Charmed Life

In my opinion, Diana Wynne Jones is simply one of the best YA fantasy writers out there. She ranks right up there with Lloyd Alexander and Philip Pullman. The intelligence and creativity of her work is consistently remarkable, and Charmed Life is a wonderful example of the scope of her imagination and plots. Charmed Life, an entry in the Chrestomanci series (which can be read in any order without any knowledge of the... Read Full Review

I first read Charmed Life many years ago (I was probably about 8). I have no idea where I got it, but I got this and "A Tale of Time City" at around the same time, and devoured them both. Since then I have read many of her books, finding them when I can, rereading them, lending them and borrowing them. Though I've loved them all (some of my favorites being "The Power of Three", "A Tale of Time City" and "The Lives of... Read Full Review

I read Charmed Life when I was in fourth or fifth grade, and immediately bought a copy of my own to read again and again. I loved all Diana Jones's books, but this one was my first and my favorite. Fifteen years later I still feel fond of Cat and resentful of his hellion sister Gwendolyn, and I still wince at the hilarious atrocities she perpetrted at Chrestomanci castle. A children's book that doesn't patronize children,... Read Full Review

When I was a kid Diana Wynne Jones was my favorite author, and "Charmed Life" and "The Lives of Christopher Chant" were my favorite books of hers. They are just so inventive, exciting ... a great read. Nowadays I recommend them to all fans of Harry Potter, from my youngest brother on up.

I bought this book some ten years or so ago. It was my favourite book for about five years until I leant it to a "friend" who liked it so much that she never gave it back. I'm so happy that this book is back in print because I still yearn to read it. Which goes to show just what an absolutely amazing book this is and this isn't even my favourite DWJ book. That, incidentally is Dogsbody which was also stolen. Anyway... Read Full Review