I was beyond thrilled to find that there was another, posthumous, DWJ book. Unfortunately, DWJ died before she could finish the book, and to me, it was very, very obvious where she'd left off and her sister had taken over. Most DWJ books have a twist-ending that is built on the seemingly irrelevant facts introduced earlier. In contrast, in The Islands, I found the tail-end rushed and flat. I think her sister found the half-finished manuscript and just tried to get it done as soon as possible. Even in DWJ's very young adult books, there's a sincerity and depth to the plot and character development and especially coming of age that just doesn't shine through in the Islands of Chaldea.

It's still a fun romp. In particular, I enjoyed the alternate history of the UK/Ireland feel. I thought the world-building felt relatively complete. The animals and child protagonists were cute.

Yeah, I don't have that much to say -- it just felt shallow and unfinished. ( )

A previously unfinished manuscript by Diana Wynne Jones chronicles the adventures of a fantastic assortment of misfits as they journey to remove a barrier that divides their world. Guardian pets! Mysterious powers! and a really excellently written adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Advanced reader copy provided by edelweiss. ( )

Solid lightweight Diana Wynne Jones YA fantasy. Completed posthumously by one of her sisters. The plot is the usual budding rom-com with magic, but as usual it's the delights of the world and characters she creates that make this an enjoyable read.

Recommended. ( )

I cried and cried, mostly because I'm a big baby but also because this is the last Diana Wynne Jones book, for real this time. it was charming and silly and I adored it. ( )

This is Diana Wynne Jones' last book, finished by her sister Ursula after Diana's death. It was a light, pleasant, fairly generic fantasy: four islands, different from each other and always at war; children with mysterious destinies; magical beasts in the form of pets; a main character who has to learn to trust her own magic. None of the particulars of setting or character lifted it above those tropes for me. I wouldn't have bothered finishing it if it weren't by DWJ, and I suspect I won't remember it very well a month from now. Kids who like British (or British-style) fantasy like Half Magic or Tuesdays at the Castle will find this slots in nicely. ( )