Secrets, Spells, and Chocolates

Cookbook author Churchill (Sweet & Skinny) crafts a cozy fantasy in her YA debut. Fourteen-year-old Sylvie Jones yearns to attend her mother’s alma mater, Brindille School of Culinary Arts & Magic, to earn her Blade, which will allow her to further hone her abilities toward becoming a full-fledged magical chef. But accusations that her mother cheated her way to victory while participating in the most famous magical cooking competition, The Golden Whisk, make it nearly impossible to persuade spellcasting culinary professionals to give Sylvie a chance—until the powerful Council of Culinary Sages presents her with an opportunity. If she wants to attend Brindille, Sylvie must graduate first in her preparatory classes; meanwhile, if her mother loses an upcoming tournament starring previous competitors, she will lose her own magic forever. Then a mysterious stranger entangles Sylvie in a conspiracy involving a stolen enchanted artifact and long-held secrets about The Golden Whisk. Lengthy prose and convoluted plotting often feel at odds with a low-stakes atmosphere and charming aesthetics around magical baking. Nevertheless, the characters’ infectious passion for their craft and the mouthwatering descriptions of each enchanted dish impart buoyant ambiance. Sylvie reads as white. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kayla Cichello, Upstart Crow Literary. (Dec.)