#the chronicles of chrestomanci

[wondereads]

Since it’s Nov 5th, I would just like to say that Diana Wynne Jones wrote a whole book about a world that had fucked up its projected path and had become a hellscape of modern witch trials and when they finally find out what went wrong it’s because Guy Fawkes actually blew up the Parliament instead of failing and it was such a big explosion that it introduced magic to the world and made everyone deathly afraid of it. Anyway

[no-where-new-hero]

Pls tell me your reasons in the tags!

[chelshiart]

This Barbie is a Nine-Lifed Enchanter!

[the-forest-library]

I upgraded my Chrestomanci collection

[kattahj]

Thinking of Christopher and Millie, how Millie never wondered what would happen to her after she got too old to be the Goddess, while Christopher honed in on the question and figured out that she would be made a human sacrifice.

Millie had been pampered and spoiled her whole life; she had no reason to doubt that she would be taken care of. Meanwhile, Christopher had been betrayed by his own family and knew damned well that there are people who will think nothing of murdering children for a bit of power.

And as readers, we know that this is true. Millie came to believe it too. Adults really can be horrible.

But there was one thing Millie knew that Christopher didn't, that the readers don't. She knew Mother Proudfoot.

Christopher wasn't wrong to think that adults do atrocious things. But Millie wasn't wrong either, to believe that this particular adult would always take care of her. Because in the end, she did.

[illustration-alcove]

Dion MBD’s illustrated book covers for Diana Wynne Jones’s The Chronicles of Chrestomanci.

[stardustandrockets]

Here are some recs to read in lieu of the Boy Wizard series.

I asked my followers for recommendations on what to read instead of That Series™ and y'all definitely delivered. I included my own recs with little descriptions and most of the others are either on my tbr or completely new to me. I made sure to list whether it was a middle grade or young adult read.

I only put two of my favorite Diana Wynne Jones books on here, but anything she's written has magic in some form or fashion.

Books listed:

My personal favorites:

Slide 2: The Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones (middle grade); A 7 book middle grade series that follows the world of the Chrestomanci—a nine-lived enchanter who oversees the use of magic. The 7 books follow different characters that all intersect with one another. Did I mention there are parallel worlds?

Slide 3: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (middle grade); Seen the movie? The book is just like that but far more chaotic. It's still whimsical, but there's more depth and development. It's nostalgic even if you haven't read it before. It's also book 1 of a trilogy.

Slide 4: The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. LeGuin (young adult); A series of 6 books that follows the wizard Ged. Very reminiscent of Lord of the Rings to me, but in a more approachable way. (Idk, I haven't read LotR. I've just seen the movies.)

Slide 5: The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques (middle grade); A 22 book series featuring talking animals as protagonists, this series set mainly around Redwall Abbey has something for everyone. The books don't have to be read in order, but publication order is suggested.

Slide 6: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan (middle grade); A retelling of Greek myths. Neurodivergent rep, badass kids, humorous, and so full of heart! This series (and the others) aren't just for kids. I got into them late in the game (maybe early high school?) and revisited them as an adult and they're so good! Perfect for anyone wanting to dive into mythology.

Slide 7: TBR/Follower Recs (MG): Witchlings by Claribel Ortega, Nevermoore by Jessica Townsend, The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Slide 8: TBR/Follower Recs (MG): The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, Septimus Heap by Angie Sage

Slide 9: TBR/Follower Recs (YA): Alanna the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce, Little Black Bird by Anna Kirchner, Young Wizards Series by Diane Duane (falls between MG & YA)

Slide 10: TBR/Follower Recs (YA): Summoner Series by Taran Matharu, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (trilogy), The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper

[fiction-quotes]

“Now listen. People with nine lives are very important and very rare. They only happen when, for one reason or another, there are no counterparts of them living in any other world. Then the lives that would have been spread out over a whole set of worlds get concentrated in one person. And so do all the talents that those other eight people might have had.”

Cat said, “But I haven't any talents,” and Janet said at the same time, “How rare are these people?”

“Extremely rare,” said Chrestomanci. “Apart from Cat, the only other person with nine lives that I know of on this world is myself.”

“Really?” Cat was pleased and interested. “Nine?”

“I did have nine. I've only got two now. I was even more careless than Cat,” Chrestomanci said. He sounded a little ashamed. “Now I have to take care to keep each life separately in the safest place I can think of. I advise Cat to do the same.”

Janet's ready brain promptly got to work on this. “Is one life here, and the other downstairs having supper at this moment?”

Chrestomanci laughed. “It doesn't work like that.”

  —  Charmed Life (Diana Wynne Jones)

[timid-booklover-in-a-corner]

We need to talk about young Gabriel De Witt. I mean, as an old man he's too formal and high-handed and cold in some ways, but as a child? He's quiet and sweet and just a bit cheeky. The one scene in which we get to see him as a young child is utter gold.

[lindrill]

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Vol 1

I found this book at the thrift store, the story sounded fun and I had never read a book from this author before, Diana Wynne Jones.

It was only a few dollars but I would have paid the full price at the bookstore! (Spoilers I actually did, I now own two)

These are the two book covers I own now. The left is the one I found at the thrift store, very read and well taken care of. On the right is one of the covers I fell in love with the art style, I actually found it looking for the next book in the series.

The story grabbed my interest almost immediately, sometimes it can take a few chapters, which is always a good sign.

Two siblings, Cat and his sister Gwendolen Chant, are taken in by the Chrestomanci, a powerful enchanter with nine lives, to learn a harness their magic. Well Gwendolen certainly was talented and certainly learning, Cat couldn't do magic! At least he thought so.

Also a bonus to this book, two stories in one book!

The second story is about the Chrestomanci, who taught Gwendolen and Cat, Christopher and how he himself become the Chrestomanci himself.

How fun! I was pleasantly surprised to discover this second story, even though I was told on the back of the book there was a second story. (I tend to remember the first parts of things I read and forget the second part a lot)

Not convinced? The author Diana Wynne Jones has also written the book Howls Moving Castle. Take that as you will :)

My personal rating of the first book is 10/10, considering how quickly a read through it and how captivated I was by the story.

[leftycharacters]

Today's left-handed character is Eric "Cat" Chant from The Chronicles of Chrestomanci

[best-childhood-book]

[chelshiart]

chrestomanci sketchdump!

[weiyueeerr]

Okay how you like my strange tastes? Because after some my posts abt resident evil i gonna write abt (suddenly) the chronicles of chrestomanci

Yeah, i didn't read all books from the chronicles. But i think these books must be more famous. And it's a problem. Cause everything become more popular if it was filmed. Films always more popular than books. But THE CHRONICLES OF CHRESTOMANCI are deserved adaptation and glory. Many people know "The Howl's moving castle" because this was filmed by Hayao Miyazaki. I would give everything what i have for see what would Christopher Chant look like. And i wanna say that "Conrad's fate" is deserved more glory and fanats bc oh gosh there are two cute sweet teen boys it's Conrad (Grant) Tesdinic and god damn TEEN CHRISTOPHER CHANT. I gonna fight for this book. I love it love it LOVE IT. I guess the chronicles of chrestomanci is the best books what need a film adaptations, more fanats, more addition, more content, more glory and more more more everything.