Jones, Diana Wynne

Average customer rating:

Pure Magic
Good book
Wonderfully witty. A great read for both kids and adults alike!
Sofie's gift
A fun book

Howl's Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Castle in the Air (rpkg)
Howl's Moving Castle
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 1: Charmed Life / The Lives of Christopher Chant
The Art of Howl's Moving Castle
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 2: The Magicians of Caprona / Witch Week

ASIN: 006441034X
Release Date: 2001-08-07

Book Description

In the land of Ingary, such things as spells, invisible cloaks, and seven-league boots were everyday things. The Witch of the Waste was another matter.

After fifty years of quiet, it was rumored that the Witch was about to terrorize the country again. So when a moving black castle, blowing dark smoke from its four thin turrets, appeared on the horizon, everyone thought it was the Witch. The castle, however, belonged to Wizard Howl, who, it was said, liked to suck the souls of young girls.

The Hatter sisters--Sophie, Lettie, and Martha--and all the other girls were warned not to venture into the streets alone. But that was only the beginning.

In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl's castle?

Diana Wynne Jones's entrancing fantasy is filled with surprises at every turn, but when the final stormy duel between the Witch and the Wizard is finished, all the pieces fall magically into place.

Customer Reviews:

Pure Magic.......2007-04-04

In Howl's Moving Castle, a heroic tale by Diana Wynne Jones, begins with a portrait of the boring life of Sophie, a hat-maker and the eldest daughter of three. Considered bad luck to be the oldest of three, Sophie is expected to fail if the sisters go to seek their respective fortunes. With this knowledge, and an apathetic outlook on the world, Sophie resigns herself to live the mundane life of a hat-maker. Then, after one astounding moment, her whole outlook on life changes. Only later will she realize it was changed for the better.
In the land of Ingary, such things as wizards, moving castles, and magic really exist. Thus, it should have been no surprise that when the evil Witch of the Waste came into the hat shop, a horrible spell was cast upon Sophie. Under a spell that makes her suddenly change her from young to old, she realizes that she would not be able to stay at the hat shop for fear her family would not recognize her. In this pivotal moment, Sophie decides to seek out her fortune despite the expectation of failure. Once embarked on this accidental adventure, Sophie inadvertently ends up at Howl's Moving Castle. There she meets the fire-demon, Calcifer, the wizard apprentice, Michael, and the heartless, vain wizard himself, Howl.
It is not until this moment that Sophie's true purpose is revealed. Once Sophie decides to enter the castle, she recognizes that she will have to rationalize her sudden appearance if she hopes to stay. Sophie creates an alternate identity as a cleaning lady. Needing to psychologically assert control after her life's upheaval, she falls victim to an obsession with cleanliness. Sophie also enters into an unholy alliance with Calcifer, whereby each will remove the others' curse and set each other free. Calcifer asks "How about making a bargain with me? I'll break your spell if you agree to break this contract I am under" and in response, Sophie reluctantly agrees (Jones 47). This pact signifies story development, and opens the gates of character conflict. With a curse to remove, a knack for making things come alive, and all odds stacked against her, Sophie fights the Witch of the Waste, and in the process, she must free not only Howl's heart, but everyone.
The major strengths of Jones's novel stem from her descriptions of characters. The development of relationships and dynamics, sarcastic writing tone, unique story and surprising sequencing of the plot make Jones's story truly enjoyable. For example, after Sophie spends the night in the castle, Michael asks, "Your still here? Is something the matter?" Sophie cleverly replies, "I'm old" (Jones 53). While not everyone fully appreciates sarcasm and blunt statements, Jones sets the tone in a way that makes readers look beyond the obvious and enjoy the game of witty banter. A profound and heartwarming novel, it has no apparent weakness. Howl's Moving Castle aptly creates a fantasy-filled adventure, straddling the genres of accidental adventure and accidental hero. Sophie sets of f to find her fortune, but she accomplishes so much more. With the plot's distinctive twists and turns, sense of adventure, and the unique storyline, I give this book not only a strong recommendation, but challenge anyone to read the book and not like it.

Good book.......2007-03-28

I'm aware that this is rated as a 6th grade and up read, however it would definately be an appropriate fantasy novel for younger children to read themselves or have read to them. A good first fantasy and definately a "safe" one. As an adult reader I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun, light-hearted romp that has been a pleasure to read and re-read.

Wonderfully witty. A great read for both kids and adults alike!.......2007-03-23

I absolutely LOVED this book.

I saw the film first and fell in love with it. I then read the book and fell in love with it too. The book has slight differences but I though both were as good as each other.

Howl is an fantastic character, he has so many (as donkey from Shrek would say) layers. He is funny, charming, annoying, vain and many, many other things. You can't help but love him, along with Calcifer.

The storyline is very cleaver, and different to anything I have ever read before. Diana Wynne Jones must have an incredible imagination. Even though the storyline is amazing, it is the characters I fell in love with first - always a sign of a good book.

This book is classified as child fiction, but I am a 29 year old female and can't rave about it enough.
Highly recommended! I am now going to read her other books.

Sofie's gift.......2007-03-22

I loved the book, I loved the way Sophie finds out about herself. How many of us have hidden gifts inside ourselves and never dare to recognise them? How many of us are strong enough to brake the spell. It was an amusing book, with many levels of reading. I only wished the last chapter lasted a little longer.

A fun book.......2007-01-10

I had to read this for a class and I have to say I actually enjoyed it. We watched the Anime first, which to my suprise I enjoyed. I'm not a big fan of Anime but It was a good film and this is a fun book.

Average customer rating:

Fascinating Fantasy for young readers
Great story.
Too short
Into the mythosphere
I'd give it 6 stars if I could...

The Game (Firebird)
Diana Wynne Jones
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Pinhoe Egg: A Chrestomanci Book
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ASIN: 0142407186
Release Date: 2007-03-01

Book Description

Hayley's parents disappeared when she was a baby. Since then, she has been raised and homeschooled by her grandparents. Grandad is overworked and travels a lot; Grandma is much too strict and never lets her meet any children her own age. When Hayley does something wrong—she is not quite sure what—they pack her off to her aunts in Ireland. To Hayley's shock, her family is much bigger than she thought; to her delight, the children all play what they call “the game,” where they visit a place called “the mythosphere.” And while she plays the game, Hayley learns more about her own place in the world than she had ever expected. This original novella by Diana Wynne Jones is sharply funny, fast-paced, and surprising until its very end—like all of this acclaimed author's work.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating Fantasy for young readers.......2007-06-05

It is hard to imagine a more creative or prolific author of young adult books. Diane Wynne Jones is the author of the Dalemark Quartet, The Chrestomanci Books, and about 40 others. This novella--longer than a short story, shorter than a novel--is part of Penguin's Firebird series.

Orphaned Hayley is thrust from the only home she knew, living with her grandparents on the outskirts of London. She is thrown into a maelstrom of activity with aunts and cousins she never knew she had in a large castle in Ireland. Her life in London was very lonely, with her only companions various maids and servants. Her strict grandmother thrust her out when she became angry with Hayley's "imagination," calling cousin Mercer to come and take her away.

Hayley discovers her many cousins also have vivid imaginations, and play a game where they travel the strands of the mythosphere on various quests. Hayley had first seen the mythosphere in her kindly but distracted grandfather's study. She accidentally runs into her father on one of her quests, in addition to Flute and Fiddle, two street musician acquaintances from her lonely London days. The villain of the story is angry Uncle Jolyon, wealthy and powerful, and responsible for making Hayley an orphan, due to a prophecy.

Will Uncle Jolyon track down the errant Hayley? Will Troy and Harmony, two cousins who try to save her, succeed? And who on earth are Flute and Fiddle?

Armchair Interviews says: This fascinating fantasy will engage young readers immediately with its vivid images and appealing heroine.

Great story........2007-05-15

I have come to expect excellence from Jones, and this work is no exception. It is tightly written, exciting, and fun. I think it might help a little if one had, as I did, a classical education, since the story assumes certain characters from ancient mythology, but it probably would still be enjoyed by teens of today just as well as other adults.

Too short.......2007-04-19

I liked this story, but it wasn't among my favorite Diana Wynne Jones books. I think that's because it was so short - a lot of things are left pretty vague, and while the concept is imaginative and creative with the best of them, I wished that there was more detail, to make this world more real. I guess I would call this story more "clever" than "immersive," if that makes sense. So, 4 stars for an interesting story, anyway :)

Into the mythosphere.......2007-03-30

Diana Wynne Jones has dabbled in mythologies in a modern setting before, though she usually sticks to multiverses. But she tries out a new approach in "The Game," a solid fantasy novella that dips into Greek mythology for the biggest family drama this side of Olympus.

After angering her grandmother -- she's not sure how -- Hayley finds herself being shipped off to her aunts in Ireland. Upon arriving, she finds herself swamped in dozens of family members, including quite a few cousins. Soon her cousin Harmony introduces her to The Game, where the children travel into the mythosphere (all the legends and great stories), and fetch back enchanted items.

But they have to do it in secret, lest the forbidding Uncle Jolyon learns of it. And when the children play the last round of the Game, Hayley finds herself having to fetch a golden apple from a dangerous garden -- and learns of her mysterious past, and the prophecy that has Uncle Jolyon wanting her out of the way.

Jones always comes up with the most incredible ideas -- in this case, a sort of mythological scavenger hunt, and a story that includes a bunch of minor Greek deities. In fact, it's kind of surprising that Jones didn't expand this novella into a slim book, with a few more adventures in the mythosphere and some more family antics.

The family antics and descriptions are tightly written, but Jones really hits her stride when the Game comes into play -- then we have the larger-than-life depictions of things like the Hesperides, as well as a very modern version of Hades. And the dialogue has that touch of humor, with a nod to J.R.R. Tolkien during one round of the game.

Hayley's a pretty likable kid, with a melancholy side about her missing parents and her ultra-strict grandmother. The book really flourishes when she discovers what she can transform into. And Jones sprinkles the story with a few nasties -- the bratty Tollie and dictatorial Jolyon -- as well as a bunch of minor deities, Titans and the odd celestial hunter. (One of the few plot threads that gets lost).

"The Game" is a solid little novella from Diana Wynne Jones, a mythological adventure with a likable heroine. A nice little fantasy with an unusual twist finale.

I'd give it 6 stars if I could..........2007-03-24

I have only one complaint about "The Game". It wasn't long enough! Otherwise, it was vintage DWJ, with all the audacity, wit and imagination we expect from this most brilliant of authors. I won't give away the plot, but I will say it has themes in common with "Archer's Goon" and the Chrestomanci series.

Average customer rating:

A perfectly delightful "sequel" to Howl's
Half sequel, half spin-off
Lovely book! Great fun!
Not "Howl", but still delightful
I haven't been hooked like this in a long time.

Castle in the Air (rpkg)
Diana Wynne Jones
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Howl's Moving Castle
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 1: Charmed Life / The Lives of Christopher Chant
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 2: The Magicians of Caprona / Witch Week
Howl's Moving Castle
Conrad's Fate (Chrestomanci Books)

ASIN: 0064473457
Release Date: 2001-08-07

Book Description

Abdullah was a young and not very prosperous carpet dealer. His father, who had been disappointed in him, had left him only enough money to open a modest booth in the Bazaar. When he was not selling carpets, Abdullah spent his time daydreaming. In his dreams he was not the son of his father, but the long-lost son of a prince. There was also a princess who had been betrothed to him at birth. He was content with his life and his daydreams until, one day, a stranger sold him a magic carpet.

In this stunning sequel to Howl's Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones has again created a large-scale, fast-paced fantasy in which people and things are never quite what they seem. There are good and bad djinns, a genie in a bottle, wizards, witches, cats and dogs (but are they cats and dogs?), and a mysterious floating castle filled with kidnapped princesses, as well as two puzzling prophecies. The story speeds along with tantalizing twists and turns until the prophecies are fulfilled, true identities are revealed, and all is resolved in a totally satisfying, breathtaking, surprise-filled ending.

Customer Reviews:

A perfectly delightful "sequel" to Howl's.......2007-03-21

Don't you just love it when you start reading a book and can't put it down? The pages fly by as you get sucked into it. Happens to me whenever I pick up one of Jones' books. I've never read any fantasy that is so deliciously clever and truly imaginative, really full of surprises and twists and turns in every chapter. This book is the "sequel" to the beloved Howl's Moving Castle, but with all the characters' identities hidden. More than that, it plays as a nice opposite to the themes of the first. While HMC dealt with Sophie gaining an attitude and strength of will, the male hero here (Abdullah) is mostly successful because he doesn't have an attitude; instead he is overly polite and complimentary. Abdullah is a carpet salesman who spends his days imagining a more exciting life of riches and a beautiful princess (get the title?). One day, his dreams start to become true with the purchase of a magic flying carpet and meeting the princess of his dreams, who is then stolen from him. Abdullah has to chase down the djinn who--by order of his evil, but not very smart brother--has stolen her and all the princesses of the world. Abdullah is "joined" by an irritable genie who curses all his wishes, a cat-obsessed wily old soldier, and a magical black cat and her kitten. Just a great, wonderfully told, absolutely clever and unpredictable fairy tale. Grade: A+

Half sequel, half spin-off.......2007-02-09

Castle in the Air is the story of Abdullah, a well off carpet dealer who loves to dream about better times, who ends up getting a flying carpet. The flying carpet gives him the girl of his dreams, which gets him into trouble, which he escapes from. But by escaping one danger he jumps into another greater one. And so on.
The book is a sequel in that Howl and the rest of the characters from Howl's Moving Castle do show up. In fact they are in the background, sometimes right in front of us, part of the cause and effect of much of the story. But the focus is kept on Abdullah, Flower-in-the-Night and main characters of this story.
One of the major points of Howl's Moving Castle was the great interaction between the characters which seemed to me to be missing in this book. Maybe because everybody is always on the move or what little interaction there was seemed weak.

Lovely book! Great fun!.......2007-01-06

This book is the sequal to "Howl's Moving Castle," which has fast become one of my favorite books. "Castle in the Air" is different from the original book in several ways, but it is every bit as good. The main character and the setting are completely different: rather than the European-like Ingary you find yourself in a land that resembles old Arabia. Be assured that you will meet Howl and Sophie again, but much later in the book. It is filled with little phrase-gems (my term for singular and whimsical ways of expressing ideas) such as Lettie's "interesting condition." All in all, it is like a combination of "Arabian Nights," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," (one of my favorite books ever) and "The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha" (another of my favorite books). Enjoy!

Not "Howl", but still delightful.......2006-12-25

"Castle in the Air" showcases Diana Wynne Jones at her cleverest. She uses the'Arabian Nights' setting well, and there are plenty of amusing plot twists and witty conversations. The only problem with "Castle in the Air" is that it has less of the "Howl's Moving Castle" characters than the reader would like (although they are present in one way or another for most of the book). Abdullah is more of an Everyman character, compared to Howl and Sophie with their endearing quirks and crotchets. Still, any fan of Jones' writing should read "Castle in the Air", and not just to find out what happens after "Howl's Moving Castle".

I haven't been hooked like this in a long time........2006-07-21

First let me say i picked up the book only becuase it said 'sequel to howl's moving castle', i never read that book, but enjoyed the movie. Right away i had no idea what it had to do with the movie, but i was in love. I absolutly adore the arabian setting, and the tight plot twists. i love the writers sense of style, they way she draws pictures for you with her well places words. This book was so wonderful i want to read more of her books! I am so thankful I found this.
I Wanna say that if you want to read this book simply becuase your a drewling fangirl and want more howl, to not read it, becuase the way Miazaki potrayed Howl, and how he is in the book, is very diffrent. This book should be loved for what it is, a great work of art, not just becuase you want me bishonen Howl.

Average customer rating:

Delightfully enchanting read
Where's the muggles?
Gorgeous
Typical Chrestomanci
Best of the series

The Pinhoe Egg: A Chrestomanci Book
Diana Wynne Jones
Manufacturer: Greenwillow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Conrad's Fate (Chrestomanci Books)
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ASIN: 0061131245
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Book Description

Cat Chant and Marianne Pinhoe have discovered something exciting—something truly precious, very strange, and valuable. An egg.

An egg that has been hidden away in an attic for who-knows-how-many years. An egg protected by some strong “Don't Notice” spells. An egg that Marianne gives to Cat, even though he lives at nearby Chrestomanci Castle. Chrestomanci himself, the strongest enchanter in the world, is sure to be interested in the egg—and interference from the Big Man is the last thing Marianne's family of secret rogue witches wants.

But how much longer can the Pinhoes keep their secrets? Gammer, the leader of the clan, has gone mad, a powerful bad luck spell is wreaking havoc, and there's an unexplained plague of frogs. Not to mention the mysterious barrier Cat finds in the forest.

Marianne and Cat may be the only two who can set things right. But first Marianne must accept her own powerful magic, and Cat must uncover the secrets behind the mystical Pinhoe Egg.

In this new Chrestomanci book, Diana Wynne Jones is at her most magical.

Customer Reviews:

Delightfully enchanting read.......2007-06-09

Diana Wynne Jones has written so many books and what is remarkable is that I've never been disappointed. She writes about such intricately remarkable worlds in such a delicately simple way, that she is always a pleasure to read. What's more there is always something new to find in each novel -- she never repeats herself even in the Chrestomanci series where there is much that is familiar and many of the characters from the old novels and stories are here but they never lose the ability to surprise. The Pinhoe Egg may be my favorite in the Chrestomanci series -- and that is saying a lot. There is new and darker magic, and a novel and intricate story about the dark secrets that can bind a family together, and the novel explores the ways that religious superstition and fanaticism and fear of the unknown can lead peoples to collude in evil -- and yet the story remains enchanting and not overly burdened by the darkness it examines given its focus on the power of friendship and curiosity to overcome superstition and secrecy. Jones continues to be one of our very best fantasy novelists, both for young adults and children of all ages.

Where's the muggles?.......2007-05-06

The Pinhoe Egg***
by Diana Wynne Jones (2006, Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins)
Read: Winter 2006-2007
This is a brand new book, still only in hardcover and all that; it's nice to be "up with the times" on occasion. On the other hand its "A Chrestomanci Book", meaning its not the first of its kind, although they don't seem to be a series, that is a sequence of books with a common story and characters, quite the way a lot of series are these days, like the A Series of Unfortunate Events books, more like the old Nancy Drews, although I'm not sure that any of the characters are the same in the other books since I haven't ready any of them so I'm a bit behind the times in that respect.

Anyway, this is a very quick read and enjoyable in a light way. It's tough to tell what time period its set in exactly, they have a few cars and phones but they neither seem widespread nor particularly novel. And the relationship of witchcraft and magic to the general population is obscure -- very unlike the clearly articulated and clearly delineated wizards vs. muggles in the world of Harry Potter.

Then there's the title, The Pinhoe Egg, but the egg appears late and is of only moderate signifigance -- or did I miss something? Now all the pain and frustrations from 10th grade English class come back, where our teachers made us think that symbolism was the raison d'etre for literature. The Scarlet Letter, Great Expectations and their ilk. (I was spared Moby Dick, it was probably causing too many snickers in 1977; or maybe it was just overwhelmed at that time by Jaws (the movie).) But here the titular egg doesn't seem to play into the subtext of overcoming difficult and embarrassing family relationships or any other significant plot element for that matter. But there is some worthwhile exploration of the human condition in this trials-of-family theme, especially for "young adult" readers. If they're through the Potters and done with Lemony Snicket, this is another wholesome feed.

Gorgeous.......2007-04-19

This is my favorite book in the Chrestomanci series. It starts off slow, as many of Diana Wynne Jones' books do, but it's got all the intertwined threads you'd expect from one of her books, and the story is intricate and interesting. If you've been a fan of the Chrestomanci series, you'll find a lot to like here.

Typical Chrestomanci.......2007-01-20

Diana Wynne Jones is an author who dances between very, very good and very mediocre with the occasional wierd flubs in between. Most of her ideas are inspired, but then she seems to become either bored or desperate to meet deadline. Then she flails about and fills the pages with gibberish.
The Pinhoe Egg is fairly nice, but neither inspiring nor exciting in book form. It almost seems written for a television screenplay. The large number of characters is interesting and helps Ms. Jones out by providing new people to write stories about.
Chrestomanci has very little to do with the overall story. Most of it is about the youngsters discovering and quelling a family feud while raising the contents of the egg.
Overall, this is a nice read, but not new, profound, or exciting. If I could, I would rate it a 3 1/2 rather than the 4.

Best of the series.......2007-01-14

This was my favorite of the Chrestomanci books--great characters, well written (as all of Jones' books are) and just plain fun to read.

Average customer rating:

A review for adults who still like kids' lit
The Book I Never Read
Quite enjoyable return to the Chrestomanci milieu
A Welcome Return To Chrestomanci
average book from an author who is coasting

Conrad's Fate (Chrestomanci Books)
Diana Wynne Jones
Manufacturer: Greenwillow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Mixed Magics: Four Tales of Chrestomanci
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The Merlin Conspiracy

ASIN: 0060747439
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Amazon.com

Devotees of The Chrestomanci Quartet and Mixed Magics will pounce on this sixth title in the series by Diana Wynne Jones, whose reputation as a fantasy writer is also enhanced by Archer's Goon and Howl's Moving Castle (soon to be an animated film). In this Chrestomanci tale, the nine-lived enchanter Christopher, who fans will remember from other books, appears as a dapper and self-possessed 15-year-old, and the narrator is young Conrad Tesdinic, who at the age of twelve has just finished school in the mountain village of Stallchester in the English Alps. He yearns to go on to Stall High, but his tight-fisted Uncle Alfred has other plans. With the help of magical spells and a story of bad karma, he intimidates Conrad into going off to serve on the staff at Stallery Mansion, burdened with a secret about an unknown person he must kill. Conrad makes the best of his new life, especially after he meets his elegant new roommate Christopher, who is, he explains, the heir in a different time level to the job of Chrestomanci, an enchanter appointed by the government to control the use of magic. Conrad joins him in his desperate search for his friend Millie, who has vanished from a parallel time track. Amusing scenes of life below stairs in the highly stratified servants' quarters alternate with the boys' strange adventures as they seek through other realities within the castle on their day off, glimpsing Millie but never able to reach her. With Wynne Jones' characteristic skill at plotting, the finale is a whirlwind of revealed alter-identities and just desserts for villains, ending with as many satisfying romantic pairings as a Shakespeare comedy. (Ages 10-13) --Patty Campbell

Book Description

"Unless you put right what you did wrong in your previous life -- and put it right now -- you are going to be horribly and painfully dead before the year's out."

Someone at the mysterious Stallery Mansion is pulling the possibilities. At first only small details change -- the color of the mailboxes, the titles of books -- but the changes keep getting bigger and bigger. It's up to Conrad Tesdinic, a twelve-year-old with truly terrible karma, to find the person behind it all.

Armed with his camera and a sticky cork that can summon an eerie being called a Walker, Conrad infiltrates the staff at Stallery. And he's not the only one snooping around the mansion. His fellow servant-in-training -- charming, confident Christopher Chant -- is searching for his friend Millie, who's lost in one of the possibilities. Christopher always seems to have a trick up his sleeve. To find the person behind all the mischief and to rescue Millie, the two boys have to work together. Can they keep Conrad's fate from catching up to them?

Customer Reviews:

A review for adults who still like kids' lit.......2007-06-22

Finally, a Chrestomanci story that deals with young Christopher, rather than dealing with Cat (when Christopher is the grown-up Chrestomanci). I have been quite intrigued with Christopher and Millie since reading "The Lives of Christopher Chant" about, oh, 10 years ago, and was delighted to read this book and find it was about their teenage years. Of course it is mostly about Conrad, a new character in one of the Related Worlds, but it's got plenty of Christopher to satisfy me. The story was brisk and enjoyable.

As usual, one tiny niggle...sometimes in Ms. Jones' books, when she is building up to the climax, a bunch of people come into the story (as with the King's Summoners, police, Gabriel de Witt, etc. near the end of this book) and a lot of things are explained very quickly. I don't consider myself "slow" but I have often felt that Ms. Jones rushes through these explanation scenes a bit too quickly. This book is no exception. The officials all show up, it is quickly announced that some of the people we've been learning about are not what they seem, and then things wind up pretty quickly (people getting taken away, etc.). I always have to go back and carefully reread the parts like that, because they are always a bit sketchy and they seem a bit hastily done. However, that's not going to detract from my 5-star rating, because it only takes a little while to go back and reread that.

"Year of the Griffin" used to be my favorite DWJ book because I laughed so much while reading it, but "Conrad's Fate" now has that honor. I laughed a lot with this one, too, plus...it has Christopher Chant... :-)

The Book I Never Read.......2007-04-11

This book is made for children from 9-12, and trust me i'm a eleven year old kid. This book is basically made from a fantasy and hilarious jokes. The strory goes like this that a boy named Conrad has to kill a certain person or he will die at the end of the year. So he travels with a smart kid who doesn't know a what a chili pepper is, to a castle to seek the person who he has to kill. Thats all i have read, but soon you will find on your own.

Quite enjoyable return to the Chrestomanci milieu.......2007-02-05

Diana Wynne Jones has of late returned to her popular Chrestomanci milieu. Her 2005 novel, Conrad's Fate, features Christopher Chant and his eventual wife Millie as teenagers. But the main character is Conrad Tesdinic, who lives in a village dominated by nearby Stallery Mansion. Conrad's father is dead, and his mother is rather ineffectually a fire-breathing feminist writer, so the family is maintained by his uncle, who runs a bookstore. The uncle is convinced the people in the mansion are manipulating reality to their advantage, so he takes Conrad out of school and sends him to the mansion to work as a servant. He tells Conrad that something bad he did in a previous life has saddled him with a terrible fate, and he can only escape that fate by making up for the previous life's mistake -- by killing someone.

At the castle Conrad meets another boy, Christopher Chant, who is clearly up to something. The two begin training, eventually to be valets. Christopher, however, is more interested in exploring, and Conrad soon learns that he is looking for a friend, Millie, who is trapped in an alternate version of the mansion. Soon Conrad and Christopher both are wandering through alternate mansions, and meanwhile learning some of the secrets of the mansion's probability alterations. Not to mention some dark secrets about the family that owns the mansion, and about Conrad's own family, including his sister, who seems to be in love with the new heir to Stallery.

It's quite an enjoyable novel, as are most of Diana Wynne Jones's books. The Chrestomanci books are among my favorites of hers, and this book fits very well within that varied sequence.

A Welcome Return To Chrestomanci.......2006-04-05

A hugely welcome return to Wynne-Jones's fabulous Christopher Chant - he and Millie are amongst my favourite of her creations. Some probably feel that the author is re-treading a lot of very familiar territory - parallel universes, layered happenings and dastardly plots - but that is why this is such a nice book: it's familiar and comforting like your favourite pudding. It loses a star only because the baddies aren't quite bad enough - but I do have an insatiable appetite for her books.

average book from an author who is coasting.......2005-09-30

i know people who disagree are going to bring me down on the votes, but this is my honest (and i think helpful) opinion. first off, i'm about as avid a DWJ fan as anyone and have read pretty much all her books. this book started off well, but after a while it feels just way too familiar. the main character is a pale imitation of sophie from howl's moving castle (cursed, put-upon, but decent and talented); the mother is distant and uncaring (like in fire and hemlock); i could go on. for long-time fans of DWJ there are several things that would make this worthwhile: if you are a big fan of upstairs/downstairs stories (i.e. nobility and their servants) there's a lot of that here (too much in my opinion). also, if you're a big fan of the chrestomanci books this is part of the series, although prob. my least fav. of the bunch (although christopher chant is one of my fav characters of the series, he's just not that interesting here). newbies should def. skip this and head for one of the classics first, like archer's goon and howl's moving castle.

The Tough Guide to Fantasyland: The Essential Guide to Fantasy Travel

Average customer rating:

OMT - too many
A Humor Book That Suffers From Being -- Well, Not Particularly Funny.
The New edition?
Can never look at fantasy the same way again
OUTSTANDING!

The Tough Guide to Fantasyland: The Essential Guide to Fantasy Travel
Diana Wynne Jones
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142407224

Amazon.com

Suffering from a bit of deja vu after reading your umpteenth fantasy trilogy? Seen too many magic swords, musical elves and warring wizards? Then you're ready for the funniest and most complete "tourist's" guide to Fantasyland's standard character types, plot elements, and settings ever devised.

Diana Wynne Jones describes (starting, of course, with a map) every sword-and-sorcery cliché in wickedly accurate detail, arranged alphabetically. Elves sing in beautiful, unearthly voices about how much better things used to be. Swords with Runes may kill dragons or demons, or have powers like storm-raising, but they are not much use when you're attacked by bandits. You can only have an Axe if you're a Northern Barbarian, a Dwarf, or a Blacksmith. Jones also tackles hard-hitting questions: how does Fantasyland's ecology work when there are few or no bacteria and insects and vast tracts of magically irradiated wastelands? Why doesn't the economy collapse when pirates and bandits are so active and there is no perceptible industry?

The Tough Guide to Fantasyland (U.K. Edition) was a 1997 Hugo and World Fantasy Award nominee. It's a good companion to Jones's Dark Lord of Derkholm, a fantasy about what happens when your land is turned into a theme park for questing tourist parties. Fans of Terry Pratchett's Discworld books will enjoy both. --Nona Vero

Book Description

Both a hilarious send-up of the clich s of the genre and an indispensable guide for writers, The Tough Guide to Fantasyland has been impossible to find for years. This is Diana Wynne Jones at her very best: incisive, funny, and wildly imaginative.

This is the definitive edition of The Tough Guide, featuring a new map, an entirely new design, and additional material written for it by Diana Wynne Jones.

Customer Reviews:

OMT - too many.......2007-03-11

Travel guide to the fantasy land is a nice touch to the cliche`s in fantasy books.
this is not a book it's a a Dictionary to many things/places you will encounter in your travles.
some of the items are funny but many of them has many links to other items that misses the point of them all.
And don't forget the OMT that almost 50% of the items has one.

A nice addition to the fantasy collection. nice to show friends not more.

A Humor Book That Suffers From Being -- Well, Not Particularly Funny........2007-02-27

Crotchet Alert: The author, instead of using the generic `he,' or even `he/she' uses `she/he' throughout. Distracting at first, this eventually becomes no more noticeable than a Books on Tape reader who sniffs every so often.

Mind you, the premise is funny: That fantasy-genre novels are so cliché-ridden that the chestnuts can be tabulated and assembled into a book. It's the resulting (sniff) volume that's a snoozer.

As a consumer (sniff) service, I will point out the actual (or, at least, intentional) jokes:

* The map at the front of the book. Does something about it tickle the pattern-recognition (sniff) software in your brain? Turn the book upside down. Ah-ha! (Where the giant `sea' in the middle of [sniff] Spain came from beats me, though.) Some of the place names are also amusing. Did I mention that the author lives in Bristol?

* Turn to `Quest, eternal.' This refers you to `Eternal (sniff) quest.' Which refers you to `Quest, eternal.' Also available in business card (sniff) form, each side reading: `How do you keep a fantasy writer occupied? (See other side.)'

* OK, the entry on `Horses' was genuinely (sniff) humorous. But, then, I dislike (sniff) horses.

Hopefully, the publication of this book will not lead to `The Tough (sniff) Guide to Space Opera,' `The Tough Guide to Regency Romances,' or `The Tough Guide to Academic Criticism of Popular Culture.' But if it does, I (sniff) intend to sue for a percentage.

The New edition?.......2007-01-27

I would just like to note, if you found this book funny or enjoyable, make sure to read 'Dark Lord of Derkholm', also by DWJ, where she takes as many cliches as she can manage and crams them all into one book - but still managing to keep it original.

Does anyone here know anything about this new 2006 edition - it says "Revised and Updated"...

The only thing I've been able to find is this comment:

"[The new edition] is completely redesigned, has a new map, and Wynne Jones has written additional material.

I'd also add that the Firebird edition is not littered with typos like the original was. I don't often notice typos, but, wow, were there a lot in the original edition."

Can never look at fantasy the same way again.......2006-11-13

"The Tough Guide to Fantasyland" had me in stitches from beginning to end. I thought the concept was ingenious - an encyclopedia of the fantasy genre disguised in the form of a deadpan "Lonely Planet" guidebook. This book is so hilarious and oh-so-true. It's great fun, easily readable and you just got to keep turning the pages. I never realised there were that many cliches in fantasy books, just ripe for making fun of. I am now convinced that all those over-serious fantasy books I've read are essentially the same book. After reading this, "The Lord of the Rings" is never the same again.

OUTSTANDING!.......2005-09-10

I love both reading and writing fantasy, and this is the best book as a guide for both! You shouldn't venture into the Fantasy section of Borders unarmed!

Firebirds Rising: An Original Anthology of Science Fiction and Fantasy

Average customer rating:

A Few Gems That Sparkle Among the Coal
oh, the angst!
That didn't taste like I thought it would...
Appealing collection of YA SF and Fantasy
Enjoyable read

Firebirds Rising: An Original Anthology of Science Fiction and Fantasy
Francesca Lia Block , Emma Bull , Charles de Lint , Diana Wynne Jones , Ellen Klages , Tanith Lee , Kelly Link , Patricia A. McKillip , and Tamora Pierce
Manufacturer: Firebird
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0142405493

Book Description

Charles de Lint. Alan Dean Foster. Diana Wynne Jones. Kelly Link. Patricia A. McKillip. Tamora Pierce. These are just a few of the acclaimed and bestselling authors who have contributed original stories to Firebirds Rising, the eagerly anticipated follow-up to the award-winning anthology Firebirds.

This collection takes readers from deep space to Faerie to just around the corner. It is full of magic, humor, adventure, and—best of all—the unexpected. The one thing readers can count on is marvelous writing. Firebirds Rising proves once again that Firebird is more than an imprint—it is a gathering place for writers and readers of speculative fiction from teenage to adult, from the United States to Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Customer Reviews:

A Few Gems That Sparkle Among the Coal.......2007-06-23

This anthology follows in the footsteps of the original 'Firebirds' collection: A few brilliant stories among the padding of watered down sub-fare from famous names. In all honesty many of these stories would never have seen print without the famous name of the author being used on the cover to promote the book. A shame, since the premise of the anthology delights me.

I *am* very glad I read this book, though, especially for the sake of two stories I very much enjoyed:

'In the House of the Seven Librarians' by Ellen Klages is my favorite story, and worth the price of the book alone! This story is about a young girl named Dinsy who is raised by seven 'feral librarians' in an old library building. This book is a paean to old libraries and classics of literature. Any lover of books and reading will thrill to this book. For those of us who remember the old-style libraries with card catalogs, it is a veritable love song. For all book lovers, it's a treasure to love and cherish.

'Hives' by Kara Dalkey is a science fiction story about a future where technology can telepathically link minds, and teen girls use this to keep themselves in constant contact with their groups of friends, or 'hives'. But what happens when the girls get 'cut' from the network of their hive? Why does the sudden silence in their minds cause them to kill themselves? This story takes a science fiction approach to the importance of female friendships, and how necessary and addictive they can become. As Peter S. Beagle said in his novel 'Tamsin', "When you're 14 years old you're not yourself, you are your friends. You forget that when you grow up."

There were two other stories that I did enjoy reading. 'The Real Thing' by Alison Goodman was another sci-fi story exploring a future where genetic enhancement is prevalent, and the prejudice between those who are 'comp' made and those whose parents let nature take its course. The story is taken from a novel by the author, so it does feel a bit like a chapter out of a larger novel. That said, I really enjoyed this story and plan to track down the source novel it came from. An interesting story that made me think, as all good sci-fi does (I loathe the modern sci-fi movie cliche that sci-fi is only good for loud explosions).

'The House on the Planet' by Tanith Lee explores three young women living in the same house over 100 years' time on a colonized alien planet in the future. The subtle beauty of this story, of the alien landscape and how its birds and creatures speak to and inspire these women over many generations was inspiring. The end is a surprise, but indeed says a lot about the nature of 'humanity'. A beautiful story I'm glad I read.

Of the other stories, many were sub-par efforts on behalf of famous writers. Many were out-takes from other books or story universes, which really didn't work for anyone unfamiliar with the source material. Regardless, many of the stories felt like watered-down pap, very 'expurgated for children.' I always hated reading this kind of stuff as a teen.

On the other side, there were several stories that had a chilling amount of violence that I wouldn't feel comfortable with in an adult novel not sold in a horror section. I suppose it is a sad indictment of our culture, that violence is seen as perfectly natural for children and teens to view. There's a vengeful goddess hunting down and killing a pack of teens for trying to kill one of her followers ('Huntress' by Tamora Pierce). For the life of me I'm not sure what the point of that one was other than to be shocked by the violence. In 'I'll Give You My Word' by Diana Wynne Jones a group of female domestics turn out to be witches out to kill the mother of a family and take it over. There's so many misogynistic stereotypes here I don't know where to start. I'm sick of all this 'Hand That Rocks The Cradle' excrement that female domestics are all psychopaths. And all witches are evil murderers - how very Brothers Grimm. Can we get away from these stereotypes in the 21st century, please? Is that too much to ask? But the worst by far was 'Quill' by Carol Emshwiller. I don't know about you, but stories where teen girls are abducted by their fathers so they can rape and impregnate them just sicken me. This is a young adult story? It's like Stephen King at his goriest. *shudder*

Under the 'violence' heading are 'Perception' by Alan Dean Foster and 'What Used To Be Good Still Is' by Emma Bull, both stories where saintly females sacrifice their lives for the sakes of the unknowing and unappreciative. The 'virgin saint' stereotype of Victorian times. Can girls have heroines in their books who are not victims or self-sacrificing martyrs? Is that too much to ask?

That said, I am glad I read this book for the four stories I enjoyed. They made the book worth it. I just wish the collection was a little more even in quality. Alas, that's usually the case with multi-author story collections.

oh, the angst!.......2007-06-06

The jacket blurbs and the reviews fail to indicate an important fact: every story in this book is about a disaffected teenager. Every single one of them. Disaffected six-inch-tall teenagers. Disaffected genetically modified teenagers. Disaffected Victorian teenagers. Disaffected teenagers raised by feral librarians. Magical or mundane, ten or eighteen, they're all disaffected, and they all learn pithy lessons about finding acceptance while staying true to themselves.

The individual stories aren't bad at all; Kelly Link and Ellen Klages make particularly solid contributions. If I were still a disaffected teenager, however, I'd throw this heavy-handed, preachy anthology right out the window.

That didn't taste like I thought it would..........2007-03-14

I wanted to read some fantasy, some high IQ stuff, some thought-provoking short stories I could read on the DART getting to work. Well, after reading all of these stories, I'm convinced that writers do not submit their prize stories for anthologies. They submit their scraps. That's craps with an extra S. I'm dissapointed. Maybe my expectations were too high. Perhaps if I lower my expectations to what one might expect if judging a suburban high school writing contest...hmmm...no, I'm still dissappointed. The people who put this together owe me $10 just for reading through it. If you read this then you should demand compensation. I am not better off after reading this book. Maybe I didn't do enough shrooms before reading it. :-(

Appealing collection of YA SF and Fantasy.......2007-02-12

Firebirds Rising is an engaging mix of SF and Fantasy stories aimed at a young adult audience, though quite enjoyable for adults as well.

Two of my favorites are Science Fiction: Carol Emshwiller's "Quill", an oddly old-fashioned, charming yet sad, story of an isolated family and their curious secret; and Kara Dalkey's "Hives", an uncompromising story of teen-aged girls and cliques, exacerbated by near-telepathic phone connections.

Naturally one of the stories I most looked forward to was Kelly Link's "The Wizards of Perfil", and this is indeed a very enjoyable piece, though not as good as her best work. A boy named Onion and his disagreeable cousin Halsa, as well as Halsa's mother and brothers, are fleeing a war that has already their other parents' lives. Money is short, so when a reprensative of the reclusive Wizards of Perfil offers to buy a child, one of them must go. Onion, who may be telepathic, seems a natural candidate to sell to the representative of the reclusive wizards, but somehow Halsa is sold instead. As we expect with Link, the story goes in unexpected directions, telling of both Onion and Halsa and the very reclusive wizards - though I must say the resolution was exactly what I expected. (Which is not necessarily a bad thing.)

I was also delighted to see a story by Emma Bull, with the intriguing title "What Used to Be Good Still Is" (a title actually credited to Elise Matthesen). This is a moving story of a young man in a mining town in Arizona in the 1930s, and his love for a Mexican-American girl, who loves him but loves something else even more.

Patricia A. McKillip contributes another of her stories about a group of painters resembling the Pre-Raphaelites. "Jack O'Lantern" is about a girl struggling with her parents' conventional views of the role of women, particularly upper class women, as her older sister prepares to be married. During the painting of a wedding party portrait she meets a curious local lad, and hears a story about the Jack O'Lantern. Diana Wynne Jones's "I'll Give You My Word" is as clever as we expect from her, about a boy whose younger brother speaks in phrases like "sententious purple coriander". The story concerns the younger boy's trouble at school, and the problems the whole family encounters when the mother takes a book promotion trip. Ellen Klages's "In the House of the Seven Librarians" is purely charming, about a child growing up in a shuttered old-fashioned library.

And there are plenty further fine stories here, from names I expected to see like Charles de Lint and Tamora Pierce, and from perhaps surprising names like Alan Dean Foster. I enjoyed the anthology throughout. If I had a complaint, it would be that perhaps a few too many stories seem to play things just a bit safe. (With exceptions, such as Dalkey's "Hives" and Francesca Lia Block's "Blood Roses".) I would attribute that to the YA nature of the book - I suspect I should, indeed - but we certainly have plenty of examples of YA fiction that doesn't play safe. That said, this is a fine book, and it does a fine job of presenting interesting new stories, both SF and Fantasy, that will appeal to all readers.

Enjoyable read.......2007-01-08

I enjoyed this book as an entertaining read. Some of the stories were better than others, I thought.

"Huntress" was OK -- I do love Greek mythology, so the references there were quite good, but I really didn't understand the characters' motivations.

"I'll Give You My Word" -- I love word play, so this was one of my favorites in the anthology.

"The Wizards of Perfill" -- didn't like this one much at all, mostly because I found Onion very bland and, and didn't really understand the premise of magic in the setting until close to the end.

"In the House of the Seven Librarians" -- my absolute favorite in this book!

"Hives" -- very much enjoyed this one. I found it somewhat scary, actually, how likely and believable I found the techy part of the plot!

I hadn't seen these anthologies before, and now I'd like to read the original one as well. All in all, I'm glad I read this book, but I am equally glad that I checked it out from the library and didn't purchase it.

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 2: The Magicians of Caprona / Witch Week

Average customer rating:

The Sequel is my son's favorite
Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Vol 2
Wow....
Interesting
Where's Chrestomanci?

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 2: The Magicians of Caprona / Witch Week
Diana Wynne Jones
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Castle in the Air (rpkg)

ASIN: 0064472698
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Book Description

In this multiple parallel universes of the Twelve Related Worlds, only an enchanter with nine lives is powerful enough to control the rampant misuse of magic -- and to hold the title Chrestomanci...

There is a world in which the peaceful city-state of Caprona is threatened by the malevolent machinations of a mysterious enchanter...and another in which magic is outlawed and witches are still burned at the stake.

In two worlds the practice of magic has gone dangerously awry, there is only one solution -- call upon the Chrestomanci.

Customer Reviews:

The Sequel is my son's favorite.......2006-11-07

We first heard of Diana Wynne Jones through the animated Japanese film, "Howl's Moving Castle." That film is excellent. But her books are so much better. I have not liked all her books, but the Chrestomanci volumes one and two are superb. This book was my 16 year old son's favorite of the series.

Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Vol 2.......2006-03-28

it was not as good as the first book, but I enjoyed it.

Wow...........2006-02-09

I bought both Castle in the air and witch week from a bookshop some time ago, and have really enjoyed them. I thought CITA was not the best it could be, but witch week definetly was one of the best books i've ever read. The charcters are well developed, the pace is good and it's nice to get into the minds of the main characters. Altogether, something that could probably rival Harry Potter.

Interesting.......2005-10-29

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci is another good series by Diana Wynne Jones. Jones's books aren't as good as some recent reads like The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches, but they are good books and interesting. This book is a 2-in-1 with The Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week. The previous volume has Charmed Life and The Lives of Christopher Chant. Altogether worth a read.

Where's Chrestomanci?.......2005-03-31

When I first saw this book, I bought it, hoping to see more stories about Chrestomanci.When I read the book, I discovered that he only appears for small amounts of time, and you don't read that many times when he's there.

However, the stories are pretty good. I enjoyed the characters, and the plots were pretty good, too. It's a pretty good book overall, so I would suggest getting it.

Average customer rating:

Great book
"A jolly good read"
Neil Gaiman "borrowed" this premise for "American Gods"
Really great
Norse mythology and rotten relatives: What more do you need?

Eight Days of Luke
Diana Wynne Jones
Manufacturer: Greenwillow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0066237416

Book Description

There seemed nothing strange about Luke to begin with, except perhaps the snakes. If they were snakes -- David wasn't sure. He was just grateful for a companion as agreeable as Luke, who seemed able to twist anyone around his finger, even David's odious relatives. "Just kindle a flame and I'll be with you, " Luke said, and he always was -- which turned out to be more awkward than useful in the end.

For who were the people who seemed to be looking for Luke: the man with one eye; the massive, malevolent gardener, Mr. Chew; the offensively sprightly Frys; the man with ginger hair? Why were ravens watching the house, one in front and one at the back gate? And then of course there was the fire. .

Customer Reviews:

Great book.......2004-07-13

Eight Days of Luke was definitely a fun book to read. As usual, Ms. Jones has used much of her creativity in this book. She has strongly portrayed characters: David, a true cricket fan; Luke, mischief-maker; cranky Aunt Dot; frugal Cousin Ronald; the list goes on. Each character seems to play off one another, making the book almost seem like a live play unfolding before you.

Ms. Jones has also incorporated some of her wit into this book. I was laughing out loud at some of the jokes. She also does a good job of making you feel the emotions of the characters.

The absolute best part of this book is the twists and turns of the plot. Everything about this book is unusual and unique, which made me love it all the more. The story is constantly moving - there isn't a spot where the storyline slows down and lags. The conclusion was amazing; I was glued to the book trying to read faster and faster to see what would happen to David and Luke and Astrid. By the end, all the elements of plot fit together, like an intricate and well-made puzzle.

I highly recommend this book to all age groups. There is something in here for everyone. Brava, Ms. Jones!

(If you want a synopsis of this book, look above. Amazon.com does a great job of telling you the storyline.)

"A jolly good read".......2003-10-04

The story takes place on several levels and combines contemporary family conflict with Norse mythology. It draws together problems of disparate members of a family which are largely resolved after the young boy finds Luke, who has a strange ability with fire.

The story does not stand still and it's great fun for both children and adults.

Neil Gaiman "borrowed" this premise for "American Gods".......2003-04-28

With Mrs. Wynne Jones' full permission of course (they're great friends). This is a very entertaining book with a story featuring events not unlike those of the children in A Series Of Unfortunate Events, or probably more to the point, all of Dickens' hapless child protagonists. Still, it has all the hallmarks of the best DWJ stories: a feisty, resourceful hero, other characters who are, somewhat frighteningly, not what they seem, and sudden trips to magical landscapes which appear just around the corner from one's otherwise normal town. It's a wonderful book to read aloud.

Really great.......2002-02-10

In the surge of fantasy books being reprinted, the formerly unavailable works of Diana Wynne-Jones are becoming available. "Eight Days of Luke" is a delight for fantasy and mythology buffs alike.

David dreads coming home for vacation. As his parents are dead, he lives with his horrible relatives: Uncle Bernard, Aunt Dot, Cousin Ronald and his wife Astrid, and the sinister housekeeper, all of whom insist that he be grateful to them. They tell him what to wear, how to speak, what to do, constantly talk about what a burden and a pain he is, and spend the rest of the time listening to Astrid and Bernard compare imaginary ailments.

While out doing yardwork, David utters a gibberish curse -- only to have a nearby wall erupt in a shower of snakes. Another boy named Luke appears, and offers to help David. Why? He says that David freed him, and David goes along with this. Luke charms David's nasty family, and as a result Astrid slowly begins to befriend David.

But Luke quickly displays that he can be dangerous as well as helpful. And he is strangely wary of the new people in the neighborhood: the Frys, one-eyed Mr. Wedding, and sinister gardener Mr. Chew. He claims that he was framed for something he didn't do -- but how is David going to help him?

Perhaps the only drawback of this book is that you need some basic knowledge of Norse mythology to know who people like the Frys, Mr. Wedding and Luke are; those who are not familiar with the myths may be hopelessly lost. So brush up on the basics before reading. As for the finale -- well, you'll definitely need to know about Norse myths. Jones doesn't tell us too much, but she doesn't tell us a lot either. The three old women will be recognizable easily, though: Similar characters have been featured in many other works of fantasy.

David is a completely realistic young boy, and I was pleased to see the "conversion" of one of his annoying relatives. Luke manages to be sympathetic and interesting despite the fact that he's a little amoral and has a perilous sense of fun. I was also glad that the "nasty relatives" didn't fall into the Roald Dahl/Harry Potter trap of being cartoonishly bad. They're bad because they are rigid and disdainful -- nasty in ways that are almost hilariously realistic. (The scene where David keeps score as Astrid and Bernard compare psychosomatic problems is a hoot!)

Soon to be reprinted, this is a lesser-known gem that is often overshadowed by Jones's other more popular works. Though shorter than many of her other books, this is a great read for adults and kids alike..

Norse mythology and rotten relatives: What more do you need?.......1998-09-01

David's life with his abominable relatives--hypochondriac Bernard, fault-finding Dot, self-righteous Ronald, and exasperating Astrid--abruptly changes when, in a fit of fury against his relatives, he creates a curse (appropriately fierce-sounding gibberish) and recites it in his back yard. Instead of something nasty for his relatives, however, he gets Luke: a mysterious, redheaded young man with an affinity for fire and a talent for troublemaking.

Luke's appearance is only the beginning of a bizarre set of events and peculiar visitations, from the malevolent Mr. Chew, to the preternaturally hearty Frys, to the twin ravens that constantly hang around David. The enigmatic Mr. Wedding has his own agenda, and some mystery hangs around the young man with the dragons. Before long, David finds himself moving between two worlds--his normal, everyday life with his relatives, and an unpredictable, mystical realm--and they both keep getting stranger.

As an admitted mythology addict, I loved "Eight Days of Luke." Figuring out, piece by piece, who the characters really are was half the fun in this book. The other half is Jones' delightful writing and the various complications that ensue as Luke (and what might be termed his set of bizarre relatives) enter into David's everyday life. Myth, folklore, and back-to-school shopping all combine in this novel; more impressively, they fit together naturally.

Book Description

<h4><center> Ayna could predict the future.
Cari could find what was lost.
Gair thought he was ordinary. </center> </h4>

The three children of Gest, the chief of Garholt, know the perils of the Moor on which they live. The Dorig, their people's enemies, are cold-blooded, fierce underwater creatures who terrify anyone unlucky enough to happen upon them. The Giants are dangerous and violent.

But it's not until their home is invaded that Gair learns of a dying curse that endangers all three peoples of the Moor. A curse that ordinary Gair, with the help of his extraordinary brother and sister, may be able to break, but only at the most dreadful risk to all three, and to the Moor itself.

Customer Reviews:

Power of Three is great; to the power of 5!.......2006-02-21

I have to admit, I'm one of those people who just can't sit and look at words hour after hour because it's just a bunch of...WORDS ON A PIECE OF PAPER, but Power of Three really kept me stimulated to read more. Don't let the 9-12 age group scare you, because I underestimated the book a bit. It is a great book.

It starts with Gair, an unsure boy who's the middle child of Gest, whose other children (Ayna, Ceri) both have gifts. Gair thinks he's a nothing among his two siblings, but one fateful day when the Dorig attack their village and his loved ones are captured, he encounters the giants with his siblings and they end up in the middle of a deal that could put their family in danger. The fate of Gair's village is in his hands, but he supposedly has no gift...

The writing is very descriptive, hands down. The emotions in the mind of Gair really symbolize the troubles a child goes through in adolescence. The story really comes together in the end, and a fourth of the time it is told through flashbacks. It starts out as an unfinshed puzzle that you put together as you read on and on. The main character's not corny, like in books like Harry Potter, "OH MY GOD! IT'S THE BOY WHO LIVED!! LET'S GO ON FOR ANOTHER SEVEN BOOKS ABOUT HIM AND WRITE IN THE MOST UNORIGINAL MANNER POSSIBLE!", Gair is just a brilliant, antisocial lone wolf whose world is literally falling apart. Nobody understands him, that's why he's such a good character and he doesn't whine (like a similar character from Neon Genesis Evangelion, Shinji). The great thing is that Power of Three isn't as stereotypical for a fantasy as you'd expect, it's a bit darker and somewhat more complex.

You seriously need to read this if you think that reading sucks, no matter how old you are. Don't base this on the cover art, this is a brilliant piece of original work, not a fake Harry potter takeoff because this was before Harry-mania! It's an epic.

"May it Never Loose Until the Three are Placated...".......2005-01-06

Combining the atmosphere of Celtic folklore with a plot reminiscent of Shakespeare's "Hamlet", as well as an intricate plot (including a huge twist halfway through that will completely turn your perception of the story on its head) and likeable characters, "Power of Three" is one of Diana Wynne Jones's best novels - and so inevitably it is one of her least known.

Set on moorlands inhabited by Giants, reptilian Dorig and tribes of warrior-like clans, the first two chapters introduces the rest of the story to come. First, Adara and her bullish brother Orban come across a young Dorig princeling, and Orban demands the beautiful collar around its neck. Refusing, the Dorig places a deep curse upon the collar that will bestow bad luck upon the holder and the surroundings.

Chapter two takes place several years later when Adara elopes with the chief of a neighbouring Mound. This reads like a Celtic legend as the hero Gest must perform three impossible tasks concerning riddles, collars, standing stones, Dorig and Giants, and exactly how he manages to accomplish these feats is a mystery that (like the influence of the curse) is explored more deeply in the rest of the book that skips onto the next generation.

Gest and Adara's three children are Ayna, Gair and Ceri. Ayna the eldest can answer any question posed toward her, whilst Ceri can not only find anything that is lost but manipulate matter with his mind. Gair however is devastatingly normal, and so considers himself a disappointment to his entire community. But with the evil of the curse winding its way into all aspects of life (including food supply, war with the Dorig, and an unwelcome invasion of relatives into their Mound), Gair finally reaches breaking point and heads for the countryside. Tailed by Ayna and Ceri, the three siblings find adventures with both Dorig and Giants waiting for them, and realisation that the Moor itself is in danger of destruction.

In terms of theme and plot, "Power of Three" may very well be the deepest and most complicated novel for young readers that DWJ has written. Exploring the definition of humanity, the worth of the individual and the necessity for peace at its core, the book also has plenty of humour, quirky characters and intricate subplots - far too many to properly explain in a simple review. But it is worth saying that this book in particular has a range of interesting and vivid characters - from saintly Adara, woebegone Gerald, bossy Brenda, spoilt Ceri, sage-like Ayna and the odious Ondo. But the spotlight mostly falls on Gair, and he is a protagonist that most will find very easy to relate to - melancholy and serious, but determined and intelligent, and altogether a likeable guy.

The author also makes some wonderful connections between characters - the siblings in particular are warm and affectionate (most of the time) and the friendships that Gair forges within the story are also realistic and enjoyable to read. But then again, DWJ is an expert at portraying human behaviour and it should come as no surprise to any familiar readers that such things are handled just as well here.

"Power of Three" definitely has my recommendation, though I should warn you about reading other reviews on the story, as some of them give away the big twist - something that shouldn't be revealed if you want to truly revel in DWJ's genius.

Get the "Power".......2004-02-02

Diana Wynne-Jones's books are enjoying a much-deserved resurgence, thanks to the renewed interest in well-written juvenile fantasy. One of the latest reprinted novels is "Power of Three," a unique story about three very unusual siblings, and the Moor that is under attack.

The leader of the mound of Garholt has three children. Eldest Ayna has the Sight, and youngest Ceri has the Gift of Finding AND the Gift of Thought. The middle child, Gair, considers himself extremely ordinary, and tries to become wise and skilled to make up for his lack of extraordinary gifts. Gair isn't as ordinary as he had thought, but his secret talents lie hidden until a disaster falls.

Long ago, their uncle Orban killed a Dorig (a water-dwelling reptilian creature) for its golden collar, and the Dorig's brother laid a curse on everyone. Now the Dorig invade the mound when the chief is out on a hunt and the three kids manage to escape, taking refuge with the Giants (who are apparently ordinary human beings). They learn that they're running out of time -- the Moor will soon be turned into a lake, driving out the Giants and killing the Moung People and Dorig, unless they find a way to stop it.

"Power of Three" is in some ways a much darker book than many of Jones' others. There are more complex issues about morality and ethics. Not to mention the enviroment, and the question of what makes a person special. (Even before Gair's gift surfaces, he's considered special for his hunger for knowledge) There's murder, trickery, there are battles (not magical ones either), hostage situations and curses that affect entire populations.

Jones gives the Mound People a semi-Celtic flair; the story about how the kids' dad had to win their mom is reminiscent of old Irish legends. The shapeshifting, water-dwelling Dorig are suitably mysterious and alien. Jones fills her story with atmospheric wildlands, cozy British houses and plenty of vivid descriptions.

Gair is clearly the center of this book. He's a likable kid, quiet when his rotten cousin isn't taunting him, and more thoughtful than his siblings. Ayna and Ceri are also well-done. The biggest problem is probably Gerald and Brenda. While Jones does a passable job with these two, it takes awhile to warm up to them because we don't get a lot of insight into their thoughts.

"Power of Three" is a fast-paced, well-written fantasy adventure, full of strange and mysterious creatures (and a few who are all too familiar). Like just about all of Jones' works, a treat.

Really good.......2004-01-04

I picked up this book on a shelf in school one day because I forgot to bring one and I figured it was worth a try reading it, but once I did I couldn't put it down. Power of Three is one of the best books I've Ever read! It's very captivating and keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. It's like you're actually a part of the book! It's the kind of book where you can't help but wonder if there's a sequel. So if you like fantasy and action/adventure books I highly recomend it.

One of Diana's Best But Most Ignored Books.......2003-08-13

I'd be willing to bet that most Diana Wynne Jones fans may have missed this book because on first glance it doesn't seem as exciting as some others of hers. What a mistake, since Diana really shows her craft as a writer in this book. She shows she can do a different kind of book and pull it off as well as any of her more fun, or humorously fanciful books.

In many of Diana's books, she works by creating a difficult situation and then piling unexpected situations, images and twists on top. Usually, you wonder "what more could possibly go wrong" and then something else does--to humorous effect. By the end, you find you've come out the other side and chaos has somehow turned into order--much like a Shakespearean comedy such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream" or "Comedy of Errors."

If most of Diana's books are comedies, Power of Three is more like a tragedy. From the moment at the first of the book when an innocent Dorig (sort of a water sprite) is killed, a curse is laid, and revenge is sworn, you know that "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."

Diana uses intricate plotting to move the story towards the expected climax. Even with happy events, the reader knows that something else lurks behind. The plot works in a unified way to forward the story towards its climax. Each event is exactly right for propelling the story towards its end.

The book deals nicely with issues of trust between people, understanding between parent and child, and the effect a small minority can have for good or evil.

This is a darker book than many by this author (though it works out nicely in the end), so you may want to try something else if you're looking mostly for free-spirited fun. It's moodier, more "realistic," has less whimsey, and more suspense than you'd expect.

Overall, a very well-crafted book that is something different for the author. I recommend it highly, but you may want to adjust your expectations of Diana Wynne Jones before reading it.

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