nanceoir's review against another edition
5.0
Well, that was wonderful, terrifying, heartbreaking, beautiful, nerve-racking, and amazing. I can't wait for more... even if I'm not sure my emotions can handle it!
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
Book 2 of a YA fantasy series with at least nine books. This one is to be discussed at the Powells SF group in Beaverton on Tues Feb 11th at 7pm. Better than the first book. But with kind of the same flaw. The setup was pretty interesting but the closer we go to the big magic - the big event, the less interesting the book got. And really you don't end up knowing the human characters all that much more than you did when the book started.
wetdryvac's review against another edition
5.0
Still being thrown by the context/content changes in the New Millennium editions, but getting used to it. And still bloody love the work.
bug_gwen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
roxanamalinachirila's review against another edition
3.0
Whale Jesus.
No, wait. There's more. Whale Jesus with a sprinkling of ongoing human sacrifice.
I don't know how else to explain this book. On the one hand, it's very competently written. On the other, back in the dawn of time, Lucifer came to tempt the whales; and as some gave in to temptation and others did not, a Silent One approached and sacrificed itself in order to seal the devil at the bottom of the sea. But the willing sacrifice must be renewed again and again whenever the seal fades, and a new whale must die in a manner as closely resembling the first one as possible.
The two kids from "So You Want to Be a Wizard", Kit and Nita, stumble across a whale just when the reenactment was about to take place. There's an open spot for a singer - and Nita offers her help, saying she could be the Silent One, since she can't really sing. And while everyone is exceedingly grateful and asks if she's really, really sure about this, nobody asks outright if she understands she *will* die. So she finds out very lately that she entered into an amazingly binding magical contract to kill herself for the good of the world. If she doesn't, the world will go to shit. But everything's fine, the afterlife is great!
While I deeply sympathize with Nita's plight (who the heck imagineshuman whale sacrifice is a thing in this day and age), something about the whole thing rubs me the wrong way.
It must be the way nobody really informs her or makes absolutely certain she understands, but just takes her sacrifice for granted (with some relief). It must also be the way in which the afterlife is praised so much that people should throw themselves at the opportunity to sacrifice themselves (and indeed, apparently they occasionally do). It might also be the way in which nobody thought to find a better way of doing things in the thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of years that this has been going on.
I'm not a fan of enforced martyrdom, or preaching it to others. It might be because I know all too well what sort of people would love a martyr or seven.
Anyway. This is an amazing book for kids, teaching them to read contracts thoroughly and ask all sorts of questions before they sign! Truly, a life saver for when they later get jobs at corporations.
No, wait. There's more. Whale Jesus with a sprinkling of ongoing human sacrifice.
I don't know how else to explain this book. On the one hand, it's very competently written. On the other, back in the dawn of time, Lucifer came to tempt the whales; and as some gave in to temptation and others did not, a Silent One approached and sacrificed itself in order to seal the devil at the bottom of the sea. But the willing sacrifice must be renewed again and again whenever the seal fades, and a new whale must die in a manner as closely resembling the first one as possible.
The two kids from "So You Want to Be a Wizard", Kit and Nita, stumble across a whale just when the reenactment was about to take place. There's an open spot for a singer - and Nita offers her help, saying she could be the Silent One, since she can't really sing. And while everyone is exceedingly grateful and asks if she's really, really sure about this, nobody asks outright if she understands she *will* die. So she finds out very lately that she entered into an amazingly binding magical contract to kill herself for the good of the world. If she doesn't, the world will go to shit. But everything's fine, the afterlife is great!
While I deeply sympathize with Nita's plight (who the heck imagines
It must be the way nobody really informs her or makes absolutely certain she understands, but just takes her sacrifice for granted (with some relief). It must also be the way in which the afterlife is praised so much that people should throw themselves at the opportunity to sacrifice themselves (and indeed, apparently they occasionally do). It might also be the way in which nobody thought to find a better way of doing things in the thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of years that this has been going on.
I'm not a fan of enforced martyrdom, or preaching it to others. It might be because I know all too well what sort of people would love a martyr or seven.
Anyway. This is an amazing book for kids, teaching them to read contracts thoroughly and ask all sorts of questions before they sign! Truly, a life saver for when they later get jobs at corporations.
leleisreading's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hoosgracie's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful addition to the series. In this outing, Nita and Kit help the whale wizards reenact the defeat of the lone power. In essence, the book is about a whale passion play. Deeply moving.
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so much better than the first in the series. Honestly, if it wasn't for the background information you need for this one, I'd suggest skipping the first and starting here. The characters were so much better, there was an understandable plot, and even the magic was more realistic.
Nita and Kit are on vacation. It's at the beach, and while they were hoping for a relaxing trip, their status as wizards prevent that from happening. Strange earthquakes are rocking the seabed, and upon meeting and saving a whale wizard, Kit and Nita become a part of a special song ritual that will help stabilize things and weaken the Lone Power's powers. Nita's role though isn't what she thinks, and despite her wanting to help, she should have read the fine print.
Nita and Kit are much more developed as characters in this book. You can actually empathize with them, especially Nita. Because she has to make some hard decisions in this book, deal with lying, and learn about what type of person she wants to be and what her word means. Kit is a little more feral and aggressive and it's actually a good move for him. Shows how youth can be confusing and that sometimes personalities change. There's a lot of growth for both of them. But the real standout character in this book is "Ed" the Master Shark. His character gives me chills, in the good way, with the things he says and the emotions he expresses. You know he's not really a good guy per say, he's actually the most neutral character you'll ever meet, but he's so powerful and wise in his own way that you are actually held in awe of him. Duane really did a terrific job on this character.
The plot was very dark and grown up for a young adult novel. I was surprised actually at the themes of sacrifice, love, and ruthlessness. But it was worked very well and wasn't overly graphic. In fact, you're so busy enjoying the characters that the wonderful descriptions of ocean life just seem like they should be there. They fit in so well and become part of the background, but you'd definitely know if they were missing. The book just wouldn't be as good. And the fact that the whole thing takes place in the sea, that's a nice spin on a "wizarding" book. The magic, while still dominated some on science, was understandable this time around as well. You could keep up with it without having to get out a physics textbook. So that made it more readable than the first book was.
I'm glad I didn't give up after the first book. This one was well worth the read and has inspired me to go take a look at the 3rd book.
Deep Wizardry
Copyright 1985
356 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Nita and Kit are on vacation. It's at the beach, and while they were hoping for a relaxing trip, their status as wizards prevent that from happening. Strange earthquakes are rocking the seabed, and upon meeting and saving a whale wizard, Kit and Nita become a part of a special song ritual that will help stabilize things and weaken the Lone Power's powers. Nita's role though isn't what she thinks, and despite her wanting to help, she should have read the fine print.
Nita and Kit are much more developed as characters in this book. You can actually empathize with them, especially Nita. Because she has to make some hard decisions in this book, deal with lying, and learn about what type of person she wants to be and what her word means. Kit is a little more feral and aggressive and it's actually a good move for him. Shows how youth can be confusing and that sometimes personalities change. There's a lot of growth for both of them. But the real standout character in this book is "Ed" the Master Shark. His character gives me chills, in the good way, with the things he says and the emotions he expresses. You know he's not really a good guy per say, he's actually the most neutral character you'll ever meet, but he's so powerful and wise in his own way that you are actually held in awe of him. Duane really did a terrific job on this character.
The plot was very dark and grown up for a young adult novel. I was surprised actually at the themes of sacrifice, love, and ruthlessness. But it was worked very well and wasn't overly graphic. In fact, you're so busy enjoying the characters that the wonderful descriptions of ocean life just seem like they should be there. They fit in so well and become part of the background, but you'd definitely know if they were missing. The book just wouldn't be as good. And the fact that the whole thing takes place in the sea, that's a nice spin on a "wizarding" book. The magic, while still dominated some on science, was understandable this time around as well. You could keep up with it without having to get out a physics textbook. So that made it more readable than the first book was.
I'm glad I didn't give up after the first book. This one was well worth the read and has inspired me to go take a look at the 3rd book.
Deep Wizardry
Copyright 1985
356 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
conspiracycrows's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I may end up giving all these books 5 stars. Every one strikes at my heart, the deepest parts I never feel safe enough to show yet.
What is loved, is saved in TimeHeart, and you may predict this ending, but it takes none of the sting, or the joy from it.
What is loved, is saved in TimeHeart, and you may predict this ending, but it takes none of the sting, or the joy from it.
justytoo's review against another edition
5.0
Published on 1985 some things mentioned in this book have changed, but there is no doubt that the worlds oceans still need help from as many Wizards as are willing.
I enjoyed this journey as Nita and Kit worked with the Wizards in the ocean to save the world, again. Remember to read the fine print before agreeing.
I enjoyed this journey as Nita and Kit worked with the Wizards in the ocean to save the world, again. Remember to read the fine print before agreeing.