These are the absolute perfect books to devour in the chilly weather when you're feeling sleepy and cozy. The fifth Chrestomanci book presents an engaging story where a boy named Conrad is paired with the teen Christopher as trainee servants in a grand house. However, both of them have secret motives for being there. As the story unfolds, a series of adventures, filled with comedy and magic, take place. And true to form, Jones masterfully wraps it all up with a satisfying conclusion that leaves the reader feeling content. It definitely earns an A-.

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This is the very first time that I have re-read this particular piece. And, wow! It truly ought to be subtitled "Christopher and Millie Have The Greatest Love Story Of All Time," and I'm not exaggerating. Seriously, those two! The way their story unfolds is just captivating.

What makes it even more remarkable is the fact that the story ends with Christopher's last life being in her wedding ring. That is by far the best detail ever. It adds a touch of mystery and poignancy to their already beautiful love story.

However, I have to give it 4 stars instead of 5. The reason for this is that the denouement doesn't actually make all that much sense. There are some aspects of it that seem a bit rushed or not fully thought out. But overall, it's still a great read and one that I would highly recommend to others.

Conrad's fate seems sealed by karma. If he doesn't take drastic measures, he'll be gone by year's end! His uncle, a magician, claims Conrad is笼罩 in a black cloud. However, author DWJ is masterful at casting doubt on the adult characters in her novels in a cunning way. You're never certain who to believe, which precisely mirrors the experience of being a child (or let's face it - an adult!) trying to navigate life and never quite sure who to trust.

The story begins with Conrad and his older sister Anthea trudging along miserably, slaving away for their uncle's bookshop. Their mother, a serious feminist author, is portrayed as an absent-minded professor type, easily annoyed by any interruption to her work, especially from her children. So, they're essentially left to fend for themselves. Anthea (what a name! It reminds one of a tragic Greek heroine) devises her own escape plan and cleverly tricks her mother and uncle into accepting it as a fait accompli at the last moment. With Anthea gone, Conrad has no one to watch out for him, and even worse, he has to step up and take care of the adults. He's burdened with all the cooking duties and still essentially a child laborer in his uncle's bookshop. Conrad's one chance at escape - going to a boarding school - is snatched away by his uncle. Instead, he's sent to the Stallery, a luxurious mansion at the top of the English Alps (in this alternate world) where his uncle has him on a secret mission to find the person who ruined his karma. Conrad is given an enchanted cork and told to use it "when the time is right" to summon a Walker, a magical entity who will give Conrad exactly what he needs in that moment. It's all very mysterious, and intentionally so!

Conrad sets off to Stallery with great trepidation. At the gates of Stallery, he meets Christopher... Smith. Readers of the Chrestomanci series will recognize him immediately.

Stallery is a character in its own right. It's a sprawling mansion with labyrinthine passages, a locked wine cellar, an intriguing library, extensive gardens, and a staggering number of rules and regulations for Conrad and Christopher to learn as new "improvers" - essentially valets in training. They become cautious allies and roommates, and before long, they're exploring the Stallery, trying to solve the mystery of the "probability pauses" - essentially a glitch in the time/space continuum where one thing is altered, and from one moment to the next, slight things are off - the post boxes all change from red to blue, furniture winds up in different spots, or the chicken in gravy turns to salmon in cream sauce. These fractures seem to emanate from the Stallery mansion, though the how, where exactly, and why are all part of the mystery.

What's so brilliant about DWJ is how many different layers she adds to the story and how she weaves them together and then unravels them in the last couple of chapters for a surprisingly complex and satisfying resolution each time. I loved the upstairs/downstairs and Downton Abbey vibe of this one, the cascade of actors doing part-time work as maids and footmen in the latter part of the novel, the love triangles, the conniving Uncles!, Christopher and Millie, and even Christopher and Conrad forming a slow, solid friendship.

I'm so glad I discovered the Chrestomanci series, one of my new favorites - so sad that I only have one novel and the Mixed Magics collection of four short stories left to go. But on the bright side, I'm sure I'll be returning to these books for a re-read in the future, and there are so many more DWJ standalones out there to explore!

This is an interesting read that keeps the readers engaged from start to finish.

The story unfolds in a captivating manner, with various elements and characters that draw the audience in.

As the narrative progresses, it builds up anticipation, making the readers eager to know what will happen next.

And then, near the end, comes Jones' typical plot twist(s). These twists add an unexpected layer to the story, completely changing the direction and perspective.

They catch the readers off guard and make them reevaluate everything they thought they knew about the plot.

The use of these plot twists is a trademark of Jones' writing style and it truly makes this read a memorable one.

It leaves the readers with a sense of satisfaction and a desire to explore more of Jones' works.

Overall, this is a great piece of literature that combines an engaging story with clever plot twists to create a truly enjoyable reading experience.

Charming as always, Jones presents us with a truly captivating tale.

Here, we are treated to not just what I would term an "early Chrestomanci" story, where Christopher Chant is still a young boy, but also a thrilling murder mystery!

Conrad resides in Series Seven, where he is largely taken for granted by his uncle and mother. However, Conrad is oblivious to this fact, and he is also unaware of the intricate web of deceit that encircles him when his uncle informs him that he must work off a debt from a past life... by killing someone in this current one!

Millie is given more prominence in this book, and I have a great affection for her. So, it was truly enjoyable to witness her playing a more significant role once again.

Overall, this is a highly entertaining book, especially for fans of the Chrestomanci series!

I am a great enthusiast of first-person narrative stories. However, they are extremely challenging to handle correctly, particularly within the kind of complex plot structures that Diana Wynne Jones (DWJ) favors. The issue always lies in the fact that we can only witness what occurs to or involves the protagonist. Unless the author resorts to cheating and dumping excessive information on us, our perspective remains limited. Here, as in much of her work, we are assumed to be intelligent enough to keep pace. And although the resolution is as hurried and disorderly as ever, there is a sense that this is because Conrad himself is grappling to make sense of it, which leads to a far more gratifying outcome.

The story itself integrates effortlessly into what could be termed the Chrestomanci template. Essentially, an effectively orphaned child is thrust into an artificial world with its own set of rules, while the actual plot unfolds almost incidentally. In fact, here, Conrad doesn't really do much to resolve it other than serving as the unwitting agent who aids Millie in her escape.

But that's not the crucial aspect. What one obtains is a classic example of world-building with the concept of "probability shifting" that functions both as a plot device and as a comical tool, enabling some entertaining set-pieces. One also gets to view Christopher Chant through someone else's eyes. He is just as irritating as he is in "The Lives of Christopher Chant" but is also clearly accepting his responsibilities, albeit in a nice teen-rebellious manner.

Oh, and the setting - the Upstairs, Downstairs/Downton Abbey world - is vividly depicted. The invisibility of servants is utilized in various ways to help shed light on different aspects of the story. And I particularly adored the actor crowd who arrive to propel the narrative to a new level in a highly plausible manner.

As a result of this reread, I have revised my rating upwards by a point. It's still not the best in the DWJ canon, but it's significantly better than I recalled.

VERY fun!!

God dwj's brain is extremely big. It's truly amazing how much creativity and imagination this person possesses. Their ideas seem to flow endlessly, like a never-ending river of inspiration.

Every time I encounter something related to god dwj, I'm always left in awe. Their ability to think outside the box and come up with unique concepts is truly remarkable.

Whether it's in the field of art, literature, or any other creative endeavor, god dwj's work stands out. It's as if they have access to a special realm of ideas that the rest of us can only dream of reaching.

I can't wait to see what else god dwj has in store for us. Their big brain is sure to continue producing amazing things that will captivate and inspire us all.

This is such an excellent book.

I truly have a deep love for Diana Wynn Jones' Chrestomanci world. It is quite a pity that we only have six books set in this wonderful fictional realm.

Moreover, this book contains valuable themes for children. It explores the experiences of being neglected and manipulated by one's own family, which is a rather common theme in DWJ's works if you are familiar with the rest of her body of literature.

She frequently portrays family members who manipulate, neglect, or abuse the main character. However, she also always includes other people who come to the rescue and help the protagonist get out of the difficult situation and discover new relationships.

In the end, the characters always either achieve freedom or find a new and loving family. I think this is a very hopeful and inspiring message.

It shows that even in the face of difficult family circumstances, there is always the possibility of finding support and a better life.

This novel wasn't as brilliant as the other four novels that I have read. However, it was still very interesting and engaging.

The story had its own unique charm and kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and their relationships added depth to the plot.

Although it may not have reached the same level of excellence as the others, it still had many redeeming qualities. The author's writing style was流畅 and easy to follow, which made it a pleasant reading experience.

I found myself looking forward to picking up the book each time and seeing what would happen next. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to others who are looking for an interesting read.

2017 Reading Challenge: A book involving a mythical creature (a Walker)

This is a rather new story within the Chrestomanci series. It features Christopher Chant during his teenage years, but the central character is a boy named Conrad. Overall, it is a work by Dianne Wynne Jones. What more can I say other than it is truly wonderful? The story takes readers on an exciting adventure filled with mystery and magic. The concept of the mythical creature, the Walker, adds an extra layer of intrigue. As we follow Conrad's journey, we are drawn into a world where anything is possible. Dianne Wynne Jones has a remarkable talent for creating vivid characters and immersive settings. Her writing style is engaging and keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. This book is a must-read for fans of fantasy and those looking for a captivating story. It offers a unique blend of adventure, magic, and coming-of-age themes that will appeal to readers of all ages.

It has been quite a while since I last read for pure pleasure. However, this book has truly delighted me beyond measure. It is such an excellent read that fills me with joy.

The beginning of this book, despite being a children's book, is not a happy one. One might assume that a children's book should always have a cheerful tone, but this one is different. I found myself seething with rage and frustration when the adults in a family seemed to "purposely" neglect the children.

Conrad is an eleven-year-old boy in this family. He lives with his mother, a feminist writer, an older sister, and an uncle who runs a bookstore. Conrad and his sister Anthea are the ones who handle the domestic chores, while their mother is busy writing and their uncle is occupied with conducting experiments with charms, spells, and potions.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Conrad's uncle, Alfred, is a magician. It seems that everyone in this universe has magic, and it is not deliberately hidden but rather just concealed. Conrad knows that his uncle and his friends, who hold regular meetings at the bookstore, are magicians. But he has no idea what they are up to.

One day, there is a shift in the universe, and only a few people, mainly magicians, notice the changes. These shifts manifest in the form of changes in book titles, the color of postboxes, and other small things. Most people remain oblivious, but Conrad and his family do notice. His uncle tells him that he has a bad fate.

Another piece of bad news is that his sister, Anthea, decides to leave the house to attend a university and promises never to return. The family protests about the money and other issues, but she claims to have received a scholarship. Conrad is disheartened and realizes how much work his sister did. After she leaves, all of her duties fall on him, and he is furious. He vows that one day, when he comes of age, he also wants to leave the house.

When he turns twelve, he is determined to attend a higher school where they teach magic. However, his uncle tells him that he has a bad fate or karma and that he must take down someone from the Stallery or he will die. Conrad is angry but also scared. After making his uncle promise to get him into the school he wants after he completes his duty, he agrees to go to the Stallery. He is supposed to work as a valet or be trained as one, and this is where his adventure begins.

I have read some fiction about the lives of the British classic aristocracy, so I have some ideas about the settings. But this book gives a completely different feeling. I see everything from the perspective of a would-be valet, not the aristocrats. He has to do a lot of work and has almost no time to rest. Fortunately, there are two trainees, Conrad and Christopher, whom they call Improvers.

So, I suggest that you read the other books about the Lives of Christopher Chant before reading this one, or you will miss some details.

The character of Christopher is somewhat familiar to me. Well, not because I have read the Lives of Christopher Chant, but because his character is similar to Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series. He is sarcastic, snobbish, and irritating (according to Conrad, sometimes), even though he is just a valet trainee. But Conrad and Christopher end up helping each other out and become friends. It turns out that Christopher also has his own mission, and they work together to accomplish it.

I really missed reading for pleasure, and this book is such a good and happy read. The introduction is a bit irritating, but it turns out well. There are a lot of plot twists, which is why I am so happy. There are confusing twists, enraging twists, and happy twists, all of which are present. And there are almost no plot holes. Everything is explained in the end, and there is no rush to the conclusion. I really enjoyed the journey. I know I am being very biased here, and I apologize. I just want to say this in the end: if you miss a magical fantasy story that reminds you of the Harry Potter series but is set in the context of British aristocracy, you may want to read this story. Even some of the spells are similar, like "glamour spells"!

DWJ is truly such a five-star lady.

She has this amazing ability to make the simplest things seem magical, whether it's going upstairs or downstairs.

Here, we have so many of the elements that are characteristic of Jones' works and that make her books the precious gems they are.

There's the young and naive main character, the sycophantic adults, the inventive plot details like a manor house built on a magical fault line!

And, of course, her prose is flawless.

She is the author by whom I measure all other YA fantasy writers.

Her works are not only entertaining but also inspire and captivate readers with their unique charm and creativity.

DWJ's influence on the YA fantasy genre is undeniable, and her books will continue to be cherished by readers for generations to come.