Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones

Enchanted Glass

by Diana Wynne Jones

A brilliant, intricate and magical novel from the Godmother of British fantasy.

When Andrew Hope's magician grandfather dies, he leaves his house and field-of-care to his grandson who spent much of his childhood at the house. Andrew has forgotten much of this, but he remembers the very strong-minded staff and the fact that his grandfather used to put the inedibly large vegetables on the roof of the shed, where they'd have vanished in the morning. He also remembers the very colourful stained glass window in the kitchen door, which he knows it is important to protect.

Into this mix comes young Aidan Cain, who turns up from the orphanage asking for safety. Exactly who he is and why he's there is unclear, but a strong connection between the two becomes apparent.

There is a mystery to be solved, and nothing is as it appears to be. But nobody can solve the mystery, until they find out exactly what it is!

Reviewed by wyvernfriend on

4 of 5 stars

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With a somewhat slow start this sucked me in after a few pages.

Andre Hope's grandfather was a magician and when he dies he leaves his house and field-of-care to his grandson. Andrew has forgotten most of what he knew, dismissing it as flights of fancy but this is important stuff and Andrew's life is about to change. When Aidan Gain joins them, having run away from his foster home, things start to move and Andrew is going to have to acknowledge the magic to save everyone he cares for.

I liked this story, I loved the way taking off the glasses changed perspective (possibly because I sometimes think of it like that). and how true sight was different from sight through your glasses. I also liked how Andrew had to grow to fill his place in the magical world. I have a sneaking suspicion that Mrs Stock won't stay as housekeeper for very long after the story ends!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 May, 2012: Finished reading
  • 1 May, 2012: Reviewed