Tuesday, 4 April 2023

Sugar and Spice - Sarah Mlynowski - Whatever After Book 10

Sugar and Spice
Whatever After Book 10
Sarah Mlynowski
Scholastic
ISBN 9780545851077
eISBN 9780545851084
ASIN B01FGC7I24


This is the twelfth title I have read a book in this series. I have been reading these stories with my girls for over 7 years now. I read a few of these stories with my oldest starting in 2016. Now my youngest is reading them to me, and her sister handed down the first several stories in the series. And we have added the rest to have the complete series, at least what is available to date. My youngest insists we review everything that we read together, so this review from 2023 is part of that effort. And my youngest has been writing her own reviews of the books she has finished for the last year and is planning on starting her own book blog. Between reading with my oldest and youngest this is the eighteenth time I have read a book in this series. The stories continue to have great staying power. Even as an adult I enjoy these books, not only the first time but rereading them again and again.

Mlynowski as always does a wonderful job with the story in this book, and all we have read in the series so far. My oldest was a reluctant reader. Back then when we read, I would read two pages for every page she read to me. The whole family loves these stories from 8-years old to 80 years old. It is a fantastic series. The stories are fun and entertaining, but also have some valuable lessons and insight. 

My youngest daughter and I both give this story a solid 4/5 stars, she says this is a little darker than most of the others to date. She was surprised by what appeared to have happened when it looked like Abby and Jonah might be stuck in the story, and Hansel and Gretel look like they could be their twins. This story had a lot of twists and turns that we had not guessed and took us completely by surprise. She was totally taken by what happened at the end, especially with the changes to her jewellery box once the story was resolved.

The description of this story is:

“That's the way the cookie crumbles!

Yum! Our magic mirror has dropped me and my brother, Jonah, into the story of Hansel and Gretel. If we're lucky, we may even get to taste the cake-house...

But we didn't count on accidentally getting trapped. The real Hansel and Gretel are on the run, and Jonah and I have taken their place. And the witch is making a kid casserole for dinner...

Now we have to:
- Avoid being eaten
- Pretend our dog is a cat
- Learn to make kale smoothies
- Befriend a talking duck

Or we may never make it back to our home sweet home!”

I enjoyed Abby’s and Jonah’s growth in this story, they are continuing to grow and mature. They both are also becoming better at troubleshooting issues and problems during their adventures. I was surprised by some of the twists in this one. It is a good read in a great series.

We always enjoy Mlynowski’s twists and takes on old tales. This is a great take on a familiar tale. The writing in these stories is excellent. My daughters and I love reading them together. The retelling of this story surprised both of us at several different points and I am certain it will surprise you. It is a great book in an excellent series. 













Books by Sarah Mlynowski:
Magic in Manhattan Series:
Bras & Broomsticks
Frogs & French Kisses
Spells & Sleeping Bags
Parties & Potions

Whatever After Special Editions:
Abby in Wonderland
Abby in Oz
…


Upside-Down Magic Series:
Upside-Down Magic #1
Sticks and Stones #2
Showing Off #3
...

Other Books by Sarah:
Milkrun
Fishbowl
Monkey Business
As Seen on TV
Me Vs. Me
Gimme a Call
Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)
Don't Even Think About It
Think Twice
Know It All
A Nice Fling is Hard to Find
A Little Bit Broken
Cruisin'
Party Girls
The Two-Month Itch
...

Books Coauthored:
See Jane Write (with Farrin Jacobs)
How to Be Bad (with E. Lockhart and Lauren Myracle)
...

Books Contributed To:
Girls' Night In
Girls Night Out
American Girls About Town
Fireworks
Vacations from Hell
...

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