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34th out of 416 books
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517 voters
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Vol. 2 (Chrestomanci #3-4)
In this multiple parallel universes of the Twelve Related Worlds, only an enchanter with nine lives is powerful enough to control the rampant misuse of magic -- and to hold the title Chrestomanci... There is a world in which the peaceful city-state of Caprona is threatened by the malevolent machinations of a mysterious enchanter...and another in which magic is outlawed and...more
Paperback, 560 pages
Published
April 10th 2007
by Greenwillow Books
(first published 1982)
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The second Chrestomanci volume features two novels which have only two things in common: they both feature magic, and Chrestomanci shows up in both of them. However, the great wizard only makes brief appearances in the book, leaving centre stage to child protagonists who save society from an awful lot of harm by a combination of courage, brains, imagination and magic.
The first book in the volume, The Magicians of Caprona, is set in a world reminiscent of Renaissance Italy. It's basically Shakes...more
The first book in the volume, The Magicians of Caprona, is set in a world reminiscent of Renaissance Italy. It's basically Shakes...more
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This volume was different to Volume 1, where Vol. 1 is about kids finding out they're the next Chrestomanci and enchanter (while losing a lot of lives! haha) The Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week is more on witches and what have you than Chrestomanci, who is featured very little in these books but obviously plays a part in putting things to right.^^^^It definitely wasn't what I had expected, I thought it would be more focussed on Chrestomanci, but when I realised it wasn't, I tried to figure o...more
Jun 30, 2010
Stephanie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult,
fantasy
Diana Wynne Jones, author of the well-known Howl’s Moving Castle, which was recently adapted into an anime, is a much-loved children’s author, and having zipped through The Magicians of Caprona, I completely understand why. Wynne Jones has a wonderfully plummy writing style that reminds me of the books I used to read when I was younger, and her characters are rich and varied, making this a delightful read.
The Magicians of Caprona is the first in the Chrestomanci series, and is set in an alternat...more
The Magicians of Caprona is the first in the Chrestomanci series, and is set in an alternat...more
The second part of this volume really let it down - I enjoyed both books, but the pacing of Witch Week was really quite horrible. It wasn't just a matter of throwing in awesome action, fantasy and tying up loose ends at the last minute, Witch Week was just terribly hard to read. The main plotarc is drawn out for far too long, I had to put it down for a couple of weeks and come back to it.
I think this volume overall is nowhere near as good as volume one - The Lives of Christopher Chant and Charm...more
I think this volume overall is nowhere near as good as volume one - The Lives of Christopher Chant and Charm...more
Review from A Journey Through Pages
As promised volume two of The Chronicles of Chrestomanci has been read, processed in my brain and enjoyed, to great joy to all.
This second volume focuses more on expanding the world, rather than the character of Chrestomanci itself. In fact Chrestomanci is a minor character in both and the only character who appears as a character from the first two books. Also instead of focusing on one character throughout the story, a multitude of character perspectives are...more
As promised volume two of The Chronicles of Chrestomanci has been read, processed in my brain and enjoyed, to great joy to all.
This second volume focuses more on expanding the world, rather than the character of Chrestomanci itself. In fact Chrestomanci is a minor character in both and the only character who appears as a character from the first two books. Also instead of focusing on one character throughout the story, a multitude of character perspectives are...more
I tried, I really did, but I've been trying to finish this book for six weeks now and I'm just not into it. I made it through The Magicians of Caprona, which was really rambly and directionless, and ended rather abruptly. Chrestomanci really wasn't even part of the story; more like he had a special appearance for a few pages. So I've lost interest and I'm thinking this book probably won't get finished.
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In the second volume of the Chronicles of Chrestomanci, two very different stories are presented. The first takes us to the city-state of Caprona, where rivaling families use most of the magic, and something is going wrong in the city, something so bad that the families might have to band together to save their home. The second story takes us to a boarding school in a world where magic is banned and witches are burned at the stake, but almost everyone in this world has magic. Chrestomanci only m...more
I sort of consider this book the weakest link when looking at the Chrestomanci series, but that's really only because I'm not too fond of Witch Week - I think it's bad form to get us horribly attached to characters and then suddenly change those characters into slightly different but really maybe the same characters. It's too much for me.
Magicians of Caprona, on the other hand (Romeo and Juliet, anyone?), is fascinating! Look at how differently magic is treated over there, a few countries over f...more
Magicians of Caprona, on the other hand (Romeo and Juliet, anyone?), is fascinating! Look at how differently magic is treated over there, a few countries over f...more
I was a little worried, reading this out of order and starting with Vol. 2 here, but whatever was in Vol. 1, it doesn't hinder understanding of these stories.
There are two tales in this book. Both have the trademark frankness of narrative and whimsy that I've come to expect from Jones' work, and I'm definitely glad I read it. I think the first, a book about magical families in Italy, was the stronger of the two. The world was more immersive and while the story was pretty predictable, it was told...more
There are two tales in this book. Both have the trademark frankness of narrative and whimsy that I've come to expect from Jones' work, and I'm definitely glad I read it. I think the first, a book about magical families in Italy, was the stronger of the two. The world was more immersive and while the story was pretty predictable, it was told...more
Unlike the first volume, the Chrestomanci is not the protagonist in the two novels featured although he does make an appearance. The stories take place in one (different for each) of the numerous parallel universes, where a magical crisis requires the intervention of the Chrestomanci. The Magicians of Caprona is an adorable allusion to Romeo and Juliet although the stars are the younger siblings of the two lovers. Witch Week is a slightly darker tale, and centers around persecution of the magica...more
Again, Diana Wynne Jones is untouchable when it comes to this series. The stories aren't just a bland rehashed idea with a deus ex machina of a character thrown in to solve everything. It's more or less the characters creating the problem and then having to find away out of it with just a little help from the Chrestomanci.
Magicians of Caprona was like a magical margarita mix of A Tale of Two Cites/Romeo and Juliet with a dash of mystical gang fighting. The second is a clash of Dawson's Creek...more
Magicians of Caprona was like a magical margarita mix of A Tale of Two Cites/Romeo and Juliet with a dash of mystical gang fighting. The second is a clash of Dawson's Creek...more
Review from The Cosy Dragon
After reading the first book in this pair, I realised that I hadn't read either of them before. I was glad, as it would enable me to review the book from an adult's perspective as well as a teen's.
The first novel 'The Magicians of Caprona' is very similar in nature to Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' or the film 'West Side Story', although of course it is set in a world with magic. The protagonist, Antonio Montana, is able to speak to cats but his magical skills seem...more
After reading the first book in this pair, I realised that I hadn't read either of them before. I was glad, as it would enable me to review the book from an adult's perspective as well as a teen's.
The first novel 'The Magicians of Caprona' is very similar in nature to Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' or the film 'West Side Story', although of course it is set in a world with magic. The protagonist, Antonio Montana, is able to speak to cats but his magical skills seem...more
Witch Week was the first Diana Wynne Jones novel I read, and it is still one of my favorites. It takes place in an alternate world much like our own, where witches are at once extremely common and extremely illegal. The setting is a dreary boarding school, where most of the main characters were sent after their parents were burned as witches. Jones's dialogue is at its best here, and she seeds the pages with sly humourous touches that still make me giggle.
Unfortunately, Witch Week also turns out...more
Unfortunately, Witch Week also turns out...more
There's only one thing I don't like about these books. I don't know why it's part of the Chrestomanci series when he's hardly in these stories at all. Other than that, I think these are amazing books. The Magicians of Caprona gives the reader a greater understanding of the world we were introduced to in Charmed Life and The Lives of Christopher Chant. Witch Week can get a little confusing due to the third person p.o.v. shifts that occur without warning, but these shifts give the reader a better...more
This second volume contains two more delightful installments in the brilliant Chrestomanci series - The Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week. I've written individual reviews for each books and so I hate to repeat myself, but as this is the way these books are currently marketed (the three volume format) I wanted to make sure and include a rating and review here as well. This series is exquisitely crafted, beautifully written, clever, funny and completely engrossing!
Again, I enjoyed reading this a lot. It's fun and engaging. I love Mrs. Wynne-Jones' style of writing.
I esp. liked the first story, it was really cute and the places (Italy - "Verona") were very well described and gave off a feel for the surroundings.
The second story was interesting from the pov of the kids and their issues. However, I didn't like it that much. It's not that long, so you can read over it fairly quickly.
I esp. liked the first story, it was really cute and the places (Italy - "Verona") were very well described and gave off a feel for the surroundings.
The second story was interesting from the pov of the kids and their issues. However, I didn't like it that much. It's not that long, so you can read over it fairly quickly.
Once again, I quite enjoyed the second of these two stories more than the first. Although The Magicians of Caprona was good, the story Witch Week was much better. I've seen Witch Week as a single book and I think it would make for a fun read just before Halloween. It is set in a world that still burns witches and involves school children who are shocked to discover that one of their classmates just might be a witch!
This volume contains the continuing adventures of the Chrestomanci in two stories, The Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week. These are interesting additions to the Related Worlds, as each story is set in a different world within this universe. It is fascinating to learn more about the related world/parallel universe concepts as used within this series and to see how different worlds have developed historically and magically. Very enjoyable.
Great book. Read the review I have for volume one and it is about the same. I had actually read this volume first proving that it is not necessary to read in order. However, after reading the first volume I have found that I enjoyed the first more. Because it gives more detail into the life of the Chrestomanci while this volume more shows the responsibility of his office.
In this world created by Diana Wynne Jones, everyone is born as many people, each spread across several worlds...well, everyone but the Chrestomanci, whose lives are all rolled up into one body, one person. The Chrestomanci, like a cat, has nine lives! They must fight to protect the other worlds from those who would misuse their power.
This fantasy is sort of a mix of settings because it moves between worlds, but often touches on a world like our own. There are several other volumes, each incred...more
This fantasy is sort of a mix of settings because it moves between worlds, but often touches on a world like our own. There are several other volumes, each incred...more
These two stories were really fun and really different from each other. I was worried that, because I read the first volume a long time ago and couldn't remember the stories that well, that I may not understand or enjoy these stories, but it didn't matter and I liked them a lot. The Chrestomanci series is just interesting stories that have nothing to do with each other except for the fact that the Chrestomanci comes and fixed the magical their problems.
This book is another 2-in-1 volume. I enjoyed the story about the feuding families, although it is not as strong as the stories in the first or third volumes of this series. The story about the school children was much less enjoyable - I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable and the deus ex machina ending was really disappointing. Still giving it 3 stars because this author is so imaginative that even her less-good books are still entertaining, even if disappointing compared to...more
First Book: This one was a little slow for my liking. Setting up the location and the characters took a while. And all the people had similar sounding names. I got a little confused because she would switch point of views without any real indicator. The story is nice, it has a cool villain with a sick little kidnapping scene that I liked, even though I found it disturbing.
Second Book: I liked this, but I like seeing stories from the points of view of children who are picked on, even if they are...more
Second Book: I liked this, but I like seeing stories from the points of view of children who are picked on, even if they are...more
I finally got to read these two. Loved them! The Magicians of Caprona was a bit hard to start for me (there was a lot of Italian and I have to admit, I was very unused to that, what with everything being so English in all the other books). But, once I really got into it, it was such a great read! Usually, I spend most of the time going, "When does Chrestomanci come in?" but, I really loved Tonino and had no trouble following him.
Witch Week is almost certainly one of my all-time favorite Chresto...more
Witch Week is almost certainly one of my all-time favorite Chresto...more
I didn't like Volume II quite as much as Volume I, but both of the stories were fun and imaginative. Maybe it's just my undying love for His Dark Materials, but I keep wishing for more and more about the Twelve Related Worlds from these books. Maybe that's why "The Lives of Christopher Chant" has been, I think, the best of the lot
Volume II wasn't as impressive as the first volume but it still kept me guesssing as to what was going to happen.
Favorite quote: We have had games with Miss Hodge and rice pudding and there are still about a hundred years of today to go.
Favorite quote: We have had games with Miss Hodge and rice pudding and there are still about a hundred years of today to go.
I've owned this book for years and have read it several times. It is always as good as it was the first time. I think I will soon need to replace my copy because I have read it so much that the binding is starting to die.
Same as the other one, the first in this series. It feels like the author doesn't know how to finish a story, and just writes two novellas and sticks them in one book. Anyone else get that feeling?
A fun book, I really enjoyed this one, although the story with the two warring families is more fun for me to read. The other story is somewhat depressing. I did enjoy the first book a little more.
![Fruit Roll Down [Vivienne]](http://d.gr-assets.com/users/1248721380p2/1358587.jpg)
Dec 22, 2008
Fruit Roll Down [Vivienne]
marked it as to-read
well i haven't read it yet but i am reading the first one, see the chronicles of chrestomanci volume one in my "currently reading " book-self to see what i think of this series
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Diana Wynne Jones was the author of more than thirty critically acclaimed fantasy stories, including the Chrestomanci series and the novels Howl's Moving Castle and Dark Lord of Derkholm.
For Diana Wynne Jones's official autobiography, please see http://www.leemac.freeserve.co.uk/aut...
More about Diana Wynne Jones...
For Diana Wynne Jones's official autobiography, please see http://www.leemac.freeserve.co.uk/aut...
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