Reviews

De Negen Levens by Diana Wynne Jones

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. 

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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. 

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.

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.

katlib's review against another edition

4.0

This book actually really grew on me.

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

carryfiasco's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

3.5

yopoydan_kirjat's review against another edition

2.0

Vaikka Diana Wynne Jonesin teokset, kuten [b:Derkinhovin musta ruhtinas|18113361|Derkinhovin musta ruhtinas|Diana Wynne Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1372065018l/18113361._SY75_.jpg|869986], [b:Merlin-salaliitto|18685271|Merlin-salaliitto|Diana Wynne Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1382043763l/18685271._SY75_.jpg|1004338] ja [b:Liikkuva linna|10707081|Liikkuva linna|Diana Wynne Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1299428323l/10707081._SY75_.jpg|2001] ovat hurmanneet minut nuorempana, ei tämä hänen keskeiseksi tuotannokseen nimetyn sarjan avausosa onnistunut saamaan minua puolelleen. Plussaa rinnakkaistodellisuuksista ja Janetin kommentista, kuinka "ompeleminen on naisten häpeällistä alistamista".

Syitä, miksi kirja ei kolahtanut:
- Inhosin Gwendolenia ja Kissa oli vaisu hahmo
- Sivuhahmotkin olivat aika mitäänsanomattomia
- Hidas alku, mutta lopussa mennään pikakelauksella (kliseinen lopputaistelu)
- Kirjailija, joka jääköön nimeämättä on ottanut tästä vaikutteita omaan tuotantoonsa (orpo maaginen poika, Crestomancin nimeä ei saa mainita tai hän tulee paikalle: "Henkilö Joka Asuu Tuolla Linnassa - hän ei ansaise että hänen nimensä mainitaan", Crestomanci jättää kertomatta Kissalle asioita aivan kuten Dumbledore Harrylle, hirnyrkkitematiikkaa mm. Viulu-kissan tapauksessa)
- Käännös oli hieman töksähteleva (ymmärrän vain osittain, miksei haluttu kääntää uudelleenjulkaisua varten, koska se maksaa)
- Sanan "letukka" käyttö lastenkirjassa, Crestomaci lyö Kissaa korville
- "Hän venytti -- silmien nurkat vinoiksi kuin kiinalaisella" (s. 118) Oikeasti? Olikohan tuo kauhean hyväksyttävää edes kirjan ilmestymisen aikaan
- Kissan ja Gwendolinen vanhemmat olivat keskenään serkkuja...