Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot | Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer |...

Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot | Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer | Nothing short of perfection

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Sorcery and Ceceli...

	Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer Magic Carpet Books, 2004 - 336 pages average customer review:based on 81 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A great deal is happening in London and the country this season.

For starters, there's the witch who tried to poison Kate at the Royal College of Wizards. There's also the man who seems to be spying on Cecelia. (Though he's not doing a very good job of it--so just what are his intentions?) And then there's Oliver. Ever since he was turned into a tree, he hasn't bothered to tell anyone where he is.

Clearly, magic is a deadly and dangerous business. And the girls might be in fear for their lives . . . if only they weren't having so much fun!

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Charming!

I stumbled across this book at a science fiction conference. What a delightful find! I adore the English Regency period, and this book captures it very well, while including elements of magic. The fantasy angle is handled delicately and never overwhelms the situation or setting. If you enjoy Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer novels, this fits in beautifully. Although it's officially a YA book, I consider it suitable for all ages.

Even more interesting is the fact that the authors didn't preplot the story, but instead made it up as they went in sharing letters back and forth.

I tried plodding through the endless Regency fantasy, JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL, but I confess I found this smaller tale much more fun. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I purchased a hardcover edition as a keeper.

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Nothing short of perfection

Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer first published Sorcery and Cecelia under that that title in 1988. In recent years, thanks to reprints with shiny new cover art by Scott M. Fischer in the case of the edition I read as well as two new sequels, this book has regained popularity and visibility. Aside from that, one of the most important things to know about this book is its alternate title: The Enchanted Chocolate Pot: Being the Correspondence of Two Young Ladies of Quality Regarding Various Magical Scandals in London and the Country.

Wrede and Stevermer wrote this book as a writing exercise of sorts called the Letter Game. Patricia C. Wrede wrote as Cecelia while Caroline Stevermer responded with Kate's letters. They did not plan the plot before they began writing.

Almost every review I have found online describes Sorcery and Cecelia as a cross between the books of Jane Austen and those of J. K. Rowling. The comparison does make sense, but I might venture to say I liked this book better than any of the Harry Potter series.

The year is 1817 in an England where magic is as much a part of life as letter writing. The latter is of particular importance to Kate and Cecelia as the cousins spend the novel in separate parts of England. While Kate and her more glamorous sister Georgina are in London enjoying a proper Season, Cecelia, much to her consternation, is left to languish in the country with her brother Oliver for company (at least until he's turned into a tree).

Problems begin for both cousins when Kate accidentally intercepts a rather nasty pot of chocolate in a London garden that was, apparently, meant for the eccentric Marquis of Schofield. If only he would explain exactly why.

Meanwhile, in the country, Cecelia finds herself following a shady figure spying on Cecy's new (and surprisingly popular!) friend Dorothea. When Cecelia repeatedly catches him in the act of spying, James Tarleton repeatedly refuses to offer any information.

As the girls learn more about these mysterious men, and the mysterious events, it becomes clear that something big is happening--big enough that evidence of the plan can be seen in both London and the country. The only question is what, exactly, is going on and if Kate and Cecelia can stop it in time.

Being an homage to Jane Austen, this novel has not one but two romances. Which couple is better has been a hot topic since the book came out. The librarian who recommended the book to me feels very strongly that the Mysterious Marquis and Kate are a more enjoyable match to observe. For my part, I preferred Cecelia and James.

This novel avoids all of the traps that can make an epistolary novel awful. There is no repetition, there is dialogue, the narrative reads like a, for lack of a better word, normal book in that the narrative flows in a fairly traditional way. There is neither too much information nor too little. And, most importantly, the novel is filled with suspense, action, humor and romance that shines through both Cecelia's and Kate's letters.

But then from two talented and well-known fantasy writers, what else can a reader expect but perfection?

Sorcery and Cecelia is the first in a series of books featuring Kate and Cecelia. Their stories continue in The Grand Tour (2004) and The Mislaid Magician of Ten Years After (2006).

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Fun and Witty!

This is the first of three fabulous books. Each filled with magic, adventure and romance. This won't disappoint. The story is fun and the characters are very likeable and fun. I love the historic and magical aspects woven together.

ditto the jane austen meets jk rowling...so fun

no matter what your age, if you enjoy jane austen, you will completely adore this book with it's wizardly twist! so well-written and smart with all the same early 19th century flavors, mannners, characters...enchanting, intriguing and a joy to read. i loved the device of the letters...and enjoyed even more finding out that was how it was written! i immediately ordered the next two in the series. more, i say, more!

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When Regency Romance meets Magic....

others have covered the storyline well so I just wanted to add a few more points.

This charming book is suggested for young adults but this 38 year old woman really enjoyed it. As an avid Regency Romance and Fantasy fan I was intrigued by the story's premise.

The way the story is presented -in a series of letters between the two cousins-was unique, but did, in my opinion, slow down the storyline. While the mixture of Regency Romance and Fantasy was inspired, I also found not enough of either to really "grab" the reader. Hence the four star rating.

I would still recommend the book to fans of Fantasy who dabble in Historical fiction, or vice versa, looking for a sweet, uncomplicated read.

4 stars.

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