Amy's Reviews > Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot

2023 Review
I found the book on audio this time and the best part was the history of its writing from the authors at the end. They describe the letter game and how it began to absorb them so intently they started talking about the characters as if they were family members--much to the annoyance of their friends!

As someone guilty of jabbering about the antics of characters in the Regency themed DnD I play with my friends, that hit close to home.

2021 Review
Today I feel the opposite of my 2019 review—I think the more I read this one, the more I love it. The romances are satisfying. The characters endearing. And the combination of Regency and magic a nice blend of Georgette Heyer and Howl's Moving Castle. It all adds up to an enduring favorite perfect for a re-read every other year.

2019 Review
The more I seep myself in the Regency world, the less I think I love this one. Don't get me wrong: it remains delightful. Delicious, I believe I originally called it. But too many plot elements get left undeveloped for the sequel (which I do not remember enjoying very much) for me to truly find it satisfying. And I guess...I just find the conclusion to the romances a little disappointing too. The heroes are lovely, of course. Good showing not telling. But overall I would say the novel always leaves me wanting more and not in the sense of more linear story. I want more fleshed out.
Still recommend, of course!

2015 Review
Delicious. Witty, unpredictable, and very fun. I meant to read only a few chapters before going to bed, but ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting. I love the epistolary style, Regency feel, and twisting plot (with adorable romance thrown in for good measure). It is one of those books that would have garnered a 5 star review from me a few years earlier, but a few things bugged me.
Such as, all the Regency slang thrown about. It was goofy and delightful but kept me from taking anything too seriously.
Or the main characters, who seemed really similar. I realize they are written by different authors, but while I could keep track of any number of suitors and aunts, remembering which one was which took effort. I thought of them as 'the London one' and 'the country one' for the longest time. (I liked Kate better)
The suitors are even worse. By the end they began to show their own personality a bit (a wee, tiny, tiny bit) but mostly it felt like they were the same person except one had magic. (James, however, was everything that is amiable and superior. I liked him a lot)
Not necessarily a bad thing, but at the beginning there were so many young men introduced (from Twins to neighbor boys) that I was reminded of writing as a teenager. You write in a lot of men and cast about for whichever one your heroine has the most chemistry with.
Thankfully, in this the author succeeds, as the characters have dramatic misunderstandings followed undoubtable chemistry.
The book has everything you could want, from sham betrothals to balls to evil villains to witty one liners to untapped magic and two dark, brooding romantic leads.
Oh yes, definitely an immediate favorite.