In the tenth chapter of The Wizard’s Dilemma, Nita makes progress on her matrix, and Kit narrowly misses her, making this a frustrating romantic comedy EXCEPT IT ISN’T. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to read Young Wizards.Â
Nita
Okay, A CHARM BRACELET. A WIZARDLY CHARM BRACELET. That is the coolest shit ever. Like I said on video, all I wanted from this was a sense of the physical size of this wizardry; it was about the only thing I didn’t understand. The opening scene in chapter ten, combined with the scene with Carl, helped me to get an idea what this thing looked like. The charm bracelet is a thematically and practically brilliant idea (she could wear it or stuff it in a pocket!), but then, getting to see it stretched out by Carl… THAT’S SO AWESOME.
It’s a positive, at least for now. The opening scene gives us a snapshot into the emotional state of the entire Callahan family, and suffice to say that things aren’t great. Again, these characters have found a solace in honesty, and I admire that. Dairine doesn’t hide her anger and rage and sadness, and while Harry is trying to keep things together for his daughters, he’s not deceiving them either.
Actually, no one is. I guess I never put that thought in words, despite that this whole series is full of wizards, and wizards are not supposed to lie. Duane has managed to craft an entire series with this one consistency at work, AND IT IS AMAZING TO ME. The only example of miscommunication as a plot line here is Kit and Nita constantly missing one another, but Duane doesn’t rely on deception or lying to build conflict. It’s refreshing, y’all! There’s still interpersonal conflict, and these characters disagree with one another all the time, but lying is not the basis for it.
Anyway, can I have a backyard with a koi pond who talks to me in haikus? That would be great, thanks for getting on this, friends.
Kit
WELL, A MAJOR QUESTION WAS FINALLY ANSWERED FOR ME: The worlds that Ponch and Kit created still exist. I almost want to go back and count how many individual worlds that Kit made on that walk, but I’m sure the number would be ridiculous. Twenty? Thirty? ALL BY HIMSELF, all flouting every known rule about energy conservation and science and wizardry. Those creatures are real, too! What are they doing right now? Can I go be friends with that elephant?
Okay, on to more serious issues: Does this mean that whatever world Nita creates from her test run will live out an entire existence? What if that world is a failure? OH MY GOD. Can you stop one of these worlds from existing? WHAT IF ONE OF THE WORLDS PROLIFERATES WITH THE MAIN UNIVERSE???
No, you don’t get it, this is all I can think about. I feel like this one detail changed the entire track of The Wizard’s Dilemma because WHAT IF THE DILEMMA IS ABOUT THE WORLD NITA CREATES. Oh, this is too much. Remember when me just wanting Nita and Kit to finally talk was on the top of my list of things I wanted? NOPE, I NEED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN NITA TESTS OUT HER MATRIX.
(I also want them to talk, this is excruciating, I just want them to be best friends again.)
http://youtu.be/QvX3SldHXkQ?a
Mark Links Stuff
– I am now on Patreon! There are various levels of support, from $1 up to whatever you want! You’ll get to read a private blog, extra reviews, and other such rewards. I POST A LOT OF CUTE PHOTOS, OKAY. Think of it like a private Tumblr blog that only SPECIAL PEOPLE get to read.
– I have updated my list of conventions and events for the remainder of the year and much of next year.  Check the full list of events on my Tour Dates / Appearances page.
– My Master Schedule is updated for the near and distant future for most projects, so please check it often. My next Double Features for Mark Watches have been announced here.
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