Witch Week (The Chrestomanci Series, Book 3)

Description

Witch Week, the third book in Diana Wynne Jones’s brilliant and beloved Chrestomanci Series, is a spellbinding blend of magic, mystery, and sharp humor set in an alternate reality where witches are real—and strictly forbidden. First published in 1982, this standalone-yet-connected novel takes readers to a world where even the suspicion of witchcraft is enough to get someone arrested, or worse.

The story begins at Larwood House, a grim boarding school for the children of “witches”—those suspected of magical abilities. Here, fear and suspicion run rampant, and the teachers are just as miserable as the students. But when someone anonymously leaves a note that reads “Someone in this class is a witch,” the already-tense atmosphere explodes into chaos. Accusations fly, strange magical incidents start to happen, and several students begin to realize they might be more extraordinary than they ever imagined.

At the heart of the story are two outcast students, Nan Pilgrim and Charles Morgan, who uncover hidden powers and secret identities, eventually learning the shocking truth about their world—and their role in changing it. As the magical mystery deepens, the enigmatic and powerful Chrestomanci is summoned to restore balance and help them confront the very laws that have kept magic suppressed.

Diana Wynne Jones masterfully weaves together themes of identity, power, conformity, and rebellion, all while delivering witty dialogue and a fast-paced plot full of unexpected twists. Though part of the Chrestomanci series, Witch Week can be read independently, offering a complete and satisfying magical adventure on its own.