Ahoy there me mateys!  Yesterday I gushed about castle hangnail and then immediately after finishing it, me hold for this book came in.  Glee!  Another book by an author I am adoring.  The author's T. Kingfisher work is said to be for adults but much like minor mage, this would definitely work for the younger set.

I think the reason this book is said to be for adults is because of it's quirky nature and themes about grown-ups not doing their jobs and how being a hero isn't something anyone should wish for.  The main character, Mona, is a rather normal girl with a seemingly small magic talent of working with bread.  She just wants her regular life and is thrust into a situation she doesn't want.  Mona can be naïve and silly.  She can also be intelligent, loving, sensible, and tenacious.  I rather adored her.

The side characters are not as fleshed out but are wonderful all the same.  Who doesn't love Bob the unusual sourdough starter?  Or ginger bread familiars?  There is darkness to the tale but nothing I believe is too hard to handle.  There is also humor to balance out the sadness in the tale.  The only small hiccup for me is how the battle went but it was a minor issue.  I really enjoyed this one and will continue to seek out this author's work no matter which name it is published under.  Arrr!