so far just increases the rate of expansion.
Nita's group has a lead on something that can stop it, and with Ponch (the dog) on the scent, they're led right to an insect planet where all the lifeforms are inhabited by the Lone Power. Massive evil. And yet, this is where the thing -- or person -- who'll win the battle is to be found. Also, at the same time, the primary world gating facility (think Grand Central Station) is being invaded and the Earth is on the brink of nuclear war.
Plus, even if this thing or person can stop the dark matter from getting bigger, what's to stop what's already there from eating the Earth? Uh oh!
But the dog's all right.
September 8, 2018
After my disappointment in Wizard's Holiday and the cliffhanger ending that led into this book, I wasn't sure what I would get or how I would like it. Well, I am now officially protesting only being allowed to give a book five stars. This deserve every star ever born! This was phenomenal, and a definite one to read with a box of tissues close at hand. There will be sad tears and happy tears alike.
I'm really impressed with how Duane managed to turn Roshaun's character around. Not that he stops being a pompous ass, mind you. But with more background on him and his situation on his home planet, and more time spent with him as he and Dairine become friends, lends a lot to being able to appreciate his character better. I even came to appreciate his pompousness. :D Filif and Skeer'ret continue to be great, we get some great character development for Carmela and Ponch, some expected, and some very much not expected. That Duane can still surprise her readers this far into the series is a testament to her skill as a writer.
This is a long book, with a few different POVs, and it's necessary. This is the culmination of the series up to this point. We see characters returning from previous books, and we understand the stakes after the various travels we've seen our main three characters have done over the previous seven books. This was tense and the prose was beautiful as ever. This series easily could've ended here - most other authors would build up to the Doom Day book and end it. Duane doesn't do that. She leaves just enough to hint at future stories, maybe not ones that will be as intense or as high stakes as this one, but still stories worth telling. And after this long with her, I'm willing to go along with the ride.
I can't say much more without spoiling a bunch of stuff, but I've decided that this is the secret about dogs the Colonel was going to tell Dean Winchester before the dog-talking spell wore off. ;)
I'm really impressed with how Duane managed to turn Roshaun's character around. Not that he stops being a pompous ass, mind you. But with more background on him and his situation on his home planet, and more time spent with him as he and Dairine become friends, lends a lot to being able to appreciate his character better. I even came to appreciate his pompousness. :D Filif and Skeer'ret continue to be great, we get some great character development for Carmela and Ponch, some expected, and some very much not expected. That Duane can still surprise her readers this far into the series is a testament to her skill as a writer.
This is a long book, with a few different POVs, and it's necessary. This is the culmination of the series up to this point. We see characters returning from previous books, and we understand the stakes after the various travels we've seen our main three characters have done over the previous seven books. This was tense and the prose was beautiful as ever. This series easily could've ended here - most other authors would build up to the Doom Day book and end it. Duane doesn't do that. She leaves just enough to hint at future stories, maybe not ones that will be as intense or as high stakes as this one, but still stories worth telling. And after this long with her, I'm willing to go along with the ride.
I can't say much more without spoiling a bunch of stuff, but I've decided that this is the secret about dogs the Colonel was going to tell Dean Winchester before the dog-talking spell wore off. ;)
June 27, 2009
It's hard to say things about this one without spoiling it - especially as the completely unexpected resolution is genuinely heart-breaking but far more so if you don't know about it.
But there are some brilliantly unsettling bits quite apart from that. The scene with Tom and Nita is very effective, as are the equivalent ones on the alien planets, and the section in the Throne Room.
And not forgetting the enjoyably tense climax (which involves no less than three Deus ex Machina*) although she does cop-out a little in the aftermath, which cheats somewhat in resolving things. But that's a small niggle in an epic story that doesn't ever feel rushed.
(*yes, I know that's not really what they are. But they sure feel like it when they are slightly unsubtly introduced at their various points - they might as well have been suddenly dropped in with no warning, which is what a proper DeM is. OK, apart from the last one.)
But there are some brilliantly unsettling bits quite apart from that. The scene with Tom and Nita is very effective, as are the equivalent ones on the alien planets, and the section in the Throne Room.
And not forgetting the enjoyably tense climax (which involves no less than three Deus ex Machina*) although she does cop-out a little in the aftermath, which cheats somewhat in resolving things. But that's a small niggle in an epic story that doesn't ever feel rushed.
(*yes, I know that's not really what they are. But they sure feel like it when they are slightly unsubtly introduced at their various points - they might as well have been suddenly dropped in with no warning, which is what a proper DeM is. OK, apart from the last one.)
February 13, 2022
If you were waiting for something to happen this series, wait no longer. This book seems to be what all the others were leading up to. It draws on and references every single other book in the series, and it does so masterfully.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
I assure you, if you've hung through the series this far, you are in for quite a treat.
Approximate Reading Time: 7.5 hours
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
I assure you, if you've hung through the series this far, you are in for quite a treat.
Approximate Reading Time: 7.5 hours
May 16, 2025
a little end of the world to bring back characters from the last 8 books.
January 29, 2016
Wow, this book was intense.
Remember how I complained that in the seventh book of The Young Wizard series the plot took forever to take off? The eighth book pulls no punches, and the tension’s there from the very first chapter.
You definitely need to have read the prior books in the series (start with So You Want to Be a Wizard) before picking up Wizards at War, which builds upon the prior books, reintroduces characters, and starts almost immediately where the last book left off.
In the last book, Tom and Carl weren’t strangely weren’t in contact. Now we find out why. The universe is ending. Entropy has suddenly speed up with the appearance of ominous dark matter that is pushing apart galaxies. Wizardry is failing, and soon people will cease to care about all but material things. The senior wizards will lose their powers first, along with any memories of wizardry every existing. It’s up to the young wizards to save the universe.
Kit and Nita have just gotten back from the events of the prior book, and the three alien house guests are still present. Kit, Nita, Dairine, Filif, Sker’ret, and Roshaun are joined by Ronan, from A Wizard Abroad, in a trek across galaxies to try and get to the heart of the problem. Their quest will take them to a world darker than any seen before, one that belongs completely to the Lone Power.
Everything about this book was fantastic. All the character building scenes of the previous books paid off here when beloved and familiar characters suddenly face something they’ve never seen the likes of. The book was incredibly paced, the moments of humor were a wonderful release, the aforementioned characters were great, and there so many scenes that were genuinely moving. There was particularly something that happened near the end with one of my favorite characters that really gets me.
On the subject of favorite characters, Wizards at War has given me an incredible love for Carmela Rodriguez. She’s been very good in the last few books, but here she moves from endearing to truly awesome.
I really, really loved Wizards at War. If you’re a fan of the series, I think you’ll likely to love it as much as I do. If you haven’t read any of the Young Wizards books, why not? It’s one of the best YA fantasy series out there, and if you’re at all a fan of the genre you should be giving it a look.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Remember how I complained that in the seventh book of The Young Wizard series the plot took forever to take off? The eighth book pulls no punches, and the tension’s there from the very first chapter.
You definitely need to have read the prior books in the series (start with So You Want to Be a Wizard) before picking up Wizards at War, which builds upon the prior books, reintroduces characters, and starts almost immediately where the last book left off.
In the last book, Tom and Carl weren’t strangely weren’t in contact. Now we find out why. The universe is ending. Entropy has suddenly speed up with the appearance of ominous dark matter that is pushing apart galaxies. Wizardry is failing, and soon people will cease to care about all but material things. The senior wizards will lose their powers first, along with any memories of wizardry every existing. It’s up to the young wizards to save the universe.
“Suddenly Nita began to understand the feeling she’d read about in books, but never really understood: the feeling that it was genuinely all over, that nothing further could be done… except to go out as well as you could.”
Kit and Nita have just gotten back from the events of the prior book, and the three alien house guests are still present. Kit, Nita, Dairine, Filif, Sker’ret, and Roshaun are joined by Ronan, from A Wizard Abroad, in a trek across galaxies to try and get to the heart of the problem. Their quest will take them to a world darker than any seen before, one that belongs completely to the Lone Power.
“So there’s still hope?”
“Always hope,” said the mirror-scaled koi. “But you can’t just sit there and stare at it. You have to do something with it.”
Everything about this book was fantastic. All the character building scenes of the previous books paid off here when beloved and familiar characters suddenly face something they’ve never seen the likes of. The book was incredibly paced, the moments of humor were a wonderful release, the aforementioned characters were great, and there so many scenes that were genuinely moving. There was particularly something that happened near the end with one of my favorite characters that really gets me.
On the subject of favorite characters, Wizards at War has given me an incredible love for Carmela Rodriguez. She’s been very good in the last few books, but here she moves from endearing to truly awesome.
I really, really loved Wizards at War. If you’re a fan of the series, I think you’ll likely to love it as much as I do. If you haven’t read any of the Young Wizards books, why not? It’s one of the best YA fantasy series out there, and if you’re at all a fan of the genre you should be giving it a look.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
February 23, 2012
I hadn’t read any of Diane Duane’s Young Wizards novels in years, and then, while cleaning up for Christmas, I found book seven, which a friend had given me months before. I read it, then had to re-read books 1-6, and then re-read book seven. Then, while my husband was away, I ordered books eight and nine.
The thing I love about Duane’s series is that while it’s technically a young adult series, or even meant for kids younger than middle school, it’s deep enough to appeal to adults as well. (I find, actually, that much of what is considered YA today is more interesting and provocative than the literature marketed as contemporary fiction or literary fiction for adults).
Kit and Nita, along with Nita’s sister Dairene, and some wizardly foreign (very foreign – not-of-this-earth) exchange students have grown up somewhat, and the stories now take place in a “now” that’s post-9/11, even though the timeline remains consistent within itself. (That’s confusing, I know, but basically it means that even if time outside the books has jumped years, the book that was written in 1988 is still a month before the book written in 1990, or whatever, but both are in whatever was “now” at the time of writing), so it’s nice to see them using current technology at home.
This book, however, with the expanding blackness, the adult wizards losing sight of their magic, etc., seems very much a post-modern fairy-tale, and the darkness in the book-world, while exaggerated, seems to fit perfectly with the tensions going on in reality. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Duane had worked in an “Occupy the Crossroads” plotline, except this was written a few years ago.
Even so, the stories continue to be gripping. Dairene’s maturation as a person is interesting to watch, and there are hints of changes to the dynamic between Kit and Nita.
Dog-lovers will appreciate both the sensitivity with which a certain character’s story is ended, and the humor that comes in an old joke.
Goes well with: macaroni and cheese. Trust me on this – it’s a book that requires comfort food.
The thing I love about Duane’s series is that while it’s technically a young adult series, or even meant for kids younger than middle school, it’s deep enough to appeal to adults as well. (I find, actually, that much of what is considered YA today is more interesting and provocative than the literature marketed as contemporary fiction or literary fiction for adults).
Kit and Nita, along with Nita’s sister Dairene, and some wizardly foreign (very foreign – not-of-this-earth) exchange students have grown up somewhat, and the stories now take place in a “now” that’s post-9/11, even though the timeline remains consistent within itself. (That’s confusing, I know, but basically it means that even if time outside the books has jumped years, the book that was written in 1988 is still a month before the book written in 1990, or whatever, but both are in whatever was “now” at the time of writing), so it’s nice to see them using current technology at home.
This book, however, with the expanding blackness, the adult wizards losing sight of their magic, etc., seems very much a post-modern fairy-tale, and the darkness in the book-world, while exaggerated, seems to fit perfectly with the tensions going on in reality. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Duane had worked in an “Occupy the Crossroads” plotline, except this was written a few years ago.
Even so, the stories continue to be gripping. Dairene’s maturation as a person is interesting to watch, and there are hints of changes to the dynamic between Kit and Nita.
Dog-lovers will appreciate both the sensitivity with which a certain character’s story is ended, and the humor that comes in an old joke.
Goes well with: macaroni and cheese. Trust me on this – it’s a book that requires comfort food.
June 28, 2010
When I found this book at my library, I was ecstatic. The Young Wizards series has a fine tradition of excellence which was well carried on in this book. Functional magic is a beautiful thing. For specifics, I found the plot perfectly paced, the characters wonderfully written as usual, the emotion elegantly and subtly handled, and...I'll stop. It's impossible for me to write an unbiased review of the Young Wizards series. But I would like to point out that Roshaun and Dairine's relationship could have been written horribly, but instead it came across as incredibly realistic. Hopefully I'll be able to check out book 9 next week.
July 30, 2016
So much stuff happened on this book, I don't know where to begin. I like how it basically continued where the last book left off. It flowed really well, and it kept the new exchange wizards in the story as well as bringing back some old acquaintances. It's cool to see how everything ties back together.
The scale of things in this story is much more vast than any of the previous. In some ways, the bug planet reminded me of the first book. A world that was lost to the Lone Power.
Honestly, it's interesting to see the familiar relationship the main characters have with him.
Anyway, this book was quite enjoyable.
The scale of things in this story is much more vast than any of the previous. In some ways, the bug planet reminded me of the first book. A world that was lost to the Lone Power.
Honestly, it's interesting to see the familiar relationship the main characters have with him.
Anyway, this book was quite enjoyable.
July 2, 2025
Kit and Nita return home from vacation to discover that the very fabric of wizardry is unraveling. As dark matter expands in the universe, reality begins to bend and the older wizards start to lose their wizardry. It's up to the younger wizards to find a way to combat the growing darkness. Kit and Nita find some clues which suggest that the evil Lone One is creating the dark matter in order to distract them from something it wants to keep secret - a special weapon that could win the war.
As always, it is utterly impossible to describe the wonder, the grandeur, the sheer enchantment of a book by Diane Duane. There's something so indescribably foreign and deliciously familiar in all her characters. They possess great magical power; they encounter mystic beings; and they get embarrassed when their socks don't match. Those little down-to-earth moments, like drinking a cup of tea and finding your favorite tennis shoes before going off to fight in the planetary wars, are what make her stories so special.
There's always a current of awareness running under her stories that glances out through little things, showing the dark and brightness in every human heart with a startling clarity. I love the way that each wizard responds to and experiences the magical powers they harness, and there is a reflection of struggle and understanding inside themselves. It makes the magic system so deep and wide and omnipresent in each aspect of the story, because of its complexity and actuality.
(I'm trying so hard to explain the particular enchantment of this magical setting, but I'm failing miserably. It won't make sense unless you've read the magic yourself.)
As always, I adore Nita and Kit's friendship! They are so comfortable together, and there is such a depth of understanding between them. Every scene with them is so carefully and beautifully written. In this book, they are adjusting to working with a much larger team of wizards, and the tension of battle and the diverse personalities of the group bring some awkwardness into their relationships.
The plot in this one kept me reading and wondering and enjoying every page! All the aliens are so imaginative and different. One is basically a sentient tree, and another one has a lot of legs and can eat almost anything. He eats metal and wood and glass. They meet a new race of aliens that are basically giant bugs that live in a hive, and their culture and cruel society are the main focus of a big part of the story as the wizards have to infiltrate their city and find the secret weapon.
I love that this author always deals with heavy subjects - sacrifice, and honor, and the meaning of truth- but there's also much light-hearted fun in her books.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
To see some mild sensitive content in this book, check it out on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/wizard...
As always, it is utterly impossible to describe the wonder, the grandeur, the sheer enchantment of a book by Diane Duane. There's something so indescribably foreign and deliciously familiar in all her characters. They possess great magical power; they encounter mystic beings; and they get embarrassed when their socks don't match. Those little down-to-earth moments, like drinking a cup of tea and finding your favorite tennis shoes before going off to fight in the planetary wars, are what make her stories so special.
There's always a current of awareness running under her stories that glances out through little things, showing the dark and brightness in every human heart with a startling clarity. I love the way that each wizard responds to and experiences the magical powers they harness, and there is a reflection of struggle and understanding inside themselves. It makes the magic system so deep and wide and omnipresent in each aspect of the story, because of its complexity and actuality.
(I'm trying so hard to explain the particular enchantment of this magical setting, but I'm failing miserably. It won't make sense unless you've read the magic yourself.)
As always, I adore Nita and Kit's friendship! They are so comfortable together, and there is such a depth of understanding between them. Every scene with them is so carefully and beautifully written. In this book, they are adjusting to working with a much larger team of wizards, and the tension of battle and the diverse personalities of the group bring some awkwardness into their relationships.
The plot in this one kept me reading and wondering and enjoying every page! All the aliens are so imaginative and different. One is basically a sentient tree, and another one has a lot of legs and can eat almost anything. He eats metal and wood and glass. They meet a new race of aliens that are basically giant bugs that live in a hive, and their culture and cruel society are the main focus of a big part of the story as the wizards have to infiltrate their city and find the secret weapon.
I love that this author always deals with heavy subjects - sacrifice, and honor, and the meaning of truth- but there's also much light-hearted fun in her books.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
To see some mild sensitive content in this book, check it out on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/wizard...
June 20, 2017
Diane Duane needs to personally apologize to me for everything regarding Ponch as I feel personally attacked.
September 13, 2010
Third time's the charm. This is at least the third time I've checked this out from the library. This time I finally finished it before returning it. The other times I would wait until the due date and then just return it because I hadn't started it or hadn't read more than a few pages. I really wanted to read it, but it felt so long and involved and I didn't have the time needed to devote to it. I know it's not a 1,000-page book or anything, but still quite long and not a book I wanted to rush through just to finish.
This time I devoted the time and attention needed, and I'm so glad I did! This series just gets better and better. The characters learn and grow and change - and not always in expected ways. I highly recommend this series - but don't start with this book. This one references previous books in the series quite a lot - and some I had read so long ago that I think I missed a few of the details. But that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. It just made me feel like I need to reread some of this series again!
I'm still processing what I think about this one and how it all ended. There's a lot to take in. Maybe I'll add to this review later when I've had time to sort through everything that happened and how I feel about it.
This time I devoted the time and attention needed, and I'm so glad I did! This series just gets better and better. The characters learn and grow and change - and not always in expected ways. I highly recommend this series - but don't start with this book. This one references previous books in the series quite a lot - and some I had read so long ago that I think I missed a few of the details. But that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. It just made me feel like I need to reread some of this series again!
I'm still processing what I think about this one and how it all ended. There's a lot to take in. Maybe I'll add to this review later when I've had time to sort through everything that happened and how I feel about it.
July 15, 2009
Possibly the most epic and whirlwind Young Wizards book yet.
The strange goings-on in the universe are coming to a head. Entropy seems to be forcing space to expand at a dangerous rate, and a weird dark entity is being spotted in the far reaches of the galaxy. The Lone Power is obviously up to something...but what?
Worst of all, the expansion is causing Senior wizards everywhere to lose their powers...and eventually their memories. Without their advice and experience, it literally is up to the "young" wizards to save the universe.
The book encompasses an amazing, riotous, breathtaking intergalactic quest that combines characters from almost all the previous books; from young Irish rebel Ronan, to the whale wizard S'reee, to innocent and canny Darryl, to the memorable alien wizards Sker'ret, Filif, and Roshaun from the previous book. Together with Nita, Dairine, Kit, and Ponch, they will spread out across the galaxy, to investigate a faraway planet populated by a hive culture of aliens that may hide the key to saving the world at its heart. Phasing effortlessly from humor, to relationships, to magic, to science, to battles and settings epic in scope, this book truly shows off the entire scale that makes this one of the most brilliant series I've ever read.
The strange goings-on in the universe are coming to a head. Entropy seems to be forcing space to expand at a dangerous rate, and a weird dark entity is being spotted in the far reaches of the galaxy. The Lone Power is obviously up to something...but what?
Worst of all, the expansion is causing Senior wizards everywhere to lose their powers...and eventually their memories. Without their advice and experience, it literally is up to the "young" wizards to save the universe.
The book encompasses an amazing, riotous, breathtaking intergalactic quest that combines characters from almost all the previous books; from young Irish rebel Ronan, to the whale wizard S'reee, to innocent and canny Darryl, to the memorable alien wizards Sker'ret, Filif, and Roshaun from the previous book. Together with Nita, Dairine, Kit, and Ponch, they will spread out across the galaxy, to investigate a faraway planet populated by a hive culture of aliens that may hide the key to saving the world at its heart. Phasing effortlessly from humor, to relationships, to magic, to science, to battles and settings epic in scope, this book truly shows off the entire scale that makes this one of the most brilliant series I've ever read.
March 22, 2015
OK, I get that this is war against the Lone Power. I get that war is serious. But does Duane have to kill off popular characters in every single book? I'll admit that this was a decent book in spite of my rating. However, it is unable to stand alone due to trying to use virtually every single character that has appeared in this series. And I did not like the way death apparently has to appear in each and every title lately. I suspect Duane is trying to get through to teens just how special life is, by showing the lack of it when someone dies. But she has overdone it. I'll go ahead and pick up the next in the series, but that might end up being the final one. Being way out of the age targeted in this book perhaps means that I am more aware of death than a teenager and I simply do not need to be reminded of my loved lost ones by discovering that she killed off a popular character in this one. I'll also argue that by killing off characters in several titles now, she is also cheapening the value of love and loss by overdoing it. I'll read the next book. But that might be it!
December 18, 2008
I have finally caught up with this series! I don't know if that's exciting or depressing.
This book is much longer than the other books in the series and, accordingly, deals with a much more complicated and detailed plot than in the beginning of the series. It takes place immediately after book 7 and contains most of the same "extras".
The interactions between the characters felt like I was watching something real - something unscripted. It captured my attention and didn't let go. Still a fast read when compared to adult books, it was totally worth the time.
This book is much longer than the other books in the series and, accordingly, deals with a much more complicated and detailed plot than in the beginning of the series. It takes place immediately after book 7 and contains most of the same "extras".
The interactions between the characters felt like I was watching something real - something unscripted. It captured my attention and didn't let go. Still a fast read when compared to adult books, it was totally worth the time.
August 21, 2016
Another great installment in the series. I wasnt down with everything in the book (did giant bugs really need misogynistic gender roles?) but I love all the characters and the emotional aspects of the story are very effective. I liked seeing a bit more of Dairine and her relationship with her wizardry, and also found a lot of funny parts even with the threats the characters are facing. Also Nita is a badass and its great.
January 22, 2017
All the major players come out to help as wizardry starts disappearing from the world. Tom and Carl without the memory of anything but the mundane was utterly tragic. Ponch, the dog, may have tried to steal the show, but my real hero is Kit's sister Carmela. She doesn't need wizardry, just a curling iron.
This is a fun series. I highly recommend it, especially for young adult readers.
This is a fun series. I highly recommend it, especially for young adult readers.
January 24, 2016
Still very good, but this time I thought the ending was a little too drawn out and a few of the final events didn't hit me as hard. Nevertheless, great cast of characters and I loved all their interactions as they attempt to save the universe one more time.
May 15, 2016
While there was a lot of action, the book still dragged on and on for me. I liked the recurring characters, and even the resolution, but I didn't care for the pacing, and while the dangers and risks sounded dire, they didn't feel like it. Nice parts, but a bit meh overall.
November 16, 2023
Great read Good story. Just please stop with adding more people that are wizards.
May 21, 2025
A worthy follow-up to the incomparable Wizard's Holiday. All of our favorites are back, plus our new friends from the last book, and them teaming up is a joy and a treasure. Add the ever-welcome Carmela to the mix, and the result will (wink/nod) blow your socks clean off.
Of all the things ever said to the Lone Power in this series, "Oops" might have to be my favorite.
And while Nita and Kit and the rest of their motley crew are having questionable, terrifying fun for the first half of the book, we also get to follow around Dairine and Roshaun around as they bounce from his planet (where she gets decked out in royal robes and is the only one clueless as to how that looks to everyone else), to the planet she populated during her Ordeal (where he immediately bonds with her Mobiles and weasels out of a define-the-relationship talk with some classic wizard double-talk), and then go run after the rest to save them from one of the more terrifying (and grosser) versions of the Lone Power that we've met.
(We are also, I should note, at that point that all middle-grade-to-young-adult transitionary series reach where the ages are pure nonsense. Not surprising, given that this series started in '83 (long runners seem particularly prone to this), but the gap between the "calendar age" and the actual ages of how the characters behave and work and are perceived in this world is past the point of stretching readerly disbelief. It's one thing to note that wizards tend to be precocious for their age in one way or another (Nita's mature emotional understanding of the world, Kit being skipped two grades, the everything about Dairine), but another entirely to make it so the author's math doesn't add up (Kit's skipped two grades, he's in senior classes in the next book, but Dairine is still eleven? Make it make sense).
For sanity's sake, it's pretty clear that Kit's around 16 (in senior classes but skipped two grades makes him sophomore age), Nita's a few months older with a birthday coming up in the fall, possibly in the same grade or possibly a junior depending on cutoff, which makes Dairine a 14/15 year old freshman -- a much more acceptable age for a ruler of a kingdom with a similar, if slightly slower, maturity age to their people to consider the possibility that she's a honeypot agent (yes, a canon comment!) using herself against their also-teenaged prince, as well as for said prince to make a comment that her thoughtlessly and accidentally flashing him when she changed was both Interesting and Informative. I'm assuming the age thing is 1/5th author and 4/5ths publishing company wanting to keep the kids' ages "in range", as so often happens. Rant Over.)
All in all, a fantastic book that, despite its size, clips by at a delightful pace.
Wizards at War, rated 4.6/5 stars.
Of all the things ever said to the Lone Power in this series, "Oops" might have to be my favorite.
And while Nita and Kit and the rest of their motley crew are having questionable, terrifying fun for the first half of the book, we also get to follow around Dairine and Roshaun around as they bounce from his planet (where she gets decked out in royal robes and is the only one clueless as to how that looks to everyone else), to the planet she populated during her Ordeal (where he immediately bonds with her Mobiles and weasels out of a define-the-relationship talk with some classic wizard double-talk), and then go run after the rest to save them from one of the more terrifying (and grosser) versions of the Lone Power that we've met.
(We are also, I should note, at that point that all middle-grade-to-young-adult transitionary series reach where the ages are pure nonsense. Not surprising, given that this series started in '83 (long runners seem particularly prone to this), but the gap between the "calendar age" and the actual ages of how the characters behave and work and are perceived in this world is past the point of stretching readerly disbelief. It's one thing to note that wizards tend to be precocious for their age in one way or another (Nita's mature emotional understanding of the world, Kit being skipped two grades, the everything about Dairine), but another entirely to make it so the author's math doesn't add up (Kit's skipped two grades, he's in senior classes in the next book, but Dairine is still eleven? Make it make sense).
For sanity's sake, it's pretty clear that Kit's around 16 (in senior classes but skipped two grades makes him sophomore age), Nita's a few months older with a birthday coming up in the fall, possibly in the same grade or possibly a junior depending on cutoff, which makes Dairine a 14/15 year old freshman -- a much more acceptable age for a ruler of a kingdom with a similar, if slightly slower, maturity age to their people to consider the possibility that she's a honeypot agent (yes, a canon comment!) using herself against their also-teenaged prince, as well as for said prince to make a comment that her thoughtlessly and accidentally flashing him when she changed was both Interesting and Informative. I'm assuming the age thing is 1/5th author and 4/5ths publishing company wanting to keep the kids' ages "in range", as so often happens. Rant Over.)
All in all, a fantastic book that, despite its size, clips by at a delightful pace.
Wizards at War, rated 4.6/5 stars.
October 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this addition to the series. It was significantly longer than all the previous books so far (although it looks like the rest of them are this long, as well) and it gave me a little bit of a book hangover, which was a welcome relief since I wasn't as impressed with the previous two installments.
This book brings together a lot of the characters from various earlier books in the series for one huge, high-stakes adventure that I think will be hard to top. As far as complaints, my main issue was that the writing wasn't 100% spot on. There were several places that I noticed Duane using the same word twice in either the same sentence or two sentences back-to-back. It just made things kind of clunky and I felt it could have been edited better. I was also a little disappointed in an odd way with something that happened toward the end.
This book brings together a lot of the characters from various earlier books in the series for one huge, high-stakes adventure that I think will be hard to top. As far as complaints, my main issue was that the writing wasn't 100% spot on. There were several places that I noticed Duane using the same word twice in either the same sentence or two sentences back-to-back. It just made things kind of clunky and I felt it could have been edited better. I was also a little disappointed in an odd way with something that happened toward the end.
September 8, 2022
I need to go to bed. Update tomorrow.
Update: ok! Book! What did I think? Once again really great world building with a unique idea, but this book was extra good somehow. Maybe because the stakes were higher or the dynamics of a larger cast. Whatever it was it was good. I was worried that she actually killed off Irish boy, then was worried that she was going to make it dumb to save him, but she pulled it off.
Now for my biggest criticism: the boy girl stuff. A friend of mine who I’ve been live blogging reading this book said it was funny how frustrated I was over a book I don’t actually have to read. I told her for my sanity I’m going to pretend all these kids are nine instead of teenagers. Like when Irish boy shows up and she’s just like “hi friend who I have no emotional reaction to even though I had a HUGE crush on and had my first kiss with!” And then to have Kit have no reaction and give him a fist bump? I wanted to roll my eyes. Then when Kit actually starts talking to her about stuff it felt like completely out of the blue, like it didn’t fit with anything at all because there has been zero build up. Then Nita changes the subject and it is completely dropped. Like out of the blue and back into it. Maybe this will be some background to what happens in the next book? This is handled so badly.
Update: ok! Book! What did I think? Once again really great world building with a unique idea, but this book was extra good somehow. Maybe because the stakes were higher or the dynamics of a larger cast. Whatever it was it was good. I was worried that she actually killed off Irish boy, then was worried that she was going to make it dumb to save him, but she pulled it off.
Now for my biggest criticism: the boy girl stuff. A friend of mine who I’ve been live blogging reading this book said it was funny how frustrated I was over a book I don’t actually have to read. I told her for my sanity I’m going to pretend all these kids are nine instead of teenagers. Like when Irish boy shows up and she’s just like “hi friend who I have no emotional reaction to even though I had a HUGE crush on and had my first kiss with!” And then to have Kit have no reaction and give him a fist bump? I wanted to roll my eyes. Then when Kit actually starts talking to her about stuff it felt like completely out of the blue, like it didn’t fit with anything at all because there has been zero build up. Then Nita changes the subject and it is completely dropped. Like out of the blue and back into it. Maybe this will be some background to what happens in the next book? This is handled so badly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2023
Wizards at War is a culmination of everything we’ve seen so far in the Young Wizards books. Everything they’ve done, everywhere they’ve been, and every way that these incredible kids have grown comes into play, with exciting twists and satisfying victories. I’m especially delighted by . To say much more than that is to spoil literally everything. It’s a “greatest hits and raised stakes” sort of book that works out fantastically!
There are things that keep me from giving this book five stars, though. Kit and Ronan’s casual sexism directed at Nita and Carmela is one of them; they each have a little bit of it on their own, but together, they are so much worse. I also take issue with how while the society on Rashah is a blatant Holocaust allegory, the salvation of these insectoid space Jews is that in a (hopefully unintentional) reference to Christian supercessionism. Real human Jews have no presence in this book whatsoever. And they’re not just missing – they’re mocked in the weirdest possible way. Carmela uses the word “bupkis” and wonders aloud if it’s an alien language. Am I supposed to believe that this New York teenager has never heard of Yiddish?? I don’t think that any of this is intentional antisemitism, but it’s still there, and still a problem.
There are things that keep me from giving this book five stars, though. Kit and Ronan’s casual sexism directed at Nita and Carmela is one of them; they each have a little bit of it on their own, but together, they are so much worse. I also take issue with how while the society on Rashah is a blatant Holocaust allegory, the salvation of these insectoid space Jews is that in a (hopefully unintentional) reference to Christian supercessionism. Real human Jews have no presence in this book whatsoever. And they’re not just missing – they’re mocked in the weirdest possible way. Carmela uses the word “bupkis” and wonders aloud if it’s an alien language. Am I supposed to believe that this New York teenager has never heard of Yiddish?? I don’t think that any of this is intentional antisemitism, but it’s still there, and still a problem.
September 14, 2020
In this book we're thrown into an end of the world scinereo. Wizards from throughout the series thus far, help to save the world. This conflict is much bigger than anything they've faced in the past... And boy does the book hit you over the head every chance it gets with just how hopeless things are. Which I love. Events from this book feel very end game to me. But the build up towards this huge disaster mostly comes from the seventh book. It's also not the final book in the series so things more or less return to the status quo by the end of the adventure (with a few exceptions).
As a result, you're left with something that while it's fun to read also feels a bit hollow in comparison to some of the other books. It feels like everyone is telling you that this is their biggest adventure... And I mean, everyone is here and they're given something to do. But is this really much different from the dangers faced in the first and second books? Honestly, although I didn't say much for the 7th book, I felt completely satisfied by its smaller scale story. While this story is still really good, Diane Duane's talents shine far more with the smaller scale stories.
As a result, you're left with something that while it's fun to read also feels a bit hollow in comparison to some of the other books. It feels like everyone is telling you that this is their biggest adventure... And I mean, everyone is here and they're given something to do. But is this really much different from the dangers faced in the first and second books? Honestly, although I didn't say much for the 7th book, I felt completely satisfied by its smaller scale story. While this story is still really good, Diane Duane's talents shine far more with the smaller scale stories.
July 11, 2017
Honestly, although I love Duane's Young Wizard series, each time I read through them I find I have a hard time getting through the books after number 5. It's not so much that they are bad, they just don't grip me right away like her earlier ones did.
As for this book in particular, I didn't really find any wow factor to it. I think it has to do with the two separate climaxes to the book. The first one, which seems to be the focus of most of the book, ends significantly before the end of the book itself, and then, in a way, something new is added to the mix (trying hard to keep it vague here to avoid spoilers). Because of this, I found the second climax rather anticlimatic, which is not how I should be feeling at the end of the book. Honestly, I feel as if that whole part could have been taken out and I may have been more pleased.
Altogether, it was enjoyable, but really not to the quality I've enjoyed from Duane in the past. I'm finally getting into the books I haven't read in the series, so I hope this isn't a sign of what I should expect in the next books...
As for this book in particular, I didn't really find any wow factor to it. I think it has to do with the two separate climaxes to the book. The first one, which seems to be the focus of most of the book, ends significantly before the end of the book itself, and then, in a way, something new is added to the mix (trying hard to keep it vague here to avoid spoilers). Because of this, I found the second climax rather anticlimatic, which is not how I should be feeling at the end of the book. Honestly, I feel as if that whole part could have been taken out and I may have been more pleased.
Altogether, it was enjoyable, but really not to the quality I've enjoyed from Duane in the past. I'm finally getting into the books I haven't read in the series, so I hope this isn't a sign of what I should expect in the next books...
July 21, 2017
"Young Wizards" book 8.
Senior wizards were not available to help fix the Sun in book 7.
It turns out that this is because something really big is wrong with the Universe. A surge of dark matter, called the Pullulus, is distorting space. Stars are dying, and wizardry itself is being warped. Adult wizards are not only losing their power but forgetting that it was ever real.
Can this be some ploy of the Lone Power?
Nita and company determine that there is a weapon that can stop the Pullulus. But the "weapon" is neither easy to find nor easy to get once found ... it is held by an hive-insect-like people of a planet fully ruled by the Lone One, who won't make it easy. And the weapon itself has something to say about the matter...
Senior wizards were not available to help fix the Sun in book 7.
It turns out that this is because something really big is wrong with the Universe. A surge of dark matter, called the Pullulus, is distorting space. Stars are dying, and wizardry itself is being warped. Adult wizards are not only losing their power but forgetting that it was ever real.
Can this be some ploy of the Lone Power?
Nita and company determine that there is a weapon that can stop the Pullulus. But the "weapon" is neither easy to find nor easy to get once found ... it is held by an hive-insect-like people of a planet fully ruled by the Lone One, who won't make it easy. And the weapon itself has something to say about the matter...
September 8, 2017
While looking for things to read recently, I remembered I'd never finished the Young Wizards series. The penultimate book brings together elements from all of the previous ones in sort of a grand battle for the universe. Ronan, the Irish boy who carries the Archangel Michael inside him; and the alien wizards from Wizard's Holiday play significant roles, as does Kit's dog Ponch. The Lone Power (the series' name for the Devil, who is the creator of entropy) is speeding up the expansion of the universe, causing serious effects all over. There's also news of the birth of the Hesper, basically the good version of the Lone Power. There's a lot going on here, and it's nice to see old characters again.
November 17, 2020
This is a big one! The laws of the universe are disintegrating, a mysterious force is making the universe expand faster, and adult wizards are starting to lose their magic. It's on the young wizards to make things right!
I really enjoyed this ensemble piece - it's the Avengers Assemble of the Young Wizards books :) Ronan, Darryl, Roshaun, Filif and Sker'ret all come back to help Nita and Kit solve the mystery, alongside a few old and new faces. The peril feels very real - although the duo haven't really relied on the older wizards too much before, the safety wheels are absolutely off in this book.
It's another great addition to the series, and after a slightly slower book 7, definitely picks up the pace!
I really enjoyed this ensemble piece - it's the Avengers Assemble of the Young Wizards books :) Ronan, Darryl, Roshaun, Filif and Sker'ret all come back to help Nita and Kit solve the mystery, alongside a few old and new faces. The peril feels very real - although the duo haven't really relied on the older wizards too much before, the safety wheels are absolutely off in this book.
It's another great addition to the series, and after a slightly slower book 7, definitely picks up the pace!
January 12, 2018
Took me a little longer to get through this one (I think it's the last in the series.) It is much longer than the others, but just as interesting; although I did find it easier to put down occasionally. There are several story arcs to follow, since besides Nita, Kit, and Dairine, there are lots of other young wizards involved. The three 'exchange students' from Wizard's Holiday are still here, Ronan from A Wizard Abroad arrives, and Kit's sister Carmela even gets involved in the war for the universe that all the young wizards have to fight on their own. I shed a few tears near the end, but overall found it very interesting.
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