Reviews

The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones

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purple_frog's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted 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? Yes

4.5

bungadinding's review against another edition

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3.0

Setelah baca beberapa buku Diana Wynne Jones, mulai bisa lihat tipe-tipe karakter doi biasanya seperti apa. Tokoh utamanya biasanya anak cowok lugu yang awalnya nggak sadar kalau dia punya kekuatan sihir yang besar. Tokoh anak ceweknya biasanya lebih pemberani dan cerewet. Oke-oke aja sih. Tapi berhubung buku ini merupakan prekuel buku-buku Chrestomanci yang lain, yang menceritakan waktu Christopher Chant masih anak-anak dan belum diangkat jadi Chrestomanci yang sekarang, jadi sadar nggak sadar waktu membaca aku berusaha menemukan 'kaitan' antara karakter Christopher dengan Chrestomanci dewasa dari buku-buku lain. Sayangnya kok aku kurang nemu 'kaitan' itu.

Susah ngebayangin Christopher bakal jadi Chrestomanci yang terkesan kaku, misterius dan sinis kayak karakternya yang udah dewasa di Charmed Life. Yang lebih susah lagi ngebayangin seorang tokoh lain yang kita tahu setelah dewasa sifatnya selalu terkesan lemah lembut, tapi di buku ini... yah, masih nggak kelihatan sama sekali lemah lembutnya =))

Memang sih di buku ini juga disinggung sekilas masa lalu Gabriel de Witt, Chrestomanci pendahulu Christopher. Ternyata Gabriel pun waktu bocah bandel-bandel gitu, lalu semakin dewasa sifatnya semakin muram dan keras kayak yang kemudian dikenal Christopher. Tapi gimana ya, buatku perubahan karakter Christopher dan Putri Asheth dari buku ini ke buku-buku lain tetep terkesan agak maksa.

Selain soal itu, buku ini bagus. Khas ceritanya Diana Wynne Jones yang petualangannya padat tapi tetap terkesan ringan menghibur dan jenaka. Selalu suka sama konsep dunia-dunia pararel dalam universe-nya Chrestomanci, di buku ini makin suka lagi dengan cara Christopher yang bisa menjelahahi dunia-dunia itu lewat mimpi. Suka juga sama Mordecai Roberts, yang menurutku dia malah punya karakter yang lebih kompleks dan unik dibanding yang lain.

widdershins3853's review against another edition

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4.0

En-chant-ing I haven't read the other books in this series, but I tried this because I really love Howl's Moving Castle. The beginning of the story felt so inventive that it really pulled me in. I have to admit though, I got a little stressed out when Christopher kept using up his lives.

midwifereading's review against another edition

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4.0

I am thoroughly enjoying this magical world! It's so very British, for one. Then there's a dangerous smuggling ring, a mighty ginger cat, a boy having adventures in his dreams, a young goddess, and lots of otherworldly adventures!

This one reminds me, ever-so-slightly of The Magician's Nephew, by C.S. Lewis, with its "Place Between" filled with "Anywheres." It's not a read-alike, by any means, but belongs alongside it as a friendly acquaintance.

rcarsonb's review against another edition

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4.0

This was fun. Charmed Life 2.0 but actually 0.0. Last chapter was like…wHAT is happening but in a fun way.

inkshadows's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

Content Warnings

dembury's review against another edition

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3.0

The thing is, while this book is loads better than the first in the series in terms of plot and characters, that it unfortunately still has an ironclad grip on a deeply fatphobic attitude as well as some other points that just haven’t aged well at all, such as anti-Roma racism.
The core story is interesting and Jones presents some really original ideas but it’s impossible to enjoy it thoroughly because of these other aspects. The end result is something very middle-of-the-road because it’s clear there is a fun plot, yet it’s sadly written by someone who holds some very misguided opinions on certain people.