Rating: Summary: If you don't read this, I know where you live. . . Review: This book is about a group of magical cats who are given, by the creators of the universe, the task of saving modern-day New York from being overrun by dinosaurs. Yes, that's right. As unlikely as it sounds, Diane Duane makes it seem not only sensible, but completely possible, with her ingenuity and utterly flawless style of writing. Although this book is awash in advanced theology and magical mumbo-jumbo that went way over my head (who knew there was a science to the Art?), it's absolutely unputdownable if you like fantasy even the least bit. As a side note, I absolutely relished in the fact that cats consider themselves the more dominant species and consider us "just dumb animals" (a direct quote.) I love everything by Diane Duane but this book ranks in my top five best books ever written, right after Watership Down and the His Dark Materials trilogy. Never has magic seemed more realistic!! PLEASE read this book and release yourself from the world of Harry Potter hangers-on!!!
Rating: Summary: Great addition to The Young Wizards series! Review: If you enjoyed Kit and Nita's adventures, you'll probably enjoy Rhiow and her team's adventures in the line of work! True, some of it is technical, but once you get past those few paragraphs, it's an awesome read! I haven't looked at my cat the same since, and I probably never will! It's a great mix for people that love wizardly reads and cats!
Rating: Summary: My very favorite book! Review: It's been a couple years since I read The Book of Night with Moon, but it still sticks in my memory as being an amazing book. It's everything you could ever want in a book for me - cats, wizardry, and a great mix of reality and fantasy. It's exciting and gripped and definitely my very favorite book. I recommend this to everyone!
Rating: Summary: Cat Scratch Magic Review: This book combines two of my favourite elements: cats and wizards. The striking cover art catches the eye immediately, and the story synopsis completes the allure. My previous familiarity with Duane’s work is limited to her Star Trek novels, but I consider her contributions to be a high point of the series. All these things combine to make this a novel I would want to buy at first glance.Chalk it up to my love of cats, but I find it easy to step into their world. Or maybe it’s the writing. Either way, the transition is smooth. The plot unravels slowly, building to a climax that is well worth the wait. Duane’s attention to character development pays off. The reader cares what happens to the four feline wizards. The fact that most of the characters are cats could have been reduced to the level of gimmick. This is an area where Duane’s skills as a storyteller are quite apparent. She invites you into a willing suspension of disbelief, and you happily accept. While the cats seem as "real" as people, one never forgets that they are cats. Body language, indeed. Every movement, every reaction, is true to feline behaviour. Each of the cats has a distinct personality, which keeps the reader's interest even through the slower parts of the story. Urruah is the most entertaining, with his sardonic attitude toward just about everything. Saash is the ultra-professional, despite the fact that she has the most to lose. Rhiow functions well in her central role, giving the reader an accessible heroine. Arhu is the most riveting of the main characters. He undergoes the broadest changes, which serve as a benchmark for the developing plot. As much as I like Ith, I find it difficult to take him seriously. Maybe it all comes down to the image of him casting spells with his stunted arms. I realize Duane must have meant to make him exceptional, to break the "stereotype" of the dinosaur, but he is the weakest part of the story. In the midst of the climactic scene, along comes Ith and the tension is blown. Overall, I enjoyed the story. Duane has created some wonderful characters. Their interactions ranged from hilarious to poignant without ever losing realism.
Rating: Summary: Fun, but not as engaging as Duane's others Review: The Book of Night with Moon is not, as some Duane fans might hope, what it sounds like. The mythical Book of Night with Moon figures prominently in some of Duane's other stories, but this story, while related to the others (Nita and Kit do appear briefly) isn't quite the same. It does, however, contain all the elements that Duane has used to great effect in the Young Wizard series: science, magic, mixing reality with fantasy, all in good fun.
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