Chapter Thirty-Two: Deep Secret

Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones is definitely a book that should not be kept a secret!  This is one of my all-time favorite, most-often-reread books.  On the broadest level, it is a story about a young man trying to find a replacement Magid (sort of like a wizard, but not really, except in that Magids also use magic) when his mentor dies while also handling a crisis in an empire in another world.  So if you like really good fantasy, this book is certainly for you.  But even if you're only lukewarm on fantasy, it's worth checking this book out, and here's why.  For one thing, there aren't too many fantasy-specific terms, and the ones that are used are pretty clearly explained--and these explanations are brief and fit right into the fabric of the text.  For another thing, the characters are great.  I feel that I would recognize any of them if I ran into them on the street, and I would be happy to meet any of them (except perhaps the villains).  They're so likable while also being realistic and making their share of mistakes and having their fair share of character flaws.  Furthermore, the plot is really excellent: it's original and unpredictable but also not so convoluted that it becomes difficult to follow.  And of course Jones is a master writer.  So, in conclusion, read this book.  It is one of my favorites and I hope it will become one of yours, too!