Review by Booklist Review
In this companion book to Dragon with a Chocolate Heart (2017), the focus shifts to the dragon girl's best friend, Silke, whose parents disappeared while crossing the fairies' territory years earlier. The powerful crown princess enlists Silke to spy on elven royalty during their unwelcome diplomatic visit to the royal city. Why have the elves come? And where are her parents? A former street urchin disguised as a lady-in-waiting, Silke uses her quick wits, conniving ways, and storytelling skills to find answers before the elves strike. A strong sequel to Burgis' first Dragon novel, this adventure features a more vulnerable, more flawed, literally more human heroine. The backstory set up in the previous book becomes more resonant here, as Silke realizes the vital importance of her friends as well as the family she has apparently lost. The court settings contrast effectively with her real life, though she draws on her unusual past to understand the haughty royal characters, both human and elven. A well-knit story combining court intrigue and strange alliances with a heartening conclusion.--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-This companion novel to The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart follows Aventurine's closest human friend, Silke, who saved her life at the end of the previous book. Silke, 13, has been on a singular path to build a better life ever since she lost her parents in the Elfenwald forest seven years ago. Her brother, Dieter, does not understand her desire to leave behind their little market stall and seek out a different life. When not peddling goods with her brother, she works at the the Chocolate Heart with Aventurine as an promoter and waitress. When Silke is able to use her cunning and charisma to help Aventurine escape a sticky situation, the crown Princess comes seeking her help. Before she knows it, Silke has agreed to pose as a lady-in-waiting for an upcoming visit from the mysterious and clandestine royal court of Elfenwald. Dropped into a completely alien environment and removed from her cozy life in the Chocolate Heart, Silke must adapt and avoid the intrigue and backstabbing of court life. While it is useful to have read the previous book, this works well as a standalone novel. The characters from Chocolate Heart make appearances but the focus here is on Silke and her story. Silke is described as having brown skin with short, dark hair, and a penchant for wearing pants instead of skirts. The author also manages to weave in some commentary on immigration and asylum seekers. Though it is a bit slow to take off, the last third is fast paced and full of adventure. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Tamora Pierce and Gail Carson Levine, or anyone looking for a book which features strong women who save the day.-Sara Brunkhorst, Indian Trails Public Library District, IL © Copyright 2018. 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
This companion to The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart focuses on dragon-turned-human chocolatier Aventurine's (human) friend Silke. Silke catches the attention of the princess, who assigns Silke spy duty over devious elves visiting the palace. But Silke has her own agenda: the elves took her parents years ago, and she's determined to find out what happened. Plucky Silke's first-person narrative reflects her strong, independent spirit. (c) Copyright 2019. 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
Silke hopes to learn the fates of her missing parents in this companion to The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart (2017).Refugee Silke's a bold, adventurous, cross-dressing 13-year-old who loves Drachenburg. And though she won't admit it, she loves her friends who feel like family at the Chocolate Heart, including her dragon-turned-girl best friend, Aventurineespecially since she and her older brother have grown apart since her parents' disappearance in Elfenwald six years ago. Silke's narration captures a sadness that's only partially camouflaged by her swaggering demeanor. One day, in order to save Aventurine from a mob, braggart Silke claims to work for the crown princess. The next day, the princess's guards come for herbut Princess Katrin doesn't want to punish Silke, she wants her to spy: After a century underground, a delegation from magical Elfenwald is coming to Drachenburg, and the princess wants to know whyand Silke sees an opportunity to solve her parents' mystery. Silke tries to fit in at court as a royal cousin, but being a proper lady-in-waiting isn't determined Silke's forte, and soon her wits are put to the test when all of Drachenburg is endangered. Lovable and frustrating, black-presenting Silke's an entirely believable character; supporting characters are equally well-drawn, and Burgis' world is a robustly diverse one.As with the first book, the fantasy hijinks are tempered with depth for a story that's sweet but not saccharine. (Fantasy. 10-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
