Conrad's Fate

April 4, 2005
Wynne Jones's latest addition to her Chrestomanci books brings a servant's eye-view (a lGosford Park ) to her characteristic blend of magic, mystery and snortingly funny slapstick. Instead of going on to secondary school like most of his friends, 12-year-old Conrad is sent by his uncle to Stallery, a castle high in the English Alps, to work as an apprentice servant. Conrad has a secret mission: According to his uncle, he has a terrible karma that can only be cleared by seeking out and killing a mysterious someone who lives at the castle. On his way there, Conrad strikes up a friendship with a self-assured, slightly older boy, whom the author's fans will recognize as Christopher Chant, enchanter and future Chrestomanci. Christopher has a secret mission, too: He must locate his friend Millie, who has run away from her Swiss boarding school and hidden herself in Conrad's world. When Conrad and Christopher are not busy blacking boots, ironing linens and learning to be as discreet and unobtrusive as "Living. Pieces. Of furniture," the boys search for Millie and discover that Stallery stands on a "probability fault," with the power to whisk visitors to alternate worlds. Adding to the magical mayhem are at least two pairs of star-crossed lovers, a troupe of unemployed actors, and a couple of hair-raising visits from a messenger of the Lords of Karma. Long-time Chrestomanci fans will take particular pleasure in learning how the enchanter acquired some of his more notable traits. Ages 10-up.

April 1, 2005
Gr 6-10 -Jones is a master of British fantasies that are hilariously droll and totally heartfelt at the same time. This is a new novel in the series that began with "Charmed Life" and "The Lives of Christopher Chant" (both 1998, HarperCollins), the story of how Christopher, the "nine-lifed enchanter" who regulates the uses of magic throughout 12 sets of alternate worlds, began his career. This book introduces Conrad Tesdinic, a boy who lives in one of the Series Seven worlds and has been told throughout his youth that he has bad luck, an Evil Fate, bad karma. When he graduates from lower school at the age of 12, his magician uncle reveals that Conrad's black Fate has been caused by his failure to kill a depraved evildoer in a previous life. The reincarnated evildoer, he is told, dwells in nearby Stallery Mansion, which generates so much magic that no one living nearby gets any TV reception. Conrad must take a job as a servant at the mansion and kill the villain, whose identity he must discover. Once hired, he meets his roommate and fellow servant, a smug, handsome young man named -aha! -Christopher. Almost all the players -including Conrad -conceal their true identities as they dash from one alternate Stallery Mansion to another, solving several interlocking mysteries. This witty, satisfying story can be read on its own, but is much richer when read as part of the series. It's a must for all Jones fans." -Walter Minkel, New York Public Library"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2005
Gr. 5-8. Twelve-year-old Conrad is convinced by his magician uncle that his bad luck is the result of his failure to put an end to someone in his past life, as required by the Lords of Karma. To atone for his mistake and to save his own life, Conrad reluctantly applies for a job at the mysterious Stallery Mansion, where he must find and dispose of someone he doesn't know. At the mansion, he meets Christopher. Although Christopher is quite maddening, he's full of ideas and surprises, and Conrad eventually learns that he has traveled from a parallel universe in search of a missing friend. The two boys explore the mansion, which slips in and out of various universes, while they try to discover who is working the alarming magic that is threatening to destroy Conrad's universe. The latest in Jones' Chrestomanci series, this funny fantasy romp is as antic and farcical as the preceding books, and is sure to be appreciated by the series' fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)