Book Details
Written by
Genre
More details

A Wizard Abroad (by Diane Duane)

common sense media says

High fantasy -- with a dose of Irish mythology.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this page-turner with a splash of romance is sure to spark an interest in Irish history, mythology, and culture. While some might find the mythology references hard to follow, young adult fantasy readers familiar with the subject and some arcane terminology will have no difficulty following the story line. Names of places, heroes, demons, and faeries from Irish mythology will challenge readers' vocabularies and inspire artwork.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Battle scenes, with screaming and killing, but most of the description is general, not graphic, and involves nonhumans, as when they explode into fragments of stone, for example.
Sex: Kissing and the stirrings of first romance.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on A Wizard Abroad

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how the author blends elements of the past with the realities of present-day teens. Is the author's world believable, or purely fantastical? How does this book compare to other wizard stories -- including the Harry Potter series? Which series do you like the best?

What's the story?

What's the story?

When Nita's parents decide she needs a break from wizardry, they ship her off to stay with her Aunt Annie on a farm outside Dublin. Ghost horses and a talking cat named Tualha are the first clues that magic surrounds her. Researching Irish mythology at the library, Nita learns that 400 million years ago, Ireland was geologically severed. .

When the Makers tried to reshape the land, the powerful Fomori interfered. As a result, it's too easy to accidentally slip sideways through time and space. Nita the wizard must do something about the leakage. With the help of her new love interest, Ronan, she learns of the Four Treasures, three of which are still in existence--the cup, the sword, and the stone. But a fourth, the spear, must be reforged, to enter into a battle with the Fomori and Balor, the new form the Lone Power has taken.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Fantasy readers will find they are on familiar ground with this tale of a quest for the Fourth Treasure, and the awakening of the first three objects. But while Dairine has a definite role to play, it's never quite clear why Nita and Kit were called all the way to Ireland for this mission. The story rises to a fevered pitch that culminates in a strange battle scene. "... the drow exploded into fragments and splinters of stone that bled hot and splattered her with ichor that burned like drops of lava. Her wizard's shield took most of it, but a few drops got through ... and burned right through her clothes to her skin."

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Diane Duane
Publisher: Harcourt Brace
Publication date: January 1, 1993
Number of pages: 342
Hardcover price: $15.00
Read Aloud: 11
Read Alone: 11

This review was written by Megan McDonald
 
 

Review It

 

Review A Wizard Abroad





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you read A Wizard Abroad?


Already read it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age