Chrestomanci Series

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Book 1 ***1/2

by Diana Wynne Jones
Book Type: YA, Fantasy
Summary: Book 1: Cat and Gwendolen were orphans, and when an old friend of their father’s, the mysterious Chrestomanci, came visiting and offered to adopt them, Gwendolen, who was already studying Advanced Magic, knew that she was destined for Great Things – for hadn’t the Fortune-Teller predicted that one day she’d rule the world? Cat, who had never been able to manage turning brass buttons to gold, wasn’t so sure he was going to enjoy his new life. But then what he thought didn’t count for much. Ancient and turreted, Chrestomanci Castle was every bit as grand as Gwendolen had hoped. But there were disappointments. No butler opened the door to her, no lavish banquets were given in her honour. Instead, she and Cat had to do lessons in the schoolroom with Chrestomanci’s two children, and worse of all she was forbidden to practice magic except under supervision. In fact, she wasn’t being treated with the respect she deserved, and she very quickly decided to do something about that. It was difficult for Cat, who clung to his unpredictable sister as the only familiar person left in his life, especially when he guessed that Gwendolen was planning to go to far, and he didn’t see how he could stop her. He didn’t realise, though, quite how ambitious Gwendolen’s ultimate plan was, nor how closely he himself was involved in it.
Book 2: Christopher often makes night-time trips to the Twelve Related Worlds. He thought there was nothing unusual about this until his Uncle Ralph hears of it and sends him on mysterious missions. One such mission reveals Christopher’s very special magic powers – gifted with nine lives, he is destined to become the next Chrestomanci, the greatest magician in the country.
Christopher goes to study at the formidable Chrestomanci Castle, but even here he is not safe. Outside, the forces of evil are poised for attack and Christopher is losing his lives at an alarming rate. Can Christopher defeat his enemies alone, before his remaining lives run out?
The Lives of Christopher Chant occurs a couple of years before Charmed Life and it’s about the childhood of Christopher Chant, the Chrestomanci in Charmed Life.
summaries found here
My Review: Both of the books in volume one were very fun. Christopher’s back story is much more engaging and full of adventures than Cat’s though (which is the second half-The Lives of Christopher Chant). I thought it was interesting that at the beginning of each story, both boys thought they were incapable of doing any magic when in fact, they’re both destined to be powerful enchanters. Although Christopher couldn’t do magic, he could travel between worlds in his "dreams". His travels are very interesting, I loved the diversity in the worlds Jones created. Both books were full of wonderfully dynamic characters with remarkable personalities that add more depth to the story. Overall I would say that this book was very fun. I really enjoyed watching Cat figure out what he was capable of and watching Christopher waste away his lives through his carelessness, haha. Diana Wynne Jones is a wonderful writer full of fresh and entertaining stories that take place in fascinating and magical world's.