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eclipseoforion's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One of my favourite books from my childhood, and it's been perfect in getting me to enjoy reading something again. For the first time in a while I found myself wanting to read instead of playing a video game or watching youtube
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Minor: Child abuse and Incest
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]:soph22's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Considering it’s an abridged version, it hits all the main point in the plot. I had fun revisiting the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent
draven_deathcrush's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
I liked the story more than Howl's Moving Castle, but there were a lot of weird comments in this book. I mean, it is older, so that's probably why. It just caught me off guard sometimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Incest
Moderate: Child abuse
growintogardens's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Racial slurs, Grief, and Incest
soph22's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
destinyischoice's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a magical and fun read, and I do feel like it deserves its place as a classic of children’s literature. However, what stopped me from giving this four or even five stars was the fatphobia sprinkled throughout.
Perhaps not as terrible or as obvious as in Harry Potter, but still noticeable enough for me to think that the author had some serious biases and issues around fatness, food, and body shame. Not great for kids to read body shaming stuff. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book very much. I’ve heard that there is some racism and more fatphobia in subsequent books in the series so unsure if I’ll carry on.
Perhaps not as terrible or as obvious as in Harry Potter, but still noticeable enough for me to think that the author had some serious biases and issues around fatness, food, and body shame. Not great for kids to read body shaming stuff. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book very much. I’ve heard that there is some racism and more fatphobia in subsequent books in the series so unsure if I’ll carry on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
djinnandtea's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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've probably read this book a half dozen times, and it still, generally, delights me. I will admit to finding it less engaging on my most recent go around, some of the magic a little dulled with age and exposure (also Gwendolyn really is a foul little girl), but Chrestomanci and his supporting cast are such compelling figures, and I’m still so dedicated to Cat. I enjoy this world immensely, I enjoy Chrestomanci immensely. Jones writes him with such flair and humor, and this book truly changed the way I think of the word “vague” even now, years later.
I saw someone on Tumblr discuss the inherent classism of this book, which is a thing I can’t really unsee now, and I think it’s important to mention here. It’s also a book of its time. Adults sometimes speak harshly to children (calling them or their actions stupid) and there are a few moments of physical punishment (a character is spanked with a boot, another “boxed” twice on both ears). I don’t think it devalues the story, but it does take me out of the joyful experience of reading it when these moments occur, and it could understandably be off-putting to other readers.
I saw someone on Tumblr discuss the inherent classism of this book, which is a thing I can’t really unsee now, and I think it’s important to mention here. It’s also a book of its time. Adults sometimes speak harshly to children (calling them or their actions stupid) and there are a few moments of physical punishment (a character is spanked with a boot, another “boxed” twice on both ears). I don’t think it devalues the story, but it does take me out of the joyful experience of reading it when these moments occur, and it could understandably be off-putting to other readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Child abuse and Fatphobia
veroef's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia