Conrad's uncle sends him to work as a domestic for the local aristocracy, with a secret mission to find and destroy the person responsible for Conrad's terrible karma. Jones writes terrific fantasy and this novel continues the stories of characters from other books.

Conrad's Fate would be a great recommendation for any child who enjoyed Harry Potter. ( )

A new Wynne Jones is always good news, and a new Chrestomanci book was decidedly unexpected – although Christopher Chant takes a supporting role in this. Generally delightful, although it suffered from Diana's (I've met her twice, I can call her Diana) habitual tendency to go off at a sudden tangent just as the plot seems to be about to be resolved which, although admirable in some ways, does tend to muddy the waters. ( )

Basic Reason for Beginning: Given how few novels by DWJ I've read in the past... year, I'll forgive you forgetting, but she's one of the fantasy writers I wish I'd grown up reading, so I'm (slowly) playing catch up.
Basic Reason for Finishing: Because it's good fun. ^-^
Texture: Uhm... Little silvery, bit flimsy. But more like white gold thin than aluminum.

Full review here.

Book Rereadability: I had fun reading this and I can see myself rereading it as part of a whole reread of the Chrestomanci series, but it certainly doesn't have a high priority.
Author Rereadability: Yep, triple yep and then some more yeps. Otherwise I wouldn't be on my... dozenth book or so.
Recommendation: This may be a stand-alone novel, but if you've never read about Chrestomanci before, I urge you to start with Charmed Life or The Lives of Christopher Chant instead. I think they're better introductions than this book. Beyond that, I think this'll appeal to anyone who wants a fast, fun and light read. Unless you hate fantasy. ( )

I've read most of Wynne Jones's other Chrestomanci books - they are "kids books" but very well-written and can be enjoyed by open-minded adults as well. Quite a British flavor, clever, quirky. Excellent characterizations.Just finished listening to this. Makes me want to re-read the earlier ones. The reader was excellent as well (of course, I can't recall his name just now). ( )

Didn't get to the end the first time I read this but on the back of all the others it's far more entertaining.

Conrad is convinced he has a Terrible Fate and gets caught up in the young Chrestomanci's schemes.

While even Diana Wynne Jones' worst book (and this isn't it) would be considered fantastic, I felt that this wasn't quite up to her usual standards.

The description of the teenage Chrestomanci was perfect, and I loved reading the story, but the plot seemed somehow...flatter, almost, than her other books. I adore the original Chrestomanci books, and there just seems to be less substance to CONRAD'S FATE.

It's a good book, especially if you were already in love with the series and author, but I would recommend starting with the first Chrestomanci book, THE LIVES OF CHRISTOPHER CHANT.

Happy reading- ( )

It could well be argued that, for me, the Chrestomanci books are the most lasting books I've read. I first encountered them when I was pretty young, probably around 9 or 10, and have read most of them multiple times. When Jones came out with a new one a couple of years ago, I was very excited, and I remember reading part of it in the Indigo on Ste. Catharine. But, for some reason or another, I never got around to reading it until now.

Thankfully, it didn't disappoint. I don't think I liked it more than Charmed Life or the Lives of Christopher Chant, but it was still a very good book, with a nicely realized world and good characters. I felt that I probably was missing some of the tie-ins from the other books, since I hadn't actually read any of them for a long time, but I think I got most of it, anyway. What I didn't were probably just throwaway references to reward very loyal readers. Maybe I'm not loyal enough.

The story follows Conrad Grant through an appointment at the local nobility's mansion as a valet-in-training, and goes through meeting different of the Chrestomanci series characters and encountering the mysteries of the grounds. Some of it's fairly guessable, but not all of it, and one can be forgiven for guessability in a book aimed at younger audiences. All in all, it's good writing, and twisty without feeling like the author's cheating. I continue to love this author, and I'll have to read more by her again soon. ( )

The long-awaited answer to "what was Christopher like as a teenager?". (The answer: A bit insufferable at times, but well-motivated at heart and very charming). The book is a delight to read. Some of the funniest bits are the offhand details. I loved the notion of saving a horrible yellow moth-eaten dress to wear to embarrass people, for example. The upstairs/belowstairs dichotomy was well-portrayed and entertaining to see through the eyes of two adventurous and impudent boys. ( )

Not her best but hey, it's DWJ - her worst novel (which this most certainly isn't) is better than anything most people could ever hope to write in their entire lives. Was a tiny bit intrigued by the plot hole she wrote in for herself at the end, though! [grin]

Also, hurrah for teenage!Chrestomanci. He always was a bit of a lovable git. ( )

Interesting but not riveting. It's just too easy to pick out how and why things are changing. Seeing how the author gets from point to point is sometimes surprising but all too often confirming of the reader's guess.

Diana Wynn-Jones writes fantasy for children/adolescents. Conrad's Fate came out this year and it's sat in a bag since the Spring. Interesting story, it's a Christopher Chant/Chrestomanci one. If you like her other Chrestomanci stories, this is a good one, but not the one I would start with. Begin with the Lives of Chirstopher Chant and go from there.
Originally posted September 18, 2005

Fifth in the Chrestomanci series (although second chronologically.) Conrad Tesdinic is sent to Stallery Mansion, where he meets and teams up with a teenage Christopher Chant.

Just as good as the other Chrestomanci books, which are some of my favourite children’s fiction. ( )

This was a reasonably enjoyable read, and has several good ideas: I particularly liked the series of overlapping buildings in alternate realities. However, I felt that the resolution of the plot really didn't hang together consistently with the previous behaviour of some of the major characters. No doubt many children reading this book would neither notice nor care, but I don't think that's an excuse in a genre such as fantasy with so many adult readers. When the author works so hard (possibly too hard) to construct a self-consistent setting, I think the coherence of plot and characterization deserves at least as much attention. There were also some pretty clunky links to the rest of the series, which jar if (like me) you're reading this book in isolation. (For example, the author laboriously explains the existence of the drably-named "Series" of alternate worlds, but it seems out of place for Conrad either to know about this, or to refer to it in exactly these terms early in the book.) Not her best. MB 2-vii-2007 ( )

http://yoyogodreviews.blogspot.com/20... ( )

Conrad's Fate was a quick and easy read with few surprises -- this was pure Diana Wynne Jones. The book was accessible and fun, the story relatively straightforward and the resolution a bit absurd and confusing but in a 'drawing room farce' kind of way so that you don't really hold it against her. All in all, I can highly recommend this (or any of the Chrestomanci books, really) if you're feeling a little sick, a little brain-slow and you just need something light and fun to sustain you.
http://mscongeniality.vox.com/library... ( )

This is probably my favorite Chrestomanci book. I liked Conrad's narration and Christopher became a favorite character quickly. I thought the plot was very interesting. It did get confusing at points but I thought the ending was better than most of Diana's endings. I don't know, I guess I think the idea of a story about a valet-to-be is entertaining! Haha. Good work Miss Wynne Jones!

When his uncle sends him to work at the mysterious Stallery Mansion, twelve-year-old Conrad Tesdinic overcomes his bad karma and meets Christopher, an infuriating magician of his own age. The latest book in the Chronicles of Chrestomanci, and just as good as the others.

A good book, but not as strong as other Chrestomanci volumes. ( )

http://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2005/07... ( )

I'm amused at this series being re-released riding on the cloak-tails of Harry Potter, as it were. Then again, it's not that I mind. It's an excellent series which I thoroughly enjoyed as a child, and still do. ( )

I liked this Chrestomanci book much more than Witch Week! The characters in this one were just so great -- I especially loved Conrad's mother, who is a rather batty and forgetful (although that's not all her fault...) academic who writes feminist texts that no one reads. ( )

A new Diana Wynne Jones is always cause for celebration. This is another book in the Chrestomanci universe(s) and, though not among her BEST, still very enjoyable, humourous and well-written. It was neat to see what Chrestomanci was like as a teenager. Good stuff. ( )