Review: Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia C. Wrede Caroline Stevermer

Yet another book that was read before the whole appetizer/ entree dealy-o was first imagined.




A great deal is happening in London and the country this season.
For starters, there's the witch who tried to poison Kate at the Royal College of Wizards. There's also the man who seems to be spying on Cecelia. (Though he's not doing a very good job of it--so just what are his intentions?) And then there's Oliver. Ever since he was turned into a tree, he hasn't bothered to tell anyone where he is.
Clearly, magic is a deadly and dangerous business. And the girls might be in fear for their lives . . . if only they weren't having so much fun!








1. Which character would you like to make out with?
3. Connect this book to the Lady Gaga song "Born this Way"
4. What was your favourite scene in this book, and why?


This book was written by two authors, Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. It's written in a way I've never read before- there are two main characters, and each is written by one author. But it's not only that- it's written in letters. So the whole story is almost two stories, but interconnected. It alternates between authors and characters, making it interesting to read.


I've read some books by Patricia C. Wrede before this, (The first two books in the Enchanted Forest series, Dealing with Dragons and Searching for Dragons). They are not challenging to read, and don't have very difficult concepts, but they are incredibly fun. They are creative and funny, and complete fantasy. This book was no different- It was a bit silly and kind of crazy at times, but this was more of a young adult book then the Enchanted Forest Series was. It took not very long before I was completely taken by the book.


Kate goes to London with one of their aunts, while her cousin Cecelia is left behind at their house a few hours outside of London. Kate meets Thomas, the mysterious Marquis of Schofield, and when Kate meets him, she is suddenly involved in many things that she wishes she wasn't. Meanwhile, Ceceilia catches James Tarleton repeatedly spying on her new neighbour. In confronting him, she, too, gets involved in more then she planned on. Sorcery and Ceceilia involves magical curses, a step-mother and unexpected romance.


If I had to "1. Choose a favourite scene" like one of the questions Megan asked me, I think I would say almost anything with Thomas in it would stand out. The character of Thomas would be annoying and infuriating to meet, but at the same time charming and lovable. Which would also answer the question of "2. Which character would you like to make out with", (Megan, you are very sneaky with your questions. I'll get you back someday, don't think I won't.) I think of all the male characters, Thomas is the least freaky. I found James a bit annoying, and Oliver, Cecelia's brother, is just weird.

3. Connect this book to the Lady Gaga song "Born this Way" Is the last question from Megan. (She's crazy, see?) I honestly have no idea how Lady Gaga would have anything to do with this book, but let's see. If you really stretched it, you could say that since "Born this Way" is music, it would relate to the book in the way that Kate goes to several balls, which have music. It's a stretch, but I guess it works? Maybe? Okay, maybe not, I tried.

And so, in short;
The Good: Good characters, fun plot, nice setting, interestingly written.
The Bad: Slow-ish pace.
The Verdict: 3.5/5

And now for something completely different...

We'd like to introduce you to a new feature that we will be starting soon! What is it? You say? What craziness will they have next?

Sorcery and Cecilia was written by two authors, but not just willy-nilly. It was written using the 'Letters Game'. This game is played between two authors sending each other letters. In the first letter, the first author gets to set the time period, the characters, and start to introduce the story. Then, the other author has to answer with their character and continue on. The characters can not be together at any time during the story, and the authors are not supposed to talk about what they are planning or thinking. Pretty much, you have to roll with the punches-er, letters- that the other person sends to you, and just keep it going.

So now either you've guessed what you've got up our sleeves, and if you have, bonus points for you! If not, I am excited to inform you that we will be starting our own letter game! This will be the first feature that we host that goes with the 'write' part of 'read it write'.

Rachel