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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
TRULY THE BOOK OF ALL TIME. AN ALL TIME FAVORITE. CHRESTOMANCI LOVE OF MY LIFE. SO FUN, SO STUPID, AGHH I GO CRAZY WHEN I READ THIS. MAY I REPEAT: CHRESTOMANCI LOVE OF MY LIFEEE.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
This is one of the few formative books from my childhood that still holds up really well! I enjoyed the story and it was fun rereading it and seeing how everything was set up for various plot points and reveals. Gwendolen is absolutely unrepentantly horrible, and it's a little depressing how pathetic Cat is around/because of her. I wish the side characters were fleshed out in this a bit more (dont remember if they are in later books) especially But god its such a relief to finally reread an old book and not be crushed with disappointment at how bad it actually is. The ebook version I read also had some worldbuilding mini chapters and an interview, which was neat! Looking back, this was the first series I ever read with and I like where it goes with it. Still good, still recommend!
Spoiler
Millie, who is apparently a badass and powerful witch.Spoiler
fantasy multiverse nonsense I love
It has been at least 10 years since I last read the Chrestomanci series and I deeply regret it has been that long. I love this series so much and rereading it has only reminded me of why. I only remembered the key thing about this plot line, everything else was like reading the story anew and it was so enjoyable and fun. DWJ always makes magic come alive in such a charming way and has such interesting characters that can't help but love.
This book was enough to get me interested in the rest of the series, but on its own, not that appealing to me. Gwendolyn is such a horrible, awful character and it was terrible to read how she treated everyone around her. But Cat/Eric was quite fantastic and interesting.
Greenwillow Books (an imprint of Harper Collins) has made the unfortunate decision to sell each one of the Chrestomanci books separately in the eBook version. This is unfortunate for two reasons: first because they're charging as much for a single book as they previously did for a print volume with two books and second because someone might give up on this wonderful series after the first book. So if you read Charmed Life and are interested but not in love with the series, give the second book in the series a try because it is really fabulous.
Greenwillow Books (an imprint of Harper Collins) has made the unfortunate decision to sell each one of the Chrestomanci books separately in the eBook version. This is unfortunate for two reasons: first because they're charging as much for a single book as they previously did for a print volume with two books and second because someone might give up on this wonderful series after the first book. So if you read Charmed Life and are interested but not in love with the series, give the second book in the series a try because it is really fabulous.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hear me out... Chrestomanci. There I said it. It's not that kind of story, but Diane Wynne Jones unintentionally writes magical men that capture my interest (see: Wizard Howl).
Jones is a master at fantasy writing - it is quintessentially whimsical and what I consider to be cozy, even though Cat is stressed for most of the book. You just kind of feel bad for him for most of it LOL even though it is classified as a children's book, magic and fantasy lovers like me can still find ourselves immersed and captivated by this story, especially if you seek out the beauty of magic in the mundane and every day. Sometimes adult books can be overexplained or too political; there is a balance that Jones establishes through a child's lens that keeps the magic alive in these pages.
Absolutely charming :) I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series and more of Jones' books!
Jones is a master at fantasy writing - it is quintessentially whimsical and what I consider to be cozy, even though Cat is stressed for most of the book. You just kind of feel bad for him for most of it LOL even though it is classified as a children's book, magic and fantasy lovers like me can still find ourselves immersed and captivated by this story, especially if you seek out the beauty of magic in the mundane and every day. Sometimes adult books can be overexplained or too political; there is a balance that Jones establishes through a child's lens that keeps the magic alive in these pages.
Absolutely charming :) I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series and more of Jones' books!