The series of loosely-interrelated novels was a lot of fun. I'd recommend these. ( )

Third volume of this fantasy series. In the first novel, a boy is told that he has bad karma and that someone in the local castle has the ability to remove it. It turns out not to be the case. Why it turns out thus is a fascinating story of complexities, wizardry, and family rivalry. In the second novel, rival hedge-witch families are in conflict, and also trying to stay out of the Chrestomanci's sight. A bit difficult as he is literally right next door. ( )

If you've read and like the other Chrestomanci novels this is a no-brainer - read this now! If you're new to Chrestomanci but like fantasy YA literature which is also suitable for adults then I recommend starting at the beginning with volume 1. ( )

Omnibus of two recent Diana Wynne Jones YA fantasies. Whimsical and delightful.

Conrad's Fate is...perhaps the least interesting Chrestomanci book, for me. Conrad is such an idiot at times - he's being strong and tricky and figuring out how to get his way, and his uncle has him so neatly wrapped around his finger.... It took me two readings to figure out what the heck was going on at the castle, and it's still not really clear. The sidelight on Christopher's youth is mildly interesting, though I thought he and Gabriel had reached an agreement by the end of Lives of Christopher Chant. And like that. Not a favorite. Not bad, and a good addition to the Chrestomanci series, but it doesn't stand on its own very well.
The Pinhoe Egg, on the other hand, is magnificent. Marianne is a great character, and the other Pinhoes are firmly established too - simplistic but not cardboard. I like Cat best - his was the first Chrestomanci story I read - so this illumination of his life is great. Not sidelight, it's a continuation of his story, since we haven't seen him as an adult or Chrestomanci yet. Joe and Roger together are nicely mad; Janet and Julia are left out of things a bit but when they do show up they're well-drawn. The way all the various storylines intertwine - Grammer's 'illness', the empty forest, Joe at the castle and Marianne in the village, the Pinhoe house, the egg, all the rest of it - is great. They seem quite individual to start with, then start getting mixed, then they turn out all to be facets or reflections of one problem. Though I have to say Chrestomanci's summing up, though no doubt accurate, comes way out of left field. I wish we'd seen some of the research that produced those answers.
Anyway - one good book, one great one. Love Chrestomanci - in all his incarnations! ( )