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Deep Wizardry (Young Wizards #2)

by Diane Duane (Goodreads Author)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 7,568 ratings · 148 reviews

What's supposed to be just a plain old summer vacation--swim, sand, and sun--takes a turn for the magical when Nita and Kit come to the aid of a fellow wizard. Only, this wizard is a whale, and she needs the two teens to join a group of whales and dolphins in an ancient underwater ritual. But performing the Song of the Twelve is not easy--and there are things in the ocean...more

Paperback, 384 pages

Published October 1st 2003 by Sandpiper (first published March 1st 1985)

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Aug 28, 2011 PaulineMRoss rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: price-full, genre-ya, 4-star

If ever anyone asks you what exactly is the point of a site like Goodreads, do please direct them to this review. A few months ago, I read the first in this series, 'So You Want To Be A Wizard', and although I liked it, I had no great desire to read any more in the sequence. But when I posted this in my Goodreads review, a friend begged me to carry on, because this, the second book in the series, was one of her all time favourite books. So I took her advice, and you know what? I love it too. It'...more If ever anyone asks you what exactly is the point of a site like Goodreads, do please direct them to this review. A few months ago, I read the first in this series, 'So You Want To Be A Wizard', and although I liked it, I had no great desire to read any more in the sequence. But when I posted this in my Goodreads review, a friend begged me to carry on, because this, the second book in the series, was one of her all time favourite books. So I took her advice, and you know what? I love it too. It's astonishing how many wonderful stories I've found through Goodreads - not just friends' recommendations, but other reviews, discussion groups or simply surfing around, following links from book to book to author to book... It's an invaluable resource for readers.

This is a children's (or perhaps more properly a young adult) book, the second of a long series, but it's also an excellent read for adults. I am several decades above the intended demographic, but I absolutely loved it. The first half of the book is a fairly straightforward tale of two kids, Nita and Kit, learning to enjoy their newfound powers of wizardry, while avoiding Nita's pesky younger sister and trying not to be caught out by her parents. There's a sprinkling of politically correct ecology (pollution is bad, children), plus some swimming with dolphins and whales and such like fluff.

But then, about half way through, the story transforms into something deeper, darker and much more interesting. Suddenly it's about love and death, and willing sacrifice, and keeping your word no matter the cost. Oh, and a little about the innateness (or not) of male aggression. Which was unexpected. Even though you know, of course, that Nita and Kit will be fine (since the series goes on and on) and even I saw what had to happen to make things come out right, it was still exciting and scary and very moving. I cried, a lot, and that's embarrassing at my age (and I was on a train, too). Not sure what teenage (or younger) readers would make of it, but I thought it was terrific. A good 4 stars.
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Apr 04, 2013 Corrina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Read my full review at wadingthroughbooks.wordpress.com!

I’m finding it really interesting to read the New Millennium Editions. I’ve read all of the original editions, and the earlier ones have always felt a bit out of sync with the later books, since the nine that are currently out were written and published over 20 years. Technology has changed a great deal, and there are some details that get forgotten in between the books that Duane has fixed. For example, Nita wore glasses in the first book,...more Read my full review at wadingthroughbooks.wordpress.com!

I’m finding it really interesting to read the New Millennium Editions. I’ve read all of the original editions, and the earlier ones have always felt a bit out of sync with the later books, since the nine that are currently out were written and published over 20 years. Technology has changed a great deal, and there are some details that get forgotten in between the books that Duane has fixed. For example, Nita wore glasses in the first book, but not in the rest of the series. Deep Wizardry clears it up by explaining that Nita is using wizardry to fix her eyes. A minor point, but it’s nice to tie the books more closely together, especially when you are reading them as a series and not as stand-alone novels. It also explains why Nita and Kit don’t just use cell phones (the beach is a no-signal area), which would be today’s reader’s first question when someone is looking for the pair.

This whole series really examines the idea of choice and personal responsibility. Nita is warned to read the fine print, but she agrees to participate in the Song of Twelve and to play the role of the Silent Lord without realizing that it is not a play, it is a re-enactment, and that whoever plays the Silent Lord really does die. Nita is 13–she doesn’t want to die, she is frantic to find a way to live, but if she doesn’t do what she promised she would do, millions of people will die. Is her life worth millions of other lives? Maybe she didn’t understand the promise that she made at the time, but she still promised. She was old enough to take the Oath of wizardry, to take the Oath of the Song of Twelve–she is old enough to face the consequences.

And sometimes people die. They do it all the time, as Carl points out. Dying is easy. And it’s not fair. But that’s what wizards are supposed to fight against–the death that isn’t fair, the fear and pain and anger and loneliness that the Lone Power created and forced upon the worlds. Taking his weapon and making it your own–that’s what the Silent Lord did, and it bound Him for thousands of years. Doesn’t mean you can’t be afraid.
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Jan 10, 2013 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This may be my favorite of the series; it's certainly one of the top three, because of the emotional and moral power of the story. While on a peaceful vacation on the beach, Nita and Kit find themselves slammed into an adventure that may have deadly consequences. It's essential that the wizards of the sea re-enact the song of the twelve. If it isn't done, and isn't done right, millions of people may die. Nita and Kit volunteer to help the whales, but they have no idea what they're getting into-

I...more This may be my favorite of the series; it's certainly one of the top three, because of the emotional and moral power of the story. While on a peaceful vacation on the beach, Nita and Kit find themselves slammed into an adventure that may have deadly consequences. It's essential that the wizards of the sea re-enact the song of the twelve. If it isn't done, and isn't done right, millions of people may die. Nita and Kit volunteer to help the whales, but they have no idea what they're getting into-

I can't even imagine how hard this book would have hit me if I'd read it as a child. I think it would rapidly have joined "A Wrinkle in Time" as a seminal book. It's certainly in that company in showing a young teen girl's very specific grit, intelligence and resolve. Nita comes across as a real kid in a really horrible situation. In addition, other things I love:

1. Her determination to tell the truth to her parents, and the way they respond.
2. That devastating conversation with Tom or Carl (I'm sorry; I can't remember which, but I think it's Carl), in which poor Nita breaks down and the only comfort her adult mentor can offer is the stern truth.
3. A glimpse of whale society, and some very interesting personalities.
4. Ed! The pale slayer is a fascinating character, and something of a hero in his own right. A friend suggested that I write a comparison between Ed and Severus Snape. I'm not up for it - not yet - but maybe I'll do it sometime. There are certainly strong similarities.
5. Finally, Ed, and that conversation, and Nita's resolve, make it very clear that there is a difference between "nice" and "good". Goodness can be scary, even dangerous. Duane gets that, and she shows it.

I can understand some readers of Duane getting frustrated with the "technobabble" aspect of the wizardry in these books. Sometimes I do find it a bit much, but I basically love that wizardry is based in real scientific concepts.

This book was the one that sucked me in to the rest of the series. It's powerful and imaginative and thought-provoking. If you love fantasy quests, or have any taste at all for sf, you should give it a try. Recommended.

(This was a reread, btw.Duane has just published updated e-versions of the first three novels in the series, and I picked them up. I'm glad I did.)
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Dec 15, 2012 John Kirk rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is my favourite book out of the whole "Young Wizards" series. I think it gets to the core of what the series is all about, i.e. the Wizard's Choice and the consequences of that choice, particularly in terms of self-sacrifice. I also like the idea of exploring a new world beneath the waves.

I didn't notice any major differences in this new edition compared to the original; they mention mobile phones a few times, but mainly just to say that there's no coverage where they're staying. I think th...more This is my favourite book out of the whole "Young Wizards" series. I think it gets to the core of what the series is all about, i.e. the Wizard's Choice and the consequences of that choice, particularly in terms of self-sacrifice. I also like the idea of exploring a new world beneath the waves.

I didn't notice any major differences in this new edition compared to the original; they mention mobile phones a few times, but mainly just to say that there's no coverage where they're staying. I think the most important update is that there's a new date at the start of the book, to fit the revised timeline: this one now took place in July 2008 (2 months after So You Want to Be a Wizard).

There are a few minor typos, e.g. "I'm lot sure" (rather than "I'm not sure") but I can live with them.

My only real complaint about this book is that there's a plothole regarding Kit's "warning sign"; it's a pity that this wasn't corrected in the new edition.

(view spoiler)[On p59, S'reee explains how Kit and Nita can change into whales. Nita did it by blood, and the risk was that she might get stuck as a whale. ("If you start finding your own memories difficult to recall, it's time to get out of the whaleshape, before it becomes you permanently.") By contrast, Kit used a whalesark, and the risk was that his body might reject it. ("Your warning signs are nearly the opposite of hNii't's. Language is the first thing to go. If you find yourself losing whalesong, you must surface and get out of the sark immediately.")

Jumping ahead to pp158-159, Kit tells Nita that he's been having some trouble with his speciality (talking to rocks). ("Nita said nothing for a moment, startled by the idea that Kit had been losing some of his talent at his speciality. There was something that could mean, some warning sign - She couldn't think what.") If Nita's losing her memory, that's a warning sign for her, although ironically it's not very helpful if she can't remember what it's supposed to be warning her about! However, Kit was never supposed to be in any danger of losing his normal skills; this implies that he's becoming more whale than human, which is the opposite of how it was originally explained.

There's a similar issue on p177-178:

The other was Kit [...] looking up at Nita and singing one note of heart-tearing misery - not in the Speech - not in the human-flavored whale he had always spoken before - but in pure whale.

"Oh, no. He's lost language! Nita's heart seized. S'reee had said that if that happened, the whalesark was about to be rejected by Kit's brain.

Well, no. S'reee said that he'd be in trouble if he lost whalesong; losing human language (or the Speech) is the opposite of that. Ah well, never mind.

There are obvious comparisons between Ed in this book and Fred in the previous book. They both have long names that are abbreviated (and the abbreviations rhyme); also, they both wind up sacrificing themselves to save the protagonists. However, I think it's more interesting to compare each of them to Nita.

The whole dilemma in this book is that Nita has inadvertently signed up to die, and she doesn't want to go through with it. When she finally changes her mind, realising that she needs to save Kit, she's triumphant; this really reminded me of Fred, when he realised that this was what everything else had led up to. All his experience had prepared him for the one moment when he could really make a difference and save everyone else.

As for Ed, I don't see him as a murderer; I think that the Silent Lord's death is more like assisted suicide. Looking at the Silent Lord's song, it's impressive that it manages to apply to both Ed and Nita but in different ways. ("Not old enough to love as yet, but old enough to die, indeed.") Nita is too young to have loved someone; Ed is so old that he's ready to die, and he's never loved throughout his long life. (hide spoiler)](less)

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Nov 13, 2012 Tria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-fantasy, genre-young-adult, owned-ebook

One of my favourites in the series. I feel I gained perhaps a little extra insight trying to write fanfiction about Ed (for my friends, that's my Yuletide Madness 2009/10 story "Through the Echoing Dark").

I love hearing about non-human wizards, and the Song of the Twelve is nothing short of delightful in its language, conception and execution. (I love that so much, it's the origin of one of my domain names.) One of the things I enjoy most about the Young Wizards series is that Diane Duane does...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Marina_f rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1990s, american, children, fantasy, wizard-world

Вот перечитана мною и вторая книжка, и вот интересное открытие - в 14 лет мне именно вторая книга не понравилась. Она мне казалась скучной, с большим количеством описаний природы, морских обитателей и т.д. А вот в 22 от этой книги я восторге! Впереди меня ждет еще две книги с перерывом на книгу из моего Книжного Клуба, но по памяти мне кажется, что именно смысловая нагрузка в этой книге самая сильная.

Не дозрела я для любви, но для смерти созрела

"Человек не просто смертен, он внезапно смертен!",...more Вот перечитана мною и вторая книжка, и вот интересное открытие - в 14 лет мне именно вторая книга не понравилась. Она мне казалась скучной, с большим количеством описаний природы, морских обитателей и т.д. А вот в 22 от этой книги я восторге! Впереди меня ждет еще две книги с перерывом на книгу из моего Книжного Клуба, но по памяти мне кажется, что именно смысловая нагрузка в этой книге самая сильная.

Не дозрела я для любви, но для смерти созрела

"Человек не просто смертен, он внезапно смертен!", вспомнились слова одного очень известного персонажа из не менее известного произведения. Но когда человек задумывается над тем, что рано или поздно это случится? А если это случится куда как раньше, чем ты даже задумываешься про это? Недетский вопрос, недетские размышления, недетский ответ на этот вопрос кроется в книге. Нита поспешно приняла решение, даже не представляя последствия от него. Не удивленна, что будучи в возрасте героини, я немного не поняла всю глубину и конфликт книги, но хорошо же, что хоть сейчас дошло))) Не зря, значит, перечитываю)

Еще в книге понравились наличие большого количества персонажей, и хоть их внешний вид мне слабо знаком (извините, но не сильна я в морской фауне, синего кита от кита-горбача я не отличу. Да что уж там, я кита от кашалота не отличу) Стоп, нет, отличу, кашалот - больше! Вроде бы)))), но все персонажи описаны очень ярко и представляется образ каждого очень четко - и юная Ш’риии, и классический bad ~~boy~~grandpa Эд’Рум, предательница Ар’ейниии и быстрый Ст’Ст. Они все очень харизматичны!

В общем, читайте написанное мелким шрифтом в договорах и книги, что вам нравились в юношестве - в обоих случаях обязательно обнаружите что-то интересное!=)))

З.Ы. В отзыве к первой книге фыркнула на русскую обложку серии "Чародеи", и тут тоже не останусь без критики. Она ужасна до истерики!(less)

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Jan 19, 2012 Selina Lock rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novel, fiftyfiftyme

This is the second book in the Young Wizards series and starts a few months after the end of the first book. Nita and Kit are on a beach holiday with Nita's parents and younger sister Dairine.

Being powerful, new wizards it isn't long before Nita & Kit find themselves in a local magical problem, which starts with a dolphin turning up while they're swimming and asking for help. It turns out there is a badly injured whale wizard nearby. This meeting with S'reee the whale wizard leads them on an...more

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Dec 20, 2011 Sadi added it

I have rather enjoyed listening to Deep Wizardry it’s for sure a series that is different than what I have been expecting from kids wizards books. When one is reading to it they have to remember that this series is from the 1980’s so some of the references might go over a younger generations head but it is still a great adventure series. I like how the children of the series have to face choice and experiences that most adults would run and hide from. It gives a sense that even if you are very y...more

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Sep 06, 2007 Sirdarksol rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Nearly anyone with an imagination

Written for teens, Deep Wizardry is good enough that it's still worth reading for adults. Beneath the exterior story of two teens who are learning to use magic and saving the world, there is a story of teens learning to grow up. The characters in the book deal with issues that every teen deals with, from pesky parents to younger siblings to a growing awareness of their own sexuality (tastefully and appropriately done for teens, of course.)

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Apr 21, 2012 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012

I'm actually torn between giving this one a 3 or a 4. I think it's actually a 3.5 for me.

ANYWAYS. I listened to this as an audiobook, and really did enjoy it. I saw Nita's problem coming a lot earlier than Nita did, so when she finally had her realization it was more "ABOUT TIME" than "OH EM GEE" for me... but then, it's YA, and feels kind of on the younger end of YA, so I can forgive that. Without going into spoilers, I will say that I was pleased at how it was resolved- I dreaded some kind of...more

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May 02, 2011 Valerie added it · review of another edition

One of the main problems I have with this series is that it tends to mix accurate (and often fascinating) scientific facts with inaccuracies in time, detail, etc. This is only partly Duane's fault, of course. She can only work with what was known at the time, and often not even all of that.

To me, the undersea map in the frontspiece is a fascinating glimpse into what the sea off New York City is like, and I'd like to see some sort of gloss: where did Duane get this information?

I should point ou...more One of the main problems I have with this series is that it tends to mix accurate (and often fascinating) scientific facts with inaccuracies in time, detail, etc. This is only partly Duane's fault, of course. She can only work with what was known at the time, and often not even all of that.

To me, the undersea map in the frontspiece is a fascinating glimpse into what the sea off New York City is like, and I'd like to see some sort of gloss: where did Duane get this information?

I should point out that I strongly disapprove of blood sacrifice, in concept and practice. So I didn't like the resolution of this story--I think the basic story is more than a little appalling, and have difficulty overcoming my distaste for the basic subject matter to read through the terrible parts.

I also don't approve of loyalty. Loyalty, in my opinion, is an excuse for mental laziness. An unwillingness to reconsider matters on the basis of more complete information is the basis for very foolish and often dangerous decisions. The notion of an irrevocable promise is terrifying in its implications. It's not just that we're all mortal and fallible. The refusal to reconsider on the part of immortals wouldn't be any less terrible. That's part of what I liked about the 'correction' Nita introduces in So You Want to Be A Wizard. 'Never, forever' is not a particularly good basis for any sort of--well, would you call it life in an immortal? It CERTAINLY isn't a good basis for an ephemeral's life.

I've never quite understood the fascination people have with 'action', either. I guess I'll never be able to empathize with the adrenaline junkies. I've never had a particularly addictive personality, and 'thrills' and 'suspense' are not what I'm looking for, in my life or in my reading. I would MUCH rather have more detailed descriptions of what the sea floor is like off (say) Patagonia, than any 'action' stories; ESPECIALLY when the 'action' involved is just more tedious recitals of 'battles' and 'fighting'.

I also didn't care for the demonization of giant squid. As if they don't have troubles enough, without humans abusing them! There's too much of a tendency to try to sneak in the concept of 'insatiable hunger'. I've pointed out before that the consequence of 'insatiable hunger' is death by starvation. Creatures that engaged in such a rash strategy wouldn't leave behind many descendants. Why people even WANT to invent such a silly and dangerous idea is beyond me. But I can't let it pass unrebuked. Duane's generally a better writer than to get caught up in such pernicious myths. (less)

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Aug 08, 2010 Deanna rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love this series. That being said, of all the books in the series, this one leaves me with the most mixed feelings. The author weaves a haunting and beautiful story, most believably, of a wizardry of the whales and the sea that must occur at the deepest part of the sea floor to contain the oldest and darkest Lone Power. The Twelve Song involves real sacrifice, "real" in the darkest and most complete sense, for in no other way can the Lone Power be conquered. Every race, country, culture and st...more

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Aug 15, 2007 Marissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Much, much better than I would have believed.
I'm usually not a fan of books centering on animal characters, but Duane seemed to make each one of the sea creatures so realistic that I forgot a shark was speaking, and not a human.
The themes of self-sacrifice and friendship will really strike a chord with anyone who reads it.

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May 12, 2010 Librivore rated it 5 of 5 stars

More mature, more engaging and more serious in tone than the first installment of this series, Deep Wizardry is a fine piece of storytelling that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike.

Whereas the first book was little more than an (admittedly finely written) "child uncovers hidden power and overcomes his problems" fantasy, Deep Wizardry weaves a tale of loyalty, friendship and sacrifice. For the first time, magic acquires the unique blend between science and fiction that will come to define t...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Rae added it

Shelves: 2008

Reactions:
Fast moving; full of problems that need to be solved; and a death fast approaching. This book has got it all! It is YA Fictional Fantasy with all the elements that draw me to a novel. The big one of course being magic.

Unknown places from which you have to rely on friends and families in order to make your way and this is one of those books.

Nita and Kit must travel to the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean as whales in order to perform a spell/ceremony. This ceremony is extremely danger...more

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Aug 16, 2007 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a kids/teen book, but it's surprisingly imaginative and moving. My favorite part is the description of what it's like to walk on water. My other favorite parts are any scenes with the giant shark.

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Jun 26, 2010 Carrie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-fantasy, own

Another book I wish I could have found when I was younger, because as much as I love it now, I would have been totally mesmerized then. After reading So You Want to be A Wizard, the first book in the series, I almost didn't want to move on to this one because I knew the environment changed completely, and I loved that one so much - but the underwater whale world is so fascinating and beautifully done. There were a couple of glitches in description here and there that didn't really work, but I gu...more

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May 27, 2009 Victoria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Probably one of my favorite of this series, "Deep Wizardry" does go deep, both literally and emotionally.

Nita and Kit, recovering from their harrowing Ordeal, are called upon to serve again, this time by a group of whale and dolphin wizards off Long Island Sound. They are ready to reenact the Song of the Twelve, the ritual that will bind the Lone Power's incarnation to the seafloor. It sounds simple, but nothing ever is for these two young wizards.

They will be drawn deep into an ancient force c...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Lindley Walter-smith rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked the first book very much, but this was in many ways a disappointment.

First, I hope you like whales. Not just like them and hope they aren't all killed by whalers, but that you're fascinated by every little detail about them. Because if not, boy you are going to be sick of them by the end of this book.

Secondly, the problems Duane had in the first book with writing the kids appropriately to their age are worse in this one. Sometimes she seems to remember they are tweens, and other times s...more I liked the first book very much, but this was in many ways a disappointment.

First, I hope you like whales. Not just like them and hope they aren't all killed by whalers, but that you're fascinated by every little detail about them. Because if not, boy you are going to be sick of them by the end of this book.

Secondly, the problems Duane had in the first book with writing the kids appropriately to their age are worse in this one. Sometimes she seems to remember they are tweens, and other times she starts writing them as if they were in their upper teens. Their maturity level jumps all over the place - especially in one painfully embarrassing scene in which Nita's mother tries to figure out if she is sexually active with a twelve year old.

Thirdly, the setup seems a bit cheap - the sacrifice asked of Nita is flagged really, really clearly and her obliviousness doesn't make sense, but at the same time it's blindingly obvious that she's never actually going to be asked to make it. And I have to ask, two books in, just what the death toll of these kids inspiring every random acquaintance to die for them is going to be by the end of the series. Of course, death is not a bad thing, in these books, but a beautiful passing. Unless it happens to Nita or Kit, of course.

Some of this is still really good - the sequence forcing Nita to confront her policy of secrecy about her own wizardry, for example, and when she appeals to a senior wizard for ethical help and is not handed the easy answers she wants. The shark character was actually quite alluring - although I kind of wish he wasn't a shark. Yeah, the whole whales and fish thing really didn't work for me.

I'm still invested enough in the series, the world-building, the arch villain, and the characters to continue reading. Overall, though, it's a very heavy-handed and didactic book which it lectures about the Evils of Pollution (pollution causes krakens!) but doesn't actually provide any practical ways for young readers to alter their own impact on the planet for the better. It's just not as good as the first one. But I have hopes that the series will improve.

After all, the next book will probably have less whales in it.(less)

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Jan 12, 2012 Clinton Powell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Was not sure if i wanted to read this series after finishing "So You Want to Be a Wizard". i thought the story was cute, but the writing annoyed me, though there are a few images in that first book which were inspired.
I am so glad I pushed through my trepidation and read "Deep Wizardry". I was very absorbed by this whole book. It is much more unified and her stylized writing actually served this book where it seemed to distract from the first book.
Also, I don't think Moby Dick is by any means a...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Robert rated it 3 of 5 stars

If you are still going through Harry Potter withdrawal Juanita "Nita" Louise Callahan and her best friend Christopher "Kit" K. Rodriguez . are at it again . But this time they not only have to fight the Lone Power. They also have to hide that they are Wizard from "Nita" mom and dad . The two young Wizards , have to help a group of whales in the Atlantic ocean .
This book is a fun read , not as action packed as the first book. But you get to know both "Kit" and "Nita" better . You also get to see...more

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May 24, 2012 William rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is just a bit weird at the beginning, until you get used to the human main character turning into a whale. Nita is just trying to have some vacation time, until she is taken to a beached whale who tells her that the Lone Power is breaking free of it's age-old bonds. There isn't much they can do about it, until they turn into a whale. This causes them to volunteer for the song of the twelve, a ritual that keeps the Lone Power bound. There's only one catch… Nita volunteers for the place...more

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Feb 21, 2010 Jillian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-book, fantasy, gym

Part of my revisit-childhood-favorites-on-audio project.

Compared to the first and third books in the series, the aptly named Deep Wizardry is psychologically and emotionally deeper but lacks much of their action, variety, and imagination, making it occasionally too heavy for its own good. It's still an amazing story and an excellent bridge between #1 and #3, however, and it certainly resonates.

Christina Moore does an excellent job as the audio book reader, especially considering her challenge:...more

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Mar 06, 2009 Warren rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I bought and read this book purely because of my love for the first. While i dug some of the ideas (yay, hiking on a time paused ocean!), I didn't dig the new oceanic focus, and vaguely remember that I was disappointed to that the boy's technowizardry focus was watered down. While I don't regret reading it, I don't recall liking it nearly as much as the first.
... At what point did this officially become a "young wizards series"???? Now i'm struggling with the weird desire to read them all. coll...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

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 mee...more 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 (less)

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Aug 23, 2011 Hettie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, read-2011

My 5 star rating is more a reflection on the impact that this book had on my when I first read it as a teenager than my feeling of it now. I would probably rate it a four now.

This book is far better that the first book in the series. It follows the story of Nita and Kit but it has much more to it than the first book. The background has been set and the author is able to delve into the wizarding world much more. It may have something to do with my love of the sea but I really enjoyed the focus on...more

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Sep 08, 2010 Kendra added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 11th-grade-juniors-summer-reading

Deep Wizardry (Young Wizards, Book Two )
by Diane Duane

pg371

This books all about wonder and imagination becasue if you even tried to imagine the things that happen in this book you would be so excited.Feeling the cool of the sea the spray of the ocean.Its about a ritual that is suppose to take place every year but this year its gonna be different its going to be big and a suprise. wWhen you read this you will be frightened as much as nita and kit and you will follow thier excitement and fear al...more

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Jan 16, 2011 Vicki (The Wolf's Den) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, fantasy, young-adult, girl-power, the-wolfs-den-reviewed

With their initiation ordeal behind them, Nita and Kit are ready for some relaxation. Nita's family heads to the coast, taking Kit along for the ride, and there the two wizards resume practicing and experimenting with their Art.

Of course, finding a whale wizard in distress kinda cancels out one's vacation plans. Sure enough, the Powers That Be have another task for the pair. The Lone Power is not at all pleased with the outcome of his last battle. The time has come for another singing of The Son...more With their initiation ordeal behind them, Nita and Kit are ready for some relaxation. Nita's family heads to the coast, taking Kit along for the ride, and there the two wizards resume practicing and experimenting with their Art.

Of course, finding a whale wizard in distress kinda cancels out one's vacation plans. Sure enough, the Powers That Be have another task for the pair. The Lone Power is not at all pleased with the outcome of his last battle. The time has come for another singing of The Song of the Twelve to bind the Dark Lord away again.

Nita and Kit agree to help in any way they can. But what happens when Nita's folks get suspicious of her staying out after dark? Or when some of the whale participants are less than happy about helping? And what's this about Nita and Kit's debt being paid? And SHARKS?!

If the theme of the last book was an instruction manual, this one is songs. Each chapter is a song: Summer Night's Song, Wizards' Song, A Song of Choice, Seniors' Song, etc. I personally found the 'song' too slow at times. There is a lot of description of the undersea landscape, of how it feels to be a whale, of the different species' tones, however I can mostly attribute this to the fact that few (if any) readers have seen these sights, or experienced these wonders. There's a lot to try to get across. So while it may have been on the slow side for me, it was not too much of a distraction or an annoyance on the whole, especially since those overly-descriptive moments were few and far between.

I especially enjoyed the interaction with Nita's family in this book. Every teen knows what it's like to keep a secret from their mom and dad. Maybe you watched a movie you shouldn't have, or went somewhere other than you said you did. Nita and Kit have to struggle with guilt and trust the same as any of us did, and it's an instant connection with the reader.

While reading the first book is certainly helpful, this one could easily stand on its own. They reference and recall events from before, but I think the uninformed reader would merely have their curiosity piqued, rather than spoiled. That being said, I would still recommend picking up So You Want to Be a Wizard before attempting Deep Wizardry, if only because it moves faster throughout and provides the much-needed hook to get you into the series.

As far as language goes, Deep Wizardry is still fairly easy to follow, but I would put it more firmly at the Young Adult level because of the slight increase in vocabulary and a reference to sex (ah, mothers). Name-wise, the whales don't make it any easy on us: S'reee, Aroooon, ed'Rashtekaresket, Areinnye, T!h!ki, and Iniihwit are the most foreign of the bunch, though Hotshot, Roots, Fluke, and Fang are pleasantly simple. We are also introduced to a few untranslated words of the Speech, Dai'stiho (a wizard's greeting) being one that will be repeated throughout the books.

If roaming around a city didn't do it for you last time, the magic of the sea should manage to capture your interest hook, line and sinker.

Approximate Reading Time: 4 hours(less)

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Jan 14, 2009 Daniella rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: young-adult, book-challenge-2009, contemporary-fantasy, favorites, rereadable, to-buy, series, 2009

Okay, I’ll admit it. Deep Wizardry made me want to be a whale. For serious.

I admire the hell out of Diane Duane--I daresay I even worship her--for the way she conveyed the experience of being a whale. There was no awkwardness at all (except in the beginning, for Nita) and nothing seemed forced or silly. It all felt perfectly natural, and comfortable, and utterly fantastic, as if I could truly imagine what it would be like to be a whale. And by the end of the book, it seemed so normal for Nita to...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews, trt-gold-star-award-winner

Reviewed by Candace Cunard for TeensReadToo.com

I read this book for the first time while waiting for the release of the fourth Harry Potter book, looking for something to fill the empty space. To my surprise, I found a book that I would argue is at least as good as Harry Potter--and perhaps better.

The second book in Diane Duane's YOUNG WIZARDS series starts with middle school friends, Nita and Kit, on vacation together with Nita's family at the beach. They think it's going to be just another su...more Reviewed by Candace Cunard for TeensReadToo.com

I read this book for the first time while waiting for the release of the fourth Harry Potter book, looking for something to fill the empty space. To my surprise, I found a book that I would argue is at least as good as Harry Potter--and perhaps better.

The second book in Diane Duane's YOUNG WIZARDS series starts with middle school friends, Nita and Kit, on vacation together with Nita's family at the beach. They think it's going to be just another summer, but they couldn't be more mistaken. Nita and Kit are both wizards, and the forces of evil don't take vacations. The job of wizards is to fight the Lone Power, the one who created death and continually attempts to trick people into accepting it. Wizards work with spells learned from their wizards' manuals, and the use of the Speech, a language that all things, animate or inanimate, understand.

When Nita and Kit are summoned to help a whale wizard who's been wounded by whalers, they find out that things have not been going well in the Sea, and that if the wizards don't do something about it soon, the problems may spread to land in the form of earthquakes and tidal waves. The solution is to perform the Song of the Twelve in order to bind the Lone Power and keep It from wreaking havoc on the east coast. And in the case of these two young wizards, they have to do all this while keeping their powers secret from their parents, who are beginning to wonder what they spend their days doing.

The main characters are compelling, but the supporting cast is just as strong, consisting of equal numbers of whales and humans. Duane's portrayal of life under the sea, and the ways that humans can unknowingly affect it, is insightful and true. The tension rises throughout the story, so that every scene is more intense than the next.

I must have read this book ten times, and every time I get to the ending, I'm so caught up in it that I can't put it down until I'm done. The language of the story itself is beautifully descriptive, not just of the underwater world, but also of the characters' emotions. A story about friendship, duty, and sacrifice whose truth and beauty still amaze me, more than six years down the road. (less)

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About Diane Duane

Diane Duane has been a writer of science fiction, fantasy, TV and film for more than thirty years.
Besides the 1980's creation of the Young Wizards fantasy series for which she's best known, the "Middle Kingdoms" epic fantasy series, and numerous stand-alone fantasy or science fiction novels, her career has included extensive work in the Star Trek TM universe, and many scripts for live-action and a...more

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Books by Diane Duane

So You Want to Be a Wizard (Young Wizards, #1)

The Wizard's Dilemma (Young Wizards, #5)

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Quotes from Deep Wizardry

“Go ahead! Panic!" screamed Picchu from somewhere in the background. "Do it now and avoid the June rush! Fear death by water!” — 27 people liked it

“And we will cause it to be well-made, this Sacrifice. You, young and never loving; I, old and never loved. Such a Song the Sea will never have seen.” — 17 people liked it

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Deep Wizardry (Young Wizards #2)

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