Diane Duane

Advantages: Unique protagonists, a well-realized universe
Disadvantages: Sometimes very technical.

...This is the sort of book cat-lovers cannot help but appreciate. Diane Duane builds a world in which cats are the guardians of the gates between worlds, where a team of feline wizards fight to keep the universe going, fighting the forces of entropy in an eternal struggle to frustrate the will of the "Lone Power," the being that introduced death into the fabric of our reality. Whether you're a cat-fan or not, the life she breaths into her characters will capture your heart. The characters are real and their struggles, both external and internal, are unforgettable. The magical system she has designed is rational and reasonable, based on a firm foundation of scientific principles. I strongly recommend this book to all.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Depth, marvelous characters, and a truly stunning adventure!
Disadvantages: Younger readers may not be ready for this work.

...Ever wanted to talk to a tree, or a train? Ever wonder what the stars or the stones are thinking? Ever imagine what you would do to the bullies if you only had magic, or wonder if the house down the street were really haunted? Ever read a book under your covers? Then You may be a wizard! You can find out in this first book in the Young Wizard series by Diane Duane. From the first page, we realize that Nita Callahan has problems. After verbally sparring with Joanna, the local bully that plagues her existence, Nita takes to her heels in self-defense. Where to hide? Ah, the library! Nita dives into the sanctuary of the Children’s section, correctly reasoning that Joanna and her gang would never look for her there. As she wanders the aisles trailing her hand along the tops of the books, her finger gets snagged and her interest... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Honours one of the all time great PC games
Disadvantages: Buy the game - it's cheaper - and more exciting

...-Com and facilitate a take-over by the alien invaders. She has some transitory love entanglements too (I’m not sure how that would work under Windows XP!) but these are relatively minor distractions. She does live through to tell the tale. Diane Duane has written several novels based on the Star Trek television series and also series of fantasy stories. She lives in Ireland. The writing style is competent enough - but is so like much of the pulp fiction of this mass produced, little remembered genre. It is possible that the author had a series of X-Com adventures in mind initially as the campaign is ongoing at the end of the book. If so it has not been realised. Overall I was disappointed with this novel – in so far as it goes. Each X-Com game release (there have now been six) comes with its own novella, giving a potted account of the story so far... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful