The Lives of Christopher Chant
by Diana Wynne Jones
reviewed by Beverly Reynolds

Christopher Chant would like to become a professional cricket player when he grows up. Unfortunately, he's been "blessed" (or cursed....it would depend upon who you asked) by being the only person in the entire world with nine lives and a hefty supply of magic. Oh, except for one other person. That would be Gabriel - nine-lifed enchanter and the most powerful magician anywhere. Gabriel is so powerful that he's been given the title Chrestomanci...the mightiest magician in all of the Related Worlds! And Christopher is destined to follow in his footsteps, even though he'd much rather play a game of cricket than cast spells any day. Not like it matters, because Christopher is dragged to Chrestomanci Castle, away from all of his friends and family. None to soon, either, because Gabriel is kidnapped by a gang of magic smugglers known as the Wraith...and that leaves CHRISTOPHER in charge!

I thought The Lives of Christopher Chant was a very good book. Dianna Wynne Jones' style of writing is both humorous and creative. In fact, it reminds me very much of the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling! I think that this book may have been a definite inspiration for Rowling, because there are a lot of the same ideas in both books. For example, Harry is mad about a game called Quidditch. Christopher is crazy about the game of cricket. There are a lot of the same items...dragons' blood, unicorn horns...in both books. And the characters are very similar in both books. For example, Hermione from Harry Potter loves school and studying. So does the Goddess in the Christopher Chant book. Dumbledore is reminiscent of Gabriel, and Harry Potter is remarkably akin to Christopher!

I think that The Lives of Christopher Chant is a good story and I would definitely recommend it to others. It's very exciting and funny. And who knows,. maybe when you're waiting for the next Harry Potter book to come out, you can read this or one of many other books by Diana Wynne Jones and you'll be just as satisfied!!