So You Want to Be a Wizard

Young Wizard Series, Book 1

By: Diane Duane

Narrated by: Christina Moore

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Because she insists on fighting with words instead of her fists, 13-year-old Nita is regularly tormented by a gang of classmates. One day, running to escape their blows, she hides in the only safe place nearby: the library. When a book about wizardry catches her eye, Nita finds the help she needs in its pages. As she moves from chapter to chapter, Nita learns more sophisticated spells. Soon, stepping through a worldgate, she enters a shadowy city swirling with vicious taxicabs and carnivorous fireplugs. What begins as a simple quest quickly becomes a struggle to keep a powerful and ominous force from passing back into Nita's world.

Ranked with the best of Madeleine L'Engle and Diana Wynne Jones, Diane Duane's magical tale of wizardry and wisdom has become a modern fantasy classic. Christina Moore's delightful narration captures all the excitement and danger in this thrilling fantasy adventure.

You can listen to Diane Duane's entire Young Wizard series.

©1983 Diane Duane (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

so you want to be a wizard review

If you could sum up So You Want to Be a Wizard in three words, what would they be?

Over coming challenges.

What was one of the most memorable moments of So You Want to Be a Wizard?

The reading of the book of night moon

Have you listened to any of Christina Moore’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I would not make a movie of this book I do not believe film the ultimate media.

Any additional comments?

Is one of the most serious fantasies i have come across and still had a fun time reading it. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. there have been times that have brought me to tears, and time to like so your point but has come together and made this a great read.

if you're looking for fun adventure fantasy magic

good story entertaining even for adults this is a great books to get your kids started reading

Nostalgia Bomb

I first read these books when I was a young teenager. I recently was having a discussion about various books my friends and I are reading and this series came up so I figured I'd give them and revisit after nearly 3 decades of them being a tiny glimmer in my memory. I was not prepared and I was not disappointed. I cried 4 times during this book and was transported back to my younger days in such a beautiful way. I cannot wait to continue this series and evidently read far more than what I ever got the chance to as there are many more volumes now that I was not even aware existed.

Fun!

Great lore, fast pace and a fun read. Feels like me when I was a little kid..

I'm hooked.

I'd have to say this is better than the first three Harry Potter books, but it seems to me that the comparison isn't a very good one. I'm a Potter addict, mind you, but where the HP books sometimes fall into silliness, in particular with the magic, this is more like one of the Heinlein Juveniles, except with fantasy instead of sci-fi. (And there's just a hint of sci-fi.)

The story is intelligent and well thought out, and the characters are convincing and endearing. Like the Heinlein Juveniles, it doesn't talk to the reader like a baby or stick to one-syllable words.

Oh, and the reader is superb to the point that when I finish this series, I will look at what else she has done to see if anything gets my attention.

High hopes for this series-- I bought the second and third immediately after finishing this one.

Wonderful beginning to a great series

This book, and the others in the series, pose interesting challenges to young people (or middle-aged adults!) about power, good and evil and lots of ethical questions. Because the writing is so good, and the characters so real -- the two heroes are a young teen-aged boy and girl -- you're drawn into the story without realizing that all along, you're wondering "what would I do? do I agree with this?". There's humor and sadness. There are well-drawn human characters and others which are, er, unusual... The reader, Christina Moore, is one of the best interpreters of books I've ever encountered -- she's great in other things I've listened to, but in this book, and the subsequent books in the series (all of which she reads), she brings nuances to the comments and descriptions and events that enhances an already terrific book.

Loved it!

If you could sum up So You Want to Be a Wizard in three words, what would they be?

Fun, Gripping, Youthful

What about Christina Moore???s performance did you like?

Excellent voices and she really keeps the story moving along. One of my favorite readers so far. Awesome job Christina!

Any additional comments?

The story is great for young readers and old alike. Listened to it with my kids (8 & 9) and they really liked it. What a fantastic novel, I really enjoyed this one.

A book to spark the Love Of Reading!

Not every child likes to sit down and pick up a book as a Freetime activity.
Infact, those parents who have a child like that, feel blessed. This book though is one of the few books I have found that get my reluctant readers to want to open a book and read ahead. I can tell you it is a real delight to see 10 copies of this in the laps of children at recess, independent reading time, and before/after school waiting for parents.

This is delightfully read and well written. (Written much better than any review I could give it).

Couldn't stop

This is the first in her series. The person reading a book can make or break a good book. With this reader and the book everything kept me hooked. I didn't want to put it down.

Epic and delightful!

A lovely 1980s epic bringing our world's natural magic to life. Hearty thumbs, tentacles and paws up!