Cause and Effect - Wizards at War

            In the book Wizards at War by Diane Duane, things may seem a little random and hectic at times but many things are closely related to each other, sometimes the last link countering the first. These chains happen both in real life and in books. If they didn’t thins wouldn’t make sense.

            First of all, when the hesper was awakening, the Lone Power created a surge of dark matter called the “Pullulus” to distract the wizards of the universe while he worked to stop the hesper. This caused just the opposite of what he wanted; it actually drew out the wizards to search for the hesper’s help. In the end, this caused the young wizards to help the hesper awaken, the one thing the Lone Power was trying to prevent.

            So things that seem random at the moment may be connected, and sometime your action may cause a reaction that will counter it. This book was only an example. I’ve seen plenty of other things happen like these both in books, other media, and real life. Look around, because reactions like these are everywhere.

Point of View - Wizards at War

            In the book Wizards at War by Diane Duane, sometimes there are scenes that are confusing, since you only get one perspective. In these scenes there tends to be one point of view that is missing to really understand the scene, and this doesn’t just happen in this book, but other ones too.

            However, in this book, the one scene I’d really like to see from another point of view is the scene where the young wizards that are the main characters of the book meet the hesper, and have to teach her about even simple things such as “I”, and “You”.

The wizards understand these concepts well and speak about it calmly. Meanwhile, there are several hints that suggest that the hesper is nervous. She shakes and is probably thinking something along the lines of “uhh... Should I be talking to these people? I’ve never seen their kind before and if I get caught it will mean big trouble!”

            See how that would have made things clearer? The way it is now, you only get a general idea of what the hesper is thinking and doesn’t allow you to really understand her emotions. It really helps to see scenes from this point of view, I think. I’d love to read a new version of the scene with this I mind.

Prediction - The Barcode Rebellion

            In the book The Bar Code Rebellion by Suzanne Weyn, 17-year-old Kayla and her friends are trapped in a world where you need a barcode implanted with your DNA or you won’t even be allowed to live. This barcode must be applied when a child turns 17. Kayla has refused the bar code, and some of her friends have too, and one even burned it off. This is because your genetics are stored in your bar code and possibly worse, and imperfections can ruin your life.

            Sometimes, I wonder what will happen next, but I have a pretty good guess. Another book series I have read called the Inheritance Series has a similar plot. Kayla and her friends will encounter many hardships on their run from the law. At times they will doubt themselves but in the end the suppressive Global-1 will be overthrown.

            Consequentially, the bar codes will cease to exist, and life will become normal again. The question is, what is it that required their removal? What was in that bar code? I guess I’ll just have to keep reading and find out.

Compare & Contrast - Wizards at War vs. Wizards of Waverly Place

The book Wizards at War by Diane Duane is about a group of young wizards and two friends from the “Wizard Exchange Program” who have to save the universe from a surge of dark matter called “the Pullulus”, which has disabled senior wizards from performing wizardries. When I read it, it made me think of a show on the television called “Wizards of Waverly Place”, shown on Disney Channel. It features three young wizards who are being taught wizardry by their father, a former wizard. They then have to use their knowledge to save both the real world and the “Wizard World”. The two have some things that are the same, but a few things that are different.

            For example, one of the most obvious relations that can be made is the fact that they are both about wizards, but the way that who will be a wizard is decided is extremely different. In Wizards at War, wizardry is almost never in the family and is completely random. Then they are taken under the wing (sometimes literally) of a senior wizard to be trained, and all wizards will become seniors at some point. Meanwhile, In “Wizards of Waverly Place”, Wizardry does run in the family, and you are taught by your wizard parents. When the young wizards in the family are ready, a “Wizard Competition” is held and only the best wizard will become a full wizard.

            Another difference between the two is the method used to cast spells. In Wizards at War, it is done by saying phrases in “the Speech” to command the universe to bend to the will of the wizard. These spells can range from a single word to complex phrases that require multiple wizards to perform. If a single wizard were to take on one of these spells, it could kill them. In “Wizards of Waverly Place”, Spells are cast by saying a few words and waving your finger or wand, depending on the power of the spell. Spell casting ability is almost solely based on your knowledge of spells. However, some spells are so powerful that you must be a full wizard to cast them, and some things are impossible to do.

            Alternatively, the themes of the show and book are the same. It’s all about teamwork. In almost every situation, the young wizards have to work together to win the day. Whether you’re reading Wizards at War, or watching “Wizards of Waverly Place”, it’s all the same. In fact, near the end of Wizards at War, hundreds of wizards had to channel their power to almost defeat the Pullulus. And in one episode of “Wizards of Waverly Place”, all three of the wizards in the show had to team up to stop a robber.

            All in all, the two may have a lot in common, but they are different in many ways, they have the same sort of theme, and even the same kind of plot at times. However, they have some serious differences. Which one you’d prefer is really matter of opinion. Take your pick, because despite their differences, they’re the same at the core.

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            The book Wizards at War by Diane Duane is about a group of young wizards and two friends from the “Wizard Exchange Program” who have to save the universe from a surge of dark matter called “the Pullulus”, which has disabled senior wizards from performing wizardries. When I read it, it made me think of a show on the television called “Wizards of Waverly Place”, shown on Disney Channel. It features three young wizards who are being taught wizardry by their father, a former wizard. They then have to use their knowledge to save both the real world and the “Wizard World”. The two have some things that are the same, but a few things that are different.

            For example, one of the most obvious relations that can be made is the fact that they are both about wizards, but the way that who will be a wizard is decided is extremely different. In Wizards at War, wizardry is almost never in the family and is completely random. Then they are taken under the wing (sometimes literally) of a senior wizard to be trained, and all wizards will become seniors at some point. Meanwhile, In “Wizards of Waverly Place”, Wizardry does run in the family, and you are taught by your wizard parents. When the young wizards in the family are ready, a “Wizard Competition” is held and only the best wizard will become a full wizard.