PerfectBound e-book exclusive extras: "Diana Wynne Jones's The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Nine Notes"; and our exclusive interview with Diana Wynne Jones.



Dapper, debonair, and wise, the great enchanter Chrestomanci has nine lives and a strong personality as well as strong magic. That personality reverberates in each of these four dazzling stories.

A warlock tries to escape Chrestomanci's justice by fleeing to another world -- with hilarious results.

Cat Chant and Tonino Montana reluctantly join forces when Chrestomanci sends them on a visit that turns suddenly dangerous.

The youngest best-selling dreamer needs Chrestomanci's help when she finds she can't dream anymore.

And as the gods of an ever-so-orderly world try to destroy the young Sage of Dissolution, Chrestomanci lends a hand.

Like Chrestomanci himself, acclaimed author Diana Wynne Jones has a graceful flair, which sparkles in the remarkable wit, imagination, and intelligence of these fast-paced tales.

Diana Wynne Jones's beloved Chronicles of Chrestomanci include Charmed Life, The Magicians of Caprona, Witch Week, The Lives of Christopher Chant, and Mixed Magics -- all published by PerfectBound, all containing a rich section of e-book exclusive extras about the worlds of Chrestomanci.

The Willing Warlock was a born loser. He lost his magic when Chrestomanci took it away, and that meant he lost his usual way of making a living. So he decided to take up a life of crime instead by stealing a motorcar, because he loved motorcars, and selling it. He found a beautiful car in Wolvercote High Street, but he lost his head when a policeman saw him trying to pick the lock and cycled up to know what he was doing. He ran.

The policeman pedaled after him, blowing his whistle, and the Willing Warlock climbed over the nearest wall and ran again, with the whistle still sounding, until he arrived in the backyard of a onetime Accredited Witch who was a friend of his. "What shall I do'?" he panted.

"How should I know?" said the Accredited Witch. "I'm not used to doing without magic any more than you are. The only soul I know who's still in business is a French wizard in Shepherd's Bush."

"Tell me his address," said the Willing Warlock.

The Accredited Witch told him. "But it won't do you a scrap of good," she said unhelpfully. "Jean-Pierre always charges the earth. Now I'll thank you to get out of here before you bring the police down on me, too."

The Willing Warlock went out of the witch's front door into Coven Street and blenched at the sound of police whistles still shrilling in the distance. Since it seemed to him that he had no time to waste, he hurried to the nearest toyshop and parted with his last half crown for a toy pistol. Armed with this, he walked into the first post office he came to.

"Your money or your life," he said to the postmistress. The Willing Warlock was a bulky young man who always looked as if he needed to shave, and the Postmistress was sure he was a desperate character. She let him clear out her safe.

The Willing Warlock put the money and the pistol in his pocket and hailed a taxi in which he drove all the way to Shepherd's Bush, feeling this was the next best thing to having a car of his own. It cost a lot, but he arrived at the French wizard's office still with £273 6s 4d in his pocket.

The French wizard shrugged in a very French way. "What is it you expect me to do for you, my friend? Me, I try not to offend the police. If you wish me to help, it will cost you."

"A hundred pounds," said the Willing Warlock. "Hide me somehow."

Jean-Pierre did another shrug. "For that money," he said, "I could hide you two ways. I could turn you into a small round stone -- "

"No, thanks' " said the Willing Warlock.

" -- and keep you in a drawer," said Jean-Pierre. "Or I could send you to another world entirely. I could even send you to a world where you would have your magic again -- "

"Have my magic?" exclaimed the Willing Warlock.

" -- but that would cost you twice as much," said Jean-Pierre.

"Yes, naturally you could have your magic again, if you went some-where where Chrestomanci has no power. The man is not all-powerful."

"Then I'll go to one of those places," said the Willing Warlock.

"Very well." In a bored sort of way, Jean-Pierre picked up a pack of cards and fanned them out. "Choose a card. This decides which world you will grace with your blue chin."

As the Willing Warlock stretched out his hand to take a card, Jean-Pierre moved them out of reach. "Whatever world it is," he said, "the money there will be quite different from your pounds, shillings, and pence. You might as well give me all you have."

 

"An outstandingly inventive and entertaining novel." The Horn Book: "Set in a time vaguely reminiscent of Edwardian England, the novel presumes the existence of numerous worlds -- past, present, and future -- each with its own history. The concept is ingenious ... and shy small Cat, intimidated by his selfish sister, is a particularly appealing character."

 

"The author has a remarkable talent for creating a time which never was, yet which seem unbelievably familiar.... A gorgeous concoction of humor, suspense, and romance."

 

"This is a remarkably adroit blending of vivid fantasy, a funny and perceptive school story, and a thoughtful commentary on how thin the line that separates what is from what might be."

 

"Wonderfully entertaining. A born storyteller weaves her own brand of magic.... Marvelously funny moments sparkle throughout."

 

Diana Wynne Jones has been writing outstanding fantasy novels for more than twenty-five years and is one of the most distinguished writers in this field. She published her first Chrestomanci book, Charmed Life, in 1977.Her books -- among them, The Dalemark Quartet; A Tale of Time City; The Ogre Downstairs -- have earned a wide array of honors, including six ALA Notable Book awards and the British Fantasy Society’s Karl Edward Wagner Award for having made a significant impact on fantasy. Diana Wynne Jones lives in England.

 

Mixed Magics: Four Tales of Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones
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