I did it again – 8 books in a week! I didn’t think I’d be able to, but I read two books last night bringing my weekly total to 8 (I stayed up WAY too late last night, and am fairly exhausted today, but it was worth it). I have a thing for series books this summer – YA series, at that. All 8 of the books came from three series.
- The Young Wizards Series by Diane Duane. I’ve only read the first three so far – So You Want to Be a Wizard, Deep Wizardry, and High Wizardry. I didn’t think I’d like these as much as I did. They’re not your conventional “wizard” books. Duane’s form of wizardry is very calculated and scientific…performing a spell is much like balancing scientific equations. But the characters are likable and I’m eager to continue the series (the next book is on hold for me at the library) and the adventures that Nita, Kit, and Dairine get into. There is also an allegorical aspect that I’m not even sure Duane meant to do. Her books are reminiscent of Tolkien or Lewis in that they chronicle the great struggle between good and evil. There is a Lone Power who brought death into the world, and the purpose of the wizards is to keep the world alive and to keep that Lone Power bound. How can you not see that allegory?
- The Gatekeepers Series by Anthony Horowitz. I’ve also only read the first three (I need to check to see if any others are out, but I don’t think so) – Raven’s Gate, Evil Star, and Nightrise. These aren’t my favorite books of the summer, but I’m curious how the epic battle will end, so when I find the next one, I’ll keep reading. Horowitz is definitely writing for the teen demographic, but I found his writing was sometimes confusing, particularly in Nightrise. I imagine much will be explained in later books, but it would have been more helpful it some of it had been explained already.
- Twilight and New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. These are absolutely THE best books I’ve read so far. These are the two that I read last night and couldn’t put down. I was completely and totally sucked into the world of Bella and Edward. Meyer is a fantastic writer. She writes both love and pain so well that they both make your chest feel as if it will just explode. I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced in love – I went to sleep right after I read this and dreamed as if I were in the book. When I woke up this morning, I still had the feeling that I was there. The way she writes is so real that it really does suck you in (or maybe it’s just me, and I’m a freak like that). The next book in the series (trilogy?) is Eclipse and comes out August 7th. I absolutely can’t wait! I need to find out if Edward really will turn Bella into a vampire and if becoming a vampire will make her any less of a magnet for trouble – somehow, I doubt it.
If you’re interested in what I’m reading this summer, check out my Books page!
I definitely see the significance of Duane’s Lone Power, although I’m not sure it’s meant to be anything as subtle as allegory. But remember the other side to the Choice.
And, while you’re at it, why not get the other side of the story? I’ve just come across Banewreaker and Godslayer by Jacqueline Carey, which are basically the Lord of the Rings as seen from Sauron’s perspective (only less longwinded). I thoroughly enjoyed them.
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