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ihateprozac's review against another edition
5.0
I read a couple of the Chrestomanci books as a child (I think it was probably #3 and #4), and loved them dearly so I figured I'd re-read the series in full when I was older. Theyre just as wonderful and lush as I remember, and Diana Wynne Jones paints a beautiful and intriguing picture of these multiple magic-filled worlds. She's able to create great fictional characters that incite intense feelings in the reader, whether it be total hatred or total empathy.
A great example of this was Cat/Eric's sister Gwendolen. I hated her with a passion, and at times I was literally sitting there and fuming as I read about her despicable activities. At first she just annoyed the hell out of me for being an obnoxious, spoiled brat, but then as the extent of her evil antics was gradually revealed, I found my hatred for her growing to the point where I found myself wanting to stab a fictional character. She wasn't just obnoxious, she was truly fricken repulsive. The way she preyed on her brother was horrific >=| *stabs*
But with that being sad, the way Cat/Eric constantly submitted to his sister was annoying as well. In the end he got her back and he finally grew a bit stronger, but it was painful to see him being such a submissive little child along the way. I just wanted to poke him and yell "MAN UP", and I was behind Janet all the way when she yelled at him to stop defending his manipulative sister.
Overall, another great book from Diana Wynne Jones, and I cant wait to dive into the next one. She creates wonderful characters that I cant help but get attached to - even if I utterly hate them - and her worlds are figuratively and literally magical. They're great childrens books, but they have an element to them that makes them also readable for adults.
A great example of this was Cat/Eric's sister Gwendolen. I hated her with a passion, and at times I was literally sitting there and fuming as I read about her despicable activities. At first she just annoyed the hell out of me for being an obnoxious, spoiled brat, but then as the extent of her evil antics was gradually revealed, I found my hatred for her growing to the point where I found myself wanting to stab a fictional character. She wasn't just obnoxious, she was truly fricken repulsive. The way she preyed on her brother was horrific >=| *stabs*
But with that being sad, the way Cat/Eric constantly submitted to his sister was annoying as well. In the end he got her back and he finally grew a bit stronger, but it was painful to see him being such a submissive little child along the way. I just wanted to poke him and yell "MAN UP", and I was behind Janet all the way when she yelled at him to stop defending his manipulative sister.
Overall, another great book from Diana Wynne Jones, and I cant wait to dive into the next one. She creates wonderful characters that I cant help but get attached to - even if I utterly hate them - and her worlds are figuratively and literally magical. They're great childrens books, but they have an element to them that makes them also readable for adults.
luca3's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
2.75
sarasure's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
santilopez024's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
A very charming little book, definitely captures the whimsical fantasy vibes i was looking for. Chrestomanci is a very memorable character who steals any scene he is in, and the protagonist Cat grew on me a lot over the course of the story.
My biggest problems come down to some 1970s isms, such as the depiction of physical punishments to children and a few fatphobic comments, and one out-of-nowehere line that was pretty racist and so out of fashion i am surprised it was in my edition from the 2000s.
However, overall, its a lovely little story and i will definitely carry on with the Chrestomanci books, and Jones' work overall.
My biggest problems come down to some 1970s isms, such as the depiction of physical punishments to children and a few fatphobic comments, and one out-of-nowehere line that was pretty racist and so out of fashion i am surprised it was in my edition from the 2000s.
However, overall, its a lovely little story and i will definitely carry on with the Chrestomanci books, and Jones' work overall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism
mschrokosch's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
3.0
I listen to the audiobook, Gerard Doyle is a great reader and has a variety of entertaining voices; the story, on the other hand, was a little lacking to me. It's quite clear, being a person in her 30s, I am not the main demographic for this story, and often times I wanted to scream at the children in the story "you're being extorted just get an adult, they'll make it all right."
But all in all I would recommend the audiobook.
But all in all I would recommend the audiobook.
diamondolc's review against another edition
5.0
Ughhh Diana Wynne Jones is a legend. It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a fantasy novel this much. Nowadays it’s hard for me to truly feel immersed while reading but this one did it for me. It was just really fun and imaginative and I didn’t expect the ending but I loved how all the pieces fell together. It also really made me want to re-read Howl’s Moving Castle because I got the vibe that they are supposed to take place in the same magical universe.
Crossing my fingers that the rest of the series is good because I’ve been burned before by classic middle grade fantasy series that had a strong start and then got really bad really fast (I’m looking at you, The Dark Is Rising…) but I think I can trust my GOAT Diana.
Crossing my fingers that the rest of the series is good because I’ve been burned before by classic middle grade fantasy series that had a strong start and then got really bad really fast (I’m looking at you, The Dark Is Rising…) but I think I can trust my GOAT Diana.
x0pherl's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fine little book, and quite short. Not nearly as good as Howl's moving castle.
anyoneb's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jenmkin's review against another edition
3.0
The idea is fun, and this is well-executed children’s fantasy, but these characters didn’t shine as much as some of those in Dianna Wynne Jones’s other works