Call number
JF WRE
Collection
Genres
Series
Publication
HMH Books for Young Readers (2004), Edition: 1, 336 pages
Description
Fantasy. Historical Fiction. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: Two girls contend with sorcery in England's Regency age Since they were children, cousins Kate and Cecelia have been inseparable. But in 1817, as they approach adulthood, their families force them to spend a summer apart. As Cecelia fights boredom in her small country town, Kate visits London to mingle with the brightest lights of English society. At the initiation of a powerful magician into the Royal College of Wizards, Kate finds herself alone with a mysterious witch who offers her a sip from a chocolate pot. When Kate refuses the drink, the chocolate burns through her dress and the witch disappears. It seems that strange forces are convening to destroy a beloved wizard, and only Kate and Cecelia can stop the plot. But for two girls who have to contend with the pressures of choosing dresses and beaux for their debuts, deadly magic is only one of their concerns. This ebook features illustrated biographies of Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the authors' personal collections. .… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Cute - fun fluff. The gimmick is amusing, and nicely executed - I suspect that having two professional writers writing the letters made it work much better than most Letter Games, not to mention having the two of them edit it afterward and rationalize all the loose bits. As a story, it's pretty
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stupid - rationally so, though, as men in that situation probably would refuse to inform 'delicate maidens' of all the complications they were suffering under. Kate and Cecelia are a funny pair. Georgy actually is more interesting - or at least leaves me with more questions, after that last scene with Kate. I'm more interested in the universe than in any of the characters, unlike in Wrede's Mairelon series - there the universe is _nearly_ as interesting as the characters. And very similar to this one, actually - Regency with magic. Anyway. Fun, I'll probably reread, but I doubt it will ever be a real favorite. Show Less
LibraryThing member ncgraham
Ever since the publication of Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Regency and Victorian fantasies have become all the rage. I'm a great fan of Regency and Victorian literature, as well as of fantasy novels, so I've been excited to dip into these novels myself every now and then. I found
Of course Strange & Norrell didn't create a subgenre but merely popularized it, and apparently Sorcery and Cecilia was written before the demand for alternate histories swelled so. I have to give Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer credit for that, since I won't be giving them credit for much else.
The authors dedicate the book to four authors they cite as inspirations: Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Ellen Kushner. I've not read any Kushner, but I don't see anything that even remotely recalls Austen or Tolkien in this book. Heyer, a little, but even billing Sorcery as Cecilia as "Heyer! with Magick!" would be overselling it. Heyer at her best is laugh-out-loud funny, creates unique, interesting, and distinguishable characters, and is capable of real feeling.
Wrede and Stevermer started Sorcery and Cecilia as a letters game, and it should have stayed that way. The plot is a mere nothing. Again, that might have been fine if there was enough humor, romance, and charm to counteract its insubstantiality, but there isn't. It's odd that Wrede and Stevermer created Cecy and Kate independently, because they are practically indistinguishable, aside from one being clumsier than the other. Each has a villain particular to her plotline, who of course are in cahoots. Each of them has an uptight aunt, likewise indistinguishable, breathing down her neck, and each is romanced by a dark and sardonic Stock Regency Hunk. *yawn* Everyone in this novel is just so vanilla. Cecy and Kate are always making fun of their respective siblings, Oliver and Georgy, who are in love, but honestly they are the most interesting characters in the book, mostly because they have faults other than spilling coffee on gloves. I cared a whole lot more about Georgy's gambling addiction than any of the magical goings-on.
There were a few good scenes, such as when Cecy—or was it Kate?—first sees the Enchanted Chocolate Pot and is almost poisoned, but so much of the rest was just meh. A thoroughly forgettable romp. Actually, it didn't even have enough spirit to be called a romp.
Now I want to play the letters game with someone, just because I think it would be fun. But I doubt I'd ever dream of publishing the results. And I will certainly not be reading the other books in Wrede and Stevermer's series.
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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell completely beguiling. Loved the writing of The Night Circus but had no patience with the central love story. Sorcery and Cecelia I had no patience with, period.Of course Strange & Norrell didn't create a subgenre but merely popularized it, and apparently Sorcery and Cecilia was written before the demand for alternate histories swelled so. I have to give Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer credit for that, since I won't be giving them credit for much else.
The authors dedicate the book to four authors they cite as inspirations: Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Ellen Kushner. I've not read any Kushner, but I don't see anything that even remotely recalls Austen or Tolkien in this book. Heyer, a little, but even billing Sorcery as Cecilia as "Heyer! with Magick!" would be overselling it. Heyer at her best is laugh-out-loud funny, creates unique, interesting, and distinguishable characters, and is capable of real feeling.
Wrede and Stevermer started Sorcery and Cecilia as a letters game, and it should have stayed that way. The plot is a mere nothing. Again, that might have been fine if there was enough humor, romance, and charm to counteract its insubstantiality, but there isn't. It's odd that Wrede and Stevermer created Cecy and Kate independently, because they are practically indistinguishable, aside from one being clumsier than the other. Each has a villain particular to her plotline, who of course are in cahoots. Each of them has an uptight aunt, likewise indistinguishable, breathing down her neck, and each is romanced by a dark and sardonic Stock Regency Hunk. *yawn* Everyone in this novel is just so vanilla. Cecy and Kate are always making fun of their respective siblings, Oliver and Georgy, who are in love, but honestly they are the most interesting characters in the book, mostly because they have faults other than spilling coffee on gloves. I cared a whole lot more about Georgy's gambling addiction than any of the magical goings-on.
There were a few good scenes, such as when Cecy—or was it Kate?—first sees the Enchanted Chocolate Pot and is almost poisoned, but so much of the rest was just meh. A thoroughly forgettable romp. Actually, it didn't even have enough spirit to be called a romp.
Now I want to play the letters game with someone, just because I think it would be fun. But I doubt I'd ever dream of publishing the results. And I will certainly not be reading the other books in Wrede and Stevermer's series.
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LibraryThing member humouress
This story - told entirely in epistolary form consisting of the correspondence between two cousins, Kate (written by Caroline Stevermer) in London with Aunt Charlotte for her Season, and Cecilia (Patricia Wrede) left behind at home with Aunt Elizabeth in Rushton, Essex - tells their interrelated
There are nefarious doings afoot, revolving around an enchanted (of all things) chocolate pot. Kate meets the Mysterious Marquis of Schofield, who has never bothered to visit his country manor near Rushton, while Cecy helps untangle his affairs at the Essex end, no thanks to a certain Mr. Tarleton - who is quite hopeless at spying from the shrubbery.
The two cousins, with long experience of getting into and out of scrapes in their childhood with their siblings (vis à vis the episode with the goat), find themselves involved in more serious affairs. They conduct themselves with their customary sang froid (developed over years of explanations to their aunts) and adventuresome curiosity - not to mention collecting beaux and attending balls along the way - and rescue not only themselves but their friends; in spite of the gentlemen's well-intentioned efforts to protect them.
This was a delightfully lighthearted romp in an alternative Regency England. I've had this book on my TBR pile for a while, and I wish I had picked up The Grand Tour, so I could continue reading the cousins' adventures without having to wait.
I also like the afterword, in which the two authors (Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer) take turns to tell us how the book came into being, as they wrote letters to each other in the personae of the two heroines, with no knowledge of the other writer's plot.
Absolutely fun!
Four and a half stars.
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adventures in an alternative England where magic exists as an honourable profession (to the extent that Wizard Wellington uses it in the war).There are nefarious doings afoot, revolving around an enchanted (of all things) chocolate pot. Kate meets the Mysterious Marquis of Schofield, who has never bothered to visit his country manor near Rushton, while Cecy helps untangle his affairs at the Essex end, no thanks to a certain Mr. Tarleton - who is quite hopeless at spying from the shrubbery.
The two cousins, with long experience of getting into and out of scrapes in their childhood with their siblings (vis à vis the episode with the goat), find themselves involved in more serious affairs. They conduct themselves with their customary sang froid (developed over years of explanations to their aunts) and adventuresome curiosity - not to mention collecting beaux and attending balls along the way - and rescue not only themselves but their friends; in spite of the gentlemen's well-intentioned efforts to protect them.
This was a delightfully lighthearted romp in an alternative Regency England. I've had this book on my TBR pile for a while, and I wish I had picked up The Grand Tour, so I could continue reading the cousins' adventures without having to wait.
I also like the afterword, in which the two authors (Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer) take turns to tell us how the book came into being, as they wrote letters to each other in the personae of the two heroines, with no knowledge of the other writer's plot.
Absolutely fun!
Four and a half stars.
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LibraryThing member keristars
What an awful, pretentious, utterly twee little novel this is. I really don't understand the effusive praise for it that I have seen these last few years whenever the question of good YA fantasy comes up. Perhaps my dislike of the book is stronger because of all the praise, but I had to force
The story begins when cousins Kate and Cecy are split apart - Kate is going to London for her Season along with sister Georgiana and Aunt Charlotte, while Kate must stay at home in Essex with brother Oliver and Aunt Elizabeth. It is immediately evident that this is an alternate version of history, because in the opening letter of the novel, Cecy informs Kate that their neighbor Sir Hilary Bedrick has been named to the Royal College of Wizards. In Kate's reply, she informs Cecy that she has snuck into the ceremony, and in doing so, entangled herself in some sort of mysterious and dangerous plot.
As the girls continue to exchange letters throughout the Season of 1817, the plot escalates like a runaway train heading down a hill, with events piling on top of each other and all sorts of close scrapes. The girls attempt to unravel the magic plot while keeping all knowledge of it from their guardians and their enemies, and meanwhile they must attend all sorts of balls and teas and other fashionable events of the time, with so much concern over deportment and dress. Of course, romance plays a part as well, with a false engagement that seems to cover-up a true love even from the beginning (no one could tell me that it isn't completely obvious from the start, even if Kate claims to utterly loathe Thomas from the moment they meet - likewise, the young man that Cecy argues with and claims to have complete distaste for).
There seems to be no sign of the story coming to a climax or final section until it suddenly does, with the sudden and precipitous arrival of adults who Know Everything and are Capable of Handling the Problem, which of course neither Cecy nor Kate nor any of the other people they were conspiring with to solve the plot could do. Shortly thereafter, each of the villains plays the stereotypical evil villain role and monologues about their plots, giving outsiders just enough time to come in and save the day. There was hardly any foreshadowing or build-up for any of the main plot points, and they just kept piling up.
Because of the way the story is structured, there are two plots which link to each other. The plots are mirrors, somewhat, and you can see them progressing as the opposite girl's letter gives details that she discovered on her side. I suppose that it's not unrealistic, but it is awkward and feels entirely too contrived in the novel. There is often no sign of something being a particular way until suddenly the other girl's letter says "oh, right, did you know...?" and then that's the way things always are. It just didn't feel polished or like it has a good pace of story. One of the severe downfalls of this type of exposition: I have no idea how Kate and Cecy are related to each other, other than being cousins, and when one character does talk about the Rushton and Talgarth families, I only became more confused. The way they are related might not be important to the story, but it is a detail that kept coming up without being explained, particularly because I couldn't quite figure out how Charlotte and Elizabeth were related to them, or why they had such control over the girls.
I was also a bit annoyed at some of the references made to known historical figures, especially at the beginning of the book. Kate would mention that Lord Byron, for example, had been in a certain place, or that she had seen Lady Caroline at a ball - while it makes sense that the girls would tell each other about famous people they have encountered, there isn't a lot of gossip about anyone else, and if there is gossip, it's someone intimately related to the story. There are no middle-ground names, even invented ones, to give verisimilitude to the practice. It came across as the authors trying to force the reader to recall that the setting is Regency Era England, as is also done with comments about clothing styles (though as those are mentioned more regularly and in a more off-handed sort of way, they seem more natural and less glaring).
Speaking of historicity, while I have not read many modern romance novels set in the Regency era, I have read many novels from the early 19th century, and I kept being struck by how 1980s the vocabulary of the girls sounded. There was something about the word choice and pattern that said "we are teenage girls from the late 20th century attempting to sound like we're from the early 19th century". The language didn't seem to flow naturally, like it was too practiced. This is a complaint about the other Regency Romance I have read recently, too.
So, in short, I did not find this book to live up to the expectations I had for it. The plot was too rushed and uneven, the characters a little too twee and planned, and the resolution of the mystery/suspense part of the plot was too perfectly staged. The writing feels too affected and stilted to be able to fall into that space where I forget that I'm reading words on a page.
I can see a few reasons why this book could be popular - it is a historical fantasy where the main characters are girls who are mostly capable of solving their own problems instead of relying on men (though, ultimately, this is not true), and it is an Elizabeth-and-Darcy style romance for both Kate and Cecy. But I think the plot is too weak and the girls too ineffectual to really be strong characters, and I do not like the Elizabeth-and-Darcy romance at all from Pride and Prejudice.
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myself to finish it, and the whole time that I was reading it, I was nitpicking at just about every aspect of the writing and plot.The story begins when cousins Kate and Cecy are split apart - Kate is going to London for her Season along with sister Georgiana and Aunt Charlotte, while Kate must stay at home in Essex with brother Oliver and Aunt Elizabeth. It is immediately evident that this is an alternate version of history, because in the opening letter of the novel, Cecy informs Kate that their neighbor Sir Hilary Bedrick has been named to the Royal College of Wizards. In Kate's reply, she informs Cecy that she has snuck into the ceremony, and in doing so, entangled herself in some sort of mysterious and dangerous plot.
As the girls continue to exchange letters throughout the Season of 1817, the plot escalates like a runaway train heading down a hill, with events piling on top of each other and all sorts of close scrapes. The girls attempt to unravel the magic plot while keeping all knowledge of it from their guardians and their enemies, and meanwhile they must attend all sorts of balls and teas and other fashionable events of the time, with so much concern over deportment and dress. Of course, romance plays a part as well, with a false engagement that seems to cover-up a true love even from the beginning (no one could tell me that it isn't completely obvious from the start, even if Kate claims to utterly loathe Thomas from the moment they meet - likewise, the young man that Cecy argues with and claims to have complete distaste for).
There seems to be no sign of the story coming to a climax or final section until it suddenly does, with the sudden and precipitous arrival of adults who Know Everything and are Capable of Handling the Problem, which of course neither Cecy nor Kate nor any of the other people they were conspiring with to solve the plot could do. Shortly thereafter, each of the villains plays the stereotypical evil villain role and monologues about their plots, giving outsiders just enough time to come in and save the day. There was hardly any foreshadowing or build-up for any of the main plot points, and they just kept piling up.
Because of the way the story is structured, there are two plots which link to each other. The plots are mirrors, somewhat, and you can see them progressing as the opposite girl's letter gives details that she discovered on her side. I suppose that it's not unrealistic, but it is awkward and feels entirely too contrived in the novel. There is often no sign of something being a particular way until suddenly the other girl's letter says "oh, right, did you know...?" and then that's the way things always are. It just didn't feel polished or like it has a good pace of story. One of the severe downfalls of this type of exposition: I have no idea how Kate and Cecy are related to each other, other than being cousins, and when one character does talk about the Rushton and Talgarth families, I only became more confused. The way they are related might not be important to the story, but it is a detail that kept coming up without being explained, particularly because I couldn't quite figure out how Charlotte and Elizabeth were related to them, or why they had such control over the girls.
I was also a bit annoyed at some of the references made to known historical figures, especially at the beginning of the book. Kate would mention that Lord Byron, for example, had been in a certain place, or that she had seen Lady Caroline at a ball - while it makes sense that the girls would tell each other about famous people they have encountered, there isn't a lot of gossip about anyone else, and if there is gossip, it's someone intimately related to the story. There are no middle-ground names, even invented ones, to give verisimilitude to the practice. It came across as the authors trying to force the reader to recall that the setting is Regency Era England, as is also done with comments about clothing styles (though as those are mentioned more regularly and in a more off-handed sort of way, they seem more natural and less glaring).
Speaking of historicity, while I have not read many modern romance novels set in the Regency era, I have read many novels from the early 19th century, and I kept being struck by how 1980s the vocabulary of the girls sounded. There was something about the word choice and pattern that said "we are teenage girls from the late 20th century attempting to sound like we're from the early 19th century". The language didn't seem to flow naturally, like it was too practiced. This is a complaint about the other Regency Romance I have read recently, too.
So, in short, I did not find this book to live up to the expectations I had for it. The plot was too rushed and uneven, the characters a little too twee and planned, and the resolution of the mystery/suspense part of the plot was too perfectly staged. The writing feels too affected and stilted to be able to fall into that space where I forget that I'm reading words on a page.
I can see a few reasons why this book could be popular - it is a historical fantasy where the main characters are girls who are mostly capable of solving their own problems instead of relying on men (though, ultimately, this is not true), and it is an Elizabeth-and-Darcy style romance for both Kate and Cecy. But I think the plot is too weak and the girls too ineffectual to really be strong characters, and I do not like the Elizabeth-and-Darcy romance at all from Pride and Prejudice.
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LibraryThing member phoebesmum
An epistolary novel, set in a fantasy Regency AU. Two cousins, one enjoying her first London season, the other languishing in the depths of the countryside, stumble upon a dastardly wizardly plot and must use all their resources and ingenuity – plus the invaluable assistance of two conveniently
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eligible young men – to put a stop to it. The story was written as a game of letters between the two authors, and it's obvious at times that one occasionally had no idea what the other was doing. It might have benefited from a tighter final edit but, in general, is thoroughly enjoyable, albeit fluff of the fluffiest order. Show Less
LibraryThing member cammykitty
Funny, Jane Austinesque epistolary novel. It went out of print for a long time, and for years my best friend kept telling me how wonderful the book was. By the time it came back into print, I'd heard so much about it that I wanted to hate it. Sadly, it really is a funny wizardly romance. Sadly, the
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sequel didn't have the same charm. There are more books in the series, but I quit reading after the second left me cold. Show Less
LibraryThing member garalgar
Though the plot is as complete as in any other novel, the authors had given to develope it in the form of correspondence between two cousins. It doesn't lessen its entertainment. As the authors state the story is inspirated in Jane Austen's world, so I'm sure that all of us who love that world, and
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who don't worry too much about finding a little of sorcery in the plot, will enjoy them. Best for teenagers, though I am not. Show Less
LibraryThing member rocalisa
In a slightly alternative England just after the Napoleonic Wars, where magic and wizardry are real, two cousins start exchanging letters. Kate Talgarth has gone to London for the Season with her beautiful sister Georgina. Her cousin, Cecelia Rushton, remains at home in the country. Mysterious
That's not much of a description compared to the other books I've reviewed, but this one is different. It grew from the authors playing the "letter game" and since the plot only developed between Wrede and Stevermer as the letters were exchanged, it does the same for the reader.
I really wasn't sure what I was going to think of this book when I started it. I had heard about it before and how it had grown out of "the letter game", where each author had taken one of the principal characters (Wrede is Cecelia and Stevermer is Kate) and written the letters in persona. Their one rule was that each writer must not reveal her idea of where the plot was going to the other. To a certain degree, this sounds like a brilliant idea. But it also reminded me of online fanfic round robins which I know from experience can go strange and dangerous places, developing terrible plot and logic holes as they go. These authors didn't even have an established universe they were playing in.
At first I was afraid my fears were being realised as I had trouble figuring out who was who and how all the characters were connected to each other. Whatever was going on also seemed rather confusing. However, the book soon took off as more pieces were revealed. I did find it a little frustrating that the two male leads - James and Thomas - were so darned secretive and unable to give any proper explanations. However, since those desired explanations hadn't been invented before the book began, it was inevitable that each author would be dropping hints for the other to pick up on. When the explanations did start coming, they all worked and the story concluded itself very nicely. I did see in the authors' note that they got together once they had decided to submit the book for publication and tidied up any few loose and/or shaky ends.
Kate and Cecy are fun characters, and the reader gets to know them better as the story progresses. However, I felt all the other character were sketched rather than drawn. I suppose part of that could be because we only see as much of them as the girls put in their letters. In the same way, the romances seemed a little forced. Both women found their man "odious" a long way through the book and then they were in love and getting married. It was there, but the progression wasn't as smooth as it might have been.
My grumble done, I still recommend the book. If, like me, you feel a little confused at first, stick with it. The story unfolds neatly and by half way I was reading every moment I could to find out how everything turned out. I will certainly be reading the sequel, which my friendly librarian has reserved for me. (Aren't I lucky, having a friendly bookstore owner and a friendly librarian, even if the former takes a lot of my money!)
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things soon start happening to both of them, starting with a strange woman trying to poison Kate with hot chocolate under the belief she is a man named Thomas - and they soon find themselves caught up in a series of strange, dangerous and magical events. That's not much of a description compared to the other books I've reviewed, but this one is different. It grew from the authors playing the "letter game" and since the plot only developed between Wrede and Stevermer as the letters were exchanged, it does the same for the reader.
I really wasn't sure what I was going to think of this book when I started it. I had heard about it before and how it had grown out of "the letter game", where each author had taken one of the principal characters (Wrede is Cecelia and Stevermer is Kate) and written the letters in persona. Their one rule was that each writer must not reveal her idea of where the plot was going to the other. To a certain degree, this sounds like a brilliant idea. But it also reminded me of online fanfic round robins which I know from experience can go strange and dangerous places, developing terrible plot and logic holes as they go. These authors didn't even have an established universe they were playing in.
At first I was afraid my fears were being realised as I had trouble figuring out who was who and how all the characters were connected to each other. Whatever was going on also seemed rather confusing. However, the book soon took off as more pieces were revealed. I did find it a little frustrating that the two male leads - James and Thomas - were so darned secretive and unable to give any proper explanations. However, since those desired explanations hadn't been invented before the book began, it was inevitable that each author would be dropping hints for the other to pick up on. When the explanations did start coming, they all worked and the story concluded itself very nicely. I did see in the authors' note that they got together once they had decided to submit the book for publication and tidied up any few loose and/or shaky ends.
Kate and Cecy are fun characters, and the reader gets to know them better as the story progresses. However, I felt all the other character were sketched rather than drawn. I suppose part of that could be because we only see as much of them as the girls put in their letters. In the same way, the romances seemed a little forced. Both women found their man "odious" a long way through the book and then they were in love and getting married. It was there, but the progression wasn't as smooth as it might have been.
My grumble done, I still recommend the book. If, like me, you feel a little confused at first, stick with it. The story unfolds neatly and by half way I was reading every moment I could to find out how everything turned out. I will certainly be reading the sequel, which my friendly librarian has reserved for me. (Aren't I lucky, having a friendly bookstore owner and a friendly librarian, even if the former takes a lot of my money!)
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LibraryThing member AdonisGuilfoyle
A fun story, based on a creative concept, which I discovered by chance on Amazon. Set in Regency England, after the Napoleonic Wars, Cecelia 'Cecy' Rushton and Kate Talgarth are cousins and best friends, corresponding in best Austen fashion while Kate enjoys her first Season in London. Kate is
I did enjoy reading Wrede and Stevermer's debut novel, which is a sort of Austen primer for young adults, with just enough Georgette Heyer slang ('peagoose', caper-witted', 'the outside of enough', etc.) thrown in to be authentic and not obnoxious, but the trouble is that I never really learned to tell the flimsy characters apart. Kate and Cecy's adventures are mirrored to the point of confusion, with the same cast of supporting family and friends on either side - aunts, suitors, magical enemies - and the girls' narratives lack distinct 'voices', which is ironic, considering that the two authors were playing 'the Letter Game' and writing in reply to each other. Yet while I was reading and could keep up with who was who, Kate and Cecy's light banter and Wodehousian escapades, with a sprinkle of spells, charms and magic chocolate pots thrown in, was pleasantly entertaining and amusing. I liked the blend of wit and whimsy, like the enchanted chess pieces, and the innocence of the romance between Cecy and James and Kate and Thomas the 'Odious Marquis'.
I'm in two minds whether to continue with the series, but even if I don't, I shall certainly keep this first novel as a light and lively fairytale!
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staying with her Aunt Charlotte, Cecy with Aunt Elizabeth at Rushton Manor, Essex - or it could be the other way around - and both girls meet mysterious suitors who seem to be involved in a magical conspiracy.I did enjoy reading Wrede and Stevermer's debut novel, which is a sort of Austen primer for young adults, with just enough Georgette Heyer slang ('peagoose', caper-witted', 'the outside of enough', etc.) thrown in to be authentic and not obnoxious, but the trouble is that I never really learned to tell the flimsy characters apart. Kate and Cecy's adventures are mirrored to the point of confusion, with the same cast of supporting family and friends on either side - aunts, suitors, magical enemies - and the girls' narratives lack distinct 'voices', which is ironic, considering that the two authors were playing 'the Letter Game' and writing in reply to each other. Yet while I was reading and could keep up with who was who, Kate and Cecy's light banter and Wodehousian escapades, with a sprinkle of spells, charms and magic chocolate pots thrown in, was pleasantly entertaining and amusing. I liked the blend of wit and whimsy, like the enchanted chess pieces, and the innocence of the romance between Cecy and James and Kate and Thomas the 'Odious Marquis'.
I'm in two minds whether to continue with the series, but even if I don't, I shall certainly keep this first novel as a light and lively fairytale!
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LibraryThing member Nikkles
I love Patricia Wrede, which is how I started this series and I was not disappointed. The story and characters are charming and very fitting of young ladies of quality. The story is written in letters, which can be a little off putting, but overall it works.
LibraryThing member mabrown2
This book was so much fun! I'll admit that up until about a year ago I used to turn my nose up at YA novels. I don't know why really but I luckily got over my prejudice because I've found some really incredible titles since then. But this one has to rank as one of my favorites. The story is told
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through a series of letters written between cousins Cecelia and Kate. It's kind of a cross between Jane Austen and Susanna Clarke as it is set in a magical Regency England and had me laughing from the first page. I will definitely be revisiting this book from time to time and may even pick up it's sequel, "The Grand Tour." Until then, I highly recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member montano
I loved this book! Classic correspondence-format. Set in an alternate-Regency era England, two young upper class girls join forces to solve a mystery. They do it without much help from their parents or other adults. What I loved about this was how smart the characters were. The girls unravel the
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mystery, manage their romances and triumph over circumstances all on their own, using their considerable brain power. Very fun read! Show Less
LibraryThing member Mendoza
I love how the 2 authors each took a character and then wrote the entire book as correspondance. It worked well.
Although I prefer and more grown up story - I enjoyed the young adult themed romance (very light) - I also enjoyed the 19th century England setting. The alternate history type story with
I very much recommend this.
Although I prefer and more grown up story - I enjoyed the young adult themed romance (very light) - I also enjoyed the 19th century England setting. The alternate history type story with
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magic enhanced the story for me.I very much recommend this.
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LibraryThing member SimonW11
An enjoyably epistolic fantasy the writer started with no plot or background just writing each other a letter in character. the a setting a Regency romance with with added magic, When a plot emerged and so they cleaned it up and published it.
This was obviously a lot of fun for the participants they
On the whole it was like watching two dancers cooperating on an choreographed dance, some capoerista playing the game or people doing a two man Kata. Not perfect but each determined to look good and make the other look better.
This was read for the YA group here.
This was obviously a lot of fun for the participants they
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continually strive to outdo themselves on regency language mores and background. while doing their best to help each others respective plot lines along. rather than trampling them. It does not gel perfectly, there are time when their respective visions of the time seem some how just a bit at variance though I could not put a finger on it. Maybe and oddly it was they total inability of their respective characters, good friends though they were to disagree. One had only to say something for the other to confirm it:^)On the whole it was like watching two dancers cooperating on an choreographed dance, some capoerista playing the game or people doing a two man Kata. Not perfect but each determined to look good and make the other look better.
This was read for the YA group here.
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LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
Kate and Cecelia are the closest of cousins. So, when Kate goes off to London, leaving Cecy behind in the country, it is only expected that they would keep eachother abreast of the various happenings by way of correspondence. However, to their suprise they find that despite the distance between
Sorcery & Cecelia is a story I liked very much told in a manner I found difficult to read as the book is entirely made up of correspondence between the two cousins. Each cousin had a facinating story to tell each with their own set of circumstances, trials and surprising twists. I understand that very many people adored this book, it's setting and storyline. Unfortunately I could not get past the feeling of displacement and disconnection I felt with the manner of writing to enjoy it as much as others have.
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them, their adventures are tightly intertwined and together they uncover a nefarious plot between two power hungry wizards.Sorcery & Cecelia is a story I liked very much told in a manner I found difficult to read as the book is entirely made up of correspondence between the two cousins. Each cousin had a facinating story to tell each with their own set of circumstances, trials and surprising twists. I understand that very many people adored this book, it's setting and storyline. Unfortunately I could not get past the feeling of displacement and disconnection I felt with the manner of writing to enjoy it as much as others have.
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LibraryThing member miraria
I am normally not a fan of books written in letter format, but the style of this book made it exceptional instead of cumbersome. It was enchanting to read of a world with magic through the eyes of two proper young ladies. Since the authors actually played the letter game and did not know what the
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other was writing or planning, it also felt like reading a completely improved book. That feeling really captivated and amazed me. I highly recomend this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Batspit
"Sorcery and Cecelia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot" by Patricia C. Wrede, and Caroline Stevermer is the most fun book I've read in a long, long, long, long, long time. They started it as a letter game, the authors each taking one part, Wrede was Kate I believe and Stevermer Cecie, but it doesn't
I should mention it is young adult fiction, so don't expect... well, I don't know I loved it.
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really matter-- I'm usually not a huge fan of letter-style fiction, but this one was awesome. I can't believe the author's didn't discuss the plot before or while writing it-- its so damn fun, and the plot is the best--I should mention it is young adult fiction, so don't expect... well, I don't know I loved it.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
Having grown up together, sharing all sorts of scrapes and escapades, cousins Kate and Cecy are somewhat disappointed to find themselves split up when it comes to "coming out" in London. Undeterred by their separation, the girls resolve to write diligently regarding all of the goings on in town and
Charming, creative, and entertaining. I have the sequel sitting here ready to be read, and I can't wait.
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country. Little do they know that danger (and romance) is lurking in innocent looking gardens -- and even bushes.Charming, creative, and entertaining. I have the sequel sitting here ready to be read, and I can't wait.
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LibraryThing member delphica
(#32 in the 2004 book challenge)
This was super adorable, in a Jane Austen meets Philip Pullman vein. YA story, told in letters sent back and forth between two cousins, who live in an England where magic is real. The only thing more powerful than magic is the Regency social etiquette; the girls come
Grade: A
Recommended: for people who like light YA fantasy books, the romance parts are very appropriate for all ages, too.
This was super adorable, in a Jane Austen meets Philip Pullman vein. YA story, told in letters sent back and forth between two cousins, who live in an England where magic is real. The only thing more powerful than magic is the Regency social etiquette; the girls come
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up with more elaborate schemes to get around that than they do for foiling evil wizards. On the whole, very snappy and cute.Grade: A
Recommended: for people who like light YA fantasy books, the romance parts are very appropriate for all ages, too.
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LibraryThing member the-window
Steady pace throughout, then becomes a bit rushed near the end... a little too perfect when Kate and Cecy defeat their enemies at around the same time. (And I must admit I thought Cecy was a little boring.)
LibraryThing member melannen
Regency fantasy of the most entertaining variety!
This is a book I can't say a bad word about - romance, intrigue, and adventure mixed perfectly in a charming setting and a perfectly suited structure. I think what I like most about it, though, is Kate and Cecy, the two letter-writing protagonists.
I picked this book up because the Pride & Prejudice miniseries stopped airing at *just* the wrong point last night, and I needed something lighter than Austen but just as good. Kate and Cecy managed very well.
This is a book I can't say a bad word about - romance, intrigue, and adventure mixed perfectly in a charming setting and a perfectly suited structure. I think what I like most about it, though, is Kate and Cecy, the two letter-writing protagonists.
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They are strong , smart, sensible young women who find society's conventions just a bit silly and set about to ignore and subvert them as they please, and yet they never quite turn into Strong Female Characters of the blatant sort, because, much like Austen's better characters, they never think of themselves as rebels or misfits, but simply as sensible young women. And the older women who support them, from Aunt Elizabeth to Lady Sally Jersey, are very much the sort of practical women that Kate and Cecy will grow into.I picked this book up because the Pride & Prejudice miniseries stopped airing at *just* the wrong point last night, and I needed something lighter than Austen but just as good. Kate and Cecy managed very well.
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LibraryThing member icedtea
I thought this was a fun and charming read. I picked this up at the library on a whim, and I'm so glad I did.
LibraryThing member Bduke
Jane Austen/Georgette Heyer meet Harry Potter - what's not to love? This was a really cute book. I was glad that someone had suggested reading the "Afterward" first, because it helped understand how the book worked. In fact, I think I'm going to suggest the Letter Game to our Creative Writing Club
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here at school. Anyway, it was a fun read - I definitely recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member chibimajo
A bit slow starting out, this book is told through a series of letters. Readers can easily guess at times the "hidden" connections, but it is still quite fun to read them as they emerge to the characters. Cece and her younger sister have moved to London for the season, debuts for both of them,
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leaving Cece's cousin and best friend Kate behind. Then the two of them become embroiled in a magical plot to destroy a marquis. They are quite smarter than the males they keep having to save, and I wish there was a bit more about the romance that develops, but all in all, quite enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
Absolutely splendid. This is just as delightful now as it was when I originally read it. Two spirited heroines, plenty of stirring adventures, and a believable system of magic, all add up to a wonderful trouncing of romantic conventions.
"...We are to return and take tea on Thursday. I am determined
"... he turned my hand over again and brushed a kiss across my knuckles. I experienced a nearly overpowering desire to hit him in the eye."
"...We are to return and take tea on Thursday. I am determined
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to have the headache Thursday, if I have to hit myself with a rock to do it.""... he turned my hand over again and brushed a kiss across my knuckles. I experienced a nearly overpowering desire to hit him in the eye."
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Awards
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2004)
Pages
326
ISBN
015205300X / 9780152053000
Lexile
720L