Let me start off by saying this is the tenth book in the Young Wizards series and I waited six years for it. I didn’t re-read the series before starting the tenth book, so I kind of went into this blind. I feel that it’s safe to say that you don’t need to read the other nine books to enjoy this one, but it might make it easier to understand some of the past events characters refer to. It’s not necessary, but if you’re the type of reader who wants to know every little thing….
Wizards Kit, Nita and Dairine are invited to be mentors at the Wizards Invitational. The Invitational is kind of like a cross between a science fair and a TED conference. Young wizards come to the Invitational to show off ideas on how to use wizardry to improve the world. The best ideas will be put into a handbook for other wizards to use when the need arises. Basically, it’s a big deal to be invited to participate in the Invitational and it’s an even bigger deal to be asked to be a mentor.
Kit and Nita are partners, so they’re mentoring together. They’re trying to help a wizard named Penn who, um, has issues. There isn’t much I can say about Penn, except that he got on my nerves, but in the end he had an excuse. His excuse made me wonder if maybe the whole wizarding group should consider having a therapy branch. Speaking of therapy…
Dairine is Nita’s little sister. She’s kind of a wizard genius. The wizard she has to mentor, Mehrnaz, has issues as well due to culture and societal rules. Mehrnaz also has a bad case of hero-worship and some self-esteem issues. Did I mention that everyone is a teenager? Yeah, there’s the usual teenage angst and being a wizard just turns that angst up to eleven.
This book includes:
- a budding romantic relationship
- sexism/chauvinism
- scary visions
- friendship
- varying views on family
- wizard speak
- world travel
- time manipulation
- higher powers
- evil
- planets
- a phoenix
- whales
Diane Duane has written a book that shows a keen understanding of being a teenager and has built a world that I frankly wouldn’t want to live in. I don’t mind visiting though, so I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
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