I have always absolutely loved how Diana Wynne Jones portrays magic in her works. Loved it. It's whimsical, charming - fairy tale-esque in its wonderful, simple absurdity. Howl's Moving Castle is not only one of my favourite comfort reads, but the Ghibli adaption is one of my favourite movies (despite how intrinsically different they actually are.)

This was no exception. The only reason it doesn't have a four-star rating was because of the amount of time I was sitting there, muttering 'or you could, y'know, just be honest and tell Chrestomanci what's up' was a little frustrating.

Also - I didn't know the main protagonist was a boy named Cat. Shout-out to a fellow Cat guy! (Did I get way too excited about this detail? Yes. Yes, I did.)

Can't wait to get my hands on more of the Chrestomanci books.

By Susan Meissner

ASIN: B00W8BZAUE

Publisher:  Christian Audio

Publication Date:  4/16/2015 

Format:  Audio

My Rating:  4.5 Stars 

Master storyteller, Susan Meissner delivers a layered, piece of art with SECRETS OF A CHARMED LIFE, from the present day to World War II England, a story of two sisters, separated by time and of war.

From the stunning front cover, you are drawn to this era and with an engaging, and almost mesmerizing prose, Meissner captures the essence of time with a courageous woman who has no choice but to give up her secrets– it is time.

Oxford, England, a young American scholar Kendra Van Zant interviews Isabel McFarland, at the age of ninety three, she is ready to come forward about the war, a secret she has kept for decades.

As readers revisit the dark time in history, 1940s in England, a turbulent time as Hitler wages war against London while one million children are evacuated to foster homes. While 15 yr. old Emmy and her younger sister, 7 yr. old Julia find refuge in a charming Cotswold cottage, Emmy wants to return to the city and apprentice with a fashion designer. The sisters are cruelly separated. Emmy blames herself and does everything to find her sister, but she does not know for such a long time. The Blitz changed so many lives, with guilt and blame and, the what ifs.

With an ongoing mystery will not give anything away, the story keeps you intrigued, of how the pieces will come together. Rich in vivid settings and descriptions, we hear from difference voices, letters, and diaries, while readers experience raw emotion, mystery, passion, love, choices, and hardship. It was heartbreaking to hear the devastating effects of lives and families torn apart. There is a remarkable take away message of learning to forgive, others and yourself in order to let go of the past and have a future, a charmed life.

A story about sisters, but also about the bond between mother and child, and ultimately the resilience of love.

Highly recommend, this beautiful mix of historic and contemporary fiction - of love, loss and sacrifices, and characters you will not soon forget. I have only read one other book by Meissner, A Fall of Marigolds; however, look forward to reading more. I listened to the audio version narrated by Alana Kerr,  delivering a pleasant performance. Fans of Sarah Jio and historic fiction will appreciate being transported to another time- what an experience of survival!

Good heavens, did I enjoy this. One of THE most aggravating baddies I've ever encountered, a plucky young anti-heroine, and Cat. Who wouldn't feel sorry for Cat? This is, more than anything, the story of how Cat decides to reclaim his power - literally - and be in charge of his own life. It's a grand thing for a young person to be able to do, and Diana Wynne Jones writes it beautifully. This is good YA fantasy that I'm happy to have discovered, and I can't wait to read more.

This was actually a re-read.  Does it count as a re-read if the first time you read it, it was back in grade school?  I guess it does.  So 20+ years later, here I am again.  I distinctly remember certain scenes were totally like woah to my young brain.

And even though I hadn't read the book in years, I could remember a few of the scenes really distinctly.  I have to say it was great to re-live those as an adult, and I really found the book to be a pleasure to read.  It's meant to be YA, but some of the characters are a bit dark, multi-faceted, and it didn't read "young" to me. 

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