This charming book is the first in the Chrestomanci series and is told from the point of view of Eric, Cat Chant who with his sister, Gwendolen, become orphaned and end up finding a new life at Chrestomanci castle. They live in a world of magic and one of the strongest parts of this book is Gwendolen's striving to prove that she's a powerful witch and how along the way she uses and abuses people especially her brother. As Eric adapts to his new home and starts to grow away from his sister, he begins to learn his own power and that he can do things by himself. This book would be an appropriate read for a middle school student or older elementary school student who would see themselves in Eric while getting lost in the wonderful world. All of the magic elements are done in such a way that they don't seem terribly out of place because they're normal to Eric, which allows the reader to get lost in the world. This is a funny and at time slightly heartbreaking book about what really counts about family in the midst of a fantastic magical world and is a great entry book to the works of Diana Wynne Jones. ( )

This is the first of Diana Wynne Jones' books that I ever read, probably shortly after it was published in the late seventies. It's one of the few books that I still go back to, and find things to admire and enjoy to this day. It's not the book that's been longest in my collection, but it's the book that I've loved consistently over the last thirty Or so years.

The book is from the pov of Cat, a small boy who has literally no idea of what is going on around him. The clues are all there, but he's so enmeshed in the constructed world that his sister built, and those his sister recruits maintain, that he doesn't understand it. Systematically, every piece of his world is taken away, and he is left with the weight of the world -- and an imposter that he dare not reveal to his guardian -- on his shoulders.

And nonetheless, he's not a hero or a drip (though he is a little doormattish, but he gets called on it.). He's a small boy, doing the best he can.

I love the world, a magical steampunk place. I love the Related Worlds, and Chrestomanci of the many and florid dressing gowns.The characters are different people; they walk and live and breath, misunderstand and are misunderstood; make plans, have hopes. Few are all bad, or all good, and no one is perfect. I love het deft way that a few details givesw a glimpse of an entire world, a culture and ethos that is different than our own. I have almost all DWJ's books, but this (and Power of Three) have been my favourites for an incredibly long time. And, while I'm here, IMO? Pinhoe Egg was a worthy successor to Charmed Life. ( )

I'm totally charmed by this story, the magical duels, the characters and Chrestomanci's clothes fill me with glee.

Cat Chant and his horrible sister are adopted by Chrestomanci the magician.

When orphans Gwendolen and Cat are transported to a strange castle, Cat seems to be the only one who can’t do magic. However, after his sister Gwendolen gets into trouble, Cat discovers he is actually an enchanter with the potential to become the Chrestomanci, the lord of the entire castle. Read the entire Chronicles of Chrestomanci series to continue following Cat’s adventures.

I loved this book as a kid. In Dutch the main character has my name, which made it extra special. Can´t wait to read it to my son. ( )