Wizard Alone (So You Want to Be a Wizard Series #6) » (Digest)

DIANE DUANE is the author of nearly fifty science fiction and fantasy novels, including eight previous books in the Young Wizards series: So You Want to Be a Wizard, Deep Wizardry, High Wizardry, A Wizard Abroad, The Wizard's Dilemma, A Wizard Alone, Wizard's Holiday, and Wizards at War. Four of her Star Trek novels have been New York Times bestsellers, including Spock's World. Ms. Duane lives with her husband in rural Ireland.

www.DianeDuane.com
www.youngwizards.com

The next three novels in Diane Duane's Young Wizards series, now in digest size for young readers!

Donna Scanlon - KLIATT

At the beginning of this installment in the Young Wizards series, Nita is mourning the recent death of her mother and is putting most of her energy into holding herself and the rest of her family together. Kit and his faithful dog Ponch take on a new assignment, tracking a newly awakened wizard named Darryl who has been on his Ordeal for three months and who seems to be the particular target of the Lone Power. Upon investigation, Kit discovers that Daryl is autistic, and it would appear that his mind is off on the Ordeal. Also, Kit discovers that Daryl can appear to be in two places at once, infinitely frustrating to the Lone Power. Nita is drawn into the task as well, and both young wizards must use all their resources to help Daryl once they understand just why the Lone Power is pursuing him. Duane takes her story and her audience seriously without getting in the way of narrative or characters or making the plot drag. The complex plot is tightly knit with touches of humor to leaven it, and Nita and Kit continue to develop. As the parent of a child with high-functioning autism, I'm not crazy about the plot device of Darryl's autism, which is suddenly "cured" in the end. Other than that, though, this is a smoothly written, engrossing addition to the Young Wizards series. KLIATT Codes: JS-Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2002, Harcourt, Magic Carpet, 333p., Ages 12 to 18.