Letters Between Friends

Sorcery and Cecilia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot

By Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

Genre: Historical, Fantasy

I read this book a while ago and it still has stuck with me. Not necessarily for the story, but for the concept. The book is told by two cousins, Cecelia and Kate, writing letters to one another. To write this book Wrede and Stevermer actually wrote these letters to one another, portraying a character each. Originally, they used this as a writing exercise, but sat down and realized they had a book. Love love LOVE this idea. I read this explanation and took the book out of the library immediately.

Taking place in an alternate, Victorian-Austen England, the two cousins write to one another as they endure the trials of being a young girl becoming a lady in high society. Rich in language that I can only describe as Austen-like, I delved into this world that was spattered with little hints of magic.

I cannot decide if I like this book or not. It's one that's in the middle. I loved the concept, the background, but it felt incredibly predictable. For those that love Austen, I'd recommend this novel. I probably won't read it again.

3/5 STARS

In the classroom:

Possibly for use as an individual study. There aren't any deep deep topics to discuss. It would be interesting to study how young girls born into rich families actually lived in Victorian England. I would recommend this more for “fun” reading rather than studying.