Introducing....Young Wizards by Diane Duane:
The first book in the series, So You Want To Be A Wizard, was published in the early 80s and the rest of the series have been published on and off every few years since then. The books mostly center on Nita Callahan and Kit Rodriguez. Nita's sister, Dairine Callahan, also has some point-of-view time in some of the books and can therefore be considered a major character after the third book, High Wizardry. Each book has its own identifiable conflict, rather than an overall conflict that gets solved bit by bit over the entire series (example: Fablehaven and Eragon). There is, however, one overall conflict that gets brought up over the entire series: the Lone Power is trying to kill the universe with entropy and the main characters must fight whatever manifestation of the Lone Power that pops up.
The series is great, because it has actual science (plus theoretical science, mathematics, and sci-fi geekery) as well as the traditional magic themes in a fantasy series. For example, in High Wizardry Dairine meets Doctor Who in an alien airport that works with high-tech science and magic. It has the traditional sci-fi "common tongue" deal, called the Speech (which describes everything in the universe perfectly). But what exactly is it about?
The series is about these kids that have been called by the Powers of the universe to be wizards. Wizards slow down entropy, fight the Lone Power (inventor of death; the bad kind, not the grateful release kind), and have a bunch of fun adventures trying to broaden everyone's understanding of the universe. Nita and Kit go to alternate universes, turn into whales, fight ancient manifestations of the Lone Power in Ireland, and go on vacation on exotic planets. Dairine even creates an entire race of silicone-based life forms. The most recent book out, A Wizard of Mars, is about what happened to life on Mars and what happens when it comes back. Another great thing, the series is still going (Diane Duane has plans for at least a twelfth installment). Duane is also working to update the technology in the earlier books and make the timeline between books more smooth. For example, Dairine gets a computer in the third book that made it painfully clear that the book was written in 1990.
Introducing...Harry Potter by JK Rowling:
The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, in the series was published in the early-to-mid 90's. The books almost completely focus on Harry Potter (except in beginning chapters to act as prologues, then the point of view is from another character). Harry is helped by many other friends (adult and teen alike), but the two people that help him the most are Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Each book has a specific conflict that ties into a major conflict, which is that evil wizard Voldemort is trying to take over the world.
The books are pretty great in the fact that they're focused on the teen/tween audience, but an adult can still read and enjoy the books. The fantasy aspect is very strong because the wizarding community separates itself from the non-magic community (the world at large, called Muggles). This means that it's all magic wands, flying broomsticks, and old castles. Harry was raised in a muggle household, so he's much more aware of math, science, and day-to-day life in the muggle world. This makes it slightly less annoying that most wizards don't even know what a gun or a light bulb is.
The series is about how Harry Potter has been raised by his horrible aunt and uncle, who hate and neglect him, but then finds out that he's a wizard. Harry then goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn how to use magic, where he then meets and befriends Ron and Hermione. Each book presents a little mystery that the trio must solve in order to keep evil Lord Voldemort from coming back to power. Harry and his friends must find the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's stone, defeat a basilisk, compete in a magical tournament, and eventually fight Voldemort face-to-face. The series did end already (Deahtly Hallows came out in 2007 and the last movie came out on Blue-ray last November), but it's one of those series that you can go back to over and over. JK Rowling recently started an online game called Pottermore, where fans can go through the books in the series chapter by chapter and experience a virtual version of the wizarding world. Pottermore will also have a shop opening later this year (whenever they let more than beta testers in, which appears to be never) that will have the first ever Harry Potter e-books.
And the winner of this round is....
Both. I love both series for various reasons. Harry Potter was the very first chapter book I ever read. Young Wizards is one of the few series where I can actually relate to the characters, and the magic part makes sense (spells are ways that the wizards describe what they want to happen and then try to convince the universe to make happen). So for this round, The Premise, they both win. Next post I will discuss the two story arcs. See ya!
Editor's note: I added pictures, it just had to be done :)
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