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| Open Road Media |
Patricia C. Wrede
Caroline Stevermer
1988
The Summary
"Since they were children, cousins Kate and Cecelia have been inseparable. But in 1817, as they approach adulthood, their families force them to spend a summer apart. As Cecelia fights boredom in her small country town, Kate visits London to mingle with the brightest lights of English society.
"At the initiation of a powerful magician into the Royal College of Wizards, Kate finds herself alone with a mysterious witch who offers her a sip from a chocolate pot. When Kate refuses the drink, the chocolate burns through her dress and the witch disappears. It seems that strange forces are convening to destroy a beloved wizard, and only Kate and Celia can stop the plot. But for two girls who have to contend with the pressures of choosing dresses and beaux for their debuts, deadly magic is only one of their concerns."
The Good
Although I was initially hesitant to begin this book because it began at such a slow pace, I found myself gradually falling in love with the story. I enjoyed the exchange of letters between Kate and Ceclia, because you really get the chance to see their personalities blossom--hot-headed, quick-witted Kate; brash and brave Cecilia--and you have the opportunity to see both their stories unfold. You couldn't enjoy one without the other.
Additionally, I found most of the characters enjoyable. Cecelia and Kate are excellent narrators, both taking a great deal of time and effort to illuminate even the smallest details; moreover, they're both incredibly forward-thinking for the Victorian Era. While they don't exactly defy social conventions, they certainly push the boundaries for "young ladies of good breeding" by starting foolish antics (there's some episode with a goat that I've not quite understood) and getting into trouble.
I have to admit, I was especially fond of Kate. I liked Cecelia for her bravery, her uncompromising wit, and her unexpected adventures in the country-side; however, I liked Kate for her temper and her obvious intelligence. She's all sass, which I liked. She recognizes her need to rely on her relatives and her reputation, but she's doesn't let it define her. She's a troublemaker deep down, and I liked her all the more for it.
I also like the scheme concocted by Miranda Tanistry and others (I'd rather not spoil the surprise). It's a very wicked plot against one of the more powerful sorcerers in England, and it's surprisingly effective. Miranda is an adept villain, along with her co-conspirator, and she's more than a little unsettling.
The Bad
Sorcery and Cecelia is a jarring mixture of Victorian social life, bucolic English countryside, danger, and sorcery. I always found it strange to have Cecelia and Kate revert back to teenage girls in the midst of their "marriageable season" after they've been discussing wicked wizards, dangerous sorcery, black magic, and more that would imperil their lives.
It's a strange juxtaposition that would often leave me wondering how well they saw the danger to themselves.
The Ugly
Dark sorcery. And devious men.
Black magic is, of course, a dangerous thing: I mean, Miranda Tanistry's ultimate goal is to steal another magician's power to supplement her magic and leave said magician for dead. It's a bit of a gruesome fate if we're being honest.
And, right up there with essentially leaving a magician as a lifeless husk, are men like Mr. Strangle (a very unfortunate--and foreboding--name) and Hollydean. I found them infuriating, and I couldn't help hoping one or the other would get caught in magical trap or fall down a steep hill and break his neck. Perhaps that's cruel, but I really, really disliked them.
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