sashas_books 's review for:

Stargazy Pie by Victoria Goddard

5.0

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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 A fantasy of manners, a mystery, and an absolutely delightful romp. But it wouldn’t be Victoria Goddard if it was only that – this book visits very dark places as well. 

I loved everyone! (And, oh, the pleasure of interconnected series: when you know a certain character’s real identity, mwahahahaha…) 

Mr Greenwing: he wouldn’t know what a dishonourable thing was if it hit him on the head; his family circumstances are tragic and strange; there is heartbreak and sneezing issues. I haven’t yet met a fantasy character who was that allergic to… stuff. It is very inconvenient when you are hiding from scary things. 

Mr Dart: I liked him immediately and without reservations. “This investigating thing is a lark! What fun it is to have a reason to gossip. Makes me see why people go into sociology.” Also, he blows smoke rings “with the evidence of much practice”. 

Mrs Etaris is awesome in every way. “My dear Mr Greenwing, if there is anything I know about, it is how to have an adventure.” 

There is a mystery to solve! There are curses, kidnappings, daring rescues. The magic is very, very, very dark and scary. Beware of small sleepy places where “nothing” ever happens, I tell you. 

“Thank you for breaking the enchantment back there, Mr Dart.” 

“Oh, my pleasure, Mr Greenwing.” 

I didn’t expect them to start saying “right ho” as well, but when they did, it wasn’t unexpected at all :))) 

The last chapters are a terrifying fever dream. (Don’t. Mess. With. Magic!!!) I couldn’t put the book down! Amazingly, there were also scenes that made me laugh out loud, in the middle of suffocating, sticky, bloody magic. 

There are five more books in the series! Good, good, gooooooood.