The Curse of the Chocolate Phoenix

October 1, 2015
Magical 11-year-old twins Lily and Oz Spoffard must stop an evil witch from the malicious use of time-traveling chocolate and talking animals in this sequel to The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop (2013). Lily, Oz, and Oz's best friend, Caydon, are recruited by the Secret Ministry of the Unexplained to stop the malevolent Alba and her criminal organization, D33, from misusing a golden phoenix fashioned from illegal time-traveling chocolate once made by their ancestor Isadore Spoffard. Demerara and Spike, the friendly neighborhood immortal talking cat and rat, respectively, are part of the adventures. Silver Biggins is the eternally 11-year-old vampire assigned to be their bodyguard, whose cover is to shadow Lily like a best friend, a happy eventuality for the lonely girl. Readers will appreciate the fast pace and droll humor, and Anglophiles will enjoy the nods to noteworthy episodes of British history]not to mention the visions, "time stiches," and insights into "how lonely life can be for magic types like us." Clearly, Saunders has honed her deft and breezy comic style while affectionately channeling mild echoes of Harry Potter and The Hobbit. It's official: more magical chocolate equals even more perceptive and magical fun for all. (Fantasy. 9-12)

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November 1, 2015

Gr 4-6-In this sequel to The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop (Delacorte, 2013), 11-year-old-twins Lily and Oz and their best bud, Caydon, all three of whom have magical genes, find themselves in the middle of another wild adventure. Three witches are out to get a chocolate phoenix, which allows the eater to travel back in time. The most evil one, Alba, wants to change things in the present by tampering with the past, and Lily, Oz, and Caydon find themselves in London during the Great Fire as well as the Blitz of World War II. They must use their wits and powers to undo Alba's evil works. There is nonstop action as the kids find themselves in a new situation every few pages; this could prove dizzying to some readers. From dinosaurs to vampire bodyguards to singing, moving wallpaper, Saunders's imagination is out in full force. The story can stand by itself, yet reading the first book will stage the scene and provide context for characters such as the talking, pampered kitty, Demerara, and the cigar-smoking, talking rat, Spike. VERDICT Hand this to readers who love adventure, fantasy, and "Mission Impossible"-type adventure.-D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH

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