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Deep Secret (Hardcover)

by Diana Wynne Jones (Author) "I may as well start with some of our deep secrets because this account will not be easy to understand without them ..." (more)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Gollancz (6 Nov 1997)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 057506479X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0575064799
  • Product Dimensions: 22 x 14.5 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 414,503 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #72 in  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators > J > Jones, Diana Wynne

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Product Description

Product Description

Rupert Venables has been the junior Magid on Earth for only two years when his sponsor dies: it's up to him to find a replacement. However, his most promising candidate doesn't want to know him, and while he tries to win her trust, the fatelines of Earth become dangerously entangled.


About the Author

Diana Wynne Jones is Britain's foremost writer of children's fantasy, including the World Fantasy Award-nominated Archer's Goon, which was made into a six-part BBC TV series, and the Guardian Award-winning Charmed Life.
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I may as well start with some of our deep secrets because this account will not be easy to understand without them. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
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4.9 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favourite books, 9 Sep 2006
By George Eliot "irnan" (Zurich, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Deep Secret (Gollancz S.F.) (Paperback)
You know all those conspiracy theories about secret societies running the world? Well, as it turns out they have a basis in fact: the Magids are a group of magicians who answer to the mysterious "Upper Room" and whose job it is to maintain the balance of magic, keep an eye on magic-users in a myriad of worlds across the galaxy and, every now and then, give certain people a little nudge or two to get them (and events) going in the right direction. "Deep Secret" is the story of one Magid on Earth, Rupert Venables, and his attempt to find a successor for his recently deceased mentor Stan. It shouldn't really be a problem - there are a number of candidates, and all Rupert needs to do is pick the most suitable. So he gives fate a helping hand in order to bring all five candidates to a hotel in Wantchester, where he can interview them.
But once he gets there, he realises that NONE of them are suitable - and his problems don't stop there. A fantasy convention is logded in the hotel, trouble is brewing in the Koryfonic Empire (one of the worlds he is responsible for), Stan is haunting his car playing Scarlatti tapes, his neighbour Andrew keeps turning up in the most unexpected places, and to make matters worse, the most detested of the candidates Maree Mallory and her cousin Nick are rather inquisitive about Rupert's attempts to keep a lid on things - too inquisitive...

Sound confusing? It isn't when you read the book. Jones is far too good a storyteller for that. She weaves her character's seperate stories into a funny, smart, scary, magical, multi-layered tapestry that is enormous fun to read. A totally original story (no hero quests here, thank you very much!) engaging characters, lots of magic (I loved the Witchy Dance for Luck especially) and a sense of mischievous glee that underlies Jones's writing all combine to make "Deep Secret" totally irresistable.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Enter magic worlds, 26 Jul 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Deep Secret (Gollancz S.F.) (Paperback)
Deep secret is a book that allows you to enter magic worlds. I always feel that I can 'get inside' Ms Wynne Jones's stories, and this one is no exception. It makes you wonder about the world around you and I feel that it allows you to wonder about magic around you in a completely realistic way. Probably one of the elements that adds to this effect is the convincing and realistic deccriptions, e.g. of the appearance of the centaur or the strange and monstrous sweaters that one of the ladies wears. These are books that I tend to read as slowly as possible, never skipping anything. I even divide it up in chapters per day, so as to prevent myself from reading it all in one go. Wonderful stuff!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply enjoyable, 14 Jun 2005
This review is from: Deep Secret (Gollancz S.F.) (Paperback)
Fantasy and fun in a superbly imagined multiverse, this is undoubtedly one of DWJ's best books, and deserving of its stars. This story is full of laughter and doesn't take itself or the whole realm of fantasy/scifi too seriously. Any science-fiction fans with a sense of humour will delight in her hilarious description of a convention!

The key characters are delightfully engaging and you will find yourself wanting to know more of their escapades. The good news is that a second book (not strictly a follow-on, but set in the same worlds) called "The Merlin Conspiracy" is also available.

The only criticism is that the ending feels a little drawn out and seems to ramble. However, this would only knock off half a star rating at most, and the rest of the book is well worth the reading. Although aimed at 'adults', there is nothing in this book unsuitable for children, and it will also be enjoyed by younger readers with a good grasp of the genre or familiar with her other fantasy books.

Recommended to many friends, all of whom loved it. One of my personal favourites!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars READ IT!!
Fantastic! this was the first D.W.Jones I've read and I can safely say now that it won't be the last. I cared about the characters from the beginning. I laughed a lot. Read more
Published on 2 May 2005 by S. Stevens

5.0 out of 5 stars My personal favourite by a favourite author
This is DWJ's first adult fantasy novel, although the only 'adult' thing about it is that the main characters are not children; there's nothing that makes it unsuitable for a... Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2002 by ania_zofia

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection - As Usual
Deep Secret is another of Diana Wynne Jones' perfect books. (Howl's Moving Castle is the other.) Again DWJ takes a hero with all the ingredients of a first class pain in the gut... Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2002 by S. Odgers

5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS BOOK!!
I'm rarley dazzled by books, but Deep Secret has fantastic characters, plot and original touches which captivated and entertained every reader I've encountered. Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2002 by Fantasy Fan

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly her best book
I've loved Diana Wynne Jones' books ever since I first read Charmed Life at the age of eight, but Deep Secret is possibly the best yet. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars witty and well written, with good plotline
The synopsis doesn't do this book justice. Set in the present with intertwining worlds and characters, it is a well written book. Read more
Published on 8 May 2000 by schicken@zoom.co.uk

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! Magic for adults. Intelligent science fiction.
Rupert Venables is junior Magid,responsible for overseeing the balance of power - on earth and throughout the Koryfos Empire. Read more
Published on 6 April 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
This was the first book I had read by Diana Wynne Jones and from the back cover I wasn't too sure what to expect. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 1999

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