Rating: 
Summary: A Fun, Intricate Read
Review: "Deep Secret" is Diana Wynne Jones's move into adult fantasy writing, but keeping all the traits that she's become known for: quirky characters, intriging plot lines, wacky situations and unexpected conclusions. Rupert Venables is the Magid of earth - responsible for overseeing the correct course of history in the world is taken, using magical means if necessary. He is only one of a huge group of Magids situated in the entire Multiverse, which is set in a figure-eight pattern, half of which is low on magic (situated Naywards from the centre), and half of which is populated by all sorts of magical creatures (Ayewards). The centre of the Multiverse is the Empire of Koryfos, the govenment system that everyone - especially Rupert - loves to hate. However, when an assassin's bomb goes off, killing the emperor and most of his court, Koryfos is thrown into civil war. The emperer left barely any clues as to who his children and heirs were, and with the gradual realisation that a conspiracy is afoot, Rupert is called in to help track these heirs. But Rupert has problems of his own; he's bogged down trying to track down five potential Magids to take on as a student after the death of his own mentor Stan. After spending days looking for one infuriating potential Maree Mallory, he's fed up, and tangles with the fatelines of the other four to bring them to the Babylon hotel in Wantchester to participate in a Science Fiction Convention. Needless to say, when these two plot lines collide, chaos of every kind explodes across the pages. Told in first-person narrative through either Rupurt or Maree, Wynne Jones gives us her usual, but always welcome components found in practically all of her books. Her heroes are always a delight; there are never any charming, attractive, innately 'good' figures here, our protagonists are a short-tempered, harried man whose career choice could translate basically in a magical govenment official, and a dumpy, half-blind, gloomy university student. The two of them bounce wonderfully off each other, and their wry, matter-of-fact, (and sometimes melodramatic) views on the world are blissfully refreshing. In typical Diana Wynne Jones fashion she treats the fantasy world as nothing out of the ordinary, which can often be quite confusing for first time readers of her style, and it is sometimes her downfall that she jumps straight into the story with little or no background - readers have to pick up the pieces of the story as they go along, and in this case the beginning few chapters are a bit sluggish. It does not get *really* interesting until the convention, and all the previous talk on the Empire and Rupert's computer hacking slows down the pace considerably. I've never actually been to a convention of any kind, much less a science-fiction one, so I can only assume that her parady on names, activities and confusion that takes place there is dead on the button. What struck me more deeply was her digs at some 'professional' writers who see books as machines - you know, those authors that chug out book after book without any imagination or creativity, and without any real differences in their publications. To a point, it sometimes felt as if Wynne Jones herself had unknowingly fallen into this trap. As a long-time reader of her work, I couldn't help but feel as if I'd read this book before. All her usual strategies (parallel worlds, magical manipulation, etc) were in place, and did anyone who's read her most famous works - the 'Chrestomanci' series for kids - pick up a certain resemblance between the Magids and the Chrestomanci? Perhaps she was betting on the fact that her new adult readers haven't read these particular books, but the two are very similar in occupation, in which they use magical means to keep the world in line. *And* I was very surprised in her revelation concerning who the Emperer's main successor to the Koryfos throne was - simply because it was so predictable! 'The missing heir to the throne' plot device is something she herself has mocked in her 'Tough Guide to Fantasyland' parady on the fantasy genre, and yet she actually uses it here! But all in all, a fun, entertaining read; certainly not her best work, and not entirely different from many of her children's books (expect with a few more adult jokes, and a massacre that certainly *doesn't* fit in with the light-hearted story she was previously telling), but anyone who is a fan of hers should be satisfied. Have the sequel "The Merlin Conspiracy" close by.
Rating: 
Summary: Choosing an apprentice - saving a world - falling in love.
Review: "Deep Secret", is one of the best books I've ever read. A complex blend of fantasy, myth, adventure and romance, this one is an absolute must. Diana Wynne Jones makes intelligent use of her resources - do yourself a favour and don't let this one pass by! It makes my "20 Best Books" list.
Rating:
Summary: No deep secret that the Multiuniverse spin is an exciting SF
Review: The Magids keep the positive and negative magic in balance throughout the Multiverse. Junior Magid Rubert Venables, an Earthling, works the barbaric Koyrfonic Empires where trouble is a way of life. In the large scheme of the Multiverse, a backward series of planets usually means little. However, this group happens to be located at a critical point where the center of the Multiverse twists onto itself. When someone assassinates the Emperor, Rupert has to find the rightful heir even though the previous ruler seems to have killed all of them before a possible chaotic civil war even starts.. However, Rupert has a second problem to deal with at the same time. He has been assigned the task of finding the replacement to his own mentor, who just died. Rupert must go to Earth and select the most competent of the junior Magids (including himself) to become the new Magid of the planet. He meets with the five contenders at a SF convention, but other forces not quite as friendly as the hostile candidates are also there. DEEP SECRET is a great SF tale that fans will take much pleasure in reading. The story line is exciting, complex, and unique as only Diana Wynne Jones can do. The eccentric cast of characters seem real as they add humor and make magic appear to be part of the scientific realm. Anyone who wants something a bit different, should try this novel and hopefully any future Multiverse books. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: What a disappointment.
Review: As a big fan of Diana Wynne Jones' earlier books, I was very disappointed by this poor effort. Perhaps the fact that she was trying to write for adults cramped her style - the story was amateurish, the writing was mediocre, and the shifting points of view were poorly focused. Her other books purportedly for children are actually much better written, whatever the intended audience. I think I'll go back and read one.
Rating:
Summary: AN ABSOLUTE GEM
Review: Diana Wynne Jones does it again. Although this is considered a book for adults, I find all of her work suitable for adults. This one however may not be suitable for children. She weaves together masterfully all of the complex and colourful threads that make up this gem of a book.Her characters have depth and complexity.You'll not remain untouched by them.There are some to love and some to hate, and some to be fascinated by. There is just the right mix of reality, fantasy,magic,blood and guts,romance, and all the other elements that keep one entranced. This world of the Magids was one I wanted to stay in for a very long time. But, alas, I came to the last page. I totally agree with the Australian reviewer, and all who reviewed this with high praise. To Ms. Wynne Jones, keep writing and write faster please. We need more from you.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Read
Review: each aspect is on a scale of 10-20:
13 plot
13 flow
15 tension/suspense
15 character
13 connection/immersion
13 consistency/logic
12 insightfulness/inspirationality
17 depth/mileu
17 novelty/originality
---
128 Total
Review: This book started off slowly for me. For the first 50 pages or so I wasn't particularly enamoured with the characters. Though they were well-drawn and interesting individuals, I just didn't like them that much. Also, the plot jumped around a bit without pulling me in. But, after that slow beginning things picked up nicely and soon I was drawn into the story. As I got to know the characters better, I began to like them much more. I found myself thinking about the story when I wasn't reading it which is always a good sign. Jones has developed an alternate-world universe that is pretty unique. Overall I enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: Another engaging fantasy from Diana Wynne Jones
Review: First off, this book is a page turner. I found it very hard to put down while I was reading it. The universe described most closely resembles the one in The Lives of Cristopher Chant -- one of my all-time favourite Jones novels, and in many ways this book resembles her earlier novels in that it deals with mages, magic, and alternate worlds. The plot goes something like this: The universe actually consists of worlds arranged along a continuum, from Ayewards (which are positive magically) to Naywards (where magic is rare and treated with skepticism.) Each world is assigned a Magid, a Chrestomanci-like figure whose job is to subtly influence the world so that it develops in the way it is Intended. Rupert Venables is a junior Magid, originally from Earth, whose assignment is a barbaric Empire run by an insanely paranoid dictator. When Rupert's mentor dies, he is given the job of finding his mentor's replacement. Unfortunately, as Rupert himself notes, when things go wrong, they usually all so wrong at once. The Emperor is assassinated and Rupert, as Magid for the world is given the difficult task of finding a surviving heir (difficult, because the Emperor appears to have excecuted them all). Meanwhile, the search for a new Magid is proving to be more difficult than expected. The first half of the book is vintage Jones, a welcome return to the pre-Hexwood days of dastardly villains, complex plots, and engaging characters. I felt the second half of the book stumbled somewhat, as the details of the villainous plot got a bit hard for me to follow -- but I felt the same way about Fire and Hemlock. The equivalent of an extended epilogue takes place at the end of the story, which although it is helpful for understanding prior events (and a good story in its own right) I felt it would have been better left out. But that's my opinion. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book. The initial madness of the sci-fi convention, the bizarre corridors of the mirrored hotel... all memorable settings. I really liked the characters, particularly Rupert and Maree. Reading Deep Secret, I got the impression that Ms. Jones was modelling some of the characters at the convention after people she actually knew in the sci-fi circuit, which was intriguing. I wonder who was who. Anyway, I highly recommend this book to any Diana Wynne Jones fans.
Rating:
Summary: Deep Secret deeply satisfying
Review: Having read every other Diana Wynne Jones title as a child, and shamefacedly continuing to check them out of the library all the way through university, until I could finally afford to buy them all, I was extremely excited when I discovered this book, written for adults. The difference between this and Jones' children's books is actually minimal. The same sense of fun, the same intricate and well-realized world, the matter-of-fact magic--the only difference is a small scattering of sexual innuendo (and a fairly subtle suggestion of Rupert having an affair with his brother's wife *after* they were married--don't worry, I'm not giving anything away). Computer game designers, graphic novel readers and Trekkies will enjoy the fantasy writers' convention where much of the action takes place. I think Neil Gaiman makes a small cameo?? Jones has been writing fantasy for, well, most of my lifetime anyway, and she shows a loving and detailed sense of the fantasy subculture. However, readers who aren't part of that subculture shouldn't be turned off, as the references are liberally spiced with Jones' own brilliant invention. Jones seems to be enjoying a new popularity in North America, maybe due to the similarities with JK Rowling. I would urge readers who enjoy Deep Secret to pick up some of the kids' titles as well, as they're all written to the same high standard.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read!
Review: I actually first purchased the book for my daughter . . . but found myself engrossed in it! Excellent characters and plot line. Very enjoyable for those who are into sci-fi/fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read!
Review: I actually first purchased the book for my daughter . . . but found myself engrossed in it! Excellent characters and plot line. Very enjoyable for those who are into sci-fi/fantasy.
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