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ihateprozac's review against another edition
4.0
The second part of this volume really let it down - I enjoyed both books, but the pacing of Witch Week was really quite horrible. It wasn't just a matter of throwing in awesome action, fantasy and tying up loose ends at the last minute, Witch Week was just terribly hard to read. The main plotarc is drawn out for far too long, I had to put it down for a couple of weeks and come back to it.
I think this volume overall is nowhere near as good as volume one - The Lives of Christopher Chant and Charmed Life. Chrestomanci is such a marginalised character in these books, to the point where characters in each book don't really know of his existence. He ends up playing a critical role in each book in the volume, but I just find it annoying and a bit disappointing that the titular character of a series would be silent for 200 pages.
That being said, I do like how Diana Wynne Jones explores all these alternate worlds and realities from other peoples' perspectives, but I wish Chrestomanci would be a more integral character :( I will finish the series though.
I think this volume overall is nowhere near as good as volume one - The Lives of Christopher Chant and Charmed Life. Chrestomanci is such a marginalised character in these books, to the point where characters in each book don't really know of his existence. He ends up playing a critical role in each book in the volume, but I just find it annoying and a bit disappointing that the titular character of a series would be silent for 200 pages.
That being said, I do like how Diana Wynne Jones explores all these alternate worlds and realities from other peoples' perspectives, but I wish Chrestomanci would be a more integral character :( I will finish the series though.
smarkies's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The magicians of caprona started better - ended flat.
Witch Week - took a bit long to get going, ended on a high.
Witch Week - took a bit long to get going, ended on a high.
mommy_mabel's review against another edition
3.0
Split on the two novels in the volume: first was 4 stars but second only 3-2.5 stars.
lost_tooth's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shimauchiha's review against another edition
4.0
The magicians of Caprona : 3 stars
[May contain mild spoilers]
In relation to pacing, the magicians of Caprona is exactly the opposite of [b:Charmed Life|244572|Charmed Life (Chrestomanci, #1)|Diana Wynne Jones|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1396706429s/244572.jpg|6594671] In Charmed life the beginning wasn't at all interesting, yet the ending was filled with action and great twists.
In the magicians of Caprona however, the beginning was great. First of all it's set in an alternate Italy, it also has that great family dynamics that immediately draws the reader in.
Unfortunately from then forward, it also follows the complete cliche formula of two families and their age old rivalry. The moment you read that what kind of plot do you imagine?
Two people from different families falling in love? Some outside enemy pitting the families against each other in order to distract them from the real evil? The only way for them to defeat the evil is to work together? And of course the start of this animosity has been nothing but some misunderstanding?
Check, Check, Check and Check.
The books follows exactly along this used and predictable lines. All that I predicted the first time I heard of Montanas and Petrocchis came to pass, just in the way I predicted, and I first heard of them in the very first page, so you can see why from the middle forward the book was a tad predictable and boring. (And in case you didn't get that, here a tad means a lot)
Witch Week : 4.5 stars
Without a doubt the best Chrestomanci book so far.
Witch week was great right from the start to the end. Basically we're dealing with a modern world in every way except that witches are hunted and burned at stake. A world that shouldn't exist. So how did it came to be?
However the world building is but one of the great things in this book. The characterization is also masterful. Within just the first few pages you get a pretty good grip on who the characters are, yet as the book goes on you get to see new layers to them.
The plot is also really really great. At first we are dealing with a few different characters's stories in different POVs and all of them are great, but of course near the end they all come together and it gets even better, and the ending doesn't disappoint.
I reduced half a star for some details in the plot that didn't make too much sense and a few unanswered questions, but overall it had five star quality.
[May contain mild spoilers]
In relation to pacing, the magicians of Caprona is exactly the opposite of [b:Charmed Life|244572|Charmed Life (Chrestomanci, #1)|Diana Wynne Jones|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1396706429s/244572.jpg|6594671] In Charmed life the beginning wasn't at all interesting, yet the ending was filled with action and great twists.
In the magicians of Caprona however, the beginning was great. First of all it's set in an alternate Italy, it also has that great family dynamics that immediately draws the reader in.
Unfortunately from then forward, it also follows the complete cliche formula of two families and their age old rivalry. The moment you read that what kind of plot do you imagine?
Two people from different families falling in love? Some outside enemy pitting the families against each other in order to distract them from the real evil? The only way for them to defeat the evil is to work together? And of course the start of this animosity has been nothing but some misunderstanding?
Check, Check, Check and Check.
The books follows exactly along this used and predictable lines. All that I predicted the first time I heard of Montanas and Petrocchis came to pass, just in the way I predicted, and I first heard of them in the very first page, so you can see why from the middle forward the book was a tad predictable and boring. (And in case you didn't get that, here a tad means a lot)
Witch Week : 4.5 stars
Without a doubt the best Chrestomanci book so far.
Witch week was great right from the start to the end. Basically we're dealing with a modern world in every way except that witches are hunted and burned at stake. A world that shouldn't exist. So how did it came to be?
However the world building is but one of the great things in this book. The characterization is also masterful. Within just the first few pages you get a pretty good grip on who the characters are, yet as the book goes on you get to see new layers to them.
The plot is also really really great. At first we are dealing with a few different characters's stories in different POVs and all of them are great, but of course near the end they all come together and it gets even better, and the ending doesn't disappoint.
I reduced half a star for some details in the plot that didn't make too much sense and a few unanswered questions, but overall it had five star quality.
cranea653's review
4.0
This volume contains The Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week. These books aren't really connected to the first two in any way other than the fact that they both have magic, and Chrestomanci pops up upon being summoned in both of them. Both books are set in alternate worlds (explained in the first two books, Charmed Life and The Lives of Christopher Chant). So if you're looking for a sequel, this isn't it. However, if you're looking to delve into alternate timelines within the world that Jones has created, these books are for you.
booksnorkel's review
4.0
First Book: This one was a little slow for my liking. Setting up the location and the characters took a while. And all the people had similar sounding names. I got a little confused because she would switch point of views without any real indicator. The story is nice, it has a cool villain with a sick little kidnapping scene that I liked, even though I found it disturbing.
Second Book: I liked this, but I like seeing stories from the points of view of children who are picked on, even if they aren't exactly innocent. I think that this would be a good book to read if you have a child who is picking on others. Just to open a conversation with them about it. Also it is a good book to read if you are in the mood for a boarding school, magic mix, with misfits for the heroes.
Second Book: I liked this, but I like seeing stories from the points of view of children who are picked on, even if they aren't exactly innocent. I think that this would be a good book to read if you have a child who is picking on others. Just to open a conversation with them about it. Also it is a good book to read if you are in the mood for a boarding school, magic mix, with misfits for the heroes.
silquesoleil's review
3.0
Not to whine, but there is not much of Chrestomanci in these Chronicles of Chrestomanci Vol II
literatehedgehog's review
3.0
Enjoyable Jones fantasy stories, though less organized than the first two. There are some creepy puppet scenes and sadly less extravagant dressing gowns, but generally still solid Chrestomanci fare.
justinecm's review
5.0
The first Story in this volume Is good. I enjoy stories based on big close-knit families. I really quite liked the second story. Anyone who is a fan of Dianna's other stories will enjoy these as well.