Like Joan Aiken, [Diana Wynne Jones] has a remarkable talent for creating a time which never was yet which seems believably familiar. The fantasy [The Magicians of Caprona] is set in the imaginary duchy of Caprona, located in the vicinity of Siena, Pisa, and Florence. It has its own history and geography, fluctuating in consonance with the squabbling neighboring city-states…. The enchanter Chrestomanci, the enigmatic and fascinating personality developed in Charmed Life …, plays a less dominant role in the Capronian capers, yet his presence serves as a necessary element in the resolution of the problems. A gorgeous concoction of humor, suspense, and romance, the narrative has the gusto and pace of a commedia dell'arte production. (pp. 407-08)