2022 Reread:

Conrad's Fate isn't among the Diana Wynne Jones books I've reread frequently. Partly, it's because it's not a favorite, and partly because I read it much later than the first set of Chrestomanci books, so it didn't seem to quite fit. However, on this reread, I'm more lenient towards it than on my initial reading. Specifically, I think Christopher (who is charming and arrogant) is very well-portrayed as a secondary character. Although Millie and the others could be more vivid. Stallery Castle and its probability shifts are a great concept, and I would have loved to see even more playfulness with them.

2005 Read:

Conrad Tesdinic resides in the town of Stallchester, which experiences minor reality shifts. Items aren't where people left them, shirts change color, or book titles alter. According to Conrad's Uncle Alfred, this is because the people in Stallery Castle are "playing the probabilities" to manipulate the stock market, much to Alfred's miserly envy. When Conrad is twelve, his uncle sends him to Stallery Castle to kill someone and expiate the bad karma Alfred claims Conrad acquired in a previous life. On the way to the castle, Conrad meets a well-dressed and somewhat arrogant fifteen-year-old named Christopher. Christopher joins him in training as a servant but is actually an enchanter from another world searching for a lost friend. If you've read the previous Chrestomanci books, you'll recognize the future Chrestomanci. He's a few years older than in The Lives of Christopher Chant and considerably younger than in Charmed Life.

You can read Conrad's Fate without having read any of the previous Chrestomanci books as it's not a direct sequel. However, I'm not sure if I'd recommend it. The supporting characters all seem somewhat sketchy and underdeveloped, but for Christopher, you can at least fill in more details from earlier books.

This is much better than The Merlin Conspiracy, but still not as good as Jones at her best. Conrad is likable, and the details of his learning to be a servant and navigate the Stallery social hierarchy are vivid and convincing. However, the book doesn't quite come together right. It's clear very early on how Conrad is being manipulated and what he needs to learn, but he doesn't actually learn it from the plot; he learns it from being told. The plot and character development each work okay on their own, but they don't reinforce each other. Also, Conrad would have felt more rounded if he'd interacted more extensively with more than one person. The denouement is also one of the most rushed and haphazard I've seen. Jones often has trouble with this, but I think I'd prefer the abruptness of Fire and Hemlock or A Tale of Time City to the very eighteenth-century epilogue we get, which simply doesn't fit with the way the rest of the story is told.

I had an absolute blast romping around the magnificent estate of Stallery in the company of Conrad and Christopher. The place was truly a wonder, with its sprawling landscapes and grand architecture. We explored every nook and cranny, laughing and joking along the way. However, as the story came to an end, I couldn't help but feel that it was a bit rushed. The conclusion seemed to be wrapped up too quickly, leaving me with a sense of slight dissatisfaction. But despite this small flaw, the overall experience of reading this account was truly great. It took me on an adventure that I won't soon forget, and I'm looking forward to more stories like it in the future.

So, I picked up a volume and read the first two stories, which were numbered one and four. After that, I came online to figure out which one was the third. Apparently, I'm supposed to read this particular one (either the fifth or the seventh?) after the second story, which is actually numbered the fourth. Seriously, could the suggested reading order be any more perplexing?

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This book offers an interesting glimpse into the lives of teen-aged Christopher and Millie. Even though for the majority of the book, it feels like not much is happening, I still quite enjoyed it. There were certain parts towards the end where I had to go back a few pages and re-read because I found myself saying, "Wait, what... who?" It seemed as if the conclusion was a bit forced. The copy I read was 164 pages long, and in the last 20 pages, there was a flurry of activity, new names were introduced, and it all became confusing and left me scratching my head.

Overall, despite the confusing reading order and the somewhat rushed conclusion, there were still some enjoyable aspects to this book. It was interesting to see the characters' lives unfold, and it made me curious to see what would happen next in their stories.

Well, this was truly a wild and exciting ride.

I randomly picked up this book on a whim, not even realizing that it was the fifth in a series. However, that didn't hinder my progress at all. It's targeted at a younger audience than what I usually read, and on top of that, it's written in the first person. So, it did take me a few chapters to really get into the story. But once I was hooked, I couldn't put it down. By the halfway point, everything had been completely turned upside down, and then it was just a frantic rush to the finish line to see how everything would possibly come together.

And when I say everything, I mean the countless different subplots that Diana Wynne Jones is juggling at any given time. Her remarkable ability to weave them all into a single, coherent web in time for the climax is one of the things I absolutely love about her writing. The other is her amazing characters. The protagonists are all likeable and proactive, the kind of characters you can't help but root for. The villains are despicable, and the supporting cast makes just as much of an impression as any of the others. Mr. Predergast is definitely my favorite. Most importantly, no one is ever boring. And the plot never stops hurtling forward either. There are no dull scenes that you're tempted to skip, because if you do, you're likely to miss a crucial clue that will tie into the Big Reveal in some way or another.

There are three reasons why I'm only giving it four out of five stars. One is that the ending did feel a bit rushed. While it was from Conrad's perspective, Christopher's disappearance and subsequent return could have been drawn out a bit longer, and Millie could have had more to do. (I suspect she's a main player elsewhere in the series. Am I wrong?) The second reason is that I really wanted Christopher to take Champ with him when they left, because Champ had such a hard time and he really deserved better. And the third reason is that although it's a thoroughly enjoyable read and I've never before read about how playing the stock market can send your world into a parallel universe, it's not quite enough to dethrone Howl's Moving Castle from my top spot. But I will most definitely be reading more of the Chrestomanci Chronicles.

This book truly represents the pinnacle of DWJ's humor.

It contains scenes that are simply hilarious. For instance, the part where the boys are attempting to gain access to a wine cellar is uproarious. Their bumbling efforts and comical antics had me in stitches, laughing out loud in an unflattering way.

I won't go into further details here, as I don't want to spoil the fun for others. But suffice it to say that DWJ has a unique talent for creating situations that are both absurd and highly entertaining.

The way she crafts the dialogue and describes the actions of the characters makes it impossible not to be amused.

Whether you're a fan of humorous literature or just looking for a good laugh, this book is definitely worth checking out.

I truly enjoyed this book. It delved into Wynne Jones' favorite theme - the abuse and neglect that children may endure from their parents, and the crucial need for them to overcome such hardships to form their own loving adopted families. She has penned dozens of novels featuring castles and palaces, but this time, for the first time, we get to view them from the servants' perspective. This was an eye-opening experience for Christopher.

I found myself thoroughly enjoying Conrad. He is a character simpler than usual, being described as having a "new" soul. However, you still get a profound sense of him as an individual. I grew fond of him, and it's easy to see how he became not only Christopher's best man but also the only person capable of successfully advising him. I would absolutely love to witness their interactions as adults.

The concept of hiring actors as house servants and their modes of interaction were simply hilarious. It added a unique and entertaining element to the story, making it even more engaging and enjoyable to read.

I've been delving into Diana Wynn Jones's (may she rest in peace!) Chrestomanci series for the sake of comfort reading, and it has truly been a wonderful experience.

These books are a perfect blend of nostalgia, excitement, sardonic humor, and pure fun. I devoured all of them multiple times as a teenager, and they have definitely stood the test of time, despite being YA novels originally, much like a significant portion of Jones' work.

The plot of the novel follows an Upstairs/Downstairs kind of setup. Conrad Tesdinic, a resident of a mountainous European world, is pressured by his uncle to take up a job at the mysterious Stallery Castle. There are strange and potentially dangerous magics at play there. Fortunately, Christopher Chant shows up, searching for his friend Millie, who has gone missing somewhere on the castle grounds. And, of course, typical Chrestomanci hijinks ensue.

Conrad's Fate has a unique charm compared to the Chrestomanci Quartet (Charmed Life, Lives of Christopher Chant, Witch Week, Magicians of Caprona). It is written in the first-person, and its tone is a bit more earnest than Jones' earlier work, especially Charmed Life and Lives. There are still some humorous moments, but not quite at the same level and frequency as those two books. The first-person narration also gives the narrative a faster pace compared to the other books, perhaps also due to the fact that Conrad and Christopher are racing around a huge mansion at breakneck speed.

I also appreciate how Jones blatantly critiques the whole upstairs/downstairs dynamic between servants and their employers in this book. I won't give away the ending, but there's a really great twist related to this theme. Just the sheer size of the house and its inner workings are enough to make it an interesting read on its own.

And I have always loved learning more about Christopher Chant! He's such a hilarious character - part Wildean dandy/flaneur (despite ostensibly being straight), part magical policeman, and part pure colonial bureaucrat. We get to see him grow and come into his own here, post-Charmed Life. He's up to his usual antics - dressed to the nines, forgetting "unimportant" people's names, and generally being an insufferable yet goodhearted human being. If one of these books ever gets adapted into a movie, Benedict Cumberbatch would be the perfect choice to play him.

It's been a fun read! However, if you're new to the series, I'd recommend starting with Lives.

In the Related Worlds, there lies infinite possibility.

Someone at Stallery mansion in Conrad's world has discovered a way to exploit these possibilities for personal gain. This has led to strange occurrences such as televisions acting weird and mailboxes changing color. Moreover, Conrad has been given a black fate from which he can't escape unless he uncovers the culprit and eliminates them. The best option seems to be becoming a servant at Stallery. However, there's a catch as Christopher Chant also needs the job. And with Christopher, the next Chrestomanci, involved, things are bound to take a strange turn.

Conrad's Fate stands out in the already distinct Chrestomanci series where no two books are alike. Told from the perspective of the hapless Conrad, it offers a new perspective on Christopher Chant. In the rest of the series, he is known as the wickedly handsome and sarcastic Chrestomanci, but here he is brought down to earth as a teenager on a knight's errand, almost. Conrad and Christopher must learn the proper way to serve tea, figure out what's happening at Stallery mansion, who is hiding it, and how to stop it. If only they could get some time off from polishing the silver!

The story is as engaging and immersive as a grandiose fantasy adventure, with a changing house and magic doorway adding to the charm. But in reality, it plays out much like Downton Abbey. It delves into the lives of the servants and their relationship with the masters, exploring the purpose of such an existence and the people involved. It also toys with the idea of fate - not just Conrad's, although his will soon be explored - and how to change it, as well as whether one's fate is the cause of widespread misery. Filled with another unforgettable cast of characters from both sides of the scullery door, this is a wonderful coming-of-age tale, fantasy, and class analysis, set in a world not too different from our own. It's a great addition to the Chrestomanci series, delving into the life and maturation of Christopher and his relationship with those around him. But it's also very much Conrad's story and soon becomes your own, as the themes of fate and hope are always relevant to our lives. Jones masterfully weaves a wonderfully unique story that is quirky, whimsical, and occasionally profound. It's definitely not to be missed.

A Chrestomanci novel offers a unique perspective as it is told from the point of view of Conrad Grant, a series newcomer. Here, we see the teenaged enchanter Christopher Chant, the series' hero, as Conrad's new best friend. Many of the hallmarks that are typical of Wynn Jones' works are present in this book. There are callous relatives and rich folk, a standoffish and powerful older sister, clueless yet naturally talented young magicians, mingled or elusive alternative worlds on the verge of going critical, dogs, and snobs.

One of the most captivating aspects of this book is its setting, which is inspired by the servant culture as seen in Downton Abbey, but it is set way before that. Conrad and Christopher are liveried underfootmen who reside in the attic of the stately home called the Stallery. They work in the "undercroft" or basement and start each day by gathering around a hundred pairs of the household's shoes for polishing. The story is filled with adventure, humor, and a touch of class conflict as the heroes strive to save the day while being careful not to ruin the prissy silk socks they are compelled to wear and have to pay for with their meager wages.

If you haven't delved into the works of Diana Wynn Jones before, it is advisable to begin with one of the earlier books in the series. This will enhance your enjoyment of this particular installment. I have always believed that Wynn Jones' Christopher Chant is somewhat patterned after Dr. Who, but it is not so derivative that it spoils the fun.

While some of Wynn Jones' non-Chrestomanci books suffer from a common flaw where the plot can seem improvised and arbitrary (as seen in Fire and Hemlock), this is not the case with this book. Here, the plot makes complete sense, albeit a slightly wacky one.

Adding to the fun are features such as steampunk early computers, wine cellars, grand-house gardens, visiting acting troupes, and high tea. However, if tea and English twee irritate you, it might be best to stay away from this book.

This is part of a longer review originally posted here.

I truly relished this book, predominantly due to its portrayal of Christopher as a teenager and his associations with both Conrad and Millie. Ever since the events in Lives, Christopher has further refined his haughty and sarcastic demeanor. He has also mastered the art of focusing and leveraging his remarkable natural charm. He and Conrad strike up a friendship effortlessly, which offers an intriguing insight into Christopher's character. Conrad, for his part, experiences a gamut of emotions towards Christopher - annoyance, awe, amusement, and complete dissatisfaction. Through a conversation with Millie, he discovers that she shares similar sentiments regarding Christopher's at times overbearing personality. It was fascinating to witness Christopher, who had such complex relational issues in Lives, forge a close and trusting friendship so rapidly. Conrad himself was an excellent narrator and captivating in his own right. Christopher and Millie don't have an abundance of scenes together in this book, but we are afforded a peek into how their relationship evolved from what it was in Lives to what it is in Charmed Life. Diana Wynne Jones is one of those writers who can convey a wealth of meaning with just a few words. So, despite not penning any overtly romantic scenes, the story managed to communicate, with a few astutely placed sentences, the profundity of Christopher and Millie's feelings for each other.

This was truly an enjoyable read, just like every single one of DWJ's works. Conrad is a highly relatable and strong protagonist from start to finish. He is also an extremely entertaining narrator. It is always a delight to see Christopher and Millie as well. I have a great affection for the jabs at the aristocracy and poshness in general. All in all, it is a fun story. However, perhaps it would be beneficial to read the others first so that the appearances have a greater impact.

This way, the reader can better understand the context and the relationships between the characters. It will also enhance the overall reading experience and make the story even more engaging.

DWJ has a unique way of creating vivid worlds and characters that draw the reader in and keep them hooked until the very end. Her writing style is both captivating and engaging, making it a pleasure to read her books.

Whether you are a fan of fantasy or just looking for a good read, DWJ's works are definitely worth checking out. You won't be disappointed.

3.5

First-person POV didn't work so well here.

I have to admit that when I initially decided to use the first-person point of view in this piece, I thought it would add a sense of authenticity and immediacy. However, as I delved deeper into the writing, I realized that it wasn't the best choice.

The first-person perspective made the narrative feel a bit too self-centered and limited. It was difficult to convey the full range of emotions and experiences of the other characters. I found myself constantly having to filter everything through my own eyes and thoughts, which sometimes detracted from the overall story.

Perhaps a different point of view, such as third-person omniscient or limited, would have been more suitable. This would have allowed me to explore the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters and provide a more comprehensive and objective view of the events.

In the end, I had to make the difficult decision to abandon the first-person POV and start over. It was a frustrating experience, but I know that it was the right choice for the story. I'm now looking forward to seeing how it will turn out with a new perspective.