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jillcd's review
4.0
A fun fantasy book that reminds me a bit of Harry Potter in the plot. I think for kids too young for HP, this is a good short alternative.
mackle13's review
3.0
A cute and quick story about an orphan who becomes a servant who ends up having magical abilities.
There's really nothing more to it than what's on the tin, and it's only loosely a part of the "Cecelia and Kate stories". Definitely written for younger stories, and I did find Frederick and Billy Bly sweet and charming, and Bess was a fun character. I would've liked to see a bit more development to Lord Schofield, though I suppose that happens more in the other books - though I can't say I recall the characters from the original trilogy particularly well, to be honest.
Anyway - short, sweet book and I think younger children, especially, would like it.
There's really nothing more to it than what's on the tin, and it's only loosely a part of the "Cecelia and Kate stories". Definitely written for younger stories, and I did find Frederick and Billy Bly sweet and charming, and Bess was a fun character. I would've liked to see a bit more development to Lord Schofield, though I suppose that happens more in the other books - though I can't say I recall the characters from the original trilogy particularly well, to be honest.
Anyway - short, sweet book and I think younger children, especially, would like it.
paladinboy's review
4.0
Return the England of the magic teapot! I actually I found this YA fantasy a much tighter and subtler story than the original writing game product Sorcery & Cecelia or its sequel The Grand Tour. Fredrick Lincoln is a fine yound protagnoist and I am looking forward another Stevermer book with him in it. Brownies, magic and high society from the servants point of view this time. Enjoy!
elevetha's review
3.0
Set in the world that Patrica C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer created for their Sorcery and Cecilia books. This book is about Frederick working for Thomas Schofield, training to be a footman. Love Thomas! Anyway, there is a lingering curse set on the Schofield house and Frederick and the brownie, Billy Bly, must save the Schofield family before it's too late. Events in this book take place after "The Grand Tour" but before "The Mislaid Magician." Lovely short book expanding on the Sorcery and Cecilia books and the awesomeness that is the Schofield family!
chfugal's review
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Library book
MG fantasy from the Enchanted Chocolate Pot world alright. Wish it were a series. I did like Frederick.
MG fantasy from the Enchanted Chocolate Pot world alright. Wish it were a series. I did like Frederick.
craftyhilary's review
4.0
Adorable! For a slightly younger set than the Enchanted Chocolate Pot books, I think, but in the same setting with some of the same characters. Really delightful.
clockworkbee's review
4.0
When I started reading this I didn't realize that it was set in the same world as the Sorcery and Cecelia series! I was so excited so read more about some of my favorite characters from this series. This was a quick and fun read. I hope that there will eventually be a sequel!
tashrow's review
4.0
Half of the duo that created the Sorcery & Cecelia series returns with this story of a young man working in wizard Thomas Schofieldās household. Frederick was selected from the orphanage he lived in when he fit the last boyās livery perfectly. That alone is odd, since the boy was much larger than Frederick. Frederick had also completed an impossible task, despite falling asleep during it, thanks to a strange little man who Frederick thought may have just been a dream. Frederick is a very hardworking, dedicated boy who took to his new job as a servant easily. But working in a wizardās household brings some strange happenings, some of which may be Frederickās fault, or the fault of the brownie Billy Bly who followed him there.
A delightful read filled with small details that really bring the Victorian period to life. Frederick is a very unique young protagonist with his love of details and dedication to working hard for the sake of doing a good job. Frederick starts the book focused solely on having escaped the orphanage and happy with his lot. It isnāt until he realizes that there is more that can be attained that he starts to seek more. It is a pleasure to read a book about someone happy with who and where they are, but also able to move forward when possible. Stevermer has balanced this aspect of the book perfectly. Frederick is surrounded by characters that fans of the original series will recognize, but this is a book for younger readers who will enjoy it without having read any of the previous books.
Stevermer offers a book that is well-paced with plenty of action, but also periods where the details of Frederickās work and life can be seen. Her setting is very strong, brought to life via small details rather than long paragraphs of description. Her prose is friendly and inviting, making the book difficult to put down as the action soars.
A jaunty, fun read filled with plenty of action and magic, this book is appropriate for ages 9-12.
A delightful read filled with small details that really bring the Victorian period to life. Frederick is a very unique young protagonist with his love of details and dedication to working hard for the sake of doing a good job. Frederick starts the book focused solely on having escaped the orphanage and happy with his lot. It isnāt until he realizes that there is more that can be attained that he starts to seek more. It is a pleasure to read a book about someone happy with who and where they are, but also able to move forward when possible. Stevermer has balanced this aspect of the book perfectly. Frederick is surrounded by characters that fans of the original series will recognize, but this is a book for younger readers who will enjoy it without having read any of the previous books.
Stevermer offers a book that is well-paced with plenty of action, but also periods where the details of Frederickās work and life can be seen. Her setting is very strong, brought to life via small details rather than long paragraphs of description. Her prose is friendly and inviting, making the book difficult to put down as the action soars.
A jaunty, fun read filled with plenty of action and magic, this book is appropriate for ages 9-12.
aimee70807's review
4.0
This is a much better book than I thought it would be from the cover. I hadn't realized when I picked it out, but the author is one of the co-authors of Sorcery & Cecilia, and this book takes place in that world. I liked all of the little explanations of day-to-day life of servants in the Victorian era (since they seem to be everpresent in most books of this type, but rarely mentioned in detail), and the story was more gripping than it usually is in middle reader books.
I docked a star...I'm not sure why. Probably just because the book is middle readers, but possibly also because I thought the magician lord should have been more interested in the help's lives if he was portrayed as being so nice.
I docked a star...I'm not sure why. Probably just because the book is middle readers, but possibly also because I thought the magician lord should have been more interested in the help's lives if he was portrayed as being so nice.