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Chrestomanci (Recommended Reading Order) #1-7
The Chrestomanci Series: Entire Collection
Welcome to the worlds of Chrestomanci, where magic is as common as mathematics and anything can happen… an exclusive ebook collection of the entire seven book series by the award-winning Diana Wynne Jones.
Welcome to the worlds of Chrestomanci, where magic is as common as mathematics and anything can happen… an exclusive ebook collection of the entire seven book series by the award-winning Diana Wynne Jones.
Featuring the magical and enduring characters of Gwendolen and Christopher Chant, and many more, this collection brings the stories of the world of Chrestomanci together for the first time.
Winner of numerous accolades including the Guardian Award, these stories have been loved by generations of children’s and adults and Diana Wynne Jones was hailed by Neil Gaiman as ‘the best writer of magic there is.’
2209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2013
52 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Diana Wynne Jones
157 books12k followersDiana Wynne Jones was a celebrated British writer best known for her inventive and influential works of fantasy for children and young adults. Her stories often combined magical worlds with science fiction elements, parallel universes, and a sharp sense of humor. Among her most beloved books are Howl's Moving Castle, the Chrestomanci series, The Dalemark Quartet, Dark Lord of Derkholm, and the satirical The Tough Guide to Fantasyland. Her work gained renewed attention and readership with the popularity of the Harry Potter series, to which her books have frequently been compared.
Admired by authors such as Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, and J.K. Rowling, Jones was a major influence on the landscape of modern fantasy. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, two Mythopoeic Awards, the Karl Edward Wagner Award, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. In 2004, Howl's Moving Castle was adapted into an acclaimed animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, further expanding her global audience.
Jones studied at Oxford, where she attended lectures by both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. She began writing professionally in the 1960s and remained active until her death in 2011. Her final novel, The Islands of Chaldea, was completed posthumously by her sister Ursula Jones.
Admired by authors such as Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, and J.K. Rowling, Jones was a major influence on the landscape of modern fantasy. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, two Mythopoeic Awards, the Karl Edward Wagner Award, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. In 2004, Howl's Moving Castle was adapted into an acclaimed animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, further expanding her global audience.
Jones studied at Oxford, where she attended lectures by both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. She began writing professionally in the 1960s and remained active until her death in 2011. Her final novel, The Islands of Chaldea, was completed posthumously by her sister Ursula Jones.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 19, 2019
The order of books in this series is as follows
1. Charmed Life.
2. The Magicians Of Caprona.
3. Witch Week.
4. The Lives Of Christopher Chant.
5. Mixed Magics.
6. Conrad's Fate.
7. The Pinhoe Egg.
''Who are you calling gentleman?” the Farleigh man demanded.
“Not you, obviously” Chrestomanci said.
Funny and full of magic. Not wand flickering sort but of will alone. Really loved different worlds too. I am sure Diana Wynne Jones was an enchantress too.😍
1. Charmed Life.
2. The Magicians Of Caprona.
3. Witch Week.
4. The Lives Of Christopher Chant.
5. Mixed Magics.
6. Conrad's Fate.
7. The Pinhoe Egg.
''Who are you calling gentleman?” the Farleigh man demanded.
“Not you, obviously” Chrestomanci said.
Funny and full of magic. Not wand flickering sort but of will alone. Really loved different worlds too. I am sure Diana Wynne Jones was an enchantress too.😍
August 23, 2024
A Charmed Life
2024-08: 4 stars.
Eric "Cat" Chant and his frankly awful sister Gwendolyn, who is a witch, are taken in by the Chrestomanci after their parents drown. Gwendolyn does everything she can to stir up trouble, while Cat apologizes and dismisses her bad behaviour. There's a reason for this in this amusing story of witches and warlocks in a world a little different from ours. I liked that the current Chrestomanci is a powerful magician, but he's just fulfilling a role that others have held before him. Also, there are portals to other worlds.
2016-09: 3.5 stars
Enjoyable kids' tale. Enchanters, wizards, witches, transformations, mysterious abilities, alternate worlds....lots to keep the story going, and there is more ahead for the main character, Eric "Cat" Chant. Will be checking out the next in the Chrestomanci series.
2024-08: 4 stars.
Eric "Cat" Chant and his frankly awful sister Gwendolyn, who is a witch, are taken in by the Chrestomanci after their parents drown. Gwendolyn does everything she can to stir up trouble, while Cat apologizes and dismisses her bad behaviour. There's a reason for this in this amusing story of witches and warlocks in a world a little different from ours. I liked that the current Chrestomanci is a powerful magician, but he's just fulfilling a role that others have held before him. Also, there are portals to other worlds.
2016-09: 3.5 stars
Enjoyable kids' tale. Enchanters, wizards, witches, transformations, mysterious abilities, alternate worlds....lots to keep the story going, and there is more ahead for the main character, Eric "Cat" Chant. Will be checking out the next in the Chrestomanci series.
July 1, 2024
This collection contains the following books:
1. Charmed Life: Eric (known as Cat) and his awful sister Gwendolyn are orphaned in the first couple of pages, on-page, and, after an interval of being looked after by the witch downstairs (who arranges for magic lessons for Gwendolyn, a strong witch), are taken in by Chrestomanci, a powerful and mysterious figure. Gwendolyn is not just naughty and self-centred, but malicious and egomaniacal, and Cat, who is the main character, suffers the consequences along with the rest of the household, until Gwendolyn disappears, leaving Janet, a much nicer alternate-world version of herself, in her place. There's a big, suspenseful set-piece battle at the end in which Cat and his unexpected allies face unexpected enemies with the help of Chrestomanci. The overall feel (aided by the beautiful pen-and-ink illustrations) is of the Edwardian era, though there are hints that this is actually the time in which it was written (the 1970s) in an alternate world. It put me in mind of E. Nesbit. This was the only book of the series I'd read before, but since I read it in 2013 I remembered basically nothing about it. My review is here.
2. The Magicians Of Caprona: Two magical families are doing the Montague/Capulet thing in a fictional Italian city, which is under threat from its neighbours and apparently from an unknown enchanter, who is undermining their everyday spells that keep the city safe. Chrestomanci comes to intervene, but is mostly offstage; the brothers Paulo and Tonino are the main characters, particularly Tonino. In contrast to the orphans of Book 1, they have, if anything, an excess of family, all of whom live in a huge villa together. Cats and books are becoming a theme. There's a big, suspenseful set-piece battle at the end in which Tonino, Paulo and their unexpected allies face the city's enemy with the help of Chrestomanci. Surprisingly, given the Italian vendetta theme, there's much less outright tragedy than in the first and third books.
3. Witch Week: An alternate early 1980s Britain (so, still contemporary with the book's publication) is a dystopian state which burns witches. A class of troubled kids, aged around 12 I think, have various reactions to this. I wasn't a fan; dystopia is not a genre I basically ever enjoy, school bullying is not a favourite either, and most of the kids, including the bullied ones, are awful and selfish and hard to empathize with. There are two exceptions, but they are secondary characters rather than focus characters, and don't get a lot of development. Chrestomanci is more like a deus ex machina than he is in either of the two earlier books, though it still requires the kids to take action to resolve the plot, and the way the alternate worlds work makes little sense and doesn't match well with what was in the first book. Two stars, if I was reading it by itself.
4. The Lives Of Christopher Chant: A prequel (chronologically Book 1), showing us the childhood of the boy who became Chrestomanci. His father is from an important family, his mother is a beauty and brought wealth to the marriage, but they hate each other and won't even speak directly to each other, and Christopher hardly sees his father and wonders at one point if he'd recognize him in the street. So that's fun. He's also manipulated by his uncle (his mother's brother). I saw all the "plot twists" coming from a long way off, but maybe that's because I'm not 12. Near the end, circumstances become such that, slightly unbelievably, Christopher is allowed to be in charge of the situation and comes up with a great plan; he transforms almost instantaneously from a rather passive, not particularly bright boy who consistently makes bad decisions to a clever problem-solver who outwits much older opponents. It's like the adult Chrestomanci has done his deus ex machina trick that he does in the other books, but he's also the child. Bonus points, though, for
5. Mixed Magics: Shorter stories, at various places in the timeline. Notable is the one that acts as a sequel to both Book 1 and Book 2, in that it features young characters from both books working together to foil a villain.
6. Conrad's Fate: Appropriately named, in that the Conrad of the title lacks agency even more than the kids usually do in these books; the future Chrestomanci (Christopher Chant) and the current Chrestomanci do most of the heavy lifting. Chronologically Book 2, since it's Christopher as a teenager. The evocation of a stately home staff of 50 who support just three members of a noble family shows plenty of research, but it wasn't too much for me, and helped to keep the book interesting even though the plot was relatively sparse and the viewpoint character was observing it more than participating in it. Sadly, it somewhat undermines one of the things I liked about Book 4:
7. The Pinhoe Egg: Last both chronologically and in order of publication, I felt this was more successful than any of the others. The young protagonists actually drive the plot, though Chrestomanci is still essential to the resolution, and it has a bit more theme. There's great sensawunda with a young griffin, and a new key element is introduced - the idea of dwimmer, or the supernatural ability to connect to the natural world.
As a series, it's inconsistent in tone, in the different explanations of how the alternate worlds work and what the rules are for them, and in what magic can and can't do; it's also set in various different versions of the world, which is mostly a strength, in that it introduces variety. The character of Chrestomanci (Christopher Chant) ties the series together, so the series title is apt, though a lot of the time he's not the protagonist but more of a plot device. Alongside that, a lot of the time the viewpoint characters don't have much agency, though given that they're typically 12 years old it would be difficult to give them the kind of agency you expect from an adult protagonist. Content note: I wouldn't give this to a child who was self-conscious about being heavy, because the fat characters in it, while not necessarily villains as such, are seen somewhat negatively because of their weight.
It's too inconsistent for me to give it more than a Bronze rating in my Best of the Year list, especially since I disliked Book 3 considerably, but overall I did enjoy the journey the books took me on and the world(s) I visited along the way.
1. Charmed Life: Eric (known as Cat) and his awful sister Gwendolyn are orphaned in the first couple of pages, on-page, and, after an interval of being looked after by the witch downstairs (who arranges for magic lessons for Gwendolyn, a strong witch), are taken in by Chrestomanci, a powerful and mysterious figure. Gwendolyn is not just naughty and self-centred, but malicious and egomaniacal, and Cat, who is the main character, suffers the consequences along with the rest of the household, until Gwendolyn disappears, leaving Janet, a much nicer alternate-world version of herself, in her place. There's a big, suspenseful set-piece battle at the end in which Cat and his unexpected allies face unexpected enemies with the help of Chrestomanci. The overall feel (aided by the beautiful pen-and-ink illustrations) is of the Edwardian era, though there are hints that this is actually the time in which it was written (the 1970s) in an alternate world. It put me in mind of E. Nesbit. This was the only book of the series I'd read before, but since I read it in 2013 I remembered basically nothing about it. My review is here.
2. The Magicians Of Caprona: Two magical families are doing the Montague/Capulet thing in a fictional Italian city, which is under threat from its neighbours and apparently from an unknown enchanter, who is undermining their everyday spells that keep the city safe. Chrestomanci comes to intervene, but is mostly offstage; the brothers Paulo and Tonino are the main characters, particularly Tonino. In contrast to the orphans of Book 1, they have, if anything, an excess of family, all of whom live in a huge villa together. Cats and books are becoming a theme. There's a big, suspenseful set-piece battle at the end in which Tonino, Paulo and their unexpected allies face the city's enemy with the help of Chrestomanci. Surprisingly, given the Italian vendetta theme, there's much less outright tragedy than in the first and third books.
3. Witch Week: An alternate early 1980s Britain (so, still contemporary with the book's publication) is a dystopian state which burns witches. A class of troubled kids, aged around 12 I think, have various reactions to this. I wasn't a fan; dystopia is not a genre I basically ever enjoy, school bullying is not a favourite either, and most of the kids, including the bullied ones, are awful and selfish and hard to empathize with. There are two exceptions, but they are secondary characters rather than focus characters, and don't get a lot of development. Chrestomanci is more like a deus ex machina than he is in either of the two earlier books, though it still requires the kids to take action to resolve the plot, and the way the alternate worlds work makes little sense and doesn't match well with what was in the first book. Two stars, if I was reading it by itself.
4. The Lives Of Christopher Chant: A prequel (chronologically Book 1), showing us the childhood of the boy who became Chrestomanci. His father is from an important family, his mother is a beauty and brought wealth to the marriage, but they hate each other and won't even speak directly to each other, and Christopher hardly sees his father and wonders at one point if he'd recognize him in the street. So that's fun. He's also manipulated by his uncle (his mother's brother). I saw all the "plot twists" coming from a long way off, but maybe that's because I'm not 12. Near the end, circumstances become such that, slightly unbelievably, Christopher is allowed to be in charge of the situation and comes up with a great plan; he transforms almost instantaneously from a rather passive, not particularly bright boy who consistently makes bad decisions to a clever problem-solver who outwits much older opponents. It's like the adult Chrestomanci has done his deus ex machina trick that he does in the other books, but he's also the child. Bonus points, though, for
5. Mixed Magics: Shorter stories, at various places in the timeline. Notable is the one that acts as a sequel to both Book 1 and Book 2, in that it features young characters from both books working together to foil a villain.
6. Conrad's Fate: Appropriately named, in that the Conrad of the title lacks agency even more than the kids usually do in these books; the future Chrestomanci (Christopher Chant) and the current Chrestomanci do most of the heavy lifting. Chronologically Book 2, since it's Christopher as a teenager. The evocation of a stately home staff of 50 who support just three members of a noble family shows plenty of research, but it wasn't too much for me, and helped to keep the book interesting even though the plot was relatively sparse and the viewpoint character was observing it more than participating in it. Sadly, it somewhat undermines one of the things I liked about Book 4:
7. The Pinhoe Egg: Last both chronologically and in order of publication, I felt this was more successful than any of the others. The young protagonists actually drive the plot, though Chrestomanci is still essential to the resolution, and it has a bit more theme. There's great sensawunda with a young griffin, and a new key element is introduced - the idea of dwimmer, or the supernatural ability to connect to the natural world.
As a series, it's inconsistent in tone, in the different explanations of how the alternate worlds work and what the rules are for them, and in what magic can and can't do; it's also set in various different versions of the world, which is mostly a strength, in that it introduces variety. The character of Chrestomanci (Christopher Chant) ties the series together, so the series title is apt, though a lot of the time he's not the protagonist but more of a plot device. Alongside that, a lot of the time the viewpoint characters don't have much agency, though given that they're typically 12 years old it would be difficult to give them the kind of agency you expect from an adult protagonist. Content note: I wouldn't give this to a child who was self-conscious about being heavy, because the fat characters in it, while not necessarily villains as such, are seen somewhat negatively because of their weight.
It's too inconsistent for me to give it more than a Bronze rating in my Best of the Year list, especially since I disliked Book 3 considerably, but overall I did enjoy the journey the books took me on and the world(s) I visited along the way.
February 17, 2020
I read this series in chronological order the first time around so it was interesting to read it in publication order. I actually found it better this way. The plot progression was easier to understand. Perhaps, I should try to read more series in publication order rather than insisting on chronological order? Especially when a series spans decades like this one did. You could see the background getting more and more modern as the series progresses. That was actually something that threw me off reading it in chronological order the first time around.
Charmed Life 1
The Magicians of Caprona 6-8
Witch Week 10-12
The Lives of Christopher Chant 12
Conrad's Fate 12
The Pinhoe Egg 13
As you can see, the more recent books were easier for me to read. I finished them quickly rather than taking days to read them.
Charmed Life 1
The Magicians of Caprona 6-8
Witch Week 10-12
The Lives of Christopher Chant 12
Conrad's Fate 12
The Pinhoe Egg 13
As you can see, the more recent books were easier for me to read. I finished them quickly rather than taking days to read them.
Want to read
July 10, 20225th April 2019 - 10th April 2019 = Read & Completed Charmed Life. Had fun with this, though there are things in here that are very much of the time it was written and published (1977).
13th February 2022 - 20th February 2022 = Read & Completed The Magicians of Caprona. I don't think I liked this as much as Charmed Life - this felt more chaotic (probably because of the vast characters/families with hints of Romeo and Juilet). Again, there are one or two things that are elements of the time it was written/published (1980).
2nd July 2022 - 10th July 2022 = Read & Completed WITCH WEEK. and that was so much fun! This is a reread (read this YEARS ago and remembered nothing about it) but I liked this so much more than Magicians of Caprona. It does have its issues (fatphobia) but yeah, enjoyed self HUGELY.
13th February 2022 - 20th February 2022 = Read & Completed The Magicians of Caprona. I don't think I liked this as much as Charmed Life - this felt more chaotic (probably because of the vast characters/families with hints of Romeo and Juilet). Again, there are one or two things that are elements of the time it was written/published (1980).
2nd July 2022 - 10th July 2022 = Read & Completed WITCH WEEK. and that was so much fun! This is a reread (read this YEARS ago and remembered nothing about it) but I liked this so much more than Magicians of Caprona. It does have its issues (fatphobia) but yeah, enjoyed self HUGELY.
Read
April 2, 2016AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE WHERE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS A MAGICAL MINISTER WHO IS NOT LIKE FUDGE AT ALL.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR COMFORT BOOKS?
I CAN ACTUALLY THINK OF FAR MOAR CHILDREN'S BOOKS IL THAN ~*~TEEN BOOKS~*~, AND IT'S NOT JUST THE NOSTALGIA.
MG AND YA BOOKS THAT WOULD BE IN YOUR BEST TEEN BOOKS LIST?
&MILLIE/CHRISTOPHER;
IAWT&M/C;
I2AWT&M/C; THEY'RE SUCH A GRATE COUPLE.
NN MOAR ESCAPIST BOOK SERIES
READ THE CHRESTOMANCI BOOKS WITH ME!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR COMFORT BOOKS?
I CAN ACTUALLY THINK OF FAR MOAR CHILDREN'S BOOKS IL THAN ~*~TEEN BOOKS~*~, AND IT'S NOT JUST THE NOSTALGIA.
MG AND YA BOOKS THAT WOULD BE IN YOUR BEST TEEN BOOKS LIST?
&MILLIE/CHRISTOPHER;
IAWT&M/C;
I2AWT&M/C; THEY'RE SUCH A GRATE COUPLE.
NN MOAR ESCAPIST BOOK SERIES
READ THE CHRESTOMANCI BOOKS WITH ME!
September 11, 2021
The Chrestomanci is an Enchanter with nine lives, capable of working the highest order of magic. He works for the government, making sure magic is not misused and protects and nurtures those children who show promise in the magical arts.
Jones' stories about the Chrestomanci are fun to read and deal with high concept ideas such as parallel worlds and fixed points in history. This will appeal to 'Harry Potter' fans, as there is a lot of common ground covered here.
Jones' writing fizzes and the central characters are well drawn, but there is a tendency to sacrifice the development of secondary characters to keep the page limit down.
Jones' stories about the Chrestomanci are fun to read and deal with high concept ideas such as parallel worlds and fixed points in history. This will appeal to 'Harry Potter' fans, as there is a lot of common ground covered here.
Jones' writing fizzes and the central characters are well drawn, but there is a tendency to sacrifice the development of secondary characters to keep the page limit down.
August 25, 2020
If you're a fan of Howl's Moving Castle (written by same author), then, I think you'd also enjoy this. It revolves around the (mis)adventures of Christopher Chant in discovering magic that runs potent in his blood, how he's able to utilize and unlock its full potential until he became "Chrestomancie" which is a "title" given to someone who's able to "master" magic and become the most powerful wizard in the setting of this story. Most favorite part was his encounter with the Living Asheth 😁 It's a very light and enjoyable read perfect for any day if you're in the mood to just "chill."
May 16, 2019
This series is every bit as fun and enchanting as I remember from reading them as a child, and I loved getting to read the ones I hadn't read before. Having all the books together in a set like this really showcased how Diana Wynne Jones's style developed over the decades. Unfortunately, it also highlighted the places where she stagnated: her protagonists were always identifiable because they were slender and blonde; her villains easy to spot because they were always fat and piggish.
October 20, 2025
Classic for a reason! So fun and engaging even reading as an adult no wonder Dianna Wayne jones is so well known! I watched the howls moving castle movie recently and really wanted to read the book which is also by this author. I might just read all of her stuff now it really adds a little joy to my day!
April 23, 2019
Wonderful. Unfortunately not all books are translated into Dutch or I would start reading “the Pinhoe Egg” to my children immediately.
May 8, 2020
Absolutely perfect. Haven't been this taken in by a world (or set of worlds) in a long time. Worth re-reading.
May 31, 2020
Really love this fantasy series. Each book stands on its own in the chrestomanci world. Characters have flaws, the magic is enchanting.
December 21, 2021
The Chrestomanci series is a must read for all children and adults! If you love Harry Potter or anything along those lines, Diana Wynne Jones is an essential part of the Cannon of of Fantasy Writing.
December 28, 2021
The Chrestomanci series is definitely one of DWJ's best. Silly but well-written, and the order (while slightly confusing at first) adds to the charm, fitting perfectly.
March 3, 2022
I used to love her so much as a kid but didn’t enjoy these nearly as much as an adult. Characters were a bit too… cookie cutter.
July 14, 2022
A bit slow but really good
August 16, 2023
Get in loser we’re replacing JK Rowling
January 18, 2016
I have technically read al the Chrestomanci books before, but only individually as I found them years and years ago when I first discovered the marvellous Diana Wynne Jones.
I adore Christopher Chant, possible more than I like the actual books he appears in (not to say they aren't wonderful, I just like other works by Jones more). I'm a sucker for an elegant, slightly dickish enchanter. I am amused by the books that seem to be about other people and he just shows up near the end to be disappointed in peoples behavior. I also like his protege's "I have the the right to me miserable if I want to" attitude more than I used to.
I adore Christopher Chant, possible more than I like the actual books he appears in (not to say they aren't wonderful, I just like other works by Jones more). I'm a sucker for an elegant, slightly dickish enchanter. I am amused by the books that seem to be about other people and he just shows up near the end to be disappointed in peoples behavior. I also like his protege's "I have the the right to me miserable if I want to" attitude more than I used to.
December 30, 2018
Diana Wynne Jones was able to take the fantasy genre to its limits, keeping it fun, provocative and interesting. She wrote a number of coming-of-age novels, and the Chrestomanci series riffs off this trope. We learn to beware of close members of the family, to treat cats with care and appreciation and not to believe everything you read in books. Sound advice.
July 22, 2016
Ive just rediscovered these books after a lifetime of searching! these were the first fantasy books that I read when I was about 8, definitely need to order and re read them asap!
December 10, 2016
It was actually the kobo edition, but whatever. I wish I'd discovered Diana Wynne Jones as a kid, and I'm delighted that I got to read these books with my kids.
April 7, 2017
Simply magical
An entertaining collection of well written stories. Just as enjoyable today as they where 15 years ago. Can not wait to share them with the children.
An entertaining collection of well written stories. Just as enjoyable today as they where 15 years ago. Can not wait to share them with the children.
May 8, 2023
Volume 1... Like Harry Potter, but with deeper characters, albeit in a smaller 'world'. JK Rowling probably read this book before writing Harry Potter
April 16, 2018
charmed life, pinhoe egg, lives of christopher chant - yep, definitely read them more than five times in this lifetime.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews