The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 3

Chrestomanci (Recommended Reading Order) #5-6

by Diana Wynne Jones

The third Chrestomanci omnibus edition features "Conrad's Fate" and "The Pinhoe Egg," with breathtaking new art to match the previous two volumes.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Magic, Adventure, Middle Grade

675 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Diana 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.

Reviews

[Ilirwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like most of Diana Wynne Jones' books this was fantastic. I loved it. Sadly, that means I only have two of her books left to read for the first time... Still, now I know wbat all the people who have raved about the Chrestomanci series in the past, were talking about. I agree 100 %! I won't go into the plot and spoil it for others who haven't yet read these books, but all I can say is that anyone who likes most of (or all) DWJ:s books, will certainly like these as well. In my opinion, DWJ is probably the author who writes best about magic. She makes it seem so natural and realistic. As if almost anyone could find that she/he has a talent for magic. I love that too. :)

[Loreley · Rating 5 out of 5]

ვგიჟდები ქრესტომანსის fabulous ხალათებზე :D Pinhoe Egg ყველაზე მეტად გამისწორდა ექვსი წიგნიდან

[Joaquin Mejia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last omnibus containing the novels of "The Chronicles of Chrestomanci". I have finished another series by Diana Wynne Jones. Judging by the sequence in which the "Chrestomanci" novels were written, I think that the six books of the series can be read in any order you want. But since I read it in the order arranged by the three volumes, I think that might be the best order in which the novels are to be read.

The two novels of the omnibus had as much twists and turns and magic as the other novels of the series. Although this one took seemed to have took me longer to finish , I had just as much fun reading it. Volume 3 reintroduces young Christopher Chant and Cat Chant from the novels of Volume 1. Even if they are not really main characters in "Conrad's Fate" and "The Pinhoe Egg" respectively, I thought it was good that the last omnibus's novels featured those characters. It reminded me of the start of the series while I knew that I was going to finish reading it.

Although I personally like Diana Wynne Jones's World of Howl Collection books more, this series of novels about the adventures of children featuring the Chrestomanci is also highly recommended.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the Chrestomanci series overall! There were some nasty characters, however. I found myself getting anxious at how mean characters could be, especially to children. However, there were lots of lovely bits and the magic was fantastic. Millie and Cat were my favorite characters.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought book 5 was fantastic. Loved the authorial voice, loved the story. I started out almost hating book 6 (as someone else said, too many uncles). But having just finished (teary-eyed for having to say goodbye to the Chrestomanci series), I am hard pressed to say I have a favorite between the two. Both are wonderful.

[Drucilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 or 5 stars? 5 stars because...why the heck not? I love the Chrestomanci series and I love that we get to see Christopher and Millie again. Conrad was a little boring and I wished I would have known what the heck a Walker was, but, on the whole, volume 3 was great. I was very happy that the author included an epilogue, too (although it was a bit rushed for my taste)!

[PyranopterinMo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent pair of stories. There is no sign of decline and in fact the Chrestomanci stories get better. The only recurring theme is of dangerous, selfish relatives.
Conrad's fate is about a 12 yo boy who is the pawn of his magician uncle in a far off corner of the Chrestomanci universe. He ends up working in a large manor with many fastidious servants and some uncanny magic. Its a story about a strange world and strange magics. Again Chrestomanci only shows up at the end but one of Chrestomanci's allies in a co- protagonist. The story starts well and gets even better.
The Pinhoe egg is about an old powerful family of "hedge wizards" who are very set in their ways. They unfortunately had to go into hiding a long time ago, and now, to avoid the prying of their neighbor, Chrestomanci, they have lost the kind of guidance and limits that people with a lot of power need. Again this is a lovely story that was hard to put down. There is a rather dumb cat for a change, new magical spells , animal magic, and a fairly interesting examination of both manipulation by and dementia in an old witch.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic DWJ! Just as good as Charmed Life & the Lives of Christopher Chant - significantly better than the Magicians & Witches books. The difference being its characters - Christopher & Eric return in these two books (Christopher as a teen, Eric a year after Charmed Life), and DWJ spends more time on characterization and setting up her pieces before diving into the serious action. And then the action is enjoyable, with deliciously terrible adults and kids figuring stuff out. I don't always love DWJ's "parlor scene" type showdowns that explain unexpected back story and tie things up remarkably neatly, but at least I was distracted by actual gunshots and hilarious invisible beings during those scenes this time.

In sum: If I nitpicked, I could find faults, but I don't read these slowly, critically, I read in dramatic fell swoops with rose colored glasses.

Bonus: It took a while, but the cover featured unicorn does actually appear!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about fate and karma. Don't listen to your family seems to be the message here..

Spoilers:
Conrad is a boy who is told to have bad karma by his uncle. If he want's to get rid of the bad karma he has to kill somebody he actually had to kill in a past life.. this ofcourse is not true. The uncle has his own reasons for killing someone.
The storyline seems darker then the other chrestomanci books. And I like to see a older Christopher back who is looking for Millie who ran from her school.All because it was a horrible place, which sounds like the Millie we know.

The second story I liked better. A war between rogue witches families with a big secret. An old Gammer who has to be replaced against her will, and a young ignored enchantress.
And a old lost Gaffer and his unicorn show up, after being dead for 8 years... this family has allot of troubles.

[Martine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free. I am finally *free*.

I had trouble finding the motivation to continue reading the second story, I needed to take a break and read something I love and even after that, it still felt a little bit like a chore. The first story was alright, although I have to say, Chrestomanci really isn't that captivating a character if you think about it, especially not from an outside view. Not to mention i found the writing very cisheteronormative, bordering on sexist at times and I really, really did not appreciate the fat shaming. Or how neglectful Christopher is towards his children? How Millie, despite her powers, despite her having been a goddess, is little more than a housewife.

Plot wise, it was more interesting than Volume 2, I will give it that, but I jut really didn't dig it.

[Rachel E. Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conrad's Fate: Ooh, this one had the twists and the turns. I wasn't at all sure how it would end. Basically, it was Downton Abbey, but with more magic and other dimensions. I loved the big house and all the characters and getting to see Christopher as a boy again. Loads of fun.

Pinhoe Egg: With this book, we were back with Cat and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was adventure, magic, strange creatures, and forgotten history. It made me angry in some places and laugh in others. A really great finale to the series.

As a whole, the Chronicles of Chrestomanci are great. Not hard to read, but all very different from one another. I like that they never felt predictable and always had secrets lurking under the surface. Highly recommend them all.

[spoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing amazing amazing so good. some of it (like the bad uncle) felt like a bit of a rehashing of Live of Christopher Chant, but like it's still good. BUT the way in which Christopher Chant is both like annoying but also friends w Conrad is sooo well done. That convo Conrad has w Millie where he is hating Christopher but then realizes Christopher likes him and then is defensive of Christopher is so brilliant AND that characterization tracks throughout the rest of the book!! Ug - so well done. Diana Wynne Jones is on a level of her own that is only matched by Patrica McKillip.

[Sharai Ann Bravo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series, I wish I could be in it longer. The way Cat used his magic in the Pinhoe Egg reminded me of how things happen in my dreams. It felt limitless, creative, and unexpected; very much what it would be like if children could do magic. What I love most is her ability to weave the other Chrestomanci stories into the next. It’s like seeing an old friend in a new fantastic world. Hopefully one day this series will get an adaption, it more than deserves it.

[Mandy Beyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars I found both of these stories just as enjoyable as the previous four. Seeing Christopher Chant as the cranky adolescent runaway in Conrad's Fate and then back as an adult in The Pinhoe Egg was quite enjoyable but the fun in all the books in the series is that different children get to be the main characters of the stories. And so many of them have magic that needs to be understood, rather than just taught to them.

[Beth Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread. I wanted to like Conrad's Fate more than I actually do. There's a lot of chasing around in the middle of the book that doesn't really add all that much to the plot. I like The Pinhoe Egg much better, though there are a lot of adults doing (or trying to do) truly evil things that seem to be played more for comedy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conrad's Fate--4/5 (original review 5/5)
The Pinhoe Egg--3/5 (original review 4/5)

[Misaki Acuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh I finished reading these! I wanted to read more of these.. The Chrestomanci series from Diana Wynn Jones. My favorite fantasy author 💕

あ〜読み終わっちゃった〜もっとこの世界に浸りたい〜でも終わっちゃった〜
ハウルの動く城原作者のダイアナ・ウィン・ジョーンズの、大好きなクレストマンシーシリーズ😍

[Paula Merns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m late to the game, awesome!

I wasn’t expecting two such excellent stories but I got them anyway. Great book by a great author, may her memory be a blessing and her words a legacy we can continue to share.

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! The writing is consistently good and I felt a bit sorry to leave the characters and world behind.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conrad's Fate:3 stars; The Pinhoe Egg: 4 stars

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was 2 books in 1. Both stories were great!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hatching magical eggs, evil family feuds, flying machines, and all manner of magical things. I love these books. Human nature and the way kids think are the best of the books by this author.

[Tamsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conrad's Fate: 4 stars
The Pinhoe Egg: 5 stars

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Timothy]

Conrad's Fate (2005)
The Pinhoe Egg (2006)

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole I liked these, though Conrad's Fate took about 200 pages to get going. The Pinhoe Egg had more going on, although it didn't feel like a plot at first. Both were light and fun.

[Jordan Tyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed with this series. This might be the best of the three but I loved them all so much I just want to gather up my books and hug them

[Karen S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conrad's Fate ****
The Pinhoe Egg ****

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite its position as the highest-rated of the Chrestomanci compendia on Goodreads (4.39 at time of writing, as opposed to 4.2 and 4.22 for the second and first books respectively), this volume was perhaps my least favorite - though don't get me wrong: it still has in spades the unique charm that makes the Chrestomanci books so special.

But somehow, I didn't get into these last two as deeply and avidly as I did into the first four tales, as evidenced by the length of time I took to finish the book. Conrad's Fate, which I found a little muddled and directionless, is my last-ranked of the six Chrestomanci stories, which is a shame because it has some interesting conceits; the last novel, The Pinhoe Egg, was great insofar as it showed us a good glimpse of Cat coming into his own since the events of the first book; and had many virtues in its surprisingly sensitive depiction of the experience of being stifled by one's family, but again, it didn't have quite the unputdownable quality of The Lives of Christopher Chant, for example.

And now that I've finished them all, *drumroll* here's my personal Chrestomanci ranking:

1. The Lives of Christopher Chant
2. Witch Week
3. The Magicians of Caprona
4. The Pinhoe Egg
5. Charmed Life
6. Conrad's Fate

I give this: 4 out of 5 baby griffins

[Shima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conrad's fate : 4 stars

One of the best Chrestomanci stories, Conrad's fate was both enjoyable, smart and fast.

More than anything I liked how Christopher appeared here. I finally felt like I had a really firm grip on his character. Even though at the start I was disappointed to learn he was not the narrator, Conrad turned out to be a great fit for the job. He had a stronger voice than either Cat or Christopher.

The story too was really quite interesting. It delved further into this series use of both finance magic and alternative universes, while weaving old and new characters nicely together. I still wish one of these books were set in the time where Christopher and Millie fell in love, but I take what I can get.

However I reduced one star first because the ending felt a little messy and unedited, There were too many characters introduced who didn't play any part in the book. They slowed down the pacing and made it impossible to keep track of everyone. Even ignoring the jumbled mess of characters, the plot turned too crazy and full of weird twists, it made it so that when the ending came there was no breathing room at all for the story.

The second reason I reduced the star was because of the continues use of evil family members that despite all evidence the hero is just blind to. I mean come on! Another evil uncle? Really? Not only did it made a huge deal of the plot predictable, it also was the only thing that made me hate Conrad at times. Really, How naive can someone be?


The Pinhoe egg : 3.5 stars

The Pinhoe egg was somewhat different from the other Chrestomanci books. It still had the same feelings but it was the first time where there was next to no mention of alternative universes and they were of no relevance to the plot. Instead we were introduced to a whole new kind of magic and mythology. If you ask me the book suffered for it.

The whole new lore of this book felt inconsistent both with the world and with the characters. It seemed strange to me that such huge schemes were going on right near the castle for so many years, yet no Chrestomanci had even held a suspicion.

More than anything I got the feeling that by this point in the series Diana.W.Jones had decided to break out of the series' formula but unfortunately she had chose the wrong way to do it. The alternative universes and the magic were the strongest aspects of this book. The repetitive parts were the whole evil family members and everyone being extra strong enchanter/ess. Instead here we got whole clans of evil family members, a new enchantress heroine and no other universes. It was unfortunate.

Yet, The Pinhoe Egg wasn't without its good parts. It had darker scenes in it than all the other books and it did really really well in capturing the creepies parts. The egg and the horse were both great plot lines, and even though it didn't always make perfect sense the story came together nicely. Its pace was a little slow and more than exiting it was mildly interesting to read.

The Chrestomanci series, overall

I look at these books mostly as stand alones rather than a real series, so it's hard to talk about them as a whole. It had its ups (Witch Week) and its downs (The Magicians of Caprona)
The biggest flaw of the books was usually the predictability while their biggest strength was that magical feeling Diana.W.Jones always manages to create. What I wished for were more books focused on either Cat or Christopher, Or at least for a final book where all the characters from the books somehow came together for an epic ending. Or really anything that made them feel a little more consistent, I must say it grew exhausting to open every new book to a whole new set of characters with no familiar faces, at least not up until the very end.

As a whole I'm sad to say I'm not a fan of the series, It never reached real brilliance, and even though it was never horrible, it just didn't seem worth it. I would give it as a whole 2.5 or 3 stars.
But I must say that maybe it simply wasn't for me. I can see a lot of people enjoying them. So don't take the rating too seriously.