A review by lavender__
Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is so cool. It's the 4th book I read by DWJ and I think it might be one of my favorites. I did not expect that plot twist with 
Gwendolen. I honestly felt kind of bad for her right until the end. I mean, I still feel bad for her and think Chrestomanci could've handled her situation way better, she was just an arrogant kid acting out bc of (her ego admittedly, but also) bc she was someone who very clearly thrived under adult/authorial support and validation. Which is to say, I can not believe she did what she did to Cat at the ending and apparently throughout the entirety of their childhoods?? How did she even figure out the deal with Cat? (when i think about it, Gwen calling her new siblings fat might've been a red flag about her personality) /
With that said, Cat technically exactly "push the plot along" up until 
Gwen leaves
but his neutrality (for lack of a better word) with everything is constantly criticized by the characters. His ""pushover-ness"" is a major character flaw. And honestly, i didn't mind it at all. He still felt pretty likable to me. 
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
Expand filter menu Content Warnings