Rating: 
Summary: Enchanting
Review: Being interested in mysticism and magic and worlds of wonder, I bought Chronicles 1 several years ago. It wasn't until this week that I actually picked it up and looked inside. It took only 3 pages to hook me. Ms Jones is a skilled writer who created her world within just a few lines. Although the book is written at a young adult level, the language is not too simplistic and the characters are appealing to readers of any age. Ms Jones' metaphors are both practical and poetic. Cat and Christopher's experiences as they discover their surprising powers are highly entertaining, and their confusion (they are only children) is endearing. I agree that this book is the equal of Harry Potter and look forward to diving in to Chronicles 2, even though it's been quite a while since anyone referred to me as "young adult"!
Rating:
Summary: What a book!
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.
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