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readcover2cover's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book - far more than I thought I would! I've had this on my shelf for years (probably at least 10!) and I decided I either need to read it or get rid of it. So I finally read it and I will definitely read the next one! It was really well-written. I hope my son reads it when he gets older. It's a fun, creative storyline with likeable characters. I can't wait to read more by this author!
dhieta's review against another edition
4.0
Saya pas baca novel ini berhenti hanya waktu turun dari kereta, kerja, naik kereta lagi, dan tidur doang.
Yang saya suka dari buku ini adalah dunia dalam Chrestomanci, ditambah karakter Cat yang adorable.
Yang saya suka dari buku ini adalah dunia dalam Chrestomanci, ditambah karakter Cat yang adorable.
silquesoleil's review against another edition
5.0
read for the 2015 reading challenge: a book that came out the year you were born
I don't think you understand how stoked I was for this book. The second one of the Crestomanci novels came out in 1988, and the same can be said of this edition which contains the first novel as well and since I had planned to read the entire series at some point (and Howl's Moving Castle as well), buying this version seemed to be the smartest decision, financially.
The thing is, one doesn't even need to have read the first novel before starting the second one, but I don't regret one minute that I invested into reading it. It was just so delightful, truly magical and fun. It also seems like Diana Wynne Jones is a cat person, which is more than fine with me.
In terms of worldbuilding, it was beautifully done, although it lacked a bit on the theoretical side of the magic system. It's quite obvious that there are ranks, and that the magic obeys to rules, however I wish there was more information on how it was cast.
Words can not describe how much I love Millie especially. She is competent, she is a darling, she is so average-looking, it's beautiful.
I'm still burning to find out about the younger Michael, I hope he will appear in one of the other books.
I don't think you understand how stoked I was for this book. The second one of the Crestomanci novels came out in 1988, and the same can be said of this edition which contains the first novel as well and since I had planned to read the entire series at some point (and Howl's Moving Castle as well), buying this version seemed to be the smartest decision, financially.
The thing is, one doesn't even need to have read the first novel before starting the second one, but I don't regret one minute that I invested into reading it. It was just so delightful, truly magical and fun. It also seems like Diana Wynne Jones is a cat person, which is more than fine with me.
In terms of worldbuilding, it was beautifully done, although it lacked a bit on the theoretical side of the magic system. It's quite obvious that there are ranks, and that the magic obeys to rules, however I wish there was more information on how it was cast.
Words can not describe how much I love Millie especially. She is competent, she is a darling, she is so average-looking, it's beautiful.
I'm still burning to find out about the younger Michael, I hope he will appear in one of the other books.
thatgirlwiththeteapot's review against another edition
4.0
So I found the first book almost stressful at times-- Cat just kept digging himself a deeper hole, and his refusal to reach out for help was endlessly frustrating!
I love the world that's been set up, though, and getting to learn about Christopher in the second book was really interesting. I love the view of morality that is developed in The Lives of Christopher Chant.
I love the world that's been set up, though, and getting to learn about Christopher in the second book was really interesting. I love the view of morality that is developed in The Lives of Christopher Chant.
aisleyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
urbanaudreye's review against another edition
5.0
Charmed Life: Eric and Gwendolyn Chant are orphans. Gwendolyn is a witch and Eric an enchanter in his own right. They find themselves in the care of Chrestomanci... a magical political figurehead whose position must be held by a magical person with nine lives. Neither Chant feels themselves suited to life with Chrestomanci. Gwendolyn solves this problem by abandoning her brother, and a replacement, with Chrestomanci while going off to live in another world, leaving Eric and Janet to deal with the aftermath.
The Lives of Christopher Chant: Christopher Chant's parents are not on precisely the best terms. In fact, Christopher barely sees his father, until one day, he dies! After that everything changes. Christopher awakens in the morgue. After being examined by some highly curious people his father takes him to be trained in magic to become the next Chrestomanci. While Christopher is not fond of this decision, he soon finds himself entangled in an interworld political war he unwittingly helped begin.
The Lives of Christopher Chant: Christopher Chant's parents are not on precisely the best terms. In fact, Christopher barely sees his father, until one day, he dies! After that everything changes. Christopher awakens in the morgue. After being examined by some highly curious people his father takes him to be trained in magic to become the next Chrestomanci. While Christopher is not fond of this decision, he soon finds himself entangled in an interworld political war he unwittingly helped begin.
eklsolo's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
princenbeaux's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jordan1978's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
milkylumps's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read this for the first time when I was like 10, im 34 now and I still reread it or listen to the audio version. It’s my comfort book. The world and the characters are completely transporting and the tempo and humor are perfect for me (dark humor, lots of sarcasm). I read once that the author was effected by living through wwii in England and I can see that in the way she writes about people in shady situations, it’s hard to explain but she handles writing about humanity in simplified situations very well.