Diane Duane

Diane Duane is an American science fiction and fantasy author who has written extensively across multiple genres since 1979. She is primarily known for her Young Wizards series of young adult novels and her contributions to the Star Trek universe through the Rihannsu novels. After beginning her career as a psychiatric nurse, Duane transitioned to writing full-time in the late 1970s with support from science fiction author David Gerrold. She has since authored over 50 books spanning original fantasy series, media tie-in novels, and television scripts. The Young Wizards series, which debuted in 1983 with "So You Want to Be a Wizard," represents some of her most enduring work in young adult fantasy literature. Her Star Trek novels, particularly the Rihannsu series exploring Romulan culture, have made significant contributions to the franchise's expanded universe. Currently based in Ireland with her husband, author Peter Morwood, Duane continues to write and update her existing works for contemporary audiences. In 2011, she began releasing modernized versions of her earlier Young Wizards novels, updating technological references while maintaining the core storytelling.

Readers appreciate Duane's complex magic systems, scientific accuracy, and emotional depth in character relationships. Her Young Wizards series resonates with fans for tackling serious themes while maintaining humor. Many readers note her unique blend of science and magic concepts. Frequent praise focuses on her dialogue writing and world-building. Fans highlight the realistic teen characters and lack of romantic clichés. Multiple reviews mention her consistent quality across long series. Common criticisms include dense exposition, especially in early chapters. Some readers find the technical/scientific elements overwhelming. A portion of reviews note pacing issues in the middle of books. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Young Wizards series averages 4.1/5 from 80,000+ ratings Amazon: Most titles maintain 4.3-4.7/5 LibraryThing: 4.2/5 average across works "She writes teens who actually sound like teens" appears frequently in positive reviews. Critical reviews often contain variations of "too much science explanation before the story gets going."

Young Wizards Series: So You Want to Be a Wizard - Two young people discover they have the ability to practice magic and must face a powerful enemy threatening their city.

Deep Wizardry - Young wizards Nita and Kit help aquatic creatures perform an ancient ceremony to prevent ecological disaster.

High Wizardry - Nita's younger sister Dairine becomes a wizard and embarks on an interstellar journey.

A Wizard Abroad - Nita travels to Ireland where she confronts ancient Celtic powers.

The Wizard's Dilemma - Nita faces personal crisis when her mother becomes ill and magic can't provide easy solutions.

A Wizard Alone - Kit helps an autistic wizard candidate complete his Ordeal while Nita deals with personal loss.

Wizard's Holiday - Nita and Kit participate in a wizard exchange program with alien species.

Wizards at War - Young wizards must save the universe when senior wizards begin losing their powers.

A Wizard of Mars - Kit's fascination with Mars leads to the discovery of ancient Martian secrets.

Games Wizards Play - Nita, Kit, and Dairine mentor younger wizards in a magical competition.

Star Trek Novels: The Wounded Sky - The Enterprise tests a new propulsion system that threatens the fabric of space-time.

My Enemy, My Ally - Captain Kirk works with a Romulan commander to prevent an interstellar war.

The Romulan Way - A deep exploration of Romulan society through the eyes of a Federation agent.

Spock's World - Vulcan considers seceding from the Federation, forcing Spock to confront his heritage.

Dark Mirror - The Enterprise-D encounters their counterparts from a mirror universe.

Doctor's Orders - Dr. McCoy temporarily commands the Enterprise while Kirk is away.

Other Works: The Book of Night with Moon - Feline wizards protect Manhattan from supernatural threats.

To Visit the Queen - Time-traveling cats attempt to prevent an assassination in Victorian London.

Tom Clancy's Net Force Explorers: Virtual Vandals - Young cyber agents investigate computer crimes in a near-future setting.

Tom Clancy's Net Force Explorers: The Deadliest Game - Net Force's young agents confront dangerous virtual reality games.

Tamora Pierce writes fantasy novels centered on young people discovering their magical abilities and navigating complex political worlds. Her series feature detailed magical systems and strong worldbuilding similar to Duane's approach to both fantasy and science fiction elements.

Andre Norton pioneered young adult science fiction and fantasy with works that blend both genres seamlessly. Her stories about young protagonists discovering their powers and place in the universe share themes with Duane's Young Wizards series.

Patricia C. Wrede creates fantasy worlds with well-defined magical rules and often features young characters learning to master supernatural abilities. Her work combines humor and serious themes in a way that parallels Duane's writing style.

David Gerrold writes science fiction that explores complex social and technological concepts through accessible narratives. His work in both original fiction and Star Trek tie-in novels shares common ground with Duane's contributions to the genre.

Mercedes Lackey develops fantasy series with detailed magical systems and coming-of-age themes. Her works feature young characters discovering their abilities while facing both personal and world-changing challenges.