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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This is a very uneven collection. I adore some of the stories, and the novella is fabulous, but other stories barely kept my attention all the way through.
Some interesting things, but I liked the cat stories especially.
A collection of short stories (and one novella) that spark with fun and (of course) magic. For several of the short stories I was disappointed that the story didn't continue. The stories all center around the theme of magic--typically an understated, expected part of the world. The narrators are cats, children, and adults. The novella was compelling, a solid introduction to fantasy literature for younger readers with short attention spans.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
Reviews and more on my blog: Entering the Enchanted Castle
A collection of short fiction by the inimitable Diana Wynne Jones. Visit the blog for a post with "if you liked this story, then read ..." suggestions: https://enterenchanted.com/unexpected-magic-celebrating-the-final-edition-of-march-magics/
A collection of short fiction by the inimitable Diana Wynne Jones. Visit the blog for a post with "if you liked this story, then read ..." suggestions: https://enterenchanted.com/unexpected-magic-celebrating-the-final-edition-of-march-magics/
I thought I was the world's biggest Diana Wynne Jones fan, but apparently even I have my limits. I'm not sure the short form shows her off to best advantage, and after a while (a short while) some of the stories seem awfully repetitive. Yes, I enjoy her style and savour that consistent tone, but so many stories feature difficult characters and exasperated protagonists. It's there in her novels too, but I read those spaced apart. This felt like a cake, where the first slice tasted great, but you shortly realise there are still 12 more slices and no one to help you eat them--by the end, that great cake didn't feel so great.
So read it--but buy it (mine was from the library), and let some time pass between stories. Read one a month, say, and after a year and a half you'll have had such a treat. But back-to-back, it's too much of a muchness.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, I'm a bit more ruthless.
So read it--but buy it (mine was from the library), and let some time pass between stories. Read one a month, say, and after a year and a half you'll have had such a treat. But back-to-back, it's too much of a muchness.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, I'm a bit more ruthless.
I have a hard time rating Short Story collections just due to the fact all the stories are different, but I feel like this collection deserves a good 4 star rating. DJW has an awesome writing style and I am glad I got a taste of what it's like before I start one of her series.
She has a good taste of creating characters and different stories. None of these stories felt too similair and that was nice.
It took me a long time to get through with this collection, but It was nice to finish.
She has a good taste of creating characters and different stories. None of these stories felt too similair and that was nice.
It took me a long time to get through with this collection, but It was nice to finish.
short stories from the queen of fantasy, dwj. i felt very nostalgic reading them. 4 stars
This book had some absolutely wonderful and imaginative short stories, but they seem to be toward the middle and end. I thought the novella was interesting, but not as good as some of the short stories which could be full books in their own right. This is a great example of how short stories can be fantasy and still be full stories. While this collection didn't quite shine as much as DWJ's novels, it was still a fun read that kept me up into the wee hours of the night turning pages.