| Plot Summary of Charmed Life |
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"Orphaned Cat looks up to his sister Gwendolyn - practically worships her, in fact. After all, she's a great witch and a very forceful personality, and Cat is nobody at all. Gwendolyn is such a great witch that she gets the pair of them invited to live with Chrestomanci, the great enchanter. At Chrestomanci's castle, Cat learns that Gwendolyn isn't exactly the perfect person he thought she was - and that he has some rather special abilities of his own. This book is another of Diana Wynne Jones's amusing Chrestomanci Chronicles. "
Ivy, Resident Scholar
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"Cat has always looked up to his older sister Gwendolyn, who is a witch. Such a good witch, in fact, that her and Cat's presence comes to the attention of the powerful enchanter, Chrestomanci, who takes them to live at his castle. At the castle, Gwendolyn is enraged that she is forbade to practice magic, and vows to enact revenge on Chrestomanci. Cat struggles to unravel the mysteries that are unfolding, and begins to realize that Gwendolyn may not be as perfect as she seems."
Chrestomanci, Resident Scholar
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"In a land where magic is rife, Gwendolyn and Cat were orphaned at a young age. Cat only survived by hanging onto his sister, a witch, but it isn't until later that we realise why he has the nickname 'Cat'. Gwendolyn makes sure that Chrestomanci, a powerful enchanter, knows about them and takes them to his castle. All Cat wants to do is have a normal, magic-free life though..."
Rachael, Resident Scholar
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"Cat has always lived in the shadow of his sister Gwendolen. A witch with a lot of power, Gwendolen feels she can rule the world. When the two of them are taken to Crestomanci Castle, and Gwendolen is not treated with enough respect, she swears revenge on the owner of the castle.
After a while though, she goes away to another world, and Cat is left with a girl named Janet, a girl he must help act like Gwendolen so that no one will suspect anything. "
Liba, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Charmed Life |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy story on current Earth
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- a powerful magician
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- clash between evenly matched magical power(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Kid's book (ages 7-14)
Family relations
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- student
Age:
- a kid
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Female
Age:
- a teen
Profession/status:
- student
Has magical powers?
Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an above average amount
- a substantial amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th century
- 17th century
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a primitive/fantasy society
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
How much dialogue?
- significantly more descript than dialog
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