Monday, April 01, 2013

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop (2013)

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop. Kate Saunders. 2013. Random House. 304 pages.

The title is so promising, but I was disappointed overall. If you'd like to spend time with an immortal talking cat, an immortal talking rat, the ghost of a famous elephant, three magical eleven-year-olds (who had no clue they were magical until chapter two or three), and a frustrated evil genius, then this is the perfect book for you. It's insane really, which may be just what a fantasy lover is looking for. It's set in London. It's set in an old chocolate shop. It features a SECRET AGENCY dealing specifically with all things magic: ghosts, goblins, etc. The premise to this wild book starts off simply: a family inherits a house on Skittle street. The family decides to move there instead of selling. Only the two children (twins) see and hear the two magical residents of the house: a cat and rat. They learn of their family's past. There were magical triplets who ran a chocolate shop together. One turned evil and murdered his two brothers. The bad guy--the murderer--is immortal, he's still got evil plans that need to be stopped. And, of course, these two are the ONLY ones able to do it!

I like my fantasy to be a little tamer, and a lot saner! It was too much for me. But it might be just right for other readers.

Read The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop
  • If you enjoy British children's fantasy
  • If you enjoy fantasy books like Reality Leak by Joni Sensel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or The Mysterious Benedict books.

© 2013 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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