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santilopez024's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Moderate: Child abuse and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism
eclipseoforion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Minor: Child abuse and Incest
the_cheerful_necromancer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Glorious fun! I was lucky enough to discover the Chrestomanci series right before I aged out of their target audience.
Wynne Jones' world pulls me in perfectly every time; every single setting feels wonderfully real and charming, if you'll excuse the pun. These are definitely comfort books for me and Charmed Life is no exception. It's a great little tale of strange new beginnings, surprisingly dark circumstances, and stepping out of someone else's shadow.
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Incest, and Racism
Readers should note that this book, unfortunately, falls into the all-too-common trend of "fat people are usually mean or unpleasant." There are some 'plump' characters who are good or morally grey, but unfortunately it does play into this trope all the same. Otherwise, I've not rated any of the themes as "severe" as none of them are graphic, they are all age-appropriate. However, note that the main characters are orphans and the main character's sister is emotionally abusive. [child death]:draven_deathcrush's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Incest
Moderate: Child abuse
lavender__'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm very happy to have read this book, it's been a while since I've consumed a book so hungrily. I finished this books in 2 days. I even stayed up until 2am. I was going to mark the hours I spent reading it on my library's summer reading program, but i waited too long, so I had to mark how long i read it on a later day (I can't mark the hours on that've already past, it has to be on the same day). If you like stories that have enchanters, siblings, mystery, and a multiverse this is the book for you
Minor: Child abuse and Incest
djinnandtea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I saw someone on Tumblr discuss the inherent classism of this book, which is a thing I can’t really unsee now, and I think it’s important to mention here. It’s also a book of its time. Adults sometimes speak harshly to children (calling them or their actions stupid) and there are a few moments of physical punishment (a character is spanked with a boot, another “boxed” twice on both ears). I don’t think it devalues the story, but it does take me out of the joyful experience of reading it when these moments occur, and it could understandably be off-putting to other readers.
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Child abuse and Fatphobia
eol's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Child abuse
novelyon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Physical abuse, Racism, and Death of parent
gothicmoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I love Cat and I wanna hug him and adopt him as my own. Janet is the best. When Cat's just died and Janet's relieved that he's well and talks and talks and talks as she does and Cat falls asleep feeling "safe and cared-for?" I weeped like a baby.
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal cruelty and Fatphobia
vel16's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Fatphobia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Violence, and Blood
This book is suitable for children but there are some problematic elements related to casual weight- and body-shaming