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Charmed Life
- The Chrestomanci Series
- Narrated by: Tom Baker
- Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins
- Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Literature & Fiction
Non-member price: $10.91
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Conrad is young, good at heart, and yet is apparently suffering from the effects of such bad karma that there is nothing in his future but terrible things. Unless he can alter his circumstances – well, quite frankly, he is DOOMED. Conrad is sent in disguise to Stallery Mansion, to infiltrate the magical fortress that has power over the whole town of Stallchester, and to discover the identity of the person who is affecting his Fate so badly. Then he has to kill that person. But can any plan really be that simple and straightforward?
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Glorious new rejacket of a Diana Wynne Jones favourite, featuring Chrestomanci – now a book with extra bits! SOMEONE IN THIS CLASS IS A WITCH. When the note, written in ordinary ballpoint, turns up in the homework books Mr Crossley is marking, he is very upset. For this is Larwood House, a school for witch-orphans, where witchcraft is utterly forbidden. And yet magic keeps breaking out all over the place - like measles! The last thing they need is a visit from the Divisional Inquisitor.
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Glorious new rejacket of a Diana Wynne Jones favourite, featuring Chrestomanci – now a book with extra bits!The Dukedom of Caprona is a place where music is enchantment and spells are as slippery as spaghetti. The magical business is run by two families - the Montanas and the Petrocchis - and they are deadly rivals. So when all the spells start going wrong, they naturally blame each other.
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Mixed Magics
- The Chrestomanci Series
- By: Diana Wynne Jones
- Narrated by: Anthony Head
- Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The stories featured in this collection are:Warlock at the WheelStealer of SoulsCarol Oneir’s Hundredth DreamThe Sage of TheareEverybody’s favourite nine-lifed enchanter makes a guest appearance in each tale.
Publisher's Summary
Everybody says that Gwendolyn Chant is a gifted witch with astonishing powers, so it suits her enormously when she is taken to live in Chrestomanci Castle. Her brother Eric (better known as Cat) is not so keen, for he has no talent for magic at all.However, life with the great enchanter is not what either of them expects and sparks begin to fly!Winner of the Guardian Award.
What listeners say about Charmed Life
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Beck Hill
- 04-09-2018
Loved it!
Loved the story, loved Tom Baker's narration! Wish it had not been abridged. Disappointed about that.
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- Emma
- 31-08-2017
Brilliant story and storytelling
Loved this book as a child and enjoyed it just as much listening to it again as a 29 year old.
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- M
- 22-11-2013
Deserves 6 stars for performance. No, 10.
Would you consider the audio edition of Charmed Life to be better than the print version?
No. It is abridged. Hence the loss of one star.
Who was your favorite character and why?
All of them. My least favourite was Chrestomanci. He sounded too old. I picture Hugh Jackman as Chrestomanci (in fancy dressing gowns).
Which scene was your favorite?
Ginger bread man was missing!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No. But I will listen to it multiple times.
Any additional comments?
Pleeeease get him to do the entire book.How about Howl's moving castle?
1 person found this helpful
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- Ashley
- 19-04-2020
Not the best in the series
I love this series of books - but Charmed Life is bottom of my list, I’m afraid. The abridgement is pretty good and the performance from the legendary Tom Baker really enjoyable.
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- Taiga
- 23-10-2019
From My Favourite Childhood Author
A very Enchanting Read :) went through this pretty quickly as the story was so very exciting.
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- Penelope Bower
- 15-12-2018
A pleasant listen for any age
Very enjoyable. Would much prefer it unabridged for the full Diana Wynne Jones charm. Tom Baker is a very good, engaging reader, although I had imagined a smoother Chrestomanci voice, but very well done in any case.
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- Mike K.
- 04-10-2017
Good story
I read this book years ago and enjoyed hearing it again. The music playing over the story was annoying.
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- Kindle Customer
- 25-07-2017
captivating
enjoyed this story, starts slow but it soon gets interesting, fun, magical when unexpected twists
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- Kindle Customer
- 20-07-2015
Great Story, well read
Where does Charmed Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
top half
What other book might you compare Charmed Life to, and why?
Elidor - a well woven plot
What about Tom Baker’s performance did you like?
Good variety of voicesYes
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes
Any additional comments?
I enjoy Diane Wynn Jones writing; coupled with Tom Baker's Narration it is a winner.
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