Rating: 
Summary: The second time was better
Review: ...at first because I liked the idea of Nita having an edge over her sister. Without giving too much of plot away, however, I was able to overcome this obstacle and enjoy the story, particularly when it became evident that even the more powerful wizards need help from time to time.While all of the books have a tinge of science fiction in them, this one probably has the most. And if you can get past the archaic computer systems (DOS, even!) used in the beginning of the book to the end, you will again find an unexpected twist and lavish imagery that will again make Diane Duane the easiest author to remember. (In fact, I don't bother reading any other authors anymore...well, almost never).
Rating:
Summary: I absolutely hated it...
Review: ...at first because I liked the idea of Nita having an edge over her sister. Without giving too much of plot away, however, I was able to overcome this obstacle and enjoy the story, particularly when it became evident that even the more powerful wizards need help from time to time. While all of the books have a tinge of science fiction in them, this one probably has the most. And if you can get past the archaic computer systems (DOS, even!) used in the beginning of the book to the end, you will again find an unexpected twist and lavish imagery that will again make Diane Duane the easiest author to remember. (In fact, I don't bother reading any other authors anymore...well, almost never).
Rating: 
Summary: Young Wizards Aloft
Review: A character who has constantly been in the background of the first two books in this series, "So You Want to Be a Wizard" and "Deep Wizardry," has been Juanita (Nita) Callahan's younger sister Dairine. While Dairine has been a pest, as younger sisters (and brothers) often seem to be, Diane Duane was setting up Dairine for a special role. A role Dairine gets a chance to fill in this book. We discover early in this book that Dairine is an incredibly power wizard; much more powerful than either Nita or her best friend Christopher (Kit) Rodriguez. Dairine's book of magic comes not in the traditional form of a book, but as a lap top computer, reflecting the improving state-of-the-art of computers in 1990 when Duane wrote this book. Of course any computer owned by a wizard would have to be strange, and Dairine's computer exhibits characteristics that are decidedly different from any computer we mere mortals have experienced. Dairine's Ordeal matches her incredible power. She is tasked to bring an entire planet to self-realization and advancement to a higher state of consciousness, and she takes on the Lone Power with the support of her newly created and found friends. I leave the details to the reader. This book has a different flavor from the first two books in the series. While the first two books had technology, this book exhibits a stronger science fiction or science fantasy influence. Even with that influence the fate of the Lone Power remains strongly metaphysical and just a touch incongruous with the science fiction nature of the story. The ending of the story relates, as with the previous two books, to the fate of the Lone Power, and thus must be metaphysical, and the ending confuses much of the effort Diane put into developing the science fiction aspect of the story. Excluding the ending, this book is a captivating read and further develops the characters in the series. While the second book stands acceptably well on its own, I recommend reading at least the first book in the series, "So You Want to Be a Wizard," prior to reading this book. Knowing the principal characters is helpful in coming up to speed with the storyline. This book is another good entry in this series, but with a different flavor. A solid four stars.
Rating:
Summary: A great sequal to Deep Wizardry!
Review: A good book continuing the advantures of Nita and Kit,and introduceing a new wizard,Dairine,Nita's bratty littil sister.A great book!
Rating:
Summary: Odd...
Review: A quick plot summary (note that I haven't read any of the other books): Dairine, Nita's younger sister and a child progidy, took the Oath and is now going to go to her ordeal. I feel doubtful about how the whole magic system (Ordeals etc) would ever hold together, but never mind for now. Writing style: Nothing special. Undescriptive language, and I can see that at some points Diane Duane is hooked upon confusing readers beyond hope, but pick up enough non-fiction books and you will know what is being talked about and you'll even be able to spot the nonsense when the teleport spell is being cast! (Well, it's quite easy...) To those who claim the books are educational: Quite simply, they aren't. Diane Duane talks about topics which don't come up on school syllabuses (entropy) and then oversimplifies them so that you think you understand them or just writes lots of intelligent-sounding nonsense. They have random facts, but I doubt most people will remember the name of one of Saturn's moons just because it is mentioned. The main problems with the book are that, a) that parrot - what on earth was she thinking? (to those who've already read the book) and b) Dairine is simply too intelligent. No sane human being could name all the named characters in Lord of the Rings, all 50 states and their capitals, and all the past presidents and *particularly* not somebody who isn't even smoking anything. Her only fault through the whole book, however, is a very well-chosen one and you can find her admitting it in the airport chapters. Oh, and c) throughout the whole book, there are only about 5 times I laughed, maybe less. d) Diane Duane writes sentimental scenes very badly in this book and thankfully they are at a minimum. Oh! and the ending is totally ridiculous (note the parrot comment earlier) and does absolutely stop the series dead. Nevertheless four more books have been written. Odd.
Rating:
Summary: This is the Best Book I've Ever Read
Review: After reading So You Want To Be a Wizard and Deep Wizardry, the first two books in the Young Wizards series, and enjoying them, I expected High Wizardry to be really good, but not this good. High Wizardry is very well written, and the story is exciting and original. It kept me reading as fast as I could until the end, when I felt horrible because the book was over. The story has no lack of action, unlike Deep Wizardry, which got a little boring and repetitive after a while. It shows a new way for wizardry to work, through a laptop computer, and also what what a wizard can do when a they have almost limitless power. It also shows a species making its Choice (what it will do about the Lone Power and entropy), which is nice because the readers never actually got to witness a Choice before. I got a look at Ms. Duane's idea of aliens and alien planets for the first time, which were not only very original but also hysterically funny. The climax was wonderful, and wrapped the story up nicely. I actually like it that Dairine is the main character of this book, even though Nita and Kit have less of a part. I find her more interesting and fun to read about than Nita, because she stands out to me from all the other characters I've read about. Nita seems a little boring to me, and Dairine has more character, which is necessary for a good story. After reading A Wizard Abroad and A Wizard's Dilemma, both of shich hardly included Dairine, I was very happy to see her getting a bigger part in Wizard's Holiday. Without her, I wouldn't have laughed nearly as much, and I found myself actually admiring her determination. Personally, I've never liked a character more. High Wizardry and the other Young Wizards books all make a wonderful guess at the answer to the "life and death" question. The idea that all the bad things in the world could possibly be fixed, if the Power that made them could be persuaded to change, is an optimistic idea, and I often find myself wishing that Ms. Duane's world were real. High Wizardry is a great book for anyone who wants to read an amazing, thrilling mix of fantasy and science fiction. I'm thirteen, but my dad read it and he liked it, too. I recommend reading So You Want To Be A Wizard and Deep Wizardry first, because this is the third book in the series, or else it might be confusing. Aside from that, if you're wondering if you should read this book, or the Young Wizards series in general, definitely do it. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent morality tale
Review: Dairine Callahan doesn't at all understand the implications of the wizards' oath she's taken, and at first she uses her newfound powers (with online manual) solely for her own pleasure. After some pretty scary adventures, she finds herself alone on a planet composed of a great motherboard that just awaits programming, which she proceeds to give it. Dairine recklessly creates a new species, attracting the attention of the Lone Power, who comes to offer this species the choice between life and death--and incidentally to get back at Kit and Nita, who are desperately searching for Dairine. WIth a shock Dairine realizes her responsibilities as creator, and attempts at almost mortal cost to save her creation from the wrong choice. Duane's science fiction writing background shows the most in this one, but at the same time she gives a not entirely implausible rendering of what it must be like to be a young, untried god. I found this third volume of her wizardry series not quite so compelling as the first ("So You Want to Be a Wizard"), but more so than the second ("Deep Wizardry"). Probably this means only that I like aliens better than whales, so those who are similarly minded should take note! In any case, all three books are excellent reads.
Rating:
Summary: A step down from the others but still entertaining
Review: Dairine Callahan is Nita (the wizard's) younger sister. When she sees how much fun Nita is having with the magic she naturally wants to join in too. But when her new wizards manuel turns out to be a computer and her powers are nearly limtless she is sent on an ordeal that will take her to diffrent worlds, diffrent galexys and give her power that she never dreamed of. Nita and Kit come to the rescue but unfortunatly the lone Power is not far behind them. ANd he realizes how powerful that Nita is too. He dosen't like it one bit. Though it's a step down from Deep Wizardry and so you want to be a wizard it's still ewntertaining. If you love the world of fantasy magic and wizardry this book is for you!
Rating:
Summary: Fun and Exciting
Review: Duane creates a mystical world where new species, computers, and ancient rituals meld into a fantastic medly. I definitely enjoyed this continuation of her story, all the moreso because of the split viewpoint that gave me more insight into the character of Dairine.
Rating:
Summary: I think this is the coolest book ever!
Review: High Wizardry is a great book! If you are like any of my classmates, you will have taken one look at the cover of this book and thought "What a wierd book. Too wierd." But don't miss your chance of reading this! It is EXCELLENT! The few people who have taken my advice and read this have absolutely loved it, and the other books in this series are great, too. This one's my favorite though.
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