School Library Journal Review
Gr 6-8-Kit Rodriguez is having a rough time. His family's new DVD player and remote control are too busy yelling obscenities at each other to work the TV, and his dog is asking his mother questions about the meaning of life. Even worse, his best friend and partner in wizardry, Nita, grieving over her mother's death, shuts him out emotionally and telepathically. To top it off, Kit has just been sent on an assignment to see why a new wizard's initial Ordeal is taking so long. Upon investigation, he finds that Darryl, an autistic boy of about 11, has the ability to create complex worlds that can contain the Lone Power, but he cannot seem to end his Ordeal, and Kit and his dog must risk their lives and enter Darryl's world to save him. Finally, when Nita realizes that they might be trapped there forever, she is able to put aside her grief and help them. This sixth book in the series covers a lot of ground. Readers who haven't read the previous books may be a little lost at first, but Duane's characters and plot will quickly draw them in. The scenes between Kit and the electronics are hysterical. The incorporation of Darryl's autism is seamless and drives the plot forward. This book belongs in all libraries that have the earlier titles in the series; those that don't may want to consider buying them so they can justify adding this one.-Lisa Prolman, Greenfield Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Young wizard Kit Rodriguez is assigned to assist a wizard aspirant who turns out to be an autistic African-American boy, Darryl. Kit's partner, Nita, must overcome her grief at her mother's death to help. Duane invents some neat metaphysical concepts, but the story is bloated with irrelevant detail and a ham-handed emotionalism, and Darryl's autism and Nita's depression seem tacked on. From HORN BOOK Spring 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 6^-10. Even readers who have not followed Nita and Kit through five previous adventures will find this a fine fantasy. Duane expertly weaves in how the teens have explained their calling to their families and integrated wizard training into urban teen life. This tale is full of dark textures and the title resonates: Nita is grieving for her mother, who has recently died; Kit misses Nita's friendship and support as she turns inward; both of them are attempting to assist a young wizard who is autistic and has vanished on his Ordeal. Duane's homely magic is beautifully and fully imagined: Nita keeps some of her spells in charms on a bracelet; Kit has a buddy relationship with his dog Ponch, whose language he understands. Musings about serious subjects are an integral part of the story, but Duane's humor and her gift for the offhand quip never falter. The constellation of family and mentors around Nita and Kit are fully visible, from annoying younger sisters (also wizards-in-training) to a therapist who understands more than Nita suspects. GraceAnne A. DeCandido