Review: The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published August 21st 2012 by Walker Childrens

 

Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter, has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn milk into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.

Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund finds herself desired by all. But Emmeline only wants one-Owen Oak, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances once tempted her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the cost to Emmeline.

Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.

(provided by GoodReads)

This book is absolutely lovely. (Why haven't you bought and read this book yet? You should; it's wonderful.) The story combines an original plot, believable characters, and good story telling; all things necessary for a great story but so rarely seen. I mean, how many stories are out there that involve chocolate? Not enough.

Emmeline is a gem of a character. She is witty, humble, and adorable;  traits that usually don't go together but work so well in this character. Getting acquainted with her is reason enough to read this book. Seriously.

I normally don't like it when perspective switches between characters within the story, but The Sweetest Spell managed to accomplish this extremely well. Owen's story added to Emmeline's, and vice versa. It was unlike Fury by Elizabeth Myles where the two perspectives felt like two separate stories.

The Sweetest Spell has the same whimsical faerie tale feel of Enchanted by Alethea Kontis, another book I absolutely loved. The only thing I would note is that Enchanted ties in existing faerie tales into a story all it's own, whereas The Sweetest Spell is a completely unique story. Nevertheless, both are most certainly worth a read. If you like fantasy, sweet romance, and happy endings, you will love The Sweetest Spell. I know I did.

Final Thought: 15 out of 15 toadstools
This review is also on GoodReads