01/14/2022
Gr 4–7—Decher's fourth book in the "Seven Kingdoms" series is a zany story of ingenuity and collaboration. Life in the Seven Kingdoms is never dull, especially not with fairies popping by to ask for favors and a cranky queen creating candies that will put a spell on anyone who eats them. Add to that the mystery of why all the bees in the kingdoms are too agitated for their winter rest, and you have a recipe for challenges that can't be solved by just one character. Princess Saffy and her twin, Prince Magellan, start unraveling the mystery of the bees when their fairy godparents ask them to hunt for some renegade cupids from the Fairy Kingdom. Their quest brings them into collaboration with members of the other courts, including Nero, the crown prince of the Blackfly Kingdom. Whatever is stirring up the bees affects everyone; not only is honey a prized product for each kingdom, but the role the bees play as pollinators is, as in our own world, crucial. The story moves at a rapid pace, and dialogue fills the pages as the characters work together to resolve their problems before the double festival of Valentine's Day and Rose Monday. VERDICT While readers new to Seven Kingdoms may find themselves confused at points, Saffy and Magellan's quest to find the cupids and fix the candies will likely engage those already familiar with the world and the quirks of the kingdoms.—Jen McConnel
