Reading: Deep Secret

Deep Secret is one of Diana Wynne Jones's few novels which were written for adults rather than children, which means that although one of the main characters is 14 the others are adults, and there are occasional references to sex. It's largely set at a science fiction convention taking place somewhere in England over and Easter weekend, and is full of lovely nods to fandom and fan communities, as well as being a compelling adventure with some interesting worldbuilding and clever use of traditional rhymes as the basis for magic, some very funny moments and a romance subplot which I absolutely adore. I decided to re-read it because I've been struggling to read lately and decided that what I needed was something cosy and comforting and familiar. This suggested a Diana Wynne Jones re-read, and I was about to go for Howl's Moving Castle when I spotted Deep Secret next to it and thought that would be the perfect book for someone who was still feeling sad about Eastercon being cancelled this year. I still found it tougher going than I normally would have done, but it is a delightful book and definitely a good re-read for tough times.