Charmed Life

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Summary: An absolute treasure for kids...or just about anyone.
Review: First read this book maybe 15 years ago and never forgot it. It sticks out in my mind as one of the best children's books ever, but it's got amazing ideas and details and sub-plots that you think about again, even when you're older -- I still enjoy reading this book every so often. It's got everything - magic, adventure, philosophy, sibling rivalry, and just all around excellent story-telling. There are other books now that play on the theme of magic and have become v. popular but I haven't yet read one to equal this. Also liked the prequel a lot.

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Summary: An absolutely brilliant book!
Review: Diana Wynne Jones has totally surpassed herself in this book. I couldn't put it down, as the tension built up towards the end as Cat began to find out about Gwendolen. I consider it a classic, and one which everyone should read. I tried to read all the rest of her "Chrestomanci" series - and I have! I love this book!!!!

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Summary: One of my all-time favorites!
Review: This is the first book of Ms. Jones that I ever read, and it was so good that I have since searched out and read everything of hers that I could find! A terrific tale with captivating characters!! Beautiful, spoiled, megalomaniacal young witch Gwendolyn believes she is destined to rule the world, and her timid, good-hearted little brother Cat is swept along with her plans and is left holding the bag when everything goes wrong! Please read this book, you won't be disappointed! If you like this one, I also highly recommend The Power of Three, Howl's Moving Castle, and The Magicians of Caprona!

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Summary: There's only one word to describe this book-incredible
Review: I bought this book some ten years or so ago. It was my favourite book for about five years until I leant it to a "friend" who liked it so much that she never gave it back. I'm so happy that this book is back in print because I still yearn to read it. Which goes to show just what an absolutely amazing book this is and this isn't even my favourite DWJ book. That, incidentally is Dogsbody which was also stolen. Anyway back to the review, this book has everthing for lovers of fantasy and magic alike:- parallel worlds, extra lives, spoilt megalomaniac children and of course lots and lots of magic. It is one of the Chrestomanci books and I recommend that anybody who reads and loves this book, should also try reading The Lives of Christopher Chant, Witch Week and The Magicians of Caprona by the same author. I have read the other reviews and what has struck me is that every reviewer seems to have read all of her other books, as have I. Diana Wynne-Jones has a knack of creating such warm, real characters and writes with a lot of humour. She is the kind of author who inspires such loyalty from her readers. Go on-read this book. We can't all be wrong!

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Summary: One-of-a-kind
Review: I have read almost every one of Diana Wynne Jones' books since I was in Form 1, which would translate to Grade 7 in some countries. To date, I still believe that this is her best work because not only is the plot highly involving, but the timing and pacing of the novel is such that the reader is carried along effortlessly right to the very end. Its constantly surprising quality is how normal the fantastic appears to be. Her magical realism has a flavour that is all her own: a sensible mix of sorcery and teatime. Without a doubt, this book is a definite 'read'.

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Summary: A delightful, creative adventure.
Review: I keep going back to this book. She creates a multi universe and makes it seem absolutely believable. The characters are multidimensional also and the lead character is likable in his innocence.

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Summary: One of my favories of all Time
Review: This book has been a favorite of mine since it was first published - I seem to reread it every two years or so. The characters are both charming and well described. One of the best books of its kind!

Rating:
Summary: "Charmed Life" is excellent reading.
Review: I absolutly loved this book. It is my favorite book ever, and no matter how many times I read it I always read it for the first time, excited about whether Cat will save the world again. If you haven't read this book, you should. I am a big fan of Diana Wynne Jones, and read every one her books in the library. She takes you into her world and makes you belive that all is real. I couldn't put it down. The prequel, "The Lives of Christopher Chant" is also a favorite of mine. I highly reccomend Diana Wynne Jones.

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Summary: Very Good
Review: Eric Chant and his sister Gwendolen go to live with Chrestomanci after their parents death. But Gwendolen is planing to take over the world! What happens is exciting and magical. I loved it!

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Summary: "When was a Chant Ever Normal?"
Review: Out of all of Diana Wynne Jones's novels, "Charmed Life" is possibly her most famous, and her most read. It is the first published of her Chrestomanci novels, and it stars many of her most famous characters with her requisite twisting plot and quirky sense of humour. Set in a parallel world ripe with magic, wizards and magical creatures, DWJ's "Chrestomanci" quartet were clearly inspirational to J. K. Rowling in her creation of Hogwarts and her wizarding world - a lot of comparisons can be made between the two. Ultimately "Harry Potter" is the deeper and more intricate series, but DWJ's novels are stand-alone, can be read out of order, and are rich in detail and cleverness.

Gwendolyn Chant is an extraordinarily gifted witch, despite the fact that her little brother Cat has no magical ability at all. After their parents' deaths, the two orphans are taken in by Mrs Sharp amongst a neighbourhood of magical folk - but Gwendolyn has bigger plans for herself that concern nothing less than the conquering of the world. When the two of them are taken to Chrestomanci Castle, Gwendolyn is delighted - Chrestomanci is a powerful enchanter that she feels sure will teach and guide her on her way to world domination.

But things are not quite as she expected - Chrestomanci has no desire whatsoever to make this young witch even more powerful before she gains a little self-control. With the added restrictions of their tutor Mr Saunders and Chrestomanci's family watching her every move, Gwendolyn has had quite enough - she begins to wage war on Chrestomanci.

From there things only begin to get uglier, as Chrestomanci gets more and more stubborn and Gwendolyn becomes more and more frustrated. Stuck in the middle is Cat, desperately loyal to his sister but just as eager to fit in with his new family. Gwendolyn's plans are even deeper than expected, with secret trips to dodgy black marketeers and a hidden source of magic that even Cat is unaware of...

Funny, heartfelt, realistic, imaginative and sometimes even a little grotesque, "Charmed Life" is one of a work of true children's literature. The characters are vivid, the storyline intriguing, and the morals sincere without being too heavy-handed. Some components are a little complicated: DWJ sprinkles hints and clues throughout the book and some of these are hard to remember - but all of that simply justifies a second reading to pick up the things you missed!

Chrestomanci himself is a gem - think for a moment of all the famous wizards in literature. You're almost certainly thinking: Merlin, Gandalf, Dumbledore (and if you're rather well-read, Dallben, Merriman Lyon and Cadellin) What do all these wizards have in common? - they're old, wizened, sage-like and immensely wise. Chrestomanci turns this tired stereotype around on its head - he's handsome, well-dressed, reasonably young and quite infuriating at times! Plus, if you've already read "The Lives of Christopher Chant", the name of Chrestomanci's wife may make you smile...

In typical DWJ fashion, the story does not end on a perfectly upbeat note - in fact it's rather sad, with only a trembling sort of hopefulness in our main character that will induce readers to seek out other Chrestomanci books: "Witch Week", "The Magicians of Caprona", "The Lives of Christopher Chant" and "Mixed Magics" - an anthology of short stories.