The Lives of Christopher Chant (The Chrestomanci Series)

Christopher has 9 lives, and loses the first when he meets a goddess who swops him a sacred cat for some books from his world, as all she has to read are boring text books. Naturally Christopher doesn't want to visit the goddess for a while; but in the end they pair up, as the world is in danger.

Enough information is kept back to keep you guessing and wanting to turn the pages and find out if you are right. The characters are very believable and soon draw you in.


brilliant story of how a boy learns his destiny   January 28, 2001
a brillant book about how a boy learns to cope after finding out he has nine lives and that he is to be the next chrestomanci and that having a destiny is difficult to avoid


Early years of Chrestomanci   January 27, 2001
For fans of Diana Wynne Jones this book is a real treat as it deals with the childhood of Chrestomanci, or Christopher Chant, for as we discover Chrestomanci is merely a job title. Although it is a bit of a shock to discover the cool, calm and collected great man was once a frightened, confused child it is also nice to see him in that way. Milly, his wife also puts in an appearance in an unexpected guise. Although this isn't one of Diana Wynne Jones's best ever books it is still an exciting, intersting story, and well worth a read.


An amazing book!   June 15, 2000
I first read this as a child and have been hooked on Diana Wynne Jones books ever since. The Lives of Christopher Chant has a fairly complex storyline which is so well explained that you feel that you could be there. The most impressive things about Diana Wynne Jones' books for children is that she is never condescending as many other authors are and her characters are not merely charicatures but recognisable as ordinary humans, some of whom have some very extraordinary talents!