The Young Wizard's series is not just for Young Adults... I was in my 30's when I discovered it. I'm hooked. That said...
This book lives up to the tradition that Ms Duane has created for scenes that are either slyly or blatantly funny, thoughtful, poignant, terrifying, awe-inspiring, shiver-giving, and above all, believable in the context of the story.
Her characters all have their strengths and weaknesses...and they are not static either... one of the subplots deals with Dairine no longer having the incredible power levels she started out with and having to deal with this, not to mention possible loss of her mother and adolescence just around the corner... heavy stuff for an 11 year old who can put 'Created a sentient silicone race' on her resume.
Ms Duane does not fall into the 'Wizardry can solve everything' rut either, she even has Nita muse that while it may be the simple answer sometimes it isn't always the right one.
Her characters may have super powers, and get into some pretty fantastical situations, but they themselves are always believable, real, multidimensional. They make mistakes. They lose their tempers. They misinterpret what someone says, then second-guess themselves about what he/she really meant, and agonize about what they should have said. There is a scene between Nita and her mom that is sweet, touching, and makes you stop and think...how important is it REALLY to be 'right'?
They don't stop being real people with real problems and concerns just because they have extra powers and abilities.
It is not just the Young Adults who can thoroughly enjoy and benefit from reading this series... and it's nice to know that even wizards are just people, (although not necessarily human-type) too.