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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
THE UNPREDICTABLE ENDINGG is what makes it a complete MASTERPIECE.
Prove me wrong.
Prove me wrong.
I'm a big Diana Wynne Jones fan but somehow I never got around to this series. This first book was a wild ride - there were lots of twists that I didn't see coming and that kept my interest so much that I fairly flew through this book. I'm reading the 2021 Greenwillow omnibus edition and it was a lovely experience - nice font, floppy pages, beautiful cover. I don't know if I will make it through book 2/the other half of the omnibus before it has to go back to the library. It's 5 days before Christmas and I have a stocking to finish knitting! (Edit: I did.)
Anyway, I think the weakest part of this book (or maybe just the most frustrating) is how much it suffers from Dumbledore syndrome. No one tells the main character anything - they either think he's not ready, or that he already knows, or perhaps even that he's in cahoots with the bad guys. Soooooooooo much could have been avoided if the beans had been spilled earlier. I guess plot-wise it has to run its course because we wouldn't get Janet... so I just have to accept it and move on. I'm really looking forward to continuing with this series.
Anyway, I think the weakest part of this book (or maybe just the most frustrating) is how much it suffers from Dumbledore syndrome. No one tells the main character anything - they either think he's not ready, or that he already knows, or perhaps even that he's in cahoots with the bad guys. Soooooooooo much could have been avoided if the beans had been spilled earlier. I guess plot-wise it has to run its course because we wouldn't get Janet... so I just have to accept it and move on. I'm really looking forward to continuing with this series.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This doesn't quite have the timelessness of Howl's Moving Castle but it was still an enjoyable story.
In a world where magical abilities are common, Cat is very proud of his older sister Gwendoline and her ambition to be a witch. It doesn't matter that she isn't always as nice to him (or other people) as he wishes she would be, Cat loves her and is grateful of her abilities. After all, her abilities saved his life in the boat accident that claimed their parents' lives. But Gwendoline's abilities are far beyond what the local hedge-wizard can teach her so Gwendoline attracts the attention of Chrestomanci, the most powerful enchanter in the land. Invited to live at his castle, Cat struggles to fit in, while Gwendoline rebels at the restrictions Chrestomanci places upon her abilities. He believes her ill-taught and arrogant beyond her abilities. Cat finds himself torn between love for his sister and dislike for her behaviour. But there are things happening that Cat doesn't understand and it may soon be too late to stop his sister's villainous plans.
The actual plot is fine in this story but some of the details haven't aged well (especially a constant thread of comments on the weight of Chrestomanci's two children by multiple characters - if I was reading this aloud to kids I would do some minor editing on the fly). Gwendoline also gets spanked by the children's tutor (for being a total little shit), it's justified (for time, place and attitudes towards spanking at time of writing) but also no longer something that would be at all okay. The otehr place I had issues were with the action sequences at the end of the book - I don't know if it was me but I really struggled to follow what was going on in that last chapter or two: people just appear, things happen and things get resolved but I am really not sure how and it seems like Cat doesn't understand it either.
There is also the annoying trope that appears in many Junior fiction / YA books which is there are adult characters who know EXACTLY what is happening and choose not to tell the protagonist for "reasons". Meanwhile the juvenile protagonist is freaking out the entire book because they think they are saving the world / crazy / doing something wrong / keeping a big important secret. It annoys the stuffing out of me. Especially in this case as Chrestomanci could have really let slip a hint or two.
In a world where magical abilities are common, Cat is very proud of his older sister Gwendoline and her ambition to be a witch. It doesn't matter that she isn't always as nice to him (or other people) as he wishes she would be, Cat loves her and is grateful of her abilities. After all, her abilities saved his life in the boat accident that claimed their parents' lives. But Gwendoline's abilities are far beyond what the local hedge-wizard can teach her so Gwendoline attracts the attention of Chrestomanci, the most powerful enchanter in the land. Invited to live at his castle, Cat struggles to fit in, while Gwendoline rebels at the restrictions Chrestomanci places upon her abilities. He believes her ill-taught and arrogant beyond her abilities. Cat finds himself torn between love for his sister and dislike for her behaviour. But there are things happening that Cat doesn't understand and it may soon be too late to stop his sister's villainous plans.
The actual plot is fine in this story but some of the details haven't aged well (especially a constant thread of comments on the weight of Chrestomanci's two children by multiple characters - if I was reading this aloud to kids I would do some minor editing on the fly). Gwendoline also gets spanked by the children's tutor (for being a total little shit), it's justified (for time, place and attitudes towards spanking at time of writing) but also no longer something that would be at all okay. The otehr place I had issues were with the action sequences at the end of the book - I don't know if it was me but I really struggled to follow what was going on in that last chapter or two: people just appear, things happen and things get resolved but I am really not sure how and it seems like Cat doesn't understand it either.
There is also the annoying trope that appears in many Junior fiction / YA books which is there are adult characters who know EXACTLY what is happening and choose not to tell the protagonist for "reasons". Meanwhile the juvenile protagonist is freaking out the entire book because they think they are saving the world / crazy / doing something wrong / keeping a big important secret. It annoys the stuffing out of me. Especially in this case as Chrestomanci could have really let slip a hint or two.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Death of parent
Starting a Chrestomanci series reread, and oh wow, the nostalgia! So far it's holding up well. The first book is all about Cat, who knows nothing, and the confusing things that happen to him. He's an endearing character, so this works. And Chrestomanci and his family are all intriguing, in their various ways. I remember I always adored Millie as a kid, and I still do. Janet, Roger, and Julia are also great.
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Multiple universes, magic and enchantments and dragons and one very unusual cat make this a fun filled adventure. Loved it
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes