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inkshadows's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Classism, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Toxic friendship
the_cheerful_necromancer's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ported over from my now-abandoned Goodreads:
Glorious fun! I was lucky enough to discover the Chrestomanci series right before I aged out of their target audience.
Wynne Jones' world pulls me in perfectly every time; every single setting feels wonderfully real and charming, if you'll excuse the pun. These are definitely comfort books for me and Charmed Life is no exception. It's a great little tale of strange new beginnings, surprisingly dark circumstances, and stepping out of someone else's shadow.
Glorious fun! I was lucky enough to discover the Chrestomanci series right before I aged out of their target audience.
Wynne Jones' world pulls me in perfectly every time; every single setting feels wonderfully real and charming, if you'll excuse the pun. These are definitely comfort books for me and Charmed Life is no exception. It's a great little tale of strange new beginnings, surprisingly dark circumstances, and stepping out of someone else's shadow.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Bullying, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism, Child death, and Incest
Readers should note that this book, unfortunately, falls into the all-too-common trend of "fat people are usually mean or unpleasant." There are some 'plump' characters who are good or morally grey, but unfortunately it does play into this trope all the same. Otherwise, I've not rated any of the themes as "severe" as none of them are graphic, they are all age-appropriate. However, note that the main characters are orphans and the main character's sister is emotionally abusive. [child death]:eni_iilorak's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt
gothicmoon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I loooved this book. I was so scared that Gwedolen would come in and be suddenly a heroine and I am infinitely glad that she wasn't. She was abusive! The ENTIRE time. She didn't deserve a a redemption, and she didn't get it. Good! This, my friends, is how one goes about writing a Sn*pe character.
I love Cat and I wanna hug him and adopt him as my own. Janet is the best. When Cat's just died and Janet's relieved that he's well and talks and talks and talks as she does and Cat falls asleep feeling "safe and cared-for?" I weeped like a baby.
I love Cat and I wanna hug him and adopt him as my own. Janet is the best. When Cat's just died and Janet's relieved that he's well and talks and talks and talks as she does and Cat falls asleep feeling "safe and cared-for?" I weeped like a baby.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Animal cruelty and Fatphobia
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read this series in high school and absolutely loved it. Right now, I'm rereading it with my husband because now that I've introduced him to Diana Wynne Jones, he's obsessed. I loved this book just as much as an adult. There are a few parts that show their age, of course. The conclusion of the 9 girls situation is so characteristic of Diana's writing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence, Child abuse, and Child death
Toxic sibling
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