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Overview
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!
In 1817 in England, two young cousins, Cecilia living in the country and Kate in London, write letters to keep each other informed of their exploits, which take a sinister turn when they find themselves confronted by evil wizards.
Synopsis
The prim and proper world of Regency England . . . crossed with the wizardly doings of high fantasy—now that's something to write home about!
Publishers Weekly
Older fans of a certain young wizard may be interested in the fantastical goings-on in Sorcery & Cecelia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. This epistolary novel follows the adventures of two British girls in 1817 in an alternate reality where magic really works. Originally published in 1988, this edition contains some new material. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"Witty, light, and funny . . . Regency romance as well as fantasy fans are going to line up for it."—The Bulletin"A cult epistolary fantasy . . . Beguiling."—Kirkus Reviews
"Older girls who have outgrown Harry Potter will like their slightly rebellious natures, the magical twists and turns, and especially the humor and quick pace."—The San Diego Union-Tribune
Publishers Weekly
Older fans of a certain young wizard may be interested in the fantastical goings-on in Sorcery & Cecelia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. This epistolary novel follows the adventures of two British girls in 1817 in an alternate reality where magic really works. Originally published in 1988, this edition contains some new material. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
Kate and Cecelia are cousins and best friends. Constantly writing letters back and forth, they exchange all the news and gossip nineteenth-century London has to offer. But when strange things begin to happen, the girls abandon the flightiness of the social scene and determine to delve into the mysterious circumstances. First, Kate walks into a trap meant for the dashing Marquis of Schofield and is nearly poisoned by hot chocolate. Then Cecelia stumbles upon magic meant to harm her. Both girls fearlessly search for clues, piecing together the evidence as they write back and forth. Their mystery centers upon a magical chocolate pot that somehow is linked to the Marquis. Spinning spells and side-stepping evil witches, the two girls manage to solve the mystery and find true love amidst the busy London social season. The innovative technique of having the characters write letters to one another allows the reader a part in a story as important as Kate and Cecelia's. As each girl turns up new evidence, the puzzle pieces of the mystery fall into place. Written by two authors who literally crafted the story by writing letters in character, this mystery is a perfect combination of Harry Potter's magic and Jane Austen's love stories. 2003, Harcourt,— Leah Hanson
VOYA
Brought back into print and reminiscent in style of Jane Austen, this book consists of a correspondence between Kate and Cecelia. In reality, the two authors played the Letter Game, in which each takes on the persona of one of the characters. The first writer chooses the setting, time, and characters. Beginning the correspondence, Wrede becomes Cecelia, and Stevermer Kate. Kate is in London for her first "season," but her neighbor and best friend Cecelia has not been allowed to go. Missing each other dreadfully, they write to one another almost daily. Although the setting appears to be England during the Napoleonic Wars, there is a difference: Magic is prevalent-and legal. When Kate attends an investiture ceremony for Sir Hilary, one of their country neighbors, at the Royal College of Wizards, she stumbles into a small garden area and is bespelled by a frightening elderly woman. It turns out that this woman, Miranda, is an evil wizard who is trying to steal power from Thomas, marquis of Schofield. Kate and Cecelia become embroiled in the situation, attempting to prevent Miranda's success. The plot is fairly complex as the two girls manage to get themselves into precarious situations (á la Lucy and Ethel, although the consequences here are much more dangerous). This is a fun story that quickly draws in the reader. The story will be more appreciated by teen girls than boys, and they will soon be requesting the sequel that is promised at the end of this book. VOYA Codes: 5Q 5P S A/YA (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2003 (orig. 1988), Harcourt, 336p,—Marlyn Roberts
KLIATT
Jane Austen meets Harry Potter in this romp through England immediately following the Napoleonic Wars. Kate and Cecelia are teenage cousins, best friends, and ladies of polite society. Kate is sent to London with her beautiful sister Georgina who is making her debut during the London social "season" while Cecelia remains at home in Essex. Through the letters they send back and forth, readers meet the mysterious and unnerving James Tarleton who spies on Cecelia and has motives that are less than noble. We see Kate rescue the magical Marquis of Schofield from an almost certain poisoning through a bewitched chocolate pot and in turn accept his engagement offer in an effort to fend off an evil plot against Dorothea, a lovely Tarleton cousin with a wicked stepmother. And we see the secrets of Sir Hilary Bedrick's family tree unravel and trap both Cecelia and her brother Oliver in a web of magic. The two authors took turns writing letters in character, and the result is this charming book told in voices that play off each other in a literary tennis match that pits English society life against the power of sorcery. KLIATT Codes: JS—Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2003, Harcourt, 316p.,— Michele Winship