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Diana Tregarde #0.6
Magic 101
Before Buffy ever staked out a vampire, before anyone was “Grimm,” before the “Supernatural” Winchester brothers locked horns with things that go bump in the night, there was Diana Tregarde. Diana Tregarde. Occult investigator. Witch. And Guardian. Pledged to protect and shield the innocent from the deadly menaces of the Dark, the things most people have never seen--and would never want to. The things you think only live in your nightmares. But you would be wrong. If you’re unlucky enough, you’ll be DEAD wrong. And if you are really, really unlucky...you’ll find out that there really are things worse than death. Unless Diana finds you first. But can Diana survive Harvard? The prequel to Burning Water, Jinx High and Children of the Night, these are the very first Diana Tregarde Investigations. Diana goes to Harvard. Harvard has no idea what's coming.
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2014
183 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
441 books9,532 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 11, 2014
So disappointing. This book is billed on Amazon as a new novella, but not only is it largely (~80%) the previously published short story "Arcanum 101," but sections of the remaining novel directly quote the flashback scenes in "Burning Water" - so much so that the story as it is retold here describes Diana as living in the building next to Quasi, but in the copy and pasted part, describes her as Quasi's upstairs neighbor. In other words, it is literally a cut and paste job.
I really liked the Diana Tregarde series, and I was excited that there is a new novel out, so it is especially disappointing that it is re-packaged, previously published material.
This kind of thing shows little respect for the reader.
I really liked the Diana Tregarde series, and I was excited that there is a new novel out, so it is especially disappointing that it is re-packaged, previously published material.
This kind of thing shows little respect for the reader.
July 12, 2016
This novella makes me want to explore the series. I also enjoyed the introduction basically saying - "It's set in 1970 people - don't expect today's technology!"
May 3, 2014
This is newly released at Amazon. However, most of the book (80+%!) is the previously-published story *Arcanum 101*, which was in Trio of Sorcery (Diana Tregarde, #0.5). The new story isn't much, hence the 3 stars. Glad Amazon was willing to refund my purchase of the ebook.
It's a good story - *Arcanum 101*, I mean. It's the prequel to the novel-length Diana Tregarde books, and it's interesting to see how the early-20s girl is already showing the strengths she has as a Guardian. But don't buy this book; buy **Trio of Sorcery**.
It's a good story - *Arcanum 101*, I mean. It's the prequel to the novel-length Diana Tregarde books, and it's interesting to see how the early-20s girl is already showing the strengths she has as a Guardian. But don't buy this book; buy **Trio of Sorcery**.
November 23, 2019
My copy of this novella states on the blurb that Diana Tregarde came before Buffy and before Supernatural. I guess the fact that these two shows are used as an example is because there are no suitable universally recognisable book-series about chosen humans hunting demons but the story* also had a very TV-episode feel to me. There were several fight-scenes that would have looked really good on the screen (not that they were badly written but when it comes to plain one-on-one (or two) fights, I never get that much out of them on paper), there were several hard-working montages and a couple of dramatic zoom-in-on-face moments.
That alone doesn't make it a bad story. TV-episodes on paper still make for a fun, fast-paced read. But it's also a prequel to the Diana Tregarde series and while prequels are technically the chronological starting point of a series, they are usually more aimed at people who already know the books. It's the author going "Look at this character you love, here's how they started". For a new reader, it feels more like "here's this person you don't know doing stuff" and in this case 'acting really weird' because first Diana first goes on and on about what an honour it is to be a Guardian (someone who protects ordinary humans from demons), but when somebody calls on her with an actual case, she suddenly wonders if she can quit this job and what would happen if she did. This might have made more sense if I'd been more aware of the stakes involved in all this (not that I got the impression that her job is easy but I never got a sense why this case she was brought was so horrible that she considered quitting).
On another note: I haven't read any Mercedes Lackey before but I heard from many people variations of "Reading Lackey was the first time I saw queer people in fiction but there were also so many Unfortunate Implications in her books" and they were right oh boy they were right.
I still want to give the actual first book in the series a try. Because I want to see how a full-length novel that doesn't suffer from prequel syndrome looks.
*technically there are two stories in this: a longer serious novella and a quirky short-story that's just a few pages and similar to the kind of goodie 'XY celebrates Christmas'-stories authors occasionally publish for free on their websites (except that it's Halloween)
That alone doesn't make it a bad story. TV-episodes on paper still make for a fun, fast-paced read. But it's also a prequel to the Diana Tregarde series and while prequels are technically the chronological starting point of a series, they are usually more aimed at people who already know the books. It's the author going "Look at this character you love, here's how they started". For a new reader, it feels more like "here's this person you don't know doing stuff" and in this case 'acting really weird' because first Diana first goes on and on about what an honour it is to be a Guardian (someone who protects ordinary humans from demons), but when somebody calls on her with an actual case, she suddenly wonders if she can quit this job and what would happen if she did. This might have made more sense if I'd been more aware of the stakes involved in all this (not that I got the impression that her job is easy but I never got a sense why this case she was brought was so horrible that she considered quitting).
On another note: I haven't read any Mercedes Lackey before but I heard from many people variations of "Reading Lackey was the first time I saw queer people in fiction but there were also so many Unfortunate Implications in her books" and they were right oh boy they were right.
I still want to give the actual first book in the series a try. Because I want to see how a full-length novel that doesn't suffer from prequel syndrome looks.
*technically there are two stories in this: a longer serious novella and a quirky short-story that's just a few pages and similar to the kind of goodie 'XY celebrates Christmas'-stories authors occasionally publish for free on their websites (except that it's Halloween)
March 14, 2019
It would be nice if Lackey could write a story without somehow shitting on Gods that people venerate (in this book it was Cybele, with an aside that one shouldn't give old Gods windows into the modern world). That and the main character's whining throughout make this one impossible to recommend.
January 6, 2023
Had a great time reading this
Confession I have been a fan of Mercedes Lackey's for year's and I always will be one. I have read every book I can get my hands on. These two stories are from her Diana Tragarde series.
I had such a great time reading them as I always do with her books. Highly recommend
Confession I have been a fan of Mercedes Lackey's for year's and I always will be one. I have read every book I can get my hands on. These two stories are from her Diana Tragarde series.
I had such a great time reading them as I always do with her books. Highly recommend
May 2, 2024
I like the book. It fluffed out the arcanum 101 storyline.
November 20, 2014
It was nice to read a couple of Di stories I had never seen before.
Really, that's all I've got to say. Good stories that I enjoyed reading. I do now find myself tempted to reread Children of the Night again to see Di meeting Andre all over again, but really, I have too many other things I want to get to first.
We'll see what tempts me most.
Really, that's all I've got to say. Good stories that I enjoyed reading. I do now find myself tempted to reread Children of the Night again to see Di meeting Andre all over again, but really, I have too many other things I want to get to first.
We'll see what tempts me most.
August 25, 2019
It has been ages and ages since I’ve read any Diana Tregarde books and I actually think I hadn’t read this collection of two short stories before. I love the summary here on Goodreads, because YEAH – this was pre-Buffy and Supernatural and Magicians and Diana holds up pretty darn well as a lead. It does help that she’s a bit older than the typical protagonist, though this work does give us the impression her “fighting evil” gig started when she was a younger teen so she’s had time to mature into her role. Can we also talk about the fact she’s at Harvard studying world myth (and something else I can’t quite remember)? YES to highly intelligent warriors for light! Loved this start to nearly-finish. This one did feel unbalanced in that the first story is SO much longer than the second thrown into this “collection” (Duo?). Great read and now to be seriously miffed I can’t find Burning water in ebook form via any of my free library and Kindle services. I’d really prefer to reread the full series.
September 16, 2019
I read the first three Diana Tregarde years ago and enjoyed the series and was sad when the author said she would not be writing anymore in the series.
I was delighted to find this. This deals with Diana as a young Guardian first as a teen and then a college student. I really enjoyed the blast from the past and remembering the world of the early 1970s that the stories are set in.
Diana is much different at this age less cocky and more vulnerable. As much as I enjoyed the first three novels with Diana as an adult her smugness and judgy ways often caused me to grind my teeth. She seemed to have no flaws so it was hard to relate to her. This Diana is so much more human and for me easier to relate too.
I do hope there will be more stories of the young Diana.
I was delighted to find this. This deals with Diana as a young Guardian first as a teen and then a college student. I really enjoyed the blast from the past and remembering the world of the early 1970s that the stories are set in.
Diana is much different at this age less cocky and more vulnerable. As much as I enjoyed the first three novels with Diana as an adult her smugness and judgy ways often caused me to grind my teeth. She seemed to have no flaws so it was hard to relate to her. This Diana is so much more human and for me easier to relate too.
I do hope there will be more stories of the young Diana.
June 26, 2025
Much better, as this Diana Tregarde story had Diana in it, which I enjoyed. It's been about twenty years since I last read her, so it was nice reading something new. The continuity however, really left a lot to be desired. Read chronologically, it wasn't bad, but then I started on Burning Waters, which is actually book 2, and had to stop two chapters in to go back to Children of the Night, which is actually the first book in the timeline. That's when I really realized how jarring the lack of continuity is. Still, it's ML, and it was my first taste of UF. Fond memories, if nothing else gives this a higher rating than it should.
January 15, 2019
The most I can say for this is that it’s rather better than the full-length Diana Tregarde novels, slightly less preposterous and unrealistic, but only slightly. It’s really a shame, because Diana is a well-realized, likeable character. It’s just that she appears in the midst of a mishmash of stuff clumsily parched together from folklore, ceremonial magic, fantasy novels, and a profound misunderstanding of modern earth-based religions and non-theistic magical practice. Diana’s character earns the novella one star on her own.
August 3, 2019
The first story, at the beginning of Di's life at Harvard, was new to me. Well written, intriguing, a quick short look into the adult we fans loved in her three novels. It was back in the dial-up connection days of local bulletin boards that a friend introduced me to these stories and their author. The second story in 'Magic 101' was very short and familiar. I'm certain I've read it before. Amusing but not very satisfying due to its length or lack thereof. Still, a quick view into a hero's early years.
June 20, 2021
This was two short stories, in one eBook.
The first: Arcanum 101, and the other: Witching Hour, which was new to me.
I had just read Arcanum 101, so went straight to the second story.
This tells how Diana meets Mark Valdez for the very first time, at Harvard, where they both study, and at midnight of Halloween, where Mark, and three of his friends, decide to do a spell, and get more than they'd bargained for, leaving it up to Diana to rescue them.
I enjoyed this a lot, despite it's brevity!
The first: Arcanum 101, and the other: Witching Hour, which was new to me.
I had just read Arcanum 101, so went straight to the second story.
This tells how Diana meets Mark Valdez for the very first time, at Harvard, where they both study, and at midnight of Halloween, where Mark, and three of his friends, decide to do a spell, and get more than they'd bargained for, leaving it up to Diana to rescue them.
I enjoyed this a lot, despite it's brevity!
May 31, 2024
An Interesting Nod
While I'm a fan of the Diana Traverse series and was thrilled to see this come out, it wasn't as much as I had hoped. Sure, it explained how It sad got his scar that made his uncle very grateful to Diana and it covered a bit more (but seemed more like a deleted scene) of how Diana and Mark Valdez met. What makes me giggle a bit is the foreword about what life was like before computers and cellphones. Mercedes Lackey and another author are right, life was different then.
While I'm a fan of the Diana Traverse series and was thrilled to see this come out, it wasn't as much as I had hoped. Sure, it explained how It sad got his scar that made his uncle very grateful to Diana and it covered a bit more (but seemed more like a deleted scene) of how Diana and Mark Valdez met. What makes me giggle a bit is the foreword about what life was like before computers and cellphones. Mercedes Lackey and another author are right, life was different then.
November 28, 2025
Tregarde revitalized!! Blessed be!
I have been a Mercedes Lackey fan since the late 80s. I read the original Tregarde books and loved them! I'm so incredibly excited that she's writing these stories again. Hopefully, the troubles are at final rest!
Misty has a unique and wonderful way of developing storyline, dialogue, and ambiance to an absolute perfection. I love that she's gone back to develope Diana's back story. Now. I'll have to go back and reread the first ones .....with utter delight!
Thank you, Misty!!
I have been a Mercedes Lackey fan since the late 80s. I read the original Tregarde books and loved them! I'm so incredibly excited that she's writing these stories again. Hopefully, the troubles are at final rest!
Misty has a unique and wonderful way of developing storyline, dialogue, and ambiance to an absolute perfection. I love that she's gone back to develope Diana's back story. Now. I'll have to go back and reread the first ones .....with utter delight!
Thank you, Misty!!
June 1, 2018
Hurray!!
I have loved and often re-read my copies of the Diana Tregarde mysteries. I have long wished for more and finally there is a new one. It's a prequel so you might be familiar-ish with some of the characters but it didn't matter for me. I am quite happy for this closer look into Diana's past.
I have loved and often re-read my copies of the Diana Tregarde mysteries. I have long wished for more and finally there is a new one. It's a prequel so you might be familiar-ish with some of the characters but it didn't matter for me. I am quite happy for this closer look into Diana's past.
February 6, 2021
What a witch
Written back when you had to actually find an actual book in a real library - this is still a great read. Mercedes Lackey’s Lead character might not be everyone’s cup of tea but she can certainly banish ‘bad things’ with the best of them. Fun to read and worth the effort.
Written back when you had to actually find an actual book in a real library - this is still a great read. Mercedes Lackey’s Lead character might not be everyone’s cup of tea but she can certainly banish ‘bad things’ with the best of them. Fun to read and worth the effort.
December 24, 2022
I first read the Diana Tragarde books decades ago and loved them. The character is entertaining, believable, and well written. It took me a very long time to learn why she didn't write more. So I was thrilled when I discovered that, at long last, she did. This one is even better than the ones I read all those years ago.
March 25, 2018
Fantastic
I have read all of lackeys books this is one of my favorites. She does a fantastic job with imagery and conveying the feeling of what is going on. A great short work by a fantastic author.
I have read all of lackeys books this is one of my favorites. She does a fantastic job with imagery and conveying the feeling of what is going on. A great short work by a fantastic author.
September 18, 2018
One of my favorite authors returns to a character that I enjoyed decades ago in that she fought to keep down evil and support positive living. This story gives more background and invites new readers into the 1970s that new readers may adrift without their modern day technology.
Read
February 1, 2020Mercedes Lackey Rocks! 'Nuff said.
Ohh, but they require 20 words. 'Kay... Some minor editing mishaps, but damn! I've missed reading her books, must be going on 15 years now?! /facepalm
Ohh, but they require 20 words. 'Kay... Some minor editing mishaps, but damn! I've missed reading her books, must be going on 15 years now?! /facepalm
March 24, 2020
As always Mercedes
Enchants me. So difficult to put down. The Magic is wonderfully done and now I must read the ext Tregarde mystery. Mercedes you have grabbed my love of your writing on e again.
Enchants me. So difficult to put down. The Magic is wonderfully done and now I must read the ext Tregarde mystery. Mercedes you have grabbed my love of your writing on e again.
February 10, 2021
My favorite fantasy writer
Mercedes Lackey It is a fun storyteller. I have enjoyed her writing every time she comes up with a new book. This series you can tell she really enjoyed Writing and it’s a fun read
Mercedes Lackey It is a fun storyteller. I have enjoyed her writing every time she comes up with a new book. This series you can tell she really enjoyed Writing and it’s a fun read
September 14, 2021
Thrilled
I don't know how I missed these Diana Tregarde stories! I was absolutely thrilled when someone on Facebook posted finding these stories, I immediately purchased it and now it's 4am, but I loved reading Magic 101! Mercedes Lackey makes reading so much fun. Thank you !
I don't know how I missed these Diana Tregarde stories! I was absolutely thrilled when someone on Facebook posted finding these stories, I immediately purchased it and now it's 4am, but I loved reading Magic 101! Mercedes Lackey makes reading so much fun. Thank you !
November 12, 2021
Yay!
A very enjoyable, repeat: very enjoyable book by Mercedes Lackey containing several Dianna Tregarde stories. These evidently happened before her Diana Tregarde books,
and provided a very entertaining look at Diana's early life.
A very enjoyable, repeat: very enjoyable book by Mercedes Lackey containing several Dianna Tregarde stories. These evidently happened before her Diana Tregarde books,
and provided a very entertaining look at Diana's early life.
January 17, 2023
Good Nonsensical Fun
I like Diana Tragarde. She makes an excellent heroine. I have read some the other books she appears in and this fills in some of gaps. However this is a good take in its own right and is a very good read. Well up to Mercedes Lackey's usual high standards.
I like Diana Tragarde. She makes an excellent heroine. I have read some the other books she appears in and this fills in some of gaps. However this is a good take in its own right and is a very good read. Well up to Mercedes Lackey's usual high standards.
April 26, 2024
Loved this
I read the original Diana Traverse books when they were first released. It was so nice to find them again, and with more stories as well. Wonderful characters, great plots and magic make these fantastic reads.
I read the original Diana Traverse books when they were first released. It was so nice to find them again, and with more stories as well. Wonderful characters, great plots and magic make these fantastic reads.
August 1, 2017
Mercedes Lackey never disappoints!
I have been reading her books for over 30 years, and I never find a bad one. I enjoyed this book. Not her best, but enjoyable.
I have been reading her books for over 30 years, and I never find a bad one. I enjoyed this book. Not her best, but enjoyable.
April 25, 2018
Reunion
I chose this rating because it was a wonderful reunion with Di. Hopefully, looking for more stories about her. Awesomeness.
I chose this rating because it was a wonderful reunion with Di. Hopefully, looking for more stories about her. Awesomeness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews