Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-In this sequel to Bliss (HarperCollins, 2012), Littlewood continues her frothy tale of the magical baking family as they enter a high-stakes culinary competition in Paris to win back their magic recipe book from their evil relative, Lily Le Fay. It is 12-year-old Rose and her siblings who take on the task of finding the ingredients they need, such as the wish of a ghost and the blush of a queen, as they try to outwit and outbake Lily, who has bewitched everyone with her enchanted "Magic Ingredient." Brimming with lighthearted fun, where even the gargoyles turn out to be friendly, this action-packed fantasy, celebrating the courage and ingenuity of children and the wholesomeness of simple baking, will be enjoyed most by those who have read the first book. Travel buffs will like the way the action takes place in and around Parisian tourist attractions. Characterization is light and easy, with some insight into Rose's feelings. Newcomers to the series will need some patience while they get up to speed. The ending suggests a sequel.-Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In Bliss, Rosemary's evil aunt stole the Bliss family "Cookery Booke." Now Rosemary challenges her aunt to a televised baking duel to win it back. With the help of a talking cat, the Bliss children visit the landmarks of Paris collecting ingredients such as "unspoiled rainfall" to use in the contest. Readers will enjoy accompanying these kitchen magicians on their Parisian adventure. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In this hilarious sequel to Bliss (2012), 12-year-old Rose Bliss and her eccentric family travel to Paris, where she competes in an international pastry competition to outbake her scheming Aunt Lily Le Fey and recover the Bliss Cookery Booke. After Lily stole the Booke with its secret, special family recipes, the Bliss bakery's pies, muffins and croissants have lost their magic, leaving everyone in Calamity Falls feeling "a bit like warm lettuce." Meanwhile, Lily has a best-selling cookbook and a popular TV cooking show, and her Magical Ingredient threatens to have the "country in the palm of her hand." Determined to stop Lily, Rose challenges her in the formidable Gala des Gteaux Grands, with the Booke as the prize. To assemble the bizarre ingredients for their unconventional recipes, Rose and her family risk their necks and encounter ghostly creatures, searching the Seine, the Louvre, the Catacombs, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles and Notre Dame. Employing unorthodox cat-and-mouse subterfuge, a desperate Rose eventually discovers she may not need magic to be the best baker if she has her family's love. Readers will savor this latest Bliss family adventure as Rose and her siblings traverse Paris trying to outmaneuver Lily and turn the baking world upside down. Spot art captures key themes. Fantastic fantastical fare. (Fantasy. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
