Many thanks to Patricia for commissioning this episode, which marks the third Diana Wynne Jones book she's commissioned, and I'm HERE for it!
This book started off really strong for me, and only continued to get stronger. Something I'm noticing about Wynne Jones is how good she is at allowing mysteries room to breathe, and while sometimes I don't really understand the reveal (and I'm talking about you, Fre & Hemlock ending) I never feel like the author doesn't understand it. I am very interested in finding out what the hell is going on here.
First, we're set up in this delightful little world where magic is practiced openly and acknowledged as something with a variety of proficiencies so that you can literally get different licences, and I'm all about that. And then we've got this girl who's kind of a terror in the making, and while she's in many ways much more interesting than her baby brother, watching her through his eyes is so fascinating!
Anyway I'm really digging this book already, and I hope you will all read along with me. See you next week with a new episode!