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From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–Fans of Harry Potter will enjoy exploring the magical world of Ulverscote, which is every bit as enchanting as that of Hogwarts, though humbler by far. Part coming-of-age tale, part fantastical mystery, this sixth entry in the series is chock-full of interesting characters. Gammer Pinhoe is a manipulative and mentally unstable matriarch who secretly starts an all-out witch war with the neighboring clan. Her plan is discovered by her granddaughter, Marianne, a young witch beginning to come into her own magical powers. Marianne meets up with Cat, nine-lived enchanter and resident of Chrestomanci Castle, as well as Chrestomanci himself. They find a mysterious egg in Gammer's attic, which the girl cares for until it hatches into a charming baby griffin. Meanwhile, Chrestomanci keeps a watchful eye over all of this as he tries to figure out the mystery of the enchanted woods. In the end, Marianne uses her inner strength to help Cat free the creatures in the woods, and Chrestomanci restores peace among the witch families of Ulverscote. Although some children may be put off by the complicated plot and unfamiliar wording and references, Jones does a good job of entertaining readers with an interesting new world, strong characters, and a satisfying ending._–Nicki Clausen-Grace, Carillon Elementary School, Oviedo, FL_
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From Booklist

There's magic afoot, and no wonder, for Jones' latest book extends her Chrestomanci fantasy series, which began with Charmed Life (1977). In the village of Ulverscote, young witch Marianne Pinhoe watches her aging, headstrong grandmother's mental decline, which is unfortunately unaccompanied by a waning of her magical powers. Meanwhile, at the nearby castle, another young enchanter, Cat, prefers riding his new horse, Syracuse, to teleportation, but while riding through the countryside, Cat discovers that something is amiss in the neighboring woodland. In the end, the wizard Chrestomanci separates local history from superstition and brings peace to the area. Magical creatures, spells, castles, and bicycles come together in Jones' alternate world, which offers a refreshing change from the settings of more traditional fantasies. A must for Chrestomanci fans, this solidly entertaining tale is also accessible to readers new to the series. Carolyn Phelan
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