A Wizard of Mars

A Wizard of Mars
by Diane Duane
Young Wizards series, book nine

Kit and Nita become part of an elite team investigating the mysterious "message in a bottle," which holds the first clues to the secrets of the long-lost inhabitants of Mars. But not even wizardry can help them cope with the strange events that unfold when the "bottle" is uncorked and a life form from another era emerges.

Though the Martians seem friendly, they have a plan that could change the shape of more than one world. As the shadow of interplanetary war stretches over both worlds, Kit and Nita must fight to master the strange and ancient synergy binding them to Mars and its last inhabitants. If they don't succeed, the history that left Mars lifeless will repeat itself on Earth.

It's been awhile since I read the last book in this series, but having to wait for book nine was worth it. This is a great science-fiction based magic series. Rather than fairy dust or wand waving magic, the young wizards here have to memorize long spells in the Speech, a universal language, coax machines to do what they want and keep their magical knowledge in manuals that function more like handheld PDAs.

Kit and Nita both became wizards when they were very young. The most powerful wizards start out at about eleven. Now, older and more experienced, they have been working as partners for years...and each tries not to think of the other as anything else as their best friend. When Mars threatens to split them up, they must band together to save themselves, their friends, their world, and if possible the potential Martians.

Full of funny Martian movie references and typical teenage angst, this book also delves much deeper into themes of friendship, love, morality, strength, and loyalty. An excellent addition to the series that brings Kit and Nita to the breaking point...

Full disclosure: Received audiobook to review for Audiofile Magazine

In My Mailbox - September 12, 2010

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!


For Review:


Cruisers by Walter Dean Myers

Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz

*actually a reread for me

A Wizard of Mars by Diane Duane

Water Steps By A. LaFaye

Monster High by Lisi Harrison

Teaser Tuesday - Zombies Vs. Unicorns ed. by Holly Black and Justine Larbaleister

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!"


Zombies Vs. Unicorns
ed. by Holly Black and Justine Larbaleister

p. 53

"...Probably he's trying to make himself immortal, which never works, except wizards never listen when you tell them that, and we would really prefer if he got stopped before he cuts off the babies' horns trying."
"Let me guess," Alison said. "Is his name Voldemort?"
"No, what freakish kind of name is Voldemort?"the unicorn said. "His name is Otto, Otto Penzler. He lives downtown."