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Magids
Deep Secret
Chaos threatens the earth when one of the powerful magicians assigned to balance good and evil in that corner of the universe dies and a junior magician must lead the search among the planet's denizens for an appropriate successor to the sorcerer's throne. 15,000 first printing.
383 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
156 people are currently reading
8310 people want to read
About the author
Diana Wynne Jones
157 books11.9k followersDiana Wynne Jones was a celebrated British writer best known for her inventive and influential works of fantasy for children and young adults. Her stories often combined magical worlds with science fiction elements, parallel universes, and a sharp sense of humor. Among her most beloved books are Howl's Moving Castle, the Chrestomanci series, The Dalemark Quartet, Dark Lord of Derkholm, and the satirical The Tough Guide to Fantasyland. Her work gained renewed attention and readership with the popularity of the Harry Potter series, to which her books have frequently been compared.
Admired by authors such as Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, and J.K. Rowling, Jones was a major influence on the landscape of modern fantasy. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, two Mythopoeic Awards, the Karl Edward Wagner Award, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. In 2004, Howl's Moving Castle was adapted into an acclaimed animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, further expanding her global audience.
Jones studied at Oxford, where she attended lectures by both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. She began writing professionally in the 1960s and remained active until her death in 2011. Her final novel, The Islands of Chaldea, was completed posthumously by her sister Ursula Jones.
Admired by authors such as Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, and J.K. Rowling, Jones was a major influence on the landscape of modern fantasy. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, two Mythopoeic Awards, the Karl Edward Wagner Award, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. In 2004, Howl's Moving Castle was adapted into an acclaimed animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, further expanding her global audience.
Jones studied at Oxford, where she attended lectures by both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. She began writing professionally in the 1960s and remained active until her death in 2011. Her final novel, The Islands of Chaldea, was completed posthumously by her sister Ursula Jones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 457 reviews
January 19, 2025
A book centered around a science fiction convention in a hotel that sees rectangles having at least eight right angles should have been great, especially when written by the author of Howl’s Moving Castle and Dark Lord of Derkholm and the brilliant The Tough Guide to Fantasyland. (No, I’ve never been to a science fiction convention, but I’m still inclined to think warmly of the idea).
But yet it fell flat, and it took me to its very end to realize that the flaws don’t turn into brilliance, and the jumbled mess of plotlines and scenes and the sheer amount of stuff crammed in do not crystallize into a lovely superstructure, a whole that’s bigger than its component parts (like what happened in Derkholm book), but instead remain a bit of a disorganized oddly-paced mess just like its central sci-fi con.
The characters were a miss for me as well. Yes, Nick had potential in his blissful selfishness, and Rupert’s exasperated crotchety fussiness eventually *almost* grew on me, but Maree is an unpleasant whiny idiot who remains oddly underdeveloped throughout the book.
There was also missed chances to make me care more about a particular character prior to him becoming important to the plot. Perhaps Jones should have spent less page space on highlighting the fatness of Wendy, or Rupert getting a boner over Maree’s half-dead unconscious body, or sexiness of a teenage centaur, or Zinka apparently being married to one brother but banging another, or Will’s horde of kids, or any other characters that were not necessary for anything but a blurry background.
And the final part - Nick recounting a missing chunk of the story from earlier on - was so unnecessary that I’m amazed an editor let it skip through.
2 stars. (I’m still not happy with Nick and Maree for holding up the bridge traffic 🤬)
Buddy read with Nastya.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
But yet it fell flat, and it took me to its very end to realize that the flaws don’t turn into brilliance, and the jumbled mess of plotlines and scenes and the sheer amount of stuff crammed in do not crystallize into a lovely superstructure, a whole that’s bigger than its component parts (like what happened in Derkholm book), but instead remain a bit of a disorganized oddly-paced mess just like its central sci-fi con.
The characters were a miss for me as well. Yes, Nick had potential in his blissful selfishness, and Rupert’s exasperated crotchety fussiness eventually *almost* grew on me, but Maree is an unpleasant whiny idiot who remains oddly underdeveloped throughout the book.
Let me just quote my reaction at 24% in the book here:
“For that, blame the other motorists. There seemed to be several hundred cars lined up going both ways by then, and they were all gooping.”
You whiny complaining idiot, you’re holding up traffic both ways on a bridge because you and your cousin just want to do a “good luck witchy dance” in the middle of the road.
Get off my lawn. 🤬"
There was also missed chances to make me care more about a particular character prior to him becoming important to the plot. Perhaps Jones should have spent less page space on highlighting the fatness of Wendy, or Rupert getting a boner over Maree’s half-dead unconscious body, or sexiness of a teenage centaur, or Zinka apparently being married to one brother but banging another, or Will’s horde of kids, or any other characters that were not necessary for anything but a blurry background.
And the final part - Nick recounting a missing chunk of the story from earlier on - was so unnecessary that I’m amazed an editor let it skip through.
2 stars. (I’m still not happy with Nick and Maree for holding up the bridge traffic 🤬)
Buddy read with Nastya.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
August 31, 2012
Adorable. It’s a DWJ book, so it’s all multi-universe wizards who end up solving their problems while attending a scifi convention, also baby animals. It is sweet and silly and one of those stories where every plot thread converges in a charmingly improbable bow with built in deus ex machina. But it’s DWJ, so it is also wryly observed, a little dry, a little piercing. But still kind. I mean, it’s set at a scifi convention in all the embarrassing/awesome/exhausting spectacle you’d expect, and she is so droll about it – like when you facepalm but you’re grinning behind it.
I love her like this, writing about grownups but for young people. (Rather than a lot of her books about children for children, which often bore me.) She had this way of writing about adults for children that keeps them from being aliens. Hell, it’s DWJ – the aliens aren’t alien. Just a keen eye and a steady hand, that was her.
I love her like this, writing about grownups but for young people. (Rather than a lot of her books about children for children, which often bore me.) She had this way of writing about adults for children that keeps them from being aliens. Hell, it’s DWJ – the aliens aren’t alien. Just a keen eye and a steady hand, that was her.
February 7, 2017
I'm a great fan of Diana Wynne Jones' work and came to this book with high expectations. It is obviously pitched at adults and YA rather than the younger children a lot of her other work is aimed at, given the focus on two main characters in their twenties and the occasional sexual reference and one instance of f*** in dialogue, which I've never seen in her other work. However, I was left a little disappointed although there is a lot of good writing and interesting set pieces, possibly because her characters didn't 'grab' quite as much as usual, and there were pacing and structural problems.
The book starts with the POV of Rupert Venables who is junior Magid on Earth. Magids are wizards who are responsible for keeping the multiverse, of which Earth is a tiny part, in balance. Magids have various abilities, a key one being that they can travel from one world to another to get to wherever their services are required. Rupert is stuck with the responsibility of helping a particularly nasty Empire world that has a number of other worlds under its thumb. Early on in the story he has to attend a trial there, where he is shocked by the Emperor's verdict. Soon afterwards, a major incident puts the whole Empire in jeopardy, and over the course of the book, Rupert is increasingly drawn in to try to help those who are fending off a civil war.
When he returns from the trial, he discovers that his mentor Stan is dying. Stan gives him a list of possible replacements, as Rupert will no longer be the junior Magid and must train the new junior. The first candidate he manages to track down is Maree who is completely impossible - so impossible that I found I disliked her also and the effect was slow to wear off. Another character, a 14-year old boy Nick, is Maree's best friend. He is totally self centred so is also rather irritating. He goes on to appear in the second Magid story, The Merlin Conspiracy.
After the first few chapters the story suddenly switches to Maree's POV, at which point I realised she was going to be important, and we do gradually learn why she is the way she is. It did make her a little more sympathetic, but I still wasn't a fan. Or of Rupert either, as he is rather bland and boring.
Rupert has huge problems tracking the other possible Magids down and resorts to magically luring them all to a science fiction/fantasy convention being held at a town which is a node of power - where his troubles really begin, as all the other candidates turn out to be even more awful than Maree. Someone is making mischief with the power they are drawing from the node. And as the story progresses, it's obvious that whoever is behind the problems in the Empire is completely ruthless and will balk at nothing, including child murder. Meanwhile, Rupert starts to realise that his feelings for Maree are changing.
A lot of the story is about Rupert balancing his two heavy responsibilities: finding a suitable person to train, and resolving the problems in the Empire as they escalate. Pacing is uneven with the story dragging in places. After the pivotal scene where Rupert has to return to the Empire to meet a certain individual with key information about possible heirs to the Emperor, things do swing into high action and it proceeds much faster.
The book is quite humorous, with the various characters at the SF/Fantasy con sketched well and all sorts of farcical misunderstandings where the con-goers witness magical events - though readers may find the constant 'jokes' about fat people rather wearing. There are also clonky wrong notes that bring the reader to a halt with a bump such as when
The structural problem that really grinds the story to a halt is the very odd decision to include the first person narratives of various characters in a big talky scene at the end, instead of dropping them in at the point where they would naturally occur. Presumably this was to leave the fate of certain characters in question for longer, but it could still have been managed without having to shoehorn this whole section in at the end after everything was otherwise resolved, just so we found out what had happened to the rest of them. This, added on to a long denouement scene at the convention, made the story reach a rather limp conclusion.
The book starts with the POV of Rupert Venables who is junior Magid on Earth. Magids are wizards who are responsible for keeping the multiverse, of which Earth is a tiny part, in balance. Magids have various abilities, a key one being that they can travel from one world to another to get to wherever their services are required. Rupert is stuck with the responsibility of helping a particularly nasty Empire world that has a number of other worlds under its thumb. Early on in the story he has to attend a trial there, where he is shocked by the Emperor's verdict. Soon afterwards, a major incident puts the whole Empire in jeopardy, and over the course of the book, Rupert is increasingly drawn in to try to help those who are fending off a civil war.
When he returns from the trial, he discovers that his mentor Stan is dying. Stan gives him a list of possible replacements, as Rupert will no longer be the junior Magid and must train the new junior. The first candidate he manages to track down is Maree who is completely impossible - so impossible that I found I disliked her also and the effect was slow to wear off. Another character, a 14-year old boy Nick, is Maree's best friend. He is totally self centred so is also rather irritating. He goes on to appear in the second Magid story, The Merlin Conspiracy.
After the first few chapters the story suddenly switches to Maree's POV, at which point I realised she was going to be important, and we do gradually learn why she is the way she is. It did make her a little more sympathetic, but I still wasn't a fan. Or of Rupert either, as he is rather bland and boring.
Rupert has huge problems tracking the other possible Magids down and resorts to magically luring them all to a science fiction/fantasy convention being held at a town which is a node of power - where his troubles really begin, as all the other candidates turn out to be even more awful than Maree. Someone is making mischief with the power they are drawing from the node. And as the story progresses, it's obvious that whoever is behind the problems in the Empire is completely ruthless and will balk at nothing, including child murder. Meanwhile, Rupert starts to realise that his feelings for Maree are changing.
A lot of the story is about Rupert balancing his two heavy responsibilities: finding a suitable person to train, and resolving the problems in the Empire as they escalate. Pacing is uneven with the story dragging in places. After the pivotal scene where Rupert has to return to the Empire to meet a certain individual with key information about possible heirs to the Emperor, things do swing into high action and it proceeds much faster.
The book is quite humorous, with the various characters at the SF/Fantasy con sketched well and all sorts of farcical misunderstandings where the con-goers witness magical events - though readers may find the constant 'jokes' about fat people rather wearing. There are also clonky wrong notes that bring the reader to a halt with a bump such as when
The structural problem that really grinds the story to a halt is the very odd decision to include the first person narratives of various characters in a big talky scene at the end, instead of dropping them in at the point where they would naturally occur. Presumably this was to leave the fate of certain characters in question for longer, but it could still have been managed without having to shoehorn this whole section in at the end after everything was otherwise resolved, just so we found out what had happened to the rest of them. This, added on to a long denouement scene at the convention, made the story reach a rather limp conclusion.
February 21, 2015
I love fantasy. I love stories about parallel universes or the multiverse. I love Diana Wynne Jones. So why, exactly, did I not hear about this book until February of last year? (Which is when Goodreads tells me I added it to my stupidly enormous to-read list.) I can only fathom that a Magid was at me, maybe effing around with my fate-lines or something.
Oh, what's that? You don't know what I'm talking about? Well, I have a pretty easy way to fix that. It's called reading this book.
Deep Secret is about Magids, a kind of practical wizard responsible for keeping the multiverse in balance magically (the multiverse, of course, being the idea that there an infinite number of universes connecting in a chain on and on and on forever). Magids hop from world to world doing their thing. Rupert Venables has only been a Magid for two years when his mentor dies and he suddenly finds himself responsible for not only tracking down his potential replacements (who are making themselves very hard to find) and choosing one of them to train, but also finds himself in the middle of a burgeoning civil war brought on by the assassination of the Emperor of Koryfos, a set of worlds Rupert is assigned to. So now he's got to track down all the Emperor's children that he previously hid where no one, including himself, could find them, because he was a paranoid git.
But that's just the summary. As I usually find with DWJ books, the real joy is in the execution. Her characters have warts, lots of them (sometimes literally). They make mistakes and get angry for no reason, and they frequently find themselves wrapped up in situations they have no control over. They are human in non-human circumstances (in this case, most of the book is set at a sff book convention). It is so much fun. Her stuff always has this lovely almost-tangible feel to it that makes you want to move in to her books and stay there. This is probably my favorite of hers since I read Howl's Moving Castle. It wasn't without its flaws (it is a bit dated, notably in the way she keeps referring to a certain character as 'fat'), but I feel like it's the kind of book I'll end up coming back to over and over again until I can no longer find anything wrong with it and all that's left is love. That's how it was with Howl for me, at least.
Speaking of, totally excited to re-read that series later this year, and finally read the third book that came out in 2008, and that I've owned since 2010 and have never read.
Oh, what's that? You don't know what I'm talking about? Well, I have a pretty easy way to fix that. It's called reading this book.
Deep Secret is about Magids, a kind of practical wizard responsible for keeping the multiverse in balance magically (the multiverse, of course, being the idea that there an infinite number of universes connecting in a chain on and on and on forever). Magids hop from world to world doing their thing. Rupert Venables has only been a Magid for two years when his mentor dies and he suddenly finds himself responsible for not only tracking down his potential replacements (who are making themselves very hard to find) and choosing one of them to train, but also finds himself in the middle of a burgeoning civil war brought on by the assassination of the Emperor of Koryfos, a set of worlds Rupert is assigned to. So now he's got to track down all the Emperor's children that he previously hid where no one, including himself, could find them, because he was a paranoid git.
But that's just the summary. As I usually find with DWJ books, the real joy is in the execution. Her characters have warts, lots of them (sometimes literally). They make mistakes and get angry for no reason, and they frequently find themselves wrapped up in situations they have no control over. They are human in non-human circumstances (in this case, most of the book is set at a sff book convention). It is so much fun. Her stuff always has this lovely almost-tangible feel to it that makes you want to move in to her books and stay there. This is probably my favorite of hers since I read Howl's Moving Castle. It wasn't without its flaws (it is a bit dated, notably in the way she keeps referring to a certain character as 'fat'), but I feel like it's the kind of book I'll end up coming back to over and over again until I can no longer find anything wrong with it and all that's left is love. That's how it was with Howl for me, at least.
Speaking of, totally excited to re-read that series later this year, and finally read the third book that came out in 2008, and that I've owned since 2010 and have never read.
July 9, 2019
One of my favourite comfort reads, and one that never disappoints. This is so funny and on-point about writers, fan communities, conventions and love (and of course magic, multiple universes and all of the problems associated with trying to run a galaxy) and I think I get more from it every time.
October 20, 2011
Fantasy. Wikipedia is quick to point out that this book was "marketed to adults." I expected a little bit of romance, or maybe some salty language. What I got was the gruesome death of several characters, including three children, a passing reference to an orgy in a stairwell, and a plot that's more tangled than usual.
From the very first page this was a struggle to read. Not only is it missing Jones' normally transparent prose, I didn't care about any of the characters, could not keep straight what was going on with Iforion due to the jerky pacing, and felt uncomfortable with the way fans and fannish behavior were viewed by outsiders. I did like how Jones folded actual fantasy elements into the convention, and I loved the imagery surrounding thornlady, the disagreeable bush-goddess, simple, yet menacing, the way the best enemies are.
This has some nice moments in it, but the fantasy elements are of the type that use Capital Letters in place of actual explanations, and it just didn't feel real. Also there was something REALLY WEIRD going on with the eroticisation of the teenaged centaur. ALSO, when the main character picks up the almost lifeless body of his female companion, he describes it as "one of the most sexual experiences [he has] ever had." Seriously. Yuck.
Two stars. I'm calling this one a dud.
From the very first page this was a struggle to read. Not only is it missing Jones' normally transparent prose, I didn't care about any of the characters, could not keep straight what was going on with Iforion due to the jerky pacing, and felt uncomfortable with the way fans and fannish behavior were viewed by outsiders. I did like how Jones folded actual fantasy elements into the convention, and I loved the imagery surrounding thornlady, the disagreeable bush-goddess, simple, yet menacing, the way the best enemies are.
This has some nice moments in it, but the fantasy elements are of the type that use Capital Letters in place of actual explanations, and it just didn't feel real. Also there was something REALLY WEIRD going on with the eroticisation of the teenaged centaur. ALSO, when the main character picks up the almost lifeless body of his female companion, he describes it as "one of the most sexual experiences [he has] ever had." Seriously. Yuck.
Two stars. I'm calling this one a dud.
March 18, 2022
March 2022 re-read
Well, that was a delightful re-read! *grin, grin* Nick trying to eat breakfast is still the best. XD And Rupert and Maree--I love them so much! Also Will and the quacks. And Rob the centaur. And the FABULOUS NORDIC TYPE neighbor Andrew. *grinning again* Also, it's so fun when there are things I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT and can rediscover on a second read, like the whole middle part of the plot in this. DWJ is notorious for that and I love it. (I'd still classify this as Adult and more content-heavy than most DWJ books.) I had a blast re-reading this! <3
First read 2016 (Original Review)
(Review originally posted on my book blog, complete with book photography... https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...)
I've discovered that I'm downright horrendous at writing reviews for books by Diana Wynne Jones. I plan to write one, then I put it off, and put it off, because I know that it's far too complex to do justice to in a review -- and how even do I wrap my head around it all, exactly?? So once again, as I did with Fire and Hemlock, I'm going to need to just start typing and hope something semi-coherent and possibly slightly resembling a review will come out of it...
This story is a mix of fantasy/sci-fi/modern, with some other worlds thrown in for good measure. Most of it takes place at a sci-fi/fantasy convention of all places. Talk about an original setting! It’s in first person but you totally forget this fact as the story draws you in.
I found this one in the adult section of the library (I usually frequent the YA room... sorry-not-sorry, but all the good stuff’s there!). I suppose it’s a bit more Adult than most of DWJ’s books (more language/dark/gruesome/disturbing/implied stuff) so be aware of that. I don’t really recommend it to teens because it’s kinda dark... But it’s so absorbing!
I LOVED the multiple-worlds stuff. Absolutely fascinating.
There are centaurs! YES.
I also loved the idea of “deep secrets” which Magids (the magic users) thread into the world through stories and art and such. Absolutely brilliant.
There were also a few things about writing and I think some jibes at publishers, etc., which I found hilarious. XD
I think it’s possible DWJ put herself in it. There was a lecture on A Sense of Humour in Fantasy. “Some woman beside him wrote funny stuff too” and said that in her own writing, sometimes her jokes made her laugh. (And I remember in some interview or essay or somewhere, DWJ said that about herself.) So I think she put herself into this book and I LOVE IT.
She definitely put in a fan of her book “Archer’s Goon”, as somebody at the convention wore a badge that said “All power corrupts, but we need electricity.” I was just sitting there grinning absurdly as I read that. XD
There are other references too, which made me happy, like to LOTR (somebody had a T-shirt that he said read: “I am a Hobbit.” In Elvish. I think she was making fun of these people, but it was funny. XD), and The Princess Bride. And at one point there was something about being rather like “a magical Bertie Wooster with an invisible butler”. I totally lost it there. It was the BEST.
As usual with DWJ books, there’s a fabulous cast of characters that I love. There’s Maree and Rupert (who tell the story in turns) and they’re so... well... THEM. It’s hard to explain. But I love ’em! Then there are other characters like Will (he’s great!) and Rob the centaur (!!). And one of my absolute favorites is Maree’s cousin Nick—who is, I hear, based on a teenaged Neil Gaiman, who Diana Wynne Jones knew. She based Nick off him, and he’s so incoherent in the morning before he’s eaten breakfast and IT MADE MY DAY. So very hilarious. And one can’t forget neighbor Andrew, the “fabulous Nordic type”! But no more, lest there be spoilers. (Oh! And the quacks! A sort of otherworldly duck. :D Loved them!)
I’m absurdly proud of myself for only staying up until 2-something a.m. and having the willpower to go to bed without finishing the last 70 pages. I got to the part where it said: “And, I see in retrospect, that was the last moment when events were in any way within my control.” And I thought: “Welp, I’d better go to bed before things get worse.” :P
Anyway, DWJ is brilliant and I love her books so much, and this one was no exception! It was longer than many of them. I get addicted to her longer books and LIVE in them, and then have a tendency to accidentally go around in a haze for the next few days, vaguely living in the story again in the back of my mind after spending 414 pages in it...
"Where is the road to Babylon? / Right beside your door."
The road I'm looking for is the road to the library to get the sequel, thank you very much.
The story doesn’t need it, but I do.
Well, that was a delightful re-read! *grin, grin* Nick trying to eat breakfast is still the best. XD And Rupert and Maree--I love them so much! Also Will and the quacks. And Rob the centaur. And the FABULOUS NORDIC TYPE neighbor Andrew. *grinning again* Also, it's so fun when there are things I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT and can rediscover on a second read, like the whole middle part of the plot in this. DWJ is notorious for that and I love it. (I'd still classify this as Adult and more content-heavy than most DWJ books.) I had a blast re-reading this! <3
First read 2016 (Original Review)
(Review originally posted on my book blog, complete with book photography... https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...)
I've discovered that I'm downright horrendous at writing reviews for books by Diana Wynne Jones. I plan to write one, then I put it off, and put it off, because I know that it's far too complex to do justice to in a review -- and how even do I wrap my head around it all, exactly?? So once again, as I did with Fire and Hemlock, I'm going to need to just start typing and hope something semi-coherent and possibly slightly resembling a review will come out of it...
This story is a mix of fantasy/sci-fi/modern, with some other worlds thrown in for good measure. Most of it takes place at a sci-fi/fantasy convention of all places. Talk about an original setting! It’s in first person but you totally forget this fact as the story draws you in.
I found this one in the adult section of the library (I usually frequent the YA room... sorry-not-sorry, but all the good stuff’s there!). I suppose it’s a bit more Adult than most of DWJ’s books (more language/dark/gruesome/disturbing/implied stuff) so be aware of that. I don’t really recommend it to teens because it’s kinda dark... But it’s so absorbing!
I LOVED the multiple-worlds stuff. Absolutely fascinating.
There are centaurs! YES.
I also loved the idea of “deep secrets” which Magids (the magic users) thread into the world through stories and art and such. Absolutely brilliant.
There were also a few things about writing and I think some jibes at publishers, etc., which I found hilarious. XD
I think it’s possible DWJ put herself in it. There was a lecture on A Sense of Humour in Fantasy. “Some woman beside him wrote funny stuff too” and said that in her own writing, sometimes her jokes made her laugh. (And I remember in some interview or essay or somewhere, DWJ said that about herself.) So I think she put herself into this book and I LOVE IT.
She definitely put in a fan of her book “Archer’s Goon”, as somebody at the convention wore a badge that said “All power corrupts, but we need electricity.” I was just sitting there grinning absurdly as I read that. XD
There are other references too, which made me happy, like to LOTR (somebody had a T-shirt that he said read: “I am a Hobbit.” In Elvish. I think she was making fun of these people, but it was funny. XD), and The Princess Bride. And at one point there was something about being rather like “a magical Bertie Wooster with an invisible butler”. I totally lost it there. It was the BEST.
As usual with DWJ books, there’s a fabulous cast of characters that I love. There’s Maree and Rupert (who tell the story in turns) and they’re so... well... THEM. It’s hard to explain. But I love ’em! Then there are other characters like Will (he’s great!) and Rob the centaur (!!). And one of my absolute favorites is Maree’s cousin Nick—who is, I hear, based on a teenaged Neil Gaiman, who Diana Wynne Jones knew. She based Nick off him, and he’s so incoherent in the morning before he’s eaten breakfast and IT MADE MY DAY. So very hilarious. And one can’t forget neighbor Andrew, the “fabulous Nordic type”! But no more, lest there be spoilers. (Oh! And the quacks! A sort of otherworldly duck. :D Loved them!)
I’m absurdly proud of myself for only staying up until 2-something a.m. and having the willpower to go to bed without finishing the last 70 pages. I got to the part where it said: “And, I see in retrospect, that was the last moment when events were in any way within my control.” And I thought: “Welp, I’d better go to bed before things get worse.” :P
Anyway, DWJ is brilliant and I love her books so much, and this one was no exception! It was longer than many of them. I get addicted to her longer books and LIVE in them, and then have a tendency to accidentally go around in a haze for the next few days, vaguely living in the story again in the back of my mind after spending 414 pages in it...
"Where is the road to Babylon? / Right beside your door."
The road I'm looking for is the road to the library to get the sequel, thank you very much.
The story doesn’t need it, but I do.
Read
February 14, 2017I’m back on a comfort reading roll, and when that happens, I always turn to Diana Wynne Jones. I’d already exhausted the usual suspects, like Howl’s Moving Castle, so I finally picked up Deep Secret. I’d forgotten how unabashedly weird and delightful it is: Multiverses, conventions, and centaurs. There is so much going on, and it is so good.
— Jessica Yang
from The Best Books We Read In January 2017: http://bookriot.com/2017/02/01/riot-r...
— Jessica Yang
from The Best Books We Read In January 2017: http://bookriot.com/2017/02/01/riot-r...
March 30, 2021
I say this about Diana Wynne Jones a lot: she’s a master at juggling balls. She keeps so many plot elements in the air at once and somehow brings them all together by the end of the story. Examples: Howl’s Moving Castle - Power of Three - Cart and Cwidder - Archer’s Goon - I could go on.
She does that here, too. She juggles so many balls: a top-secret job, a casual day job, a collapsing empire, a vague inventor neighbor, a sci-fi convention, a nasty guardian. And everything comes together - and I’m left with the feeling it shouldn’t. It’s an odd feeling. Shouldn’t I be impressed with the plotting?
Instead I’m wondering why a paranoid emperor in a completely different world hides information in a way conveniently accessible to our programmer hero; why his scientist neighbor needed to be involved at all; why the hotel, too, needed to be called Babylon; why every nasty author and cousin and guest needed to be a malignant force directly related to this random posting. Yes, yes, Rupert did a working. Whatever. Shouldn’t top-secret side jobs stay top secret? Shouldn’t there be some separation here? I’m left feeling that this is actually commentary on sci-fi conventions and the people attending them, and not a story at all.
She does that here, too. She juggles so many balls: a top-secret job, a casual day job, a collapsing empire, a vague inventor neighbor, a sci-fi convention, a nasty guardian. And everything comes together - and I’m left with the feeling it shouldn’t. It’s an odd feeling. Shouldn’t I be impressed with the plotting?
Instead I’m wondering why a paranoid emperor in a completely different world hides information in a way conveniently accessible to our programmer hero; why his scientist neighbor needed to be involved at all; why the hotel, too, needed to be called Babylon; why every nasty author and cousin and guest needed to be a malignant force directly related to this random posting. Yes, yes, Rupert did a working. Whatever. Shouldn’t top-secret side jobs stay top secret? Shouldn’t there be some separation here? I’m left feeling that this is actually commentary on sci-fi conventions and the people attending them, and not a story at all.
June 14, 2019
Светът е мултивселена усукана в знака на безкрайността и ние сме само частица от нея и то не в правилната половина. Световете могат да се движат по тази мьобиусова фигура и в двете посоки. Редът по тези светове се контролира от магиди, които са константен брой. Историята в тази книга е за най-младия магид на Земята. Понеже е ниско в йерархията му дават да отговаря за брутална и неморална империя, владееща осем от световете на мултивселената, само защото другите магиди искат да се провали и разбие империята. А там, атентат е светнал садистичния император и има големи проблеми с установяването на наследника. За капак, учителят на нашия герой умира и негово задължение е да му намери заместник, за да запази константата.
Рупърт (както се казва) знае, че няма нищо случайно и това, че интересите на империята Корфирос и търсенето му на ученик се преплитат на един фентъзи кон, не го учудва по никакъв начин. Младежът се забърква във все по-голяма каша, а грешките му костват човешки животи.
Даян Уейн Джоунс владее магията да ни представи невъзможното във всекидневното по начин, който те убеждава, че винаги е било там, просто не си го забелязал до сега. Пълните ѝ с вълшебство истории звучат достоверно до граница в която почваш да се съмняваш в реалното.
Книгата я четох за първи път, когато бях на възраст за която е писана. Тогава ме гръмна направо. Тази увереност с която авторката рисува за младите умове, без да им спестява последствията дори от „малки“ избори. Категоричността с която те заставя да мислиш и поемаш отговорности. Безапелационното зачеркване на предубежденията, които витаят във всеки. Изобщо, въпреки че тук има дуалистичност, която липсва в повечето ѝ книги, това си остава едно от любимите ми произведения от нея.
Все пак при препрочитането сега, нямаше как да не забележа, че тази книга не е точно „за малки и големи“. Някой части ми стояха леко наивни и претрупани, а действието се усукваше около себе си малко прекалено бавно, само заради финала.
Рупърт (както се казва) знае, че няма нищо случайно и това, че интересите на империята Корфирос и търсенето му на ученик се преплитат на един фентъзи кон, не го учудва по никакъв начин. Младежът се забърква във все по-голяма каша, а грешките му костват човешки животи.
Даян Уейн Джоунс владее магията да ни представи невъзможното във всекидневното по начин, който те убеждава, че винаги е било там, просто не си го забелязал до сега. Пълните ѝ с вълшебство истории звучат достоверно до граница в която почваш да се съмняваш в реалното.
Книгата я четох за първи път, когато бях на възраст за която е писана. Тогава ме гръмна направо. Тази увереност с която авторката рисува за младите умове, без да им спестява последствията дори от „малки“ избори. Категоричността с която те заставя да мислиш и поемаш отговорности. Безапелационното зачеркване на предубежденията, които витаят във всеки. Изобщо, въпреки че тук има дуалистичност, която липсва в повечето ѝ книги, това си остава едно от любимите ми произведения от нея.
Все пак при препрочитането сега, нямаше как да не забележа, че тази книга не е точно „за малки и големи“. Някой части ми стояха леко наивни и претрупани, а действието се усукваше около себе си малко прекалено бавно, само заради финала.
April 29, 2022
“There is very seldom any true secret.”
I have so many mixed feelings about Deep Secret that I struggle to say whether I actually liked it or not. There is definitely a lot going for this book, there are a few things that drag it down too though and a couple of things that just don't sit right with my personal taste. If nothing else, though, it was great to read another book by Diana Wynne Jones after not having read any (new to me) for a couple of years.
Starting on the bright side, this is your classic Jones style of plot where a lot of random things happen and they gradually fall into place - it's quite amazing how many threads she weaves into her stories while still managing to bring them all together nicely. So yes, the plot starts out as a confusing mess where seemingly unrelated events soon became relevant to one another.
What I liked most about this particular book were the characters - this didn't come as much of a surprise either as Jones often rights strong characters. I loved the two main characters' narration - Rupert was all sarcasm and Maree pure sass. Even so, they were both very caring and practically selfless characters. In addition, there's a huge range of other characters, both minor and bigger, and they're all interesting in their own way. Also, the witchy dance - I caught myself trying to mimic it - flick flick flick!
Among things that I didn't think were bad but just didn't appeal to my personal taste was the setting. Now this story takes place in multiple settings, but I'd say the fantasy convention was the main one. There's a lot of fun to be had when you bring real magic to a fantasy con, there's even a hint of parody on how these con guests and fantasy enthusiasts are written. If you've ever been to a convention, you'll likely relate to a lot that's going on in this book. The downside for me personally is that I don't really like conventions, I suppose. I've been to a handful and nothing about them really compelled me. Unfortunately, this aspect of the book did very little for me beyond a chuckle or two.
I am also a bit unsure which age group this book is best for. As a whole, it does have more of a MG feel to it but the characters are older (I'm assuming Maree is in her late teens or early twenties whereas Rupert is probably mid-twenties, judging by their occupations). There are also some darker tones and unexpected brutality which makes me think it's more suited for older readers, yet somehow I, as an adult reader, found this less engaging than several of Jones' books that are definitely for younger readers.
Romance was certainly not the central aspect of this story but it was yet another thing I had mixed feelings about. I actually really liked the idea of Rupert and Maree, especially the way they got off on the wrong foot. I thought they had promising dynamics but the realisation of their feelings came almost out of the blue, albeit quite late in the story. As a reader, you can see the potential, but then the build-up isn't executed well enough. I do still like this pairing, though.
On the downside of things, as much as I like Diana Wynne Jones, I suppose it's no secret that some of her books are borderline offensive toward overweight people or delve downright into fat-shaming. Although Maree is said to be overweight and is never really pointed out as a bad thing, there are several side characters where it would be an understatement to say that their physical appearance was described in kind words.
And the final thing that didn't sit right with me was what I would call the epilogue. While it's not officially called an epilogue, the final chapters are actually told from Nick's, Maree's cousin, point of view. There's nothing wrong with having this third point of view, but it's his account of events that took place during the main story. While I did actually want to know what was going on on his end, I felt that his point of view was oddly placed. The story had already reached a climax and final showdown - an epilogue should give some sense of what became after and not rewind to an earlier part of the story to tell a secondary account. It felt long and super anti-climatic, despite the fact that the characters were in life-threatening situations. I think what I am trying to say is that the story was practically over and didn't need any more added at that point. It made the finale a real slog and I think I was barely taking in the words anymore.
Although this works as a standalone, I think the sequel may very well decide how much I actually liked Deep Secret. As I really enjoyed the characters, if I enjoy the second instalment, I am likely to think better of the series as a whole. If I feel similarly conflicted about the second book, though, I am likely not going to be reading this series again.
May 8, 2012
I read this at the same time as Fantasti*Con due to the fact they were both set around conventions. Maybe not a good thing as I sometimes was confused between the two conventions wondering where certain characters were. But in the end I separated and enjoyed them both.
This novel is set in an alternate (or perhaps not) universe where they are a group of people known as Magids whose job is, well it's a bit unclear. They help their assigned worlds with various issues and help maintain the magical equilibrium around the great Infinity. I think. It's not exactly clear. One of Earth's Magids, Rupert, is tasked with finding a new Magid after his supervisor passed away. There has to be the same number of Magids at all time. At the same time as trying to check all potential trainees Rupert is called upon by the Korfyros Empire, a PITA he also assists, after a dramatic upheaval threatens to destroy the whole thing. Throughout the book these two plots intertwine and inevitable become one.
It was a good book and quite enjoyable but the pacing suffered at times. Sped up then slowed down then sped up then slowed down. The book starts in Ruperts POV then abruptly shifts to the other main character, Maree, then forward and back. I liked the way it showed both sides of what was going on but it did sometimes make things feel a bit repetitive.
I wasn't a fan of Nick and I think the characters of Rob and Andrew needed a bit more time, same with Nick's mother. My main issue was with the ending. It ended rather quick and there was no closing POV chapter from Maree, instead we had the first and final chapter from Nick. It made the book feel unfinished and left me a little disappointed.
Overall not a bad book though I think I will take a break from Diana Wynne Jones for a while now.
This novel is set in an alternate (or perhaps not) universe where they are a group of people known as Magids whose job is, well it's a bit unclear. They help their assigned worlds with various issues and help maintain the magical equilibrium around the great Infinity. I think. It's not exactly clear. One of Earth's Magids, Rupert, is tasked with finding a new Magid after his supervisor passed away. There has to be the same number of Magids at all time. At the same time as trying to check all potential trainees Rupert is called upon by the Korfyros Empire, a PITA he also assists, after a dramatic upheaval threatens to destroy the whole thing. Throughout the book these two plots intertwine and inevitable become one.
It was a good book and quite enjoyable but the pacing suffered at times. Sped up then slowed down then sped up then slowed down. The book starts in Ruperts POV then abruptly shifts to the other main character, Maree, then forward and back. I liked the way it showed both sides of what was going on but it did sometimes make things feel a bit repetitive.
I wasn't a fan of Nick and I think the characters of Rob and Andrew needed a bit more time, same with Nick's mother. My main issue was with the ending. It ended rather quick and there was no closing POV chapter from Maree, instead we had the first and final chapter from Nick. It made the book feel unfinished and left me a little disappointed.
Overall not a bad book though I think I will take a break from Diana Wynne Jones for a while now.
May 11, 2020
Well this was entirely not what I expected.
That's a good thing and a bad thing all at once.
The pacing was very odd, but I did like how we (the reader) are thrown into the middle of everything without much explanation, and the world just builds itself up from there.
That's a good thing and a bad thing all at once.
The pacing was very odd, but I did like how we (the reader) are thrown into the middle of everything without much explanation, and the world just builds itself up from there.
April 29, 2023
Need a good book after all the not so good ones i've been reading
Finished and looking forward to re-reading it again in a couple of month, love this book! If you haven't read this book and reading this review, then i would recommend reading it, its dwj at her best, though i still have other dwj favorites with million stars, this is really, really good!
Finished and looking forward to re-reading it again in a couple of month, love this book! If you haven't read this book and reading this review, then i would recommend reading it, its dwj at her best, though i still have other dwj favorites with million stars, this is really, really good!
Read
May 12, 2019Postoje ti trenuci kad iznenada primetite da je knjiga koju čitate namenjena omladini (barem 14+) a ne mlađima. Taj trenutak može da bude, recimo... Moja greška, nisam obratila pažnju na blurbove :/
To na stranu, Deep Secret je uglavnom odličan roman i u duhu Dajane Vin Džouns onako očaravajuće šašav, sa SF konvencijama, kentaurima, čarobnjacima koji putuju multiverzumom i petljaju se u dvorske intrige, a bogami je uglavljena i jedna dobra stara katabaza.
Jedini ozbiljan problem za mene lično jeste momenat u kome se pojavi komični sporedni lik s Balkana koji... ima životnu priču/funkciju u romanu vezanu za rat devedesetih ali ne na dobar način... i koji 1996/7. ne zna da su Tolkin i Tomas Malori pokojni :( Mislim, neko ne zna kad je umro Malori, neko ne zna da je Milan Gabrelisović slabo prihvatljivo kao tipično hrvatsko ime, niko nije savršen :(((
To na stranu, Deep Secret je uglavnom odličan roman i u duhu Dajane Vin Džouns onako očaravajuće šašav, sa SF konvencijama, kentaurima, čarobnjacima koji putuju multiverzumom i petljaju se u dvorske intrige, a bogami je uglavljena i jedna dobra stara katabaza.
Jedini ozbiljan problem za mene lično jeste momenat u kome se pojavi komični sporedni lik s Balkana koji... ima životnu priču/funkciju u romanu vezanu za rat devedesetih ali ne na dobar način... i koji 1996/7. ne zna da su Tolkin i Tomas Malori pokojni :( Mislim, neko ne zna kad je umro Malori, neko ne zna da je Milan Gabrelisović slabo prihvatljivo kao tipično hrvatsko ime, niko nije savršen :(((
February 21, 2011
The senior Magid responsible for Earth and the adjacent Koryfonic Empire (which is considerably more magic-infested than Earth) has died, and his successor has to recruit a new junior Magid, while dealing with the total disaster that the Koryfonic Empire has become in the aftermath of the assassination of the Emperor, who had m ade sure that his heirs were completely safe from being located and used against him while he was alive. Careful consideration of his problems yields the useful discovery that he can deal with the problem of recruiting a new Magid by meeting all of the likely candidates at a science fiction convention (Eastercon). It's not that simple, of course, and his problems not only become intertwined, but turn out to have been intertwined since before he became aware of them. Poor Rupert Venables, just trying to do his job, has more troubles than anyone should have in any two lifetimes. Great fun.
March 12, 2019
How many miles to Babylon?
Five score and ten.
Can I get there by candlelight?
Aye, and back again.
Five score and ten.
Can I get there by candlelight?
Aye, and back again.
December 10, 2018
LOVED rereading this!
March 16, 2019
Whew, I sorta feel like I've been betrayed by my own fairy godmother, but that was good.
January 5, 2013
This was the second book by Wynne Jones that I've read. The previous one, Howl's Moving Castle, was fantastic. My daughter and I just loved it and I was looking forward to this one. I was disappointed. It is supposedly pitched to a more "adult" audience, but the author seems to think that means throw in a little sex, esp. references to the male narrator's tastes and observations, rather than exploring deeper or more complex philosophical ideas. Also, the plot just didn't seem well put together. One big chunk was totally out of sequence for no apparent reason. I've heard the excuse "it didn't fit the narrative flow earlier" but I've seen other authors deal with this problem beautifully. The characters seemed shallow and not very likable. I got tired of the fat references. I mean, really, it needed to be said that the fatter characters got up earlier to eat breakfast? Really? Sadly disappointed and will not continue with this series.
May 29, 2022
8.2/10
I've enjoyed this book so much! The idea of Magids and the multiverse is amazing and so well done. I'm really looking forward for The Merlin Conspiracy!
I loved the characters, each and every one of them so weird, unique, and realistic all at the same time!
The book has hidden messages and subtle and exquisite humor. Plus, magic is everywhere. If you love magic and secret magic societies then this might be your book!
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PICKING THIS BOOK UP:
·The word FAT is everywhere, and most of the time it’s offensive and highly unnecessary.
·This edition has a few typos. Some parts feel like they were totally skimmed by the editor.
·You need to pay attention or you may get lost
I've enjoyed this book so much! The idea of Magids and the multiverse is amazing and so well done. I'm really looking forward for The Merlin Conspiracy!
I loved the characters, each and every one of them so weird, unique, and realistic all at the same time!
The book has hidden messages and subtle and exquisite humor. Plus, magic is everywhere. If you love magic and secret magic societies then this might be your book!
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PICKING THIS BOOK UP:
·The word FAT is everywhere, and most of the time it’s offensive and highly unnecessary.
·This edition has a few typos. Some parts feel like they were totally skimmed by the editor.
·You need to pay attention or you may get lost
December 24, 2008
I've read this book 9 times, and it's still one of my favorites of all time. When someone complains to me that all fantasy is starting to get too similar, I whip out my copy (always on hand) and force them to listen while I read to them my favorite passages. While it takes a good re-read in order to catch all of the cul de sacs and crannies in the plot, I enjoyed this book more than most, and just as much as the rest of ms. Jones's novels.
May 8, 2025
i think of the magid duology as a more mature take on chrestomanci (first of all...the main characters have got the exact same job). i actually tried to avoid this book bc the premise didn’t intrigue me much, “sci-fi/fantasy antics at a sci-fi/fantasy convention” came across as rather pat. i rlly shld have more faith in DWJ as it’s brilliaaant. i’m sure the parodied 90s convention aspect is very entertaining to anyone who’s been, but i loved this particularly and much more for the hotel babylon. everything humdrum and typical in a 5 ★ has been knocked two inches sideways and made fantastical. caroll’s looking glass, a phantom jeeves for a sorcier bertie wooster, pink gothic towers, &c. the single setting also made me think of conrad’s fate; there’s a sort of upstairs-downstairs comedy redone slightly w waiters and receptionists (also: dialogue regarding the lords of karma?). and the archons made me remember malene reynolds laugesen’s venetian deities, so i do rather imagine the trio as quite tiny in that confrontation...anyway, wonderful. i feel i can give her other ‘adult’ book a go now with lots of confidence.
August 16, 2024
Соскучилась по Диане Уинн Джонс! Эта книга по-настоящему захватывающая, считаю, мы должны чаще вводить в фэнтези компьютерные технологии. Были места, к которым у меня есть вопросы, но, дочитав, я поняла, что буду очень скучать, так меня затянуло.
November 19, 2020
After seeing all of the raving reviews about this book I feel like my 2 stars deserve an explanation.
I wanted to like this book; at some parts I even did like it, but those were few and far between. Usually when I dislike a book it's for a specific reason but with Deep Secret there was nothing in particular that stands out, or maybe it was just too many reasons to pin down. To preface the negative side of my review I will admit that there is some good to the book; Jones' writing is fluid and easy to follow and I found it conversational and neat. The characters were interesting and well defined and their development was natural and well-intended.
My two main complaints are with the plot and the characters reactions. The basic premise of the book was really interesting and the main story line was compelling. It seemed as though the author attempted to have many diverging plot lines that I'm assuming were supposed to come together in the end in a spectacular finale of understanding and resolution but it was very messily done and occasionally, pointless. I love when books have a lot of twists and turns and questions to find answers to but the way the plot attempted to follow different story lines was so sloppy that I found it confusing at times and inconsequential at others. Some of what were probably plot twists seemed to have just been thrown into the book unjustifiably as they did not affect the book in any meaningful way (not even in ways that influence the smaller storylines!).
When it comes to the dialogue I absolutely HATED the way the characters reacted to serious situations. There were many times when a major event would conspire and I would read what the characters were saying and how the were acting and I found it entirely unbelievable and unengaging. It was impossible to become immersed during the action of the book because of the utterly unnatural way they react in these situations. It was so bad that at a point later in the book when the author attempts to have us relate to Rupert while he recollects a particularly significant event that took place earlier I couldn't bring myself to feel emotionally about it at all.
All of this being said, the characters were interesting (though some depthless), the world was fascinating, and the setting intriguing - if not a bit funny. So if relating to characters isn't something you find important and you don't mind a few useless additions to the story then you may enjoy this book.
I wanted to like this book; at some parts I even did like it, but those were few and far between. Usually when I dislike a book it's for a specific reason but with Deep Secret there was nothing in particular that stands out, or maybe it was just too many reasons to pin down. To preface the negative side of my review I will admit that there is some good to the book; Jones' writing is fluid and easy to follow and I found it conversational and neat. The characters were interesting and well defined and their development was natural and well-intended.
My two main complaints are with the plot and the characters reactions. The basic premise of the book was really interesting and the main story line was compelling. It seemed as though the author attempted to have many diverging plot lines that I'm assuming were supposed to come together in the end in a spectacular finale of understanding and resolution but it was very messily done and occasionally, pointless. I love when books have a lot of twists and turns and questions to find answers to but the way the plot attempted to follow different story lines was so sloppy that I found it confusing at times and inconsequential at others. Some of what were probably plot twists seemed to have just been thrown into the book unjustifiably as they did not affect the book in any meaningful way (not even in ways that influence the smaller storylines!).
When it comes to the dialogue I absolutely HATED the way the characters reacted to serious situations. There were many times when a major event would conspire and I would read what the characters were saying and how the were acting and I found it entirely unbelievable and unengaging. It was impossible to become immersed during the action of the book because of the utterly unnatural way they react in these situations. It was so bad that at a point later in the book when the author attempts to have us relate to Rupert while he recollects a particularly significant event that took place earlier I couldn't bring myself to feel emotionally about it at all.
All of this being said, the characters were interesting (though some depthless), the world was fascinating, and the setting intriguing - if not a bit funny. So if relating to characters isn't something you find important and you don't mind a few useless additions to the story then you may enjoy this book.
June 9, 2010
This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who makes a habit of attending sci-fi conventions. Everyone else may find it entertaining enough, but it's really for con-goers.
Rupert Venables is a magid - a member of a secret brotherhood of magicians assigned to to different worlds throughout the various planes of existence, who are supposed to keep things running smoothly. Unfortunately, his mentor has recently passed away (although he is still with Rupert in spirit, in an advisory sort of position), and it is now Rupert's job to find someone to step into the vacant position and start magical training. His mentor has given him a list of candidates from our Earth - people who may have some natural aptitude in that direction. Unfortunately, when Rupert starts investigating them, they all seem more hopeless than he could possibly imagine. The first candidate - a young woman that he has high hopes for (and some hopeful fantasies as well), disappoints him sorely when he finds her - and not only is she dumpy, plain and nerdy, but is holding up traffic to do a "witchy dance" in the middle of the road. The next candidates he tries to locate are even worse. Apparently people with such aptitudes also tend to be wack jobs, emotional cripples, or downright evil.
Through a series of coincidences - and a little bit of magical help, Rupert gathers all of his candidates for easier examination at a science-fiction convention - but nothing goes as simply as he hopes, and things progress from bad to worse when the complex politics - including assassinations - of the other world he's assigned to start breaking through into this world - and soon there's a centaur running around the hotel, evil magicians wreaking havoc, and nothing is running smoothly at all.
Rupert Venables is a magid - a member of a secret brotherhood of magicians assigned to to different worlds throughout the various planes of existence, who are supposed to keep things running smoothly. Unfortunately, his mentor has recently passed away (although he is still with Rupert in spirit, in an advisory sort of position), and it is now Rupert's job to find someone to step into the vacant position and start magical training. His mentor has given him a list of candidates from our Earth - people who may have some natural aptitude in that direction. Unfortunately, when Rupert starts investigating them, they all seem more hopeless than he could possibly imagine. The first candidate - a young woman that he has high hopes for (and some hopeful fantasies as well), disappoints him sorely when he finds her - and not only is she dumpy, plain and nerdy, but is holding up traffic to do a "witchy dance" in the middle of the road. The next candidates he tries to locate are even worse. Apparently people with such aptitudes also tend to be wack jobs, emotional cripples, or downright evil.
Through a series of coincidences - and a little bit of magical help, Rupert gathers all of his candidates for easier examination at a science-fiction convention - but nothing goes as simply as he hopes, and things progress from bad to worse when the complex politics - including assassinations - of the other world he's assigned to start breaking through into this world - and soon there's a centaur running around the hotel, evil magicians wreaking havoc, and nothing is running smoothly at all.
July 28, 2016
I would have given this book four stars if it weren't for the rampant transmisogyny and fat phobia throughout. The shoehorned romance between two of the main characters and Jones' "tell not show" style, are no better. This book was marketed for adults, yet it seems like the worst part of juvenile writing. The story was mediocre at best.
I'm actually quite surprised, since I've read many other of her books (Howl's Moving Castle, Castle in the Air, most of the Chrestomanci series, etc).
Consider me a very disappointed reader.
I'm actually quite surprised, since I've read many other of her books (Howl's Moving Castle, Castle in the Air, most of the Chrestomanci series, etc).
Consider me a very disappointed reader.
January 1, 2025
Um livro divertido de ler, mas acho que é daqueles que talvez seja ainda mais divertido reler? Excelente elenco de personagens, mas honestamente, estava exclusivamente investida no Nick e na Maree, e é isso. Normalmente eu acho o approach da DWJ para romance super legal, mas dessa vez foi um pouco underwhelming. Nada de errado! Só... well, só. Mas ainda sim feliz que foi outro livro que tinha começado meses atrás e ficou no limbo e eu consegui resgatar antes que o ano terminasse! Que 2025 venha com uma meta menos corrida!!! (e eu ainda não tô conseguindo ler livro físicos, MAS 2025 VAI, I CAN FEEL IT!!!)
February 18, 2025
This was too chaotic for me. It does come together, but I didn't quite enjoy it along the way as I wanted to. I think I would have liked it better had it all been Rupert's POV., but I found Maree irritating (in an understandable way, but still irritating and not something I wanted to read. The world is interesting, but I didn't like how this was told. Also, I kept getting half the secondary characters mixed up. Perhaps if I'd Ttended more sci-fi conventions the setting would have worked better. I've seen chaos come together in a fun way. This didn't feel like that to me. I was curious enough to finish, but I'm not sure I liked it.
February 28, 2019
This is not happening right now.
I loved Howl's Moving Castle so I was expecting to find something else to love from Diana Wynne Jones, but this one is just not for me.
@DeepSecrets and Unkindness of Magicians, how dare you deceive me with your pretty covers. :(
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