HarperCollins, London 2001
Boxed Set of 4 books $39.95

0007128959

1. Charmed Life

2.The Lives of Christopher Chant

3. The Magicians of Cuprona

4. Witch Week

Author's Note
The world of Chrestomanci is not the same as this one. It is a world parallel to ours, where magic is as normal as mathematics, and things are generally more old-fashioned. In Chrestomanci's world, Italy is still divided into numbers of small States, each with its Duke and capital city. In our world, Italy became one united country long ago.

Gwendolen and her brother, Cat are on a train going across a bridge when it collapses. Nearly everyone drowns except for Gwendolen because she is a witch and witch’s can’t drown. The only reason Cat doesn’t die is because he grabs on to Gwendolen. Now they are orphans because their Mother and Father died in the train accident. They go to live with Mrs Sharp in a town called Wolfercoat. There, Cat goes to school and Mr Nosterum teaches witchcraft to Gwendolen.

When Chestomanci comes to see them he adopts them and takes them to live in his castle. Gwendolen doesn’t like it, she hates the maids coming in and waking her, she hates the food and she hates Julia and Rodger. Cat doesn’t really like it either. Gwendolen starts to do bad things when they won’t let her do witchcraft.

I think that the characters are credible. You can investigate them and know their personality. I think that the dialogue is realistic and natural. You can also hear them talking and sometimes you feel like an eavesdropper on their conversations. The language is rich original and interesting. The words build up to create images and atmosphere in your mind.

I was hooked from the very beginning you can hear, smell and feel the background. I could feel the atmosphere the author was creating. I think that there is a satisfying ending. It is hard to put the book down.

I think that is a read alone book for children aged 10 & 11.

The Lives of Christopher Chant
Christopher Chant is a 14-year-old boy that has a future in cricket. Poor old Christopher has to keep learning the names of all the warden women that his father can’t pay. So Mama turned to Christopher’s Uncle Ralph’s for help to get the family together. During that time Christopher found out that he had special powers that could take him into another world. This world was called The Anywhere.

There is unreal ending to this wonderful book. The Wraith tries to get in every way, but with a ferocious cat, which guards the magical entrance, and with spells and traps all around the fence of the grounds the Wraith has no chance of getting in.

All the different people in the story made it hard to focus on them. Until you read until the half way mark, you would only really know Christopher.

I was stunned from the very beginning! It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read!

All the pictures at the start of the chapters blended in beautifully.

I can feel the atmosphere in the story, especially when Christopher gets in trouble then I could really feel what he would be feeling.

I would love to receive this book as a personal gift.

I would recommend this book to all people in grade 6 and up.

I have changed the way I feel when reading a book in “Silent Reading”. I used to hate reading in class but now I’ve got my head in a book constantly reading.

I am glad that I read it because it was a big book and it filled in my time at school and home.
Rhys, 11, Ballarat, Vic

The Magicians of Cuprona

The two towns of Caprona Casa Montana and Casa Petrocchi are two similar towns and are very mystical and magical.

This story takes place a long time ago in Casa Montana when everything goes wrong and spells start to waste and stop right in the middle, everyone believes there'll be war.

But Tonio and Paolo are determined to help and do as much as they can. I could tell you more but then you wouldn’t have to read the book for yourself.

My favourite character is Benvenuto, the cat. He can talk to Tonio and is the leader of the town cats. He’s very magical and some spells will only work when he’s there. The characters were interesting and magical with good dialogue.