 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
A Wizard Abroad
- By Diane Duane
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
High fantasy -- with a dose of Irish mythology.
Parents say
Kids 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.
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?
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."
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
A little violent
It was somewhat harsh in the beginning. Nita's parents forced her to leave to Ireland, although, it seemed like the Powers actually influenced it so it wasn't really their fault. Must have been tough for them. I don't really like that at the end in a fight and they leave their dead behind. Well, I hope they have a good time in Timeheart.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Diane Duane |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Harcourt Brace |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1993 |
| Number of pages: | 342 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.00 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 11 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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