A nice YA read indeed! The world-building in this book is truly such interesting. It creates a captivating and immersive universe that draws the reader in from the very beginning. The author has done an excellent job of imagining a unique and detailed world, filled with fascinating characters and thrilling adventures.

The story takes place in a setting that is both familiar and yet completely different from our own. It has its own rules, cultures, and landscapes, which makes it a joy to explore. The YA audience will especially love the relatable characters and their coming-of-age stories. They will root for the heroes and heroines as they face challenges and overcome obstacles.

Overall, this is a great book for anyone who loves YA fiction and enjoys being transported to a different world. The interesting world-building is just one of the many亮点 that make this book a must-read. I highly recommend it to all YA fans out there!

Probably my favourite novel, of my favorite author. (Does that make this my favorite book of all time? Maybe...) I can't say how many times I've read and re-read this book, but it's one of those books that seems to retain its charm no matter how many times you read it.

It contains the same signature humor, absurd characters, imaginative setting, and just a touch of the unexplainable, that makes her writing so addictive. Conrad is living with his mother, uncle, and sister Anthea (who later moves out), and working part-time in his uncle's bookshop. He whiles away his time at work reading books, but one day notices that there were unexplained alterations in the titles of the books overnight - Uh oh, someone has been pulling the possibilities again! To get to the bottom of things, his uncle persuades him to obtain a job as a servant at Stallery Mansion, wherein lives the Count who has the power to (literally) change the world.

On his way to his interview, he happens upon the intriguing Christopher Chant, who for unknown reasons of his own, also wants a job at Stallery. The two are both hired as "Improvers" but mostly do the job of page boys. Hijinks ensue. The plot is wild and wandering, with delightful detours taken to poke fun at the absurdity and excesses of the upper class. One of my favourite bits in the book is when Christopher questions the strict hierarchy of mealtimes at Stallery.

The characters are all unique and interesting, even the evil ones. I've always thought that it's a mark of a good author when they know how to write villains you love to hate, and Diana Wynne Jones is a master at it. There are villains galore in this book, and all of them so delightfully dislikable. Even the nice characters are written to have relatable human flaws. Conrad and Christopher have very different personalities, and often clash because of it. Secret identities abound, appearances are deceitful, and no one is who they seem to be. And yet, despite all the tangles of thread, it's all wrapped up into a satisfying conclusion.

Like many of Diana Wynne Jones' stories, it's hard to categorize this novel. To call it a children's fantasy seems too obvious. To call it a mystery novel discounts that much of the book is spent reflecting on preposterous demands placed on servants at Stallery. And yet, it's too lighthearted to be a serious critique on Victorian societal hierarchies. At its heart, I think, it's really a coming-of-age story of a fairly ordinary, although somewhat neglected, teenage boy, living an extraordinary life. Conrad is a relatable protagonist, despite all the colourful characters around him, and one that I saw a lot of myself in when I was reading the book.

I saw several reviews stating that this book lacked the essence of the earlier Chrestomanci books. However, I couldn't disagree more. I had a great liking for it, and in my opinion, it had a strikingly similar feel to Charmed Life, which I also relished.

Admittedly, it was a bit foreseeable at times, but I believe that's understandable in a children's book. Nevertheless, it still managed to astonish me on a few occasions. It was truly a delight to witness a younger Christopher, and Conrad was an extremely entertaining character as well. The setting was also quite pleasant, with a great deal happening.

It remains a bit odd to read a series where all the books are set in the same universe(s) yet don't have a strong connection to each other. However, this particular book fit in perfectly, and I feel that it filled in a few gaps between some of the other books. It added an interesting layer to the overall Chrestomanci universe and made me look forward to reading more of the series.

The fifth installment in the Chrestomanci series showcases Diana Wynne Jones in her remarkable form.

It strikes a perfect balance, being light-hearted yet not overly so, charming without being overly saccharine. It is filled with wit and at the same time delves into serious topics.

I truly loathe those reviewers who claim that every single book even remotely related to fantasy should be read by 'fans of Harry Potter'. However, I must admit that this series is indeed one that Potter fans would likely enjoy.

Although it is part of a series, it can also be read as a stand-alone story. Fans will recognize some of the characters as they make their appearances, but a reader is not obligated to know their background and history.

As the title suggests, this is a tale about Conrad, a boy who desires to attend high school. Instead, he is persuaded by an absurd story fabricated by his uncle that in order to atone for his karmic sins, he must enter service at the Castle and magically assassinate an unknown person. Fortunately for him (as it turns out), he befriends another boy who is applying for the same job but also has an ulterior motive that involves more than just learning the nuances of the serving arts.

As always in these books, parallel worlds and an abundance of magic come into play, adding to the captivating and enchanting nature of the story.