A sprinkle of spirits

Following her discovery in Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble (rev. 3/18) that she (like all the females in her family) is a bruja, Leonora Logroo is busy learning about potions and spells while working in the familys bakery, Amor y Azcar Panaderia. Such intense study, however, locks out her BFF Caroline, so Caroline (who acquired a little knowledge of spells in the earlier book), decides to try a little brujera on her own. She manages to bungle a spell to see her recently deceased mother once again, summoning a gang of spirits from el Otro Lado. A wide-ranging cast of characters (fully introduced in the first volume, but perhaps confusing for those new to the series) tries to contain the spirits and send them back; the result is pure slapstick, conjuring up images of the Keystone Cops playing Whac-A-Mole. Meriano smoothly incorporates universal pre-adolescent issues of friendship and family relationships throughout, as well as including a poignant scene in which the spirit of Carolines mother discusses the grieving process. With an intriguing epilogue, it appears that the Logroo family may be cooking up yet another volume in the series. Buen provecho! betty carter July/Aug p.134(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The Logroo family is preparing for the arrival of the Magi on Da de los Reyes, but surprise visitors throw a wrench in the works in Meriano's sequel to A Dash of Trouble (2018).After the fiasco around Da de los Muertos, Leo has finally been initiated into the family bruja tradition and has begun her apprenticeship in the culinary and magical arts. As the winter holiday break wanes, Leo feels pulled in too many directions: by her mother's expectations, her sisters' advice, and the desire to maintain friendships despite her family's secrets. When she is awakened one morning by the corporeal spirit, she knows something terrible must be amiss and worries that her untrained magical abilities might be the cause. Her abuela has not crossed over alone, however; at least five others with unfinished business have arrived in Rose Hill ahead of Da de los Reyes, leaving trails of marigold petals in their wakes. Leo must find balance between family and friendships in order to return the spirits to el Otro Lado before they are cursed to wander, like La Llorona. Meriano's magical contemporary world is steeped in Latinx culture, and though Leo faces fantastical complications, her struggle to find her place is a universal adolescent experience. Leo and her sisters are half-white and half-Mexican and live in a fairly diverse small town in Texas.A sweet second helping that will leave readers hungry for more. (Fantasy. 9-13) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.