This DWJ story seemed less well executed in terms of retelling a Christopher Chant backstory (book 6), especially so long after I had read all the earlier books. The actual plot featuring Conrad had twists that I had trouble making sense of in terms of these previous stories. Since this book wasn't available until long after I had read her Chrestomanci and other novels in the 1970's and early 1980's, It was difficult to feel very connected to a 2005 publication.

However, there was lots of amusement ~ the usual chaotic household (and controlling adults), young people sent off on their own to manage somewhat undefined quests, a common DWJ (dare I say) trope?, plus surprising help from unexpected quarters. It's a good if convoluted backstory.

If you've ever read about Diana's upbringing (which comes out in several different tales, like Time of the Ghost and Eight Days of Luke, as well as her memoir (Reflections: On the Magic of Writing), it will be obvious why she creates characters in such dire family circumstances. ( )

A lightweight entry in the Chrestomanci cycle targeted to the younger audience. Though set in an alternative universe in "the English Alps", the action is so local to one town that the implications of that really don't come into play. It doesn't seem relevant to explaining the somewhat odd mix of old European village with a few modern elements such as cars computers but no phones or television. Christopher Chant (last name not mentioned I think) is present through most of the story, but in his younger pre-Chrestomanci phase. The main character is yet another young boy who believes he has no magical gifts. There's an evil uncle and mysterious goings-on in a large manor / castle, with more playing around with the parallel universe aspect than usual.

Fun. ( )

This is my favorite of the Chrestomanci books by Diana Wynne Jones. I really enjoy the ever increasing chaos at Stallery Mansion, and it has a typically satisfactory ending. ( )

Currently rereading this series in the authors suggested order. I'm enjoying myself but it does seen strange to be about to follow up this book with one written over 2 decades before it. ( )

I loved Charmed Life but none of the other Chrestomanci books have really done anything to me, and this one was no exception. I struggled to get into the story and then struggled to keep reading, because I just didn't really care for any of the main characters, except for bits where there's links to Charmed Life. ( )