Scan barcode
utopias's review against another edition
5.0
It makes me sad to know that one day I will have read everything she has written. Another beautiful novel written by Diana Wynne Jones, I can't wait to read the next one in the series. I really appreciate how she can make such lovable, flawed, protagonists.
annikin's review against another edition
4.0
I'm currently reading another fantasy book ([b:Riddle-Master: The Complete Trilogy|19821|Riddle-Master The Complete Trilogy|Patricia A. McKillip|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309288704s/19821.jpg|78273]) that has a similar plot to this one: a young boy who's a talented musician discovers secret powers and must save the people he holds dear. In my opinion this book did everything better. The main characters were sympathetic and the plot had surprises that the reader didn't see coming. If you liked other books by Diana Wynne Jones, you'll like this one as well.
I would have liked a map though!
I would have liked a map though!
shonaholmes's review against another edition
4.0
Quick, fun read. Diana Wynne Jones is a delight as usual.
mewinig7's review against another edition
5.0
I'm in love with this book. And Diana Wynne Jones. And everything and everyone she writes about.
fclancy93's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
4.0
rlaferney's review against another edition
4.0
First published in 1975, Cart and Cwidder is the first in the best-selling Dalemark Quartet books and tells the story of Moril and his brother (Dagner) and sister (Brid) who are travelling musicians journeying through Dalemark, until one day they pick up a mysterious passenger (kialian). Somehow Moril’s family and the stranger are becoming bound together in terror, flight, and the liberation of music.
Diana Wynne Jones is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. i love that her writing is so varied (she write fantasy, romance, time-travel, and satire, sometimes all in the same book). I think that I enjoy her because she is very great at surprising her readers. Case in point: Cart and Cwidder starts off very slowly........ but quickly turns into an enthralling high stakes adventure.
Because the father gets violently murdered.
Before he dies he tells Moril his cwidder is enchanted.
Then hours later, Lenina decides she had enough of the life of a traveling entertainer and marries a lord who might or might not have killed her husband. Forget about the children. They are optional.
So, Dagner, Brid, Moril and Kialan take off to have adventures on their own. All of a sudden: freedom fighting. Magic. And growing up.
To say anymore would be to ruin the plot of this wonderful novel. Go and read this book if you haven't yet, you'll be glad you did. I already can't wait to reread it.
Diana Wynne Jones is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. i love that her writing is so varied (she write fantasy, romance, time-travel, and satire, sometimes all in the same book). I think that I enjoy her because she is very great at surprising her readers. Case in point: Cart and Cwidder starts off very slowly........ but quickly turns into an enthralling high stakes adventure.
Because the father gets violently murdered.
Before he dies he tells Moril his cwidder is enchanted.
Then hours later, Lenina decides she had enough of the life of a traveling entertainer and marries a lord who might or might not have killed her husband. Forget about the children. They are optional.
So, Dagner, Brid, Moril and Kialan take off to have adventures on their own. All of a sudden: freedom fighting. Magic. And growing up.
To say anymore would be to ruin the plot of this wonderful novel. Go and read this book if you haven't yet, you'll be glad you did. I already can't wait to reread it.
honeypossum_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
pelevolcana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-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? No
3.5
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It has been seven years since the death of Diana Wynne Jones, and I've been a fan of hers since childhood, but I had never read this series before.
The Dalemark Quartet, arguably the most effective series Jones ever wrote. Jones' genius didn't lend itself to sequels. When she created a world and characters she said all that she wanted to say in that first volume. That's why many sequels often had mostly new sets of characters, if not new worlds, and often, fell flat. Dalemark is a magical kingdom divided among feuding lords, with a sharp division between those in the North and those in the South. Ideology, prejudice, and history must be overcome and its fate rests in the hands of children, sometimes scattered over centuries.
'Cart and Cwidder' is the first novel of the series, and follows Moril and his siblings as they travel as musicians in their parent's cart. A journey across the treacherous South is dangerous enough without a price on their heads and being armed only with an ancestral cwidder, a musical instrument rumored to have rare powers.
This is a classic Jones novel, and I enjoyed the interplay between the young characters. It sketches out many elements of the plot that will be revealed as the story continues. In particular, the rules of magic were noteworthy, and the hints of the Undying, to be revealed further in later novels. This is a complete adventure, and can be read by itself.
Dalemark Quartet
Next: 'Drowned Ammet'
The Dalemark Quartet, arguably the most effective series Jones ever wrote. Jones' genius didn't lend itself to sequels. When she created a world and characters she said all that she wanted to say in that first volume. That's why many sequels often had mostly new sets of characters, if not new worlds, and often, fell flat. Dalemark is a magical kingdom divided among feuding lords, with a sharp division between those in the North and those in the South. Ideology, prejudice, and history must be overcome and its fate rests in the hands of children, sometimes scattered over centuries.
'Cart and Cwidder' is the first novel of the series, and follows Moril and his siblings as they travel as musicians in their parent's cart. A journey across the treacherous South is dangerous enough without a price on their heads and being armed only with an ancestral cwidder, a musical instrument rumored to have rare powers.
This is a classic Jones novel, and I enjoyed the interplay between the young characters. It sketches out many elements of the plot that will be revealed as the story continues. In particular, the rules of magic were noteworthy, and the hints of the Undying, to be revealed further in later novels. This is a complete adventure, and can be read by itself.
Dalemark Quartet
Next: 'Drowned Ammet'