Finished: _Wizards at War_, Diane Duane. A fitting and appropriate conclusion (I presume) to the seven other volumes of the Young Wizards series (plus two cat-wizard novels). Recommended, but only after reading the previous books.
Duane recently posted an informal poll about whether she should vanity-publish the third cat-wizard novel, which she has written a treatment for but sees no profit in writing for less than $20/copy.
While I'm pleased to hear that we've got at least one more book coming out -- yes, I did think that you wrapped up enough to call it a conclusion. Spoiler warning. (And why the heck am I arguing *against* a book that must be almost finished, by an author I like, which I will probably enjoy? I must be insane. Anyway.)
A gigantic setback has been dealt to the Lone Power. A major new ally has appeared on the side of Life. The dogs have made their Choice. Pretty much everyone we know is alive and working well, except for Nita's mother. (Incidentally, I think it was overly sentimental to heal Ronan. He made a valorous decision to sacrifice his life for the good of the universe, and if he lives in a Spider Robinson universe where no one good ever dies, that reduces the essential impact to being sidelined for the duration of the game.)
Nita and Kit have both accepted adult responsibilities, and there's no reason to think they won't go on and have good lives. It's interesting that Carmella has been so successful without a wizardly command of Speech, but it doesn't pose a mystery. At this point you could safely lay down the pen and answer all questions with "Life doesn't end, and neither do these stories. I've simply stopped chronicling this portion of their lives."
That said, I'll gladly go read the next book. Is a publication date set?
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Date: 2006-01-09 03:06 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-01-09 12:42 pm (UTC)(You don't really think I'd have left that many loose ends untied, do you?) ;)
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Date: 2006-01-09 01:14 pm (UTC)(And why the heck am I arguing *against* a book that must be almost finished, by an author I like, which I will probably enjoy? I must be insane. Anyway.)
A gigantic setback has been dealt to the Lone Power. A major new ally has appeared on the side of Life. The dogs have made their Choice. Pretty much everyone we know is alive and working well, except for Nita's mother. (Incidentally, I think it was overly sentimental to heal Ronan. He made a valorous decision to sacrifice his life for the good of the universe, and if he lives in a Spider Robinson universe where no one good ever dies, that reduces the essential impact to being sidelined for the duration of the game.)
Nita and Kit have both accepted adult responsibilities, and there's no reason to think they won't go on and have good lives. It's interesting that Carmella has been so successful without a wizardly command of Speech, but it doesn't pose a mystery. At this point you could safely lay down the pen and answer all questions with "Life doesn't end, and neither do these stories. I've simply stopped chronicling this portion of their lives."
That said, I'll gladly go read the next book. Is a publication date set?