In a world full of magic it is the Chrestomanci’s job to control the magical community, keep the magical from trampling the nonmagical, and limit travel between their world and others. Because of the risks involved, the Chrestomanci is always a powerful enchanter with nine lives-so he can afford to lose a few. He also must have the ability to learn what everyone is up to and travel easily himself to the other worlds. In the series, there is also a Chrestomanci-in-training for each book.

In Charmed Life, Gwendolen and Cat are picked to live and study in Chrestomanci Castle-they believe because of Gwendolen’s abilities. However, she and the Chrestomanci clash immediately, and she proceeds to show everyone the extent of her powers. Cat, meanwhile, is cowed by her and trying to fit in without incurring his sister’s wrath. When Gwendolen escapes into another world, she leaves a Replacement further complicating matters for Cat.

Charmed Life is the start of an ingenious series. I like it best of the series with The Lives of Christopher Chant a close 2nd. Cat and Chrestomanci are wonderful characters, and there are several entertaining tidbits and plenty of twists with foreshadowing details.
related-magic, multiple lives, law enforcement, family, travel between worlds, doubles in other worlds, high interest
RL=5th-YA

Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Publishers: NY, 1978.
Originally published by Macmillan London Ltd: Great Britain, 1977.

The 3rd book in the series, The Lives of Christopher Chant regards the Chrestomanci in Charmed Life and is equally enjoyable. There is a fairly new book in the series, The Pinhoe Egg-2006.

See a review of the series at www.bookadvice.net.

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