The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull
I did’t know what I expected for this book, but I was taken for a totally unexpected. The first series I read from Brandon Mull was Fablehaven. I loved it. I loved the world within a world, the magical creatures, the adventures, the characters. The whole family gave up evening TV time so I could read the series aloud to them. So I watched for other books written by Mull. The Beyonders was well worth the read. The last book in the Five Kingdoms series was released in March, so I will probably read that series here in the near future. What I am trying to get at is…I thought I knew what I was getting into. SURPRISE!!!
Content
This book was full of magic and mayhem. Instead of a world within a world, or an alternate dimension, all of the magic happens in the sleepy little town of Colson, California. When a new candy shop comes to town, four children find that candy can be more than just a sweet treat. It is magical in every way. Moon Rocks make them light as air. Shock Bits fill their bodies with electricity. Gum enhances your perception and performance, jawbreakers make you unbreakable. Magic in every bite.
But two competing confectioners behind these sweet treats have ulterior motives for peddling their magical wares. In search of a treasure that will make a magician all powerful, they enlist the help of children to do their dirty work. Why children? Because they are the only ones susceptible to the magical powers of these treats. How does all of this mayhem go unnoticed by the rest of the town? Just give out free samples of a highly addictive, mind numbing fudge. Can anyone stop these magicians? Is there hope for the children caught in the middle?
Recommendation
I give this read 8 out of 12 dozen rolls. Charlee (age 9) couldn’t get through the first two chapters (but she has a hard time finishing any book so take that with a grain of salt). I didn’t think it was a slow start at all. It was fun and adventurous. But man, these 10 year old little kids were put in quite the pickle.
The adventurous story deserved a higher recommendation. However, I didn’t like that the adults were exploiting children and their natural instinct to trust. Every bad decision made by the four children was because they trusted an adult or searched out an adult to help them. That negative relationship warranted only 8 of 12 rolls. I would have loved this book as a child. As a mom… Let’s just say, I hope my kids…”Don’t Take Candy From Strangers!”