[Subdue] A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, by T Kingfisher (4 stars)

[KateNZ]

[I rolled a 6-5, so had to read an extra - I picked this book from Cora's Subdue list #28]

14 year old Mona is a wizard with a very singular skill - her magic works on baked goods. Preferably dough (it's easier to persuade because it hasn't become something else yet). Most people aren't magical at all, but she knows of others who can do small magics, and their town is pretty accommodating to wizards, unlike some other places. When Mona finds a dead body in her aunt's bakery and ends up getting arrested as a suspect, though, her life gets turned completely upside down.

I adored this book. Very clever and imaginative, laugh-out-loud funny dialogue and commentary, beautifully written, a whole host of fun characters. Bob, the sourdough starter, steals every scene he's in, as does Mona's animated gingerbread man. Spindle is a delight. Sure, the goodies and baddies are pretty obvious and the plot track isn't hard to guess, but that just gives room for the author to be novel in different ways.

[Sue]

I have to agree Bob was my favorite character. He was introduced in the first chapter and I knew (hoped!) he'd keep turning up.

I also loved the gingerbread man, and especially the army of rat poison gingerbread men.

[KateNZ]

The rat poison gingerbread men are hilarious!

[Cora]

I am glad you liked it. I am looking forward to reading it. Hopefully it will come up on my next roll.

[Jen K]

I loved her Nettle & Bone which came out in 2022. This one sounds really fun and I may need to pick up soon too.

[KateNZ]

Nettle and Bone has just gone on the list 😁 It sounds totally wacky!

[Jen K]

It was a good one!