Rating: 
Summary: There are five stars coming from Chrestomanci's magic!
Review: I thorougly enjoyed this book. The two books that are compiled into this volume were written at least twenty years ago and were just published as one this year!!! A very intriguing story- vocabulary, plot, details... all wonderful aspects of this world-revolving chapter book(s). Many kids will enjoy it, especially young adults, and I have found that some adults find it a thrilling book. Gwendolyn is a mischievous witch, finds out Cat her younger brother, who is forced to move with her to Chrestomanci castle when they become orphans from a tragic accident. He finds the castle amusing yet odd because there was always a muffled, stuffy feeling from all the protection spells placed upon it. He is quite scared of his sister, who trys to prove a point to Chrestomanci by brewing up mean spells, such as dragging all the trees within 50 acres right up against the walls of the castle. If you read on, you will find that Cat has a very interesting secret and learns HIS weakness and magic and why it is so hard to perform. He is yet to know that he one of the most important people in the magical world. Christopher is a young boy and finds that he can travel to other worlds in his dreams. But this is no ordinary fantasy land. Oh no, Christopher can bring physical things back to his bed after a journey to "The Place Between"(better known to the adult magicians as "The Edge of the Worlds") and then travels to the other 11 worlds(there are a total of 12 and his life is in the 12th one). He once brought back a beautiful gold bell set that glittered and shone like the sun. He later finds out how terrible and illegal the things he's brought back for his uncle were but he intends to help get rid of his uncle's power and defeat him. Christopher finds he has the same mysterious secret as Cat has in the first book of this truly magnificent volume!! A MUST READ!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Better Than Harry Potter!
Review: I discovered these wonderful books quite typically...I was a Harry Potter fan, and I was looking for something similar to read while waiting for the fifth book...and I had read 'Dogsbody' by Diana Wynne Jones before. So, I stumbled upon these magnificent books. I totally adore them! If I were hardpressed to pick between the two, I would choose 'Charmed Life', but both stories are great. Chrestomanci is such a wonderful character, and the world that D.W. Jones creates is much more original than that J.K. Rowling creates. Of course, I shall always be a Harry Potter freak, but these books are much better. There is so much intrigue, action, humor, and wonderful characters, that I have read them over and over again.
I highly, highly reccommend these books (and Volume II as well) to *anyone* who enjoys Harry Potter, fantasy, or just a good story.
Read them...you will NOT be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 1
Review: These are two great books, I'm going to briefly discuss each of them seperately. Even though he doesn't know it Christopher spirit travels every night. This happens in his dreams he goes to what Christopher calls the Place Between and the Anywheres. When his uncle finds out there are experiments that his uncle wants to do. But are they such honest experiments? His uncle asks him to steal things as part of these experiments, even illegal things. What is going on? Of all of Diana Wynne Jones' books that I have read so far this has to be my favorite. I couldn't stop reading. A really well written masterpiece. In Charmed Life Eric -nicknamed Cat- is always being pushed aside by his much more magically able sister Gwendolen who is the only remaining member of his family. After their parents died Gwendolen and Cat go to live with a witch named Mrs. Sharp who takes a keen interest in Gwendolen's magical abilities. Since Cat can't do magic to save his life she is far less interested in him. After a few years of Gwendolen taking magic lessons Chrestomanci, who is the most powerful enchanter in the world, takes an interest in the siblings and sends for them to come and live with him at his castle. But there is something strange about this castle and it inhabitants. Gwendolen claims that this castle is ruining her witchcraft abilities. Is it smart to take revenge on the most powerful enchanter in the world? I thought this was a wonderful book and it was almost impossible to know what was going to happen next. Together these two are very amazing books.
Rating:
Summary: Chrestomanci triumphs!
Review: This book is wonderful! It is basically two books in one, which is great because the two stories go very well together and right after you finish the first, you'll want to start the second. "Charmed Life" is about a boy called Cat, or more formally Eric, who becomes an orphan when his parents drown in a boat accident. His older sister, Gwendolen, is a witch, and when the two move in with their neighbor, Gwendolen begins to take magic lessons. Cat has no magic at all, and is often pushed out of the spotlight by Gwendolen. Then they go to live at Chrestomanci Castle, home to the great enchanter Chrestomanci. After waging a private war on Chrestomanci, Gwendolen jumps into another world and leaves a double with Cat. Cat and Gwendolen's double have to figure out how to save Chrestomanci and the magical community when Gwendolen and her friends on Coven Street try to take over. "The Lives of Christopher Chant" is about the present Chrestomanci in Cat's time 25 years earlier. This gives you some background on Chrestomanci and is even better than the first book. Christopher Chant is a spirit traveler who can bring things back from his travels and is quite solid on his travels, and this has never happened before. Christopher's Uncle Ralph sees a neat way to exploit him and has him carry back tremendously expensive and rare items such as dragon's blood back from other worlds. It all ends up great. I would recommend both of these books very highly.
Rating:
Summary: The beginning of a great series !
Review: This book is basically 2 books in 1. A great deal if you ask me. This book (Volume I) contains the first two stories in the Chrestomanci series. What's Chrestomanci? Well, he is the most powerful enchanter in the world who has a very important position. You see, in a world where magic is commonplace, there has to be someone to control it. Otherwise, people with magic would easily take advantage of people who don't have magic. It's the job of the Chrestomanci to make sure magic is not abused. These stories are just as magical, humurous, and fun to read as the Harry Potter books. Each story unfolds like a mystery, and you just can't put the book down until you finish the book. But unlike the Harry Potter books (which are somewhat formulaic: same characters, same setting, same structure, etc.), each Chrestomanci story is very different. They just all share the same world. The first story "Charmed Life" is about an orphan boy named Cat. Him and his sister are called to live in the Chrestomanci Castle. Cat cannot do magic, but his ambitious sister is extremely powerful. What's going on? The second story "The Lives of Christopher Chant" (my favorite) is about a boy who can travel between parallel worlds. I can't say more without spoiling the plot. It's just a brilliant story that builds up to a wonderfully climatic end. If you like the stories in this book, be sure to check out Volume II, which contains "The Magicians of Caprona" and "Witch Week." There is also a collection of Chrestomanic short stories called "Mixed Magics."
Rating:
Summary: One of my top ten
Review: I'm 14 years old, and the greatest possible compliment I can give any book entails two things. One is the fact that I read a 600 page book in 5 1/2 hours, counting numerous interruptions(picture me me bounding periodically out of my room with the book in my hand, screaming at my wrestling brothers to zip it or be beaten). The other is that, smiling as I close the cover over the last page, I immediately turn back to the beginning and start all over again. The only other books that have recieved that greatest of testaments are the Wizard of Oz, a book about a bookstore mouse named Cervantes that I would dearly love to lay hands on again, the Artemis Fowl trilogy, Peter Pan, Ella Enchanted,and Volume 2 of this same series. Considering this, also know that I have been reading "chapter" books since I was 7. Definitely, DEFINITELY worth the money. Although you could just go to a library.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I love Diana Wynne Jones, her books are full of imagination, nice persons and exciting plots. Don't let the "young adult" classification scary you away. I read "The lives of Christopher Chant" when I was around 11 years old and LOVED it. Now at 23 i managed to find this book again, read it again and LOVED it. If you want to read something that makes you smile, that's so exciting that you can't put it down and something that leaves you happy afterwards, you shouldn't miss Diana Wynne Jones' books. You understand why the persons in the book do as they do, and she has so original ideas in some of her books that you just can't put them down.
For young adults and adults alike! I always trust her books to take me away from this boring world we live in, into a wonderful place and to leave me happy afterwards.
Rating:
Summary: What a book!
Review: I read this book in the 5th grade (almost 2years ago) and I have to say is this book is completely and utterly awesome! I suggest this to anyone who is up to the fast pace and imaginative ideas this book expresses.
Rating: 
Summary: Timelines are hard to adjust to- otherwise AOK!
Review: "Chrestomanci" is the title of a nine-lifed enchanter whose job it is to keep all the magic in the many worlds in line. Sort of like a Prime Minister for magic. I had only one gripe about the two Chrestomanci books (this one and Volume 2; I'm about to go write a review for Volume 2 as soon as I finish this one). In the first story of this book, the incumbent Chrestomanci's real name is not given. In Volume 2, neither of the stories talks about the real name of the then-Chrestomanci. After reading all four of the stories, I was able to piece together that the first Chrestomanci we encounter is actually Christopher Chant, who is a child in the second story. Wouldn't it have made it more logical to put "The Lives of Christopher Chant" first in the book? Then we would proceed chronologically to "Charmed Life," which features Eric ("Cat") Chant as the child and Christopher Chant as the Chrestomanci. In the second two stories (Volume 2), Chrestomanci puts in some brief appearances but is not really developed as a role. Thus, perhaps leaving out his real name is not such an issue, but with my desire for continuity I really do wish to know who exactly WAS the Chrestomanci that appeared in those two stories. But, entertaining stories, and up to Ms. Jones' high standards. Full of humor as well as mild peril and interesting magical inventions.
Rating:
Summary: enchanters and witches
Review: The book takes place in the multiple parallel universes of twelve related worlds where the Chrestomanci keeps the magic in the other worlds under control. The two orphans who come to live with him soon find out why it needs to be controlled. They travel through danger, magic, and mystery to find the truth about the magic going on in the book. I definitely recommend this book. It sucks you into the story so much that all you want to do is turn the page and keep going. The storyline is great and the characters are even better. People would love this book if they can't get enough magic in their lives. If you are a fan of fantasy this is a book you need to add to your collection. It brings the elements of magic and mystery together and creates a tale you won't want to stop.
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